It was the first day of the NEA RA! Delegates started their day in morning caucus at 7 AM until 9 AM. Then we had a half hour ride from our hotel to the convention center in downtown Minneapolis. Once there we navigated to the hall and to our seats for the start of the NEA Representative Assembly! The National Education Association Representative Assembly–the RA–is the highest decision-making body within the over 3 million-member NEA. With over 8,000 delegates, the RA is also the world’s largest democratic deliberative body.
After the opening festivities (national anthem, pledge of allegiance, blessing), the delegates heard a keynote address from NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia (text of her speech). During her remarks, she yielded her time to David Hogg, a recent high school graduate of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. We then adopted the rules for governing the RA, had a financial report from Secretary-Treasurer Princess Moss.
After the financial and budget report, we heard from NEA Legal Counsel Alice O'Brien and NEA Executive Director John Stocks about how the Janus Decision might effect our organization. Before breaking for lunch (at 2:30 pm CST!), we heard from all the candidates running for NEA office.
After lunch, we were treated to a speech from the NEA ESP of the Year Sherry Shaw from Alaska, who is an elementary school teacher assistant. After the speech, we moved along to action on new business items (some were approved, some failed - see some of the NBIs here )
Finally, we heard remarks from NEA Executive Director John Stocks.
Your Blog Team's Top Three Things from Today were:
1.) We heard from Sherry Shaw, Education Support Professional of the Year from Alaska. One highlight of her speech was ways she reached one of her students, Roman, a young man with autism.
2.) As of the end of today’s delegation caucus, we have raised $19586 for the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. Way to go, delegates.
3.) We heard passionate speeches from the Randi Weingarten, the President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Lee Saunders, the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
