Day Three!
Have you donated to the NEA Fund for Children & Public Education yet? Remember your donations help elect friends of education!
VEA's 2021 ESP of the Year, Brandi Wilder, gave us her why today:
Here are some of the reasons I donate to PAC. My family! From my own child to his half brothers to my nephews and nieces and cousins kids! I do it for the ALL the kids in my life! Yes that means my bus kids as well!
A few highlights:
- During the VEA Caucus, we heard from the Legislative Committee, the Resolution Committee, and the Issues Committee. Check out the VEA File Box for our adopted positions. Our positions are also posted on the Facebook Page when the item is up for debate on the floor.
- Today we heard from POTUS & FLOTUS, the Secretary of Education, the 2021 National Teacher of the Year, and the 2021 Friend of Education. Most of our business sessions were focused on the legislative agenda and NBIs. You can keep up with NBIs here.
- To see all of the speeches and remarks from this year's RA click HERE.
Your Blog Team's Top 3 Things from today:
1.) Special guests Dr. Jill Biden & Joe Biden! Dr. Jill Biden is a Union Sister and NEA Member! It was an honor to have POTUS with us, but Dr. Jill Biden was the highlight for us! If you missed their visit, click HERE. This was also streamed on Facebook live. President Joe Biden applauded educators for the work we do and spoke of not returning to 'normal' after a pandemic, but building upwards and investments for students and educators.
2.) 2021 Friend of Education! Disability rights activist Judith Heumann is the recipient of the NEA's highest honor, the Friend of Ed Award. Her story is inspiring as she fought for her own education and now advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities. See her story HERE and see the video of her remarks HERE. Judy is in the documentary 'Crip Camp' available on Netflix. We encourage you to check it out!
3.) Sharing the RA Experience! When we signed up for a virtual convention, we knew we would be tied to our computer for a few days in a row and we knew we wouldn't be able to see our fellow delegates and friends in person. What we might not have considered was the ability to share the RA experience with our family (both human and animal)! Check out a few pictures of VEA delegates with honored guests!
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| Monann Davis & Ganddaughter |
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| Brandi Wilder & Son |
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| Jeff Walker & Daisy kicked off the pet posts for the day! |
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| Skippyjon's Human is Melissa Muszynski |
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| Max's Human is Jro |
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| Carla Okouchi & Her Feline Friend! |
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| Meredith Humphrey's furry friend jumped up to listen to POTUS! A virtual convention also allowed time for some other things to happen during lunch breaks! |
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| Phillip Hawkins volunteered at a food pantry organized by the American Legion Post 37. |
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| Congratulations to Leah Kirk who was able to get a marriage license during break. |
Reminders for Tomorrow:
- Caucus Meeting @ 11:00 AM using the same link from today. Wear your District or Local colors!
- NEA Fund: Don't forget to visit the PAC room and donate to the NEA Fund for Children & Public Education. You can also visit https://educationvotes.nea.org/donate/ to donate.
- Join the NEA RA - Virginia Facebook Page. If you do not have Facebook, please share your pictures with Jennifer Rokasky and forward any questions to Dominique Hubbard.
- Check your email for the next issue of NEA's RA Today. Here is a link to today's issue.
