More Comments from the NEA RA

Don Paver, DEA VP: There have been many opportunities to be a part of the NEA process by attending a variety of caucuses (including State, National Board Certified Teachers, Republican, Democrat, etc.). We are doing a great job speaking to issues and representing YOU, our Members!

Richard Heath: Davis and Utah are well represented. We have a voice in NEA! I wish we could bottle all the excitement here and bring it home for all of you to experience! PS. I'm never going to complain about our arid heat in Utah again. I stuck to my seat on the trolley!

Susan Firmage: Davis has more delegates than anyone else in Utah. We have 15. Davis is well represented! (Delegates include: Susan Firmage, Don Paver, Jesse DeHay, Brian Ferguson, Ellen Thompson, Shelli Arthur, Jessica Dunn, Richard Heath, Paulette Hopfenbeck, Bruce Illum, Valerie Lindeman, Jennifer Tanner, Holly Lindeman, Andrew Owens, Yvonne Speckman.

Yvonne: We are working hard on the floor debating new business items. New Orleans is such a fun town. Humid and hot but the wonderful food helps make up for it.

Valerie Lindeman: I love seeing and being with so many educators from all over the country! The democratic process of debating education issues has been very respectful and inspiring to observe. Everyone truly has a voice.
Bruce Illum: Attending the NEA Representative Assemblly has been an awesome experience. Seeing and hearing the voices of members from all over the nation coming together in one unified voice brings a feeling of strength and comfort that the NEA "has our back" in facing the many difficult issues in front of us at both the National and local levels.

Jenn Tanner: Not only did we walk within 15 feet of Mary J. Blige coming back from lunch (the Essence Music Festival is in the other end of the convention center), but the food has been fantastic! It is so energizing to be here and see this representative body at work. I wish all of our members could be here.

Paulette Hopfenbeck: Things are happening in the Representative Assembly. Issue are being thoroughly debated with the goal of making education even better for both students and teachers. This is a great process.

Holly Lee: What an exciting process to watch as new items are debated on the floor of the RA! To see a group of 10,000 teachers make decisions for NEA through the democratic process is wonderful. We are on track and heading in the right direction!

Jessica Dunn: This is my first RA. I have been blown away by the process, dedication, and organization of the NEA. The thousands of teachers at the conference are here to make a difference for the members. I wish everyone could participate!

Shellli Arthur: I thought it was nice to see the NEA taking action to reach out to the 30% Republican NEA membership. We voted in support of organizing grass roots and leadership roles and influencing party policy to support education friendly positions. We all agree that educating our students well is the IDEAL non partisan issue.