We honored colleagues. Mireya Mendoza a parent and night custodian at Hills Elementary in Iowa City was named ISEA's 2007 Paul Mann Memorial Human Rights Award winner. Judy Jeffrey, Director of the Iowa Department of Education was named the 2007 ISEA Friend of Education. We honored two with the Charles F. Martin award (ISEA's top honor to an association leader): Mary Jane Sullivan of the North Mahaska EA and posthumously honored Paul Mann of the Des Moines EA who passed away in September 2006. Toni Graham of the Shenandoah ESP local was named ISEA 2007 ESP of the Year.
We heard from: the 2007 Iowa Teacher of the Year, Jan Keese, a 3rd grade teacher from Ankeny; a joint address from myself and ISEA Executive Director Jan Reinicke; a report from our two NEA Directors Gayle Jeffers of Sioux City and Jim Young of Cedar Falls; and a legislative report from Team ISEA lobbyists Brad Hudson and Jon Studer.
Team NEA Government Relations specialist Mary Jane Cobb led the delegates in a "Table Conversation" around the reauthorization of the Elementary Secondary Education Act (better known as the No Child Left Behind Law). Delegates discussed with those at their table 1) What impact the current version of ESEA has had on their work, their students and children in their family?; 2) What can you do to impact the reauthorization of ESEA?; 3) What can your local EA do to positively impact the reauthorization of ESEA?; and 4) What assistance would you like from ISEA/NEA to be successful?
We raised money, lots of money for worthy causes! Delegates gave generously to the H.O.Maxey Memorial Food Bank to the tune of $1,681.40. Delegates emptied their pocketbooks for the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education with an outpouring of $8,580.00!
Delegates took action on amending the ISEA Bylaws; on Resolutions and New Business items; and putting in place a budget for the 2007-2008 year.
Delegates elected a new person to serve on the NEA Board of Directors (beginning this July) replacing two-term NEA Board member Gayle Jeffers. Elected to represent Team ISEA on the NEA Board of Directors is Kathy Williams, a 6th grade teacher from Davenport. Kathy joins Jim Young, 4th grade teacher at Hansen Elementary in Cedar Falls to represent Iowa.
At the end of the first of the two day assembly, Team ISEA heard from candidates/campaigns for those running for President of the United States. Team ISEA had extended the invitation to announced candidates that had been recommended by their state association in the past. Candidates/campaigns were given 15 minutes for opening remarks then 10 minutes to address the following two questions: 1) What is the federal government's role in education? and 2) How will you work to make needed changes to No Child Left Behind?
First to address the assembly were Team ISEA members that support U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Jackie Norris, a High School Government teacher in Johnston led off, followed by Muscatine EA member Carol Kula and Delores Silva.
Representing the John Edwards campain was Senator Edwards' wife, Elizabeth Edwards. Following her remarks on behalf of Senator Edwards, Team ISEA showered Mrs. Edwards with hand-written messages of encouragement as she lives each day to the fullest in living with the return of cancer.
The third campaign to address Delegate Assembly was U.S. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Senator Dodd was first elected to the U.S. House in 1974 and elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. Senator Dodd has been a long time advocate for children and public education.
Next to address our assembly was U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Dennis Kucinich was elected to the City Council in Cleveland at the age of 23, then at 31 Mayor of the city. Congressman Kucinich was first elected to Congress in 1996.
The final campaign to address our delegates was Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign. Speaking on behalf of Senator Clinton was Bonnie Campbell. Bonnie Campbell served as Iowa's Attorney General from 1990-1994. In 1994 Campbell was the Democratic candidate for Governor. Senator Clinton closed the presentation via a personalized video for Team ISEA addressing her commitment to continue advocating for public education.We are grateful to all campaigns that represented at our assembly. Many of the candidates have begun campaigning throughout the state but still have not reached all counties. It was a great opportunity to hear from those that continue to advocate for Team NEA and Team ISEA's priority: Great Public Schools, a Basic Right for Every Student.
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