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All five candidates in this year's Representative Assembly elections are running unopposed
Three years ago I was elected WEAC President to represent and lead the members of WEAC. Those years have been critical ones for public education and for WEAC. We have been challenged by issues that are fundamental to our association, our members, and our students. We have responded and have accomplished much. We have: punched holes in revenue caps, revitalized legislative and collective bargaining strategies to repeal the QEO, increased member involvement, won many legal victories including saving DPI, improved retirement benefits for ESP members, and promoted high standards for all.
We will continue to be confronted by tough issues as we move into the 21st century. WEAC must continue to balance member advocacy with professional issues. We must: repeal the QEO and revenue cap laws, fight for smaller class sizes and safe schools, and hold Governor Thompson accountable for the effects his policies have on our students.
I have been proud to be WEAC President. During the past three years, I have spoken out on controversial issues and made tough decisions to strengthen WEAC, to better represent our members, and to improve the quality of public education in Wisconsin. I look forward to continuing to serve as WEAC President.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President. Working in concert with WEAC leaders, we have made great strides in advocating for public education and for our members. As I said three years ago, “Together ... Let’s make a difference,” and we have.
Our strategic focus and objectives have allowed us to focus on what’s important to our members: repealing the QEO and revenue controls. They continue to be the main targets of our organizational efforts because of their negative impacts on schools and our members.
We have clearly positioned ourselves as a leader in the professional arena also. Those who would take us down the wrong path of educational reform have been challenged. Through our strong proactive Legislative Agenda and public relations program, politicians as well as the public have come to know where we stand on the issues and why.
Our organization has a multitude of challenges ahead. The only way to progress and succeed is to continue to stand together.
I am prepared for both the challenge and fight ahead. I believe that together we can continue to make a difference. Your support for my re-election will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I am running for re-election as an NEA Director. I have been serving as NEA Director for the past three years. This experience has been extremely valuable to me. I have been an active member of our education associations for 35 years. During this time, I have served all levels of the association in a wide variety of capacities. I currently serve as: President of Coulee Region United Educators, member of the Onalaska Executive Committee, a member of the WEAC Leadership Team and an NEA Director. These activities have inspired me to want to continue as one of your leaders.
As educators, we must take the lead to see that public education is not destroyed in the United States. This will take the efforts of all members working together as well as building coalitions with both labor and professional groups. As the negotiations with the AFT and the NEA come to closure, we will have a great opportunity to work on the development of a new organization. Education can always improve but not with the concepts of privatization, vouchers, and spending limits.
Last year, in running for the Alternate to the Board of Director’s position, I stated that, “Educators need leadership who will develop creative solutions to the problems facing public education and shout the successes to everyone willing to listen.
“Reform means seeking fresh ideas, negotiating strong contracts that protect teachers who are willing to risk innovative solutions. Reform requires support for teachers who are searching for ways to improve what happens in their classrooms. Finally, reform means stepping up our efforts in the political arena.
“The bottom line is this: What we do matters little unless it positively affects our students and directly strengthens the learning that occurs in classrooms all across Wisconsin and the country.”
These same points are being worked on at the NEA Board. We need to continue to keep Wisconsin’s strong voice heard at the national level.
I hope you elect me to be one of your voices at the national level.
National: Delegate to NEA RA; NCUEA; Midwest Regional; NEA Affirmative Action Committee; NEA Special Committee on Urban Children
State: WEAC Board of Directors; NEA Alternate Director, 1997-present
Local (MTEA): Building Representative; Field Staff; Executive Board; President, 1993-1997; Bargaining, Constitution, PAC committees
“Collectively we decide ... United we act” — the motto of Madison Teachers, Inc. — is the reason that I am proud to be an active member of MTI, WEAC, and the NEA.
Our policies are created collectively and democratically; sometimes we agree, sometimes we disagree — but we do see democracy at work. If we so choose, we have both the right and the opportunity to be heard. After 19 years of policy-making and activism within MTI and WEAC, I feel it is time to be involved at the national level.
While the only constant in life, of course, is change, this is a time of exceptional change for NEA — change forced by external pressures and change proposed internally. With the proposed NEA-AFT merger, the intense dialogue sparked by the “new unionism” concept, and the continuing attacks on public education, this is an ideal time to be involved in the decisions of the NEA. Having represented Madison at the state level, I would now like the opportunity to represent Wisconsin at the national level. The position of alternate NEA director is a learning position; I hope to learn enough to be a strong, informed representative for this state.
Posted April 3, 1998