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Bob Fitzsimmons
Director
National Education Association
Bob Fitzsimmons, a history teacher at Beloit Memorial High School for 23 years, was elected to the National Education Association (NEA) Board of Directors in 2004.
Fitzsimmons sees it as his goal to give back to his profession, and has been involved with many school improvement efforts and community partnerships. He has served as an instructor and cooperating teacher at Beloit College, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and UW-Platteville. He was named Teacher of the Year and Rotary Teacher of the Month in Beloit. He also volunteers in community activities ranging from girls softball league coach to Beloit’s Riverfest.
Nationally, Fitzsimmons has served as fund drive coordinator for the NEA-PAC/Fund for Children and Public Education. He was a member of the NEA/WEAC Congressional Contact Team and served as a trainer for NEA Midwest Leadership Conferences. He has served as an annual delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly since 1990. Fitzsimmons, along with his fellow NEA directors, has worked on many initiatives including “Wisconsin Stories,” a collection of member stories about the impact of the “No Child Left Behind” law, the NEA Health Care Initiative and the election of three national at-large candidates from Wisconsin.
As a member of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) leadership team and Board of Directors, Fitzsimmons has participated in many initiatives. While a member of the Political Action Committee, he made the motion to endorse WEAC friend and former State Senator Russ Feingold – who went on to win a U.S. Senate seat. Fitzsimmons also served on the WEAC negotiating committee that helped create the United Employers Association. He was co-facilitator of WEAC’s Our Renaissance Plan.
Fitzsimmons has served as president and vice president of Rock Valley United Teachers (RVUT). He served on the Southern Lakes United Educators and RVUT political action committee, was a RVUT Legislative Breakfast chair and a member of the UniServ’s Management Training Team, Audit Team and Collective Bargaining Council. He was a founding member of the UniServ President’s Organization, which established professional management practices.
Fitzsimmons served in numerous posts in the Beloit Education Association. He was also active in the Delavan-Darien Education Association, where he was employed for the first five years of his career. He takes pride in his efforts to recruit and motivate new leaders and strong relationships that have been fostered with other labor organizations. He says the most important position he has held is that of a building representative, helping members during times of need.
Fitzsimmons holds a master’s degree in business and finance from UW-Whitewater and completed post-graduate study at Beloit College, Aurora University and St. Mary’s College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Madison.
Posted August 9, 2007