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Governor Doyle presents WEAC President Stan Johnson with a plaque honoring him for his commitment to public education and his dedicated years of
service. “Stan Johnson has been there every step of the way,” Doyle said. “Through every battle we fought he has been a stalwart.”
Saying he had "the best job in the world," WEAC President Stan Johnson used his last Representative Assembly address to praise the organization and describe his six-year "roller coaster ride."
"No matter what I do next or where I end up, in my heart I will always be WEAC’s president. And whatever happens, I'll always think of all of you as my family," Johnson told more than 1,000 delegates at the 2007 WEAC RA in Madison. Johnson is about to complete his second three-year term, the maximum allowed by the WEAC Constitution and Bylaws.
Johnson compared union membership to a roller coaster ride, saying it "winds left and right and up and down and one turn does not really help you predict the next turn."
"After six years as president, six years as vice president, seven years as an NEA Director and a couple decades as someone who served on countless committees, boards and bargaining teams, I cannot say enough about riding the roller coaster in the park called WEAC," he said.
"It is thrilling and scary and as unpredictable as it is exciting," Johnson said. "But it goes by fast and when you are done you want to get back on."
Johnson recalled the ups and downs of some of the major programs WEAC instituted or continued during his two terms - the Great Schools field organizing effort; the "NBI 9" organizational project surrounding repeal of the Qualified Economic Offer law; and the more recent effort to focus on TEF, or Taxes, Economy and school Funding.
Johnson said WEAC members don't spend enough time talking about what we are good at, and there is a lot to talk about.
"What we are good at is educating Wisconsin’s young people. No, we are better than good; we are great at it. And that is why so many of Wisconsin’s children find themselves educated in some of the best schools in the world," he said. "Parents are essential, communities are essential, public investments are essential, but you are the people on the front lines of the battle to secure the future of this great state, and you, against tough odds, are making the difference for our kids and our state’s economic and social future."
Johnson cited the state's high test scores, graduation rates, employment rates, and the high level of training and education of WEAC members to backup the statement that, "We are the best in the business."
"And what we do just happens to be the most important job in the world," he said. "We teach children how to read and write and how to do math; how to love language and how to develop their natural curiosities about science, art, music, literature and history. We feed kids, and get them to and from school safely every day. We clean up after them and help them when they’re sick. We help them find their place in the world and help our world fill in its empty spaces with them."
A sometimes teary-eyed Johnson said that in his six years as WEAC president he has traveled the state many times over and seen WEAC members in action.
"I see the intensity in your gaze and I see into your hearts and I can tell that you are doing what you love. And I can tell that your students trust you and admire you. And I get the feeling that some of them will not forget you as long as they live."
With all the great things that go on every day in Wisconsin public schools, we need to do a better job of telling our story, Johnson said.
"Why are we so bold and brave and unstoppable in our classrooms, but so shy and modest when it comes to talking in public about what we do? We have to get over that, and we have to shout it from the rooftops: Wisconsin has great schools, and great schools depend on great teachers and staff."
With well-funded opponents of public education spreading untruths about public education, it is more important than ever that members speak out.
"Our side will never have enough money to keep up with them," Johnson said. "No matter how hard we try they will always have more without trying nearly as hard. But we have something they will never have: you.
"Your words mean more than theirs. Your stories speak louder, grab more attention, and carry more weight. Your stories have the added advantage of being true."
Johnson said that as he disembarks from the "WEAC roller coaster," he is pleased to know that the fight will continue.
"I will never be able to ride again," he said, "but as I get off that ride I smile with excitement and anticipation for those ready for their chance on the ride."
Posted April 23, 2007