NEA VP Weaver Urges Educators to be the Disciples

Educators need to "be the disciples" who carry the message that Wisconsin schools are succeeding and that every kid deserves a great school, NEA Vice President Reg Weaver said Monday night (February 21, 2000) at the Coulee Region United Educators annual legislative banquet in La Crosse.

"What you've been doing in Wisconsin is phenomenal," Weaver told an audience of teachers, support staff, superintendents, legislators and others.

He rattled off many of the impressive accomplishments of Wisconsin schools: students here have been first in the nation on the ACT for seven consecutive years; 72% of Wisconsin high school students go on to post-secondary education; 8th grade science students scored 2nd in the world on an international test comparison; and Wisconsin's 4th grade reading scores rank 6th in the nation.

"It's amazing what you do, but how many people know about it?" Weaver asked.

NEA Vice President Reg Weaver speaks from the podium (top) and works the audience (above) at the Coulee Region United Educators legislative banquet. Congressman Ron Kind (above) was among the special guests at the banquet. – Photos by Bill Hurley

Weaver said he spent the day touring Coulee Region schools from La Crosse to Onalaska to Melrose-Mindoro.

"I saw dedicated, committed people who care about what they're doing." But, he said, he also observed firsthand the limitations placed upon educators and children by state-imposed revenue controls.

"I saw too many kids and superintendents and schools negatively affected because they do not have the resources they need," he said. "Our job is to make sure we have great schools, not just for some but for all children."

One of the schools he visited – La Crosse's Hamilton Elementary School – is benefitting from Wisconsin's highly successful SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) class-size reduction program.

"Please take the message out that the SAGE program works," Weaver said. "The kids and the staff are doing outstanding work, but who knows about it?"

The dynamic and animated Weaver left his script at the podium mid-way through his presentation and walked through the audience, touching, shaking hands, and hugging people. He talked extensively – and enthusiastically – about the educators and children he met while touring schools earlier in the day.

"I didn't give the speech I came to give," he concluded. "I gave the one I saw today, and that's what I want you to do."

La Crosse Tribune covers Weaver's visit
La Crosse Tribune reporter Gayda Hollnagel covered NEA Vice President Reg Weaver's visit to Hamilton Elementary School, recording his support for the SAGE program. She also described his interaction with students and staff:

"Weaver, a boisterous, jovial man who dispenses hugs as easily and frequently as a political candidate delivers a handshake, was a hit with students, who quickly overcame any shyness to hug back and listen intently while Weaver read them a story. Then, pulling the kids aside, he quickly coached them in a message for their teacher. At his signal, the second-graders loudly chimed in unison, 'I appreciate you.' He also made Choua Xiong, the class's bilingual teacher assistant, blush by hugging her and directing students to give her the same cheer of appreciation. "

Resource page on the SAGE program
The Great Schools page
The La Crosse Tribune article on Reg Weaver's visit

Posted February 22, 2000