Connecticut delegates express their support for one of 87 new business items that they voted on during four days of business at the NEA RA in San Diego. Delegates wrapped up their final business session late on July 6.
The last day of the NEA RA saw a heartfelt, spirited celebration of a leader whom President Dennis Van Roekel called “a legal superhero” — retiring NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin. Van Roekel also conferred the NEA’s 2009 Friend of Education award on Linda Darling-Hammond, acted on new business items and resolutions, and greeted newly-elected NEA officers.
Chanin is retiring after 41 years as NEA’s top attorney. He was saluted by delegates from across the country for his work on critical issues such as collective bargaining, desegregation, vouchers and education funding. During his time as NEA general counsel, Chanin argued five cases before the U.S. Supreme Court – winning four of them – and filed 25 briefs.
NEA Friend of Education Linda Darling- Hammond, professor of education at Stanford University, told the assembly that public schools are under attack, but it’s the system’s fault, not the people’s. It is up to educators to stand up and help lead a reform movement that invests in high quality teaching, equitable schools and real accountability, she said. “Teachers can transform schools,” Darling-Hammond challenged the delegates. “Do we have the will? Do we have the courage?”
President Obama sent a video greeting to NEA delegates that continued the administration’s theme of working with educators on key reform efforts.
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Click “read more…” below for more photos from the CEA delegation.
Woodstock Teachers Association member Frank May -- a member of the CEA RA Planning Committee -- talks with Avon Education Association member Julia Wiellette on July 5. She is a first-time NEA delegate this year.
East Hartford Education Association President Karen O'Connell talks with NEA Director-elect Tom Nicholas. He begins his first term as one of Connecticut's members on the NEA Board of Directors September 1.
