Even as the country celebrated its independence today, the real show of democracy was happening during the second day of the 88th Representative Assembly as delegates held elections, embraced the promise of equal treatment to all NEA members, and participated in a rousing protest against education budget cuts.
You could feel the energy rise at the July 4th celebration as the NEA Choir sang “Hope for Tomorrow” and the under-30 delegates were invited to come on stage.
“My state was so happy for me when they called us up,” said Betsy Cragg, an under-30 delegate from Greenwich, Connecticut. “They all pointed at me and said ‘Go, get up there!'”
This is Betsy’s first NEA RA, but attending two CEA RAs has helped her get ready. She especially likes meeting every morning with her state to discuss the NBIs, amendments, and resolutions before going to the RA hall. “You feel safer to ask questions with just your state colleagues than you do on the floor,” she explained.
So, what did she think about the July 4th celebration commemorating the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth?
“I liked it because it was a chance to have fun on the floor. We work hard at the RA and teachers have another side of us-beyond the business.”
Click “read more…” below for more photos from the CEA delegation.