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REACHing for new skills, knowledge and fun!

"REACH is a fun experience, it provides the opportunity to network with other young leaders from around the state, there is a lot to know and learn and REACH is a good place to start."

So says REACH graduate and local leader Emily Pezzola, Salina NEA.

KNEA's REACH program - Realizing Energizing Achieving Caring (and) Honoring new members - brings young members together to network, discover the association and learn leadership skills.

"I learned that I have the support I needed to make teaching and learning as effective as possible. I realized that it is possible to make a difference in my school district as well as my state. It is common to think that 'leaders' are people who have been teaching for many years," Pezzola added. "It's important to have leaders with varied experiences... we all have something to offer."

2004 REACH graduate Michael Hill, Highland KNEA, agreed. "Meeting teachers from across the state was great. When we talked about our professional experiences, we all realized we are leaders in our own right. We have a lot to offer to KNEA, to our students and schools. For me - some day it may be my community, too!"

Ana Moon Bradley, Marais des Cygnes Valley TA, jumped right in after graduating from REACH, holding several local offices and, this year, becoming a REACH trainer.
"I remember looking to my REACH trainers, and thinking, 'Wow! I want to be like them!' They exuded professionalism and had incredible knowledge of how to work with members and nonmembers. I have strived to reach that level (no pun intended) through my work… I'm getting there, but I believe I have much more to learn. This summer I had the opportunity to be a trainer at Summer Leadership. How cool to be working side by side with people I look to for guidance... and then I realized that now others are looking to me in the
same way."

Jamie Hibbs, Ark City TA, discovered there are many young teachers taking on leadership roles.

"I also learned that I already have many of the skills needed to be a successful leader - I just need the time, patience and willingness to volunteer to become involved," she said adding that "if local associations want young people to be involved they need to ask and encourage them - mentor them. Most younger teachers would be interested in participating on a committee as an assistant as a way to understand how to be involved."

Another REACH graduate, Tremon Kizer from Goodland NEA, said it's "important to have people fighting for your rights when you are in the classroom. REACH educated me in the way things must work. There are procedures needed to complete certain tasks and REACH helps me realize that."

Other 2004 graduates feel the same way. "REACH gave me confidence," said Keri Melcher, El Dorado NEA. "Confidence to do my job and to be the best person I can be. I can be a leader at whatever level I choose."

"There's a time and a place, there's a way to do things just as there's a good way to learn," said Heather Musil, Hays NEA. "I can apply so much of what I learned here to my teaching, my career and to my personal life."

"We experienced working as a team by building a cake. It sounds silly - but it was fun, and it was amazing how effective hands-on learning can be!" said Lisa Simmelink, Valley Center NEA. "Team building, leadership skills, communications styles and conflict management...these are things I need and use personally and professionally. Plus, I met some great new friends and colleagues!"

To participate in REACH, contact your UniServ Office.

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