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KNEA Rep Assembly delegates set sites on school finance

NEA President Weaver vows to protect public schools

School finance, teacher working conditions and student achievement were hot topics at the Kansas NEA Representative Assembly (RA) April 21-23 in Topeka.

National Education Association President Reg Weaver's enthusiasm and fervor had delegates on their feet shouting their support for public schools. He noted that Congress drastically cut federal education funding and froze grants for attending college. "The current federal budget contains the largest proposed cuts by a president in nearly a decade," he said adding that the funding for K-12 education in 2011 may be less than in 2003. "Our children are not pawns, to be trotted out at press time," Weaver said. "It's wrong when someone says they want to leave no child left behind and then turn around and launch the greatest assault on public education." In announcing a new collaboration with the Bill Gates' "Stand Up Project," Weaver said Team NEA's message on parental involvement and support for schools is being picked up by other national organizations.

Convening her last RA as Kansas NEA President, Christy Levings received numerous accolades for her leadership and for effectively sharing the positive message about Kansas public schools. In her keynote she noted that for 143 years KNEA has been a powerful voice for good schools, kids and families. "We have a lot to celebrate and a lot at stake," Levings said. She admonished delegates to be role models in citizenship, to promote public schools locally and to work with and for policy makers who support Kansas public schools.

Nearly 600 locally elected delegates set policy and guidelines for the Kansas NEA during the RA. In addition to addressing a myriad of issues that impact Kansas public schools, the delegates broke into groups to talk about the direction and future activities of KNEA in the areas of quality public schools, strengthening the teaching profession and improving the well-being of members. In "learning sessions" delegates discussed the results of the statewide Teacher Working Conditions survey, wellness and health insurance programs and KNEA education and teaching profession resources.  Weaver and Levings facilitated a question/answer session on "Hot Topics."

The delegates honored:
KNEA Friend of Education - Wichita Eagle Editorial Cartoonist Richard Crowson
Crowson was thanked for his political courage, talent and wit and for being an important high profile supporter of public schools in Kansas. He supports teacher issues, lampoons the enemies of public education, and provides humorous and probing insight into the major issues affecting Kansas schools and communities.

The KNEA Excellence in Teaching Award - Wamego Kindergarten Teacher Roxie Peterson
Peterson's belief that all children can learn and that having high expectations of everyone makes a difference in the lives of her students is modeled in her teaching and in her activities as part of the 2006 Kansas Teacher of the Year team. An award-winning educator, Peterson said teachers' responsibility is to prepare students to be life-long learners, not simply to pass the next assessment. It takes a team effort to help a child succeed and instill values that are important today, she added. Peterson will now be the Kansas nominee for the NEA Teaching Excellence Award.

KNEA Human and Civil Rights Award -Manhattan Elementary Principal Jim Armendariz
An administrator and science and technology teacher since 1989, Armendariz was honored for his unwavering commitment to putting the rights of every single child first, and his role in mentoring an entire staff to do the same. Children see him as a safe and reliable adult to turn to, and are rewarded with firmness and compassion.  He advocates for the rights of children in danger of abuse and neglect and for students in special education and English as a second language education. A long-time KNEA member, Armendariz has high expectations for staff and supports them in using their skills and knowledge to increase student achievement.

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