Candidate Statements
02/23/2023
Candidates for ISTA Vice President
Jennifer Smith – Margraf
Throughout my 23 years of leadership in ISTA, I have been at the forefront of our movement to improve public education in the state of Indiana. From organizing members state-wide to increasing educator pay to leading the fight against SB 167 and HB 1134 in the state legislature, I have always led on the priorities that matter to our members.
Challenges still lie before us. The educator shortage, the pay gap, the lack of respect for our professions and the need to improve our working conditions are all serious issues that weigh on our members every single day. As your vice president, I will ensure that ISTA is focused on solutions to these issues. I will make certain that all members are empowered and have the support from ISTA to enact the changes our members want to see both at the local and state level.
I stand ready to meet the challenges we know we face and the challenges yet to be revealed. As your vice president, I will be a fierce advocate on behalf of ALL members. I ask for your support and I look forward to working with each of you to strengthen Indiana’s public schools.
Doug Taylor
Following five years as ISTA treasurer and this year as vice president, I am running to complete the current VP term and continue serving our members with my extensive leadership experience, commitment to our union and passion for improving our members’ day-to-day working conditions as they tirelessly serve Indiana students.
I was raised in a union household in rural Indiana and learned about advocacy from my parents’ union involvement. Throughout my 30-year teaching career in the New Albany Floyd County schools, I have been a passionate advocate for educators and public education. As president of the NAFC Education Association (500+ members), I fought for teachers every day, navigated differences of opinion during negotiations and consolidated the strength of our membership behind our proposals.
My service as an ISTA board member, treasurer and now VP has broadened my leadership, advocacy and interpersonal skills and given me a deep understanding of our organization’s finances. With this comprehensive skillset, I am ideally suited for the vital work of growing our advocacy at the local and state levels, bringing members together and continuing ISTA’s role as the voice that our educators, our students and our schools deserve.
Trust Taylor for committed, passionate ISTA leadership!
Candidate for ISTA Treasurer
Diana Reed
ISTA’s financial foundation is the stabilizing factor in our advocacy and support of our schools, educators and the children entrusted to us. As we strengthen and grow, so does our voice and impact on legislation that guide and direct public education policy.
ISTA has been with me every step of the way in becoming a better educator and leader. As president of my local (19 years), I have grown our members in number and engagement. As an ISTA Board Member (8 years), we have collectively strived to provide services and opportunities for members, while simultaneously being fiscally responsible.
As a two-term elected official to the Valparaiso City Council, ISTA helped guide me to this leadership position. The rewards reaped in my membership and involvement with ISTA have been great both personally and professional. It is time for me to reinvest in ISTA what they have invested in me. I am proud to announce my candidacy for ISTA Treasurer. It is my endeavor to ensure that this great organization is here for generations to come. ISTA’s commitment to the betterment of educators, their working conditions and student growth is vital to the future of education.