Guest blog: Studt reports from the NEA RA
07/05/2016
ISTA member and National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) delegate, Randy Studt, writes from the NEA RA in Washington, D.C. Studt describes how the delegates spent their July Fourth holiday. The NEA RA continues through July 7.
Edited by Kara Seward
The July Fourth holiday started early for most Hoosier delegates – our state caucus got going at 7 a.m. This included the teams that laid out all the materials for the day and the auction items for the political action committee (PAC) and the board who goes over the new business items.
Once we got underway, we discussed business on the floor, nominated candidates, took points of personal privilege and heard from national NEA candidates. The craziest thing was the auction – simple items from home or beverages, like coffee, sold for $50. Why? We're raising money for the NEA PAC Fund to support federal candidates.
An election was held for NEA Resolutions, which is the committee that edits and outlines NEA basic belief statements. Incumbent Marcie Herring [pictured with Studt], Frankfort Education Association (EA), was nominated by Rhondalyn Cornett, Indianapolis EA, and seconded by RaeAnn Wintin, Seymour EA. I was nominated by Julie Dickey Hyndman, Fort Wayne EA, and seconded by Rick Marshall, North Knox Classroom Teachers Association. Marcie and I were elected by acclamation.
The state caucus meeting adjourned at 9 a.m. We climbed on the buses to head to the NEA RA floor, where our meetings and deliberations stretched from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our work at the NEA RA is all about protecting public education and equal opportunity for all students in every ZIP code.
What a great way to honor our country through service to our communities!
Studt has been a lifelong member of ISTA. Born in Connersville, Ind., he taught for 18 years at North White and since 2003 at West Lafayette.