NJEA’s representatives to the historic 100th annual NEA Representative Assembly made their voices heard, despite the conference being held virtually for the second year because of COVID restrictions.
The convention, which was held from June 30 to July 3, saw delegates debating education issues such as critical race theory, police in schools, and adopting a nearly $371 million budget.
NJ’s Kimberly Scott-Hayden among honorees
In another historic moment, New Jersey’s delegates got to see one of their own celebrated on a national stage—one she so richly deserves. NJEA member Kimberly Scott-Hayden was honored as the 2021 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year and addressed the RA in a recorded speech. Scott-Hayden’s remarks highlighted the value and impact that educational support professionals play in schools as they provide truly essential services.
Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey, a Nevada special education teacher, was honored alongside Julius B. Thomas, a counselor and professor at Rio Hondo College in California who has been named the 2021 Higher Educator of the Year. Lifelong disability rights advocate Judith Heumann received the Friend of Education award.
The RA also celebrated the work NEA members have done and inspired delegates to continue the fight to make sure every school community is open and welcoming.
Shared responsibility
NEA President Becky Pringle told the 8,000 delegates that it’s up to every educator to imagine a system of shared responsibility where every student is supported, every educator is respected, and every school is a community school. Pringle urged the delegates to ask themselves what they are ready and willing to do to realize this vision. “I do believe the answer to that last question will be: Whatever it takes,” she said.
Pringle also recognized the incredible work educators have done during the pandemic.
“I was blown away by your courage and creativity and caring,” Pringle said. “But I wasn’t surprised. It’s who you are—who we are. We lead and love; teach and learn from a place of deep conviction and powerful purpose. You grounded yourself in that, and it became your reservoir of energy that you tapped into over and over again.”
President Joe Biden and First Lady and NEA member Dr. Jill Biden addressed the delegates. President Biden called NEA “one of the nation’s indispensable organizations,” and thanked NEA members for their support in the 2020 election as well as their tireless dedication to their students during the pandemic. “The entire country has witnessed the dedication and resolve of NEA members.”
It was especially meaningful for NEA members to be addressed by one of their own as First Lady. Dr. Jill Biden, a community college professor in Virginia who has maintained her position even after the presidential election, thanked NEA members for their efforts to elect President Biden. She talked about how meaningful it was for her to address them on stage at the RA. “I have never been more proud to call myself an educator.”
Democracy is the foundation
NEA Director Kim Anderson called on NEA members to continue to fight for democracy, and to educate students about its value.
“Our democracy is the foundation of a society that is supposed to value equal voice, respect for all, and the dignity of spirited, but civil, discourse,” Anderson said. “And where do we learn to put those values into action? In our schools and on our campuses. The answer to a weakened democracy is a strong, just system of public education. And it’s our job, as members of this union, to fight for it.”
Voting rights activist and author Stacey Abrams was another highlight of the convention. She reinforced the message that advocating for voting rights is everyone’s responsibility.
“The consequences of silence have not been outweighed by the consequences of action,” Abrams said. “We need every single member of the NEA, every single educator who believes the right to vote should be sacred, to stay on top of this. That means calling [legislators]every day, reaching out to our communities. If we do that every day this summer, we will see change and we will see progress.”
NJEA members proved they were willing to invest in democracy, as well as take other actions, as they once again led the RA in raising the most amount of money per delegate and had the highest total donations of any other NEA affiliate.
New Jersey’s delegates took first place by raising $153,454.46 and a total of $402,496.37 in total for NEA PAC.
NJEA members also found ways to combine fun with fundraising in a virtual environment. They submitted photos for a food bank donation contest, held an NJEA clothing photo contest, and a red, white and blue photo contest to create excitement and engagement. Take a look at some of their efforts at ra.njea.org.