NEA Convention 2010: “What a Difference a Year Makes”
I was thinking this morning what a difference a year makes. A year ago we were gathered in Washington DC and you endorsed the candidacy of Barack Obama for President of the United States. And when you did that, you created a political partnership. You said that you believed in him and you wanted him to be elected because of the kind of administration that he would have. In November that was solidified with his election and in January we began in earnest to build that partnership along with President Obama and Secretary Duncan. I believe that we elected a president whose values for unions, public education, and you are just where we want them to be. I also believe that we have a Secretary of Education who clearly demonstrates his passion and his commitment to the education of all children in America. I feel good about who they are and what they care about and where they want to take this nation.
It is interesting to me the press stories that come out between President Obama and the NEA and Secretary Duncan and the NEA. The press love to talk about differences. I understand that, I mean you got to have a good story. But what I think they miss is the significance of the conversation and the engagement.
- National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel
July 2, 2009
During the presidential campaign, candidate Obama said that teachers should not be forced to spend the year preparing students to fill bubbles on standardized tests and that students deserve to learn in an individualized manner.
We agreed with that statement when we went to the polls, and we agree with that statement today. Mr. President, your instincts were right – the path your advisors have laid out is not.
We got a system that creates too few winners and far too many losers. Our members feel betrayed – and so do I.
- National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel
July 3, 2010
July 4th, 2010 at 12:01
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