Meet Joe the blogger

If you can't go to the RA but want to know the details, see what's happening behind the scenes, and get some personal observations about what is going, where do you turn?

One of your options is to read the blogs of delegates like Joe Thomas from Arizona, who are covering the play-by-play with their own twist.

"Blogging gives good information for people back in Arizona or other parts of the world who may wonder what the RA is," explained Thomas, whose blog, "30 days in June," is updated from the floor of the San Diego Convention Center.

"I thought this would be a great opportunity to show our members and others who don't have an idea what the NEA is, or who have a negative idea, what we do here. We honor people, we have awards, we do business, we do wonderful ceremonies like the one for the 4th of July", added Thomas who has been blogging for five years.

For Thomas, who teaches government at Skyline High School in Mesa, Arizona, finding the time to blog has been a challenge because he also wants to participate in all the activities and discussions that make up the daily flow of the RA.

He did take the time for a quick update from the floor, just seconds after the 4th of July presentation which included dramatic readings of speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Barbara Jordan, Harvey Milk, Chief Joseph, as well as special music by the All-NEA Choir.

"This annual celebration of our nation declaring their independence and beginning the journey toward freedom for all, is always well done and makes me proud to be a member," Thomas wrote, with photo updates from Facebook from another delegate.

Are you blogging? Let us know!