Past must not define us, says Teacher of the Year

Past is not prologue -- that was the message Teacher of the Year Anthony Mullen of Connecticut delivered to RA delegates in a moving speech today.

Mullen, a former New York City police detective, talked about his work with students who have struggled academically and may be dealing with serious emotional problems. His goal, Mullen said, is to convince his students that "origin is not destiny."

Mullen also spoke of the importance of organizations such as the NEA and its state and local affiliates in helping to preserve the middle class.

He decried calls for teachers and education support professionals to offer contractual give-backs during an economic downturn, saying they have suffered from inadequate pay and benefits for too long.

"Since we have been given very little, we have nothing to give back," Mullen said.

Mullen also spoke about the need to prepare students for the challenges of the future, arguing that America must address its dropout crisis to ensure that students are able to compete in the global economy. "The ability to graduate from high school is a fundamental right," Mullen said.

To view some photos from Mullen's address, visit the official RA FlickR feed here.

To watch NEA President Dennis Van Roekel's interview with Mullen, click the image below.

In memoriam: Sharon Miller

Sharon Miller, wife of NEA Director Gary Miller from Illinois, suffered a fatal head injury yesterday after falling from a pedi-cab. Gary's family has joined him in San Diego.

Gary, his family and IEA thank you for all of your expressions of sympathy and support.



Sharon was a retired first grade teacher, was active in her IEA-retired chapter, and, was a substitute teacher. Gary and Sharon have two daughters, Missy and Alison.

Alison is a teacher in Illinois and mother of their first granddaughter, 5 week old Katelyn.

The IEA State Caucus will collect donations to assist with the family expenses. Any excess funds will be donated to: IEA-R, Abe Lincoln Chapter, College Scholarship Fund in honor of Sharon Miller.

More from the Illinois Education Association

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!

A birthday surprise...the start of a lucky year?

It was the day after his birthday, but $10,000 can still be considered a great birthday present for Josh Brown, especially on the 4th of July.

The 3rd grade teacher from Iowa, whose wife is also a delegate at the NEA's Representative Assembly in San Diego, won the daily NEA Fund for Children and Public Education giveaway.



Anne Wass, (president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association) left and Kenneth Swanson, (president of the Illinois Education Association) right stand with with winner Joshua Brown of Iowa(MIDDLE) at the RA Saturday. ( Photo/ Scott Iskowitz/ RA TODAY)

Could you be the next winner?

NEA celebrates the 4th of July

Educators from across the nation celebrate the 4th of July in style!






Dianna Dotts, Jennifer Hansen, Dorothy Rucker Kanas sports a RA Today hat for the Independence day Celebration at the NEA 147th Annual Meeting, 88th Representative Assembly, San Diego Ca. Saturday July 4th, 2009. RA Today/Calvin Knight.

Under-30 Delegates - Our Future Leaders

Honoring our under-30 delegates was a real crowd-pleaser today at our July 4th celebration. Smiling, waving, and cheering from the stage, the young delegates gave us a glimpse of our future. And it was energizing.

They are a smart, thoughtful group of young people.

Take Betsy Cragg, for example. The elementary school teacher from Greenwich, Connecticut, is here enjoying her first national RA. Already a veteran of two state RAs, she feels she now understands the NEA political process.

This week she has felt totally supported by her Connecticut colleagues--and now today, her RA colleagues. Being asked to come on stage was a real surprise. "It was nice to know that everyone is happy to have us here," said Betsy. "It was very welcoming."

This is an especially exciting year to be attending an RA, when a Connecticut teacher, Tony Mullen, is the national teacher of the year. "Maybe that will be me some day," she said.