News Release

Reg Weaver Earns Second Term as NEA President

Illinois Native Makes "Great Public Schools for Every Child" His Mission

LOS ANGELES -- Reg Weaver, an outspoken advocate of public education and one of the country’s foremost education leaders, was returned to the top leadership post of the 2.7 million-member National Education Association (NEA) today at NEA's 2005 Representative Assembly. 

Weaver, who ran unopposed, was declared elected to a second three-year term that will begin on September 1, 2005.

Weaver has committed to a six-point agenda, the "Great Public Schools for Every Child" initiative.  It is centered on NEA members taking action to close the student achievement gaps, boost outreach to minority communities, bring professionalism to educator pay, and fix and fund the so-called No Child Left Behind law. 

"As I begin my final term as president in September, this initiative is my vision for an Association that will not waver in our efforts to ensure that every child in America can attend a great public school right in his or her own neighborhood," said Weaver. 

Elected in 2002, Weaver is a 30-year teaching veteran and middle school science teacher from Harvey, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.  A native of Danville, Illinois, Weaver served as a local president in Harvey, Illinois (1967-1971) and as president of the Illinois Education Association from 1981-1987.

Weaver serves on the executive board of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and on the board of governors of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. 

He is also a member of the board of directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  He was named to the Ebony 2004 100+ Most Influential Black Americans list for commanding widespread national influence.

July 3, 2005

Contact:

Melinda Anderson
NEA Public Relations (202) 822-7200

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.