Contact: Michelle Hudgins   (202) 822-7649

July 23, 2007

Reg Weaver Elected Vice President Of Education International

Second term continues worldwide advocacy of great public schools

Berlin (July 23)--National Education Association President Reg Weaver began his second term as Vice President of Education International Monday, vowing to help bring educators around the globe together around the principles of a great public school for every student.

Weaver was elected to the three-year term by acclamation on the opening day of the World Congress of EI, which comprises 348 member-organizations representing more than 29 million education workers in 169 countries.

He has extensive experience with the world body – as president of NEA, leading the NEA at two World Congresses, sharing his expertise at EI conferences, and serving on an EI human rights mission to Ethiopia.

"Just as we believe that every student should have access to a great public school, so do our colleagues across the globe," said Weaver. "But more than that, just as we do, they believe that this access is a basic right."

Reg Weaver is serving his second term as president of the 3.2 million-member NEA -- the largest union and professional association in the United States. The NEA comprises primary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and university students preparing to teach.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the NEA was founded in 1857 to advance the profession of teaching and to promote public education. NEA believes that every child, regardless of family income or residence, deserves and needs quality, well-funded education, including a quality teacher in every classroom.

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee
organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education
faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.