NEA Executive Bios

Reg Weaver

President, National Education Association

Reg Weaver is serving his second term as president of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association (NEA) -- the nation's largest professional employee organization.

As a middle school science teacher and 30-year classroom veteran, Weaver has been a lifelong advocate for quality public schools.  He served as president of his local in Harvey, Ill., president of the NEA affiliate in Illinois, and now leads one of the most influential education organizations in the nation.

He travels nationally and internationally, working tirelessly as an ambassador for public education and advocating for the basic right of every student to attend a great public school.  In 2006, Weaver made a landmark visit to the Lincoln Cathedral in England -- home to a very rare copy of the Magna Carta -- that was met with widespread acclaim.  In recognition of his commitment to democracy and fundamental freedoms, the Cathedral recently unveiled a stone column in Weaver's name. 

North Carolina's Shaw University awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Weaver in 2006 for "his world-class leadership in the efforts to educate children."  He was also conferred with an honorary Doctor of Public Service by South Carolina State University at its 2007 Spring Commencement for "his example of service that benefits us all."

Weaver serves as vice president of Education International, a 348-member organization representing more than 29 million teachers and education workers in 169 countries.  He travels to meetings of Education International and national education unions around the world.  He has also addressed conferences and forums sponsored by numerous national organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Rainbow Push Coalition, League of United Latin Citizens (LULAC), ASPIRA, and ACORN.

A recognized expert on public education issues, Weaver has testified before Congress on federal education policy and frequently provides a critical voice on public education for national publications, including The New York Times, USA Today and The Washington Post, along with decision-maker publications, such as Congressional Quarterly, Education Week, and Education Daily.  Weaver regularly appears on such news programs as CNN "Headline News," C-Span's "Washington Journal," and ABC "World News Tonight."  He has been invited to discuss pressing education issues on National Public Radio's "News & Notes with Ed Gordon," CNN Radio Network, AP Radio Network, and others.

Weaver serves on the executive board of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and on the board of governors for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.  He is a member of the board of directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and serves on the advisory board for Horace Mann Educators Corporation.  He is also an honorary life member of the National Parent Teachers Association.

Weaver also served on the Illinois State Board of Education's Blue Ribbon Committee on the Improvement of Teaching as a Profession, the Illinois Commission for the Improvement of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Administrator's Academy, the Illinois Project for School Reform Advisory Council, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory Advisory Committee, the Joint Committee on Minority Student Achievement, the Illinois Literacy Council, and the Task Force on At-Risk Youth. 

His commitment and contributions to public education haven't gone unnoticed.  He has been named one of Ebony magazine's 100 Most Influential Black Americans for his national influence.  Weaver's recent honors include the 2007 MALDEF Excellence in Leadership Award; the 2006 Chairman's Award for Educational Leadership presented by 100 Black Men of America Inc.; and the Congressional Black Caucus Education Braintrust's 2006 Great Points of Light Award. 

He is the recipient of the 2005 Spirit of Liberty Award presented by People for the American Way as well as the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute's 2006 George Meany Latino Leadership Award.  In addition, Weaver has been honored with the USAction Progressive Leadership Award, the National Conference of Black Mayors President's Award, the Ebony Influential Black Educators Award, and the Illinois Education Association's Human Relations Award.

Back home, Weaver is listed on the Danville (Ill.) High School Wall of Fame and serves as an honorary member of the advisory board for the Department of Educational Leadership at Roosevelt University, which is his alma mater.

Weaver earned his bachelor of science degree in special education for the physically challenged at Illinois State University.  He received a master's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

July 2007

Dennis Van Roekel

Vice-President, National Education Association

Dennis Van Roekel, a 25-year teaching veteran and longtime activist and advocate for children and public education, was reelected vice president of the National Education Association in July 2005. 

The high school math teacher from Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix, Ariz., has served in numerous key Association offices, including NEA Secretary-Treasurer, Arizona Education Association President, and Paradise Valley Education Association President.

A popular and successful teacher, Van Roekel always works to make sure students are engaged and makes sure he listens to them as well.  He brings that same style to his leadership in the organization.  He is committed to helping Association members feel good about themselves, the work they do and their efforts to share their vision for quality public education with the community.

His accomplishments include dramatic increases in membership and voluntary political action committee contributions while president of the Arizona Education Association.  He chairs the NEA Advisory Committee on Membership and serves on the NEA Strategic Planning and Budget Committee as well as the Board of Directors of NEA Member Benefits.

“To me, teaching and being an Association activist are part of the same thing,” Van Roekel says.  “As one of my mentors said early on, ‘I can’t do half a job.’”

“We need to make sure our members understand the connection between what happens in the classroom and what influences decision making,” Van Roekel says.  “It means listening to educators and parents talk about what they want and then working through political action, lobbying, bargaining and instructional advocacy to get members and students what they need.”

Van Roekel was born in LeMars, Iowa.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City and a master’s degree in math education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

He and his wife, Julie, have two married adult sons, and are now proud grandparents.

May 2007

Lily Eskelsen

Secretary-Treasurer, National Education Association

Lily Eskelsen, an elementary teacher from Utah, has served as secretary-treasurer of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association since 2002.

Lily’s constant message is one of pride in the teaching profession, respect for all who work in America’s schools, and the importance of public education as the foundation of everything we hope to accomplish in our country.

Her 20 years of service to children include working as a lunch lady in a school kitchen, a kindergarten aide, and as a teacher at Orchard Elementary School in the suburbs of Salt Lake City.  She also taught at the Family Homeless Shelter School and at the K-6 one-room school at the Christmas Box House, which is the county children’s shelter for hard-to-place foster kids.

Lily is a proud “Army Brat.”  Her mother is from Panama.  Her father is a retired soldier from Mississippi.  She was raised in Texas, Georgia, Washington, Colorado, Alaska, and Utah.

Lily and her husband, Ruel, worked their way through the University of Utah on scholarships, student loans, and as starving folk singers.  She graduated magna cum laude in elementary education in 1980 and later earned her master’s degree in instructional technology.

After teaching at Orchard Elementary for only nine years, she was named Utah Teacher of the Year in 1989.  One year later, she was elected president of the Utah Education Association.

Lily has also served as president of the Utah State Retirement System (only the second woman to ever be elected to the position); as president of the Children at Risk Foundation; as a member of the Utah La Raza Education Committee; and as a member of the White House Strategy Session on Improving Hispanic Education.  In 1998, she was the first Hispanic chosen as her party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in Utah.

Lily authored a humor column on parenting that ran in 22 local newspapers.  Her interviews have been published in Time Magazine, Working Mother and Woman’s World.  Lily has been featured on countless radio and television interviews including Hannity & Colmes and Lou Dobbs Tonight.  She’s been the invited keynote speaker for hundreds of education events in virtually every state and was highlighted in Education World in their “Best Conference Speakers” edition.

Lily and Ruel Eskelsen now live in Washington, D.C.  They use all their frequent flyer points to visit their children and grandchildren in Utah.

May 2007

John I. Wilson

Executive Director, National Education Association

John I. Wilson, a long-time special education teacher and Association leader, became executive director of the National Education Association on November 1, 2000. The nation's largest teachers union, NEA also represents education support professionals, higher education faculty, school administrators, retired educators, and education students who plan to become teachers. In all, NEA has 3.2 million members, a staff of 555, and an annual budget exceeding $300 million.

Since coming to NEA, Wilson has championed a minimum salary of $40,000 for every teacher and a living wage for Education Support Professionals (ESP). He also launched an NEA initiative to engage the best teachers in sharing ideas on staffing high-poverty, low achieving schools with the most accomplished teachers.

Wilson has chaired the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, a coalition of 33 businesses and education groups that advocates for every child in America to graduate from high school with 21st century skills. The 3E Institute presented him with the Educator 500 President's Award in 2006 for being "a true entrepreneurial educator." Wilson currently chairs the Learning First Alliance, a partnership of 18 leading education organizations with more than 10 million members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools.

Prior to assuming the highest staff position at NEA headquarters, Wilson served the Association as president and executive director of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). With Wilson at the helm of this NEA state affiliate, NCAE strengthened teacher training systems, professional development programs, teacher compensation, and teacher recruitment. His accomplishments include the development of new support systems for teachers pursuing certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. As a result, today North Carolina has more National Board-certified teachers and candidates than any other state. In addition, Wilson led a successful campaign that raised North Carolina teacher salaries from 43rd to 23rd in the nation, and he helped establish the North Carolina Teacher Academy, a state-funded program that provides high-quality teacher professional development.

Wilson has been an NEA activist since his days at Western Carolina University, where he served as president of the NEA student chapter. As a middle school teacher of special needs students, Wilson was an active Association leader throughout his 20-year teaching career. He served as president of the Raleigh Association of Classroom Teachers and the Wake County Association of Classroom Teachers, and also served on the NEA Board of Directors and the NEA Executive Committee.

A true North Carolinian, Wilson was born in Burlington, North Carolina. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education and received a master's degree in education from the University of North Carolina.

Wilson loves mystery novels and is a voracious reader. He "lives and breathes politics" and is an avid Tar Heel fan.

July 2007

Mike Billirakis

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Michael Billirakis, a social studies teacher at Perry High School in Perry (Lake County), Ohio, was elected to the National Education Association’s (NEA) Executive Committee in July 2002  and reelected in July 2005 for a second full three year tear, after fulfilling a one-year vacancy in 2001-02.  He is now on the second year of his second full term.

Billirakis has been active in the NEA since he began teaching 33 years ago at Field High School in Portage County, Ohio. During his tenure as president of the Ohio Education Association (OEA) – from 1994-2001 – Billirakis was at the helm when the OEA challenged the Cleveland voucher program, which was eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.  OEA joined more than 500 schools challenging Ohio’s public school funding formula, resulting in billions of additional dollars for education funding.  Under his leadership, OEA also stopped the state from eliminating due process rights for teachers.

In addition to serving as OEA’s vice president and president, Billirakis was president and an executive committee member of the Northeastern Ohio Education Association.  He served on the Ohio Governor’s School Accountability Committee and currently sits on the board of directors for the State Teacher’s Retirement System, which has assets in excess of $67 billion, and is a Commissioner on the Education Commission of the States. 

After graduating from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s in European history, Billirakis completed 30 hours of graduate study in education at Akron University.

A native of the Island of Kalymnos in Greece, Billirakis immigrated to the Buckeye State when he was 12 years old.  He and his wife, Valerie, now live in Pickerington, Ohio. Both of their daughters, Christine and Cynthia, are students at Ohio State University and are pursuing secondary education and elementary education, respectively.

The NEA Executive Committee is composed of the three NEA officers plus six members elected at-large by the nearly 9,000-member-Representative Assembly.

July 2006

Mark Cebulski

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Mark S. Cebulski, a social studies teacher at Cedarburg (Wisc.) High School for the past 30 years, was elected to the National Education Association (NEA) Executive Committee in July 2004.  He was elected to fill a two-year term after being appointed to a one-year term in August 2003.

A Wisconsin native, Cebulski has been a familiar figure both in and out of his Cedarburg classroom.  Over the years, he has coupled his social studies teaching with activities ranging from Academic Decathlon and prom adviser to football, basketball and golf coach.  While teaching full time, Cebulski has also officiated high school and college football for 22 years, and wrote a sports column for his hometown paper that was selected as the best sports/outdoor column for weekly newspapers in 1986.  He is a former deacon at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee.

His Association activities have been far-reaching as well.  On the national level, Cebulski served on the NEA Board of Directors (1999-2003) and was a member of the NEA Congressional Contact Team (1992-94).  His leadership at the state level includes serving as a member of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) Board of Directors (1998-99) and on the WEAC Political Action Committee (1994-98).  While on this WEAC committee, Cebulski led an effort to recruit WEAC members as delegates to the 2000 Democratic National Convention, resulting in the largest delegation ever of NEA members from his state.  He also served in a number of leadership roles within the Cedarburg Education Association, including two terms as president. 

Since his election, Cebulski has been called on to represent the Association in meetings across the globe, including traveling to Ankara, Turkey, for the 4th World Congress of Education International, which represents teachers unions and professional organizations worldwide.  Cebulski has been honored with the Wisconsin Association of Educators for the Gifted and Talented Meritorious Service Award and the North Shore United Educators Dorothy Bartelt for Outstanding Service to Education Award, among others.

In 1973, Cebulski received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc., and a master’s degree in journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1989. 

The NEA Executive Committee is the nine-member governing body that oversees the 3.2 million-member NEA.

July 2005

Carolyn Crowder

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Carolyn Crowder, an elementary and vocal music teacher from Mustang, Okla., is serving in her second elected term on the National Education Association Executive Committee.  She was first elected in July 2003 and was reelected in July 2006.  The nine-member governing body oversees the work of the 3.2 million-member Association.

A native Oklahoman, Crowder has taught for 20 years in Oklahoma schools, 19 of which have been in Mustang.  Her first year of teaching was as an artist-in-residence with the Oklahoma City Public Schools.

For six years, Crowder served as president of the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) leading the organization through some of its most difficult, but ultimately successful, times.  During her tenure, the OEA fought for and won the largest compensation increases in state history for teachers and support professionals, including state-paid health benefits for all education employees.  Crowder was also a driving force behind the creation and subsequent success of the Oklahoma Education Coalition, which includes every major player in the state’s education community.

In addition to her leadership role in the state Association, Crowder has been an active member of her local Association as well.  There she served as president, delegate, and negotiator.  The recipient of the OEA Political Activist Award in 1996, Crowder also is a former officer of Delta Kappa Gamma, and a 1999 graduate of Leadership Oklahoma. In 2003, she won the OEA Claude Dyer Award for leadership in education legislation.

Crowder grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle, graduating from Guymon High School.  She went on to graduate cum laude from Southern Nazarene University (formerly Bethany Nazarene College) and received a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Central Oklahoma (then Central State University).

Crowder's husband Terry is an instructional facilitator in Oklahoma City Public Schools.  Her term on the NEA Executive Committee began on September 1, 2003.

September 2006

Christy Levings

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Christy Levings, an elementary school teacher from rural Osawatomie, Kan., was elected to the National Education Association's (NEA) Executive Committee in July 2007 for a three-year term.

With three decades of education experience, Levings has been a champion for public education and school employees at the state and local levels.  An elementary school teacher for 34 years, Levings currently provides instructional resource support and works with the formalized collegial mentoring program in the Olathe School District.  Before being elected to the NEA Executive Committee, she served as president of the Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) for five years and vice president for four years. In addition to serving as KNEA's president and vice president, Levings served as president of the Olathe National Education Association.

Levings was an education and family issues columnist for the Kansa City Star newspaper, where she received an Excellence in Teaching award. She was also featured as an "Outstanding Teacher" in the Johnson County Gazette and has been recognized for her education editorials.

Levings is a member of the Kansas Congress of the PTA and Delta Kappa Gamma education sorority. She is an experienced trainer in the areas of school safety, bullying, and gender equality.

Levings graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor's degree in education and received a master's degree in educational policy and administration from the University of Kansas, which included the Institute of School Law at Harvard University. She also completed a program in graduate studies in behavioral psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Levings and her husband David, who have been married 35 years, have three grown children and two grandchildren.

The NEA Executive Committee consists of nine members -- three executive officers and six members elected at-large by the Representative Assembly.  The committee is responsible for general policy and financial interests of NEA and acts for the NEA Board of Directors in between the Board's four regularly scheduled meetings each year.

October 2007

Paula Monroe

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Paula Monroe, a high school secretary in Redlands, Calif., was elected to the National Education Association's (NEA) Executive Committee in July 2007 for a three-year term.

With two decades of education experience, Monroe has been a champion for public education and school employees at the local, state and national levels. Before being elected to the NEA Executive Committee, she served two full terms on the NEA Board of Directors as well as nine years as president of the Redlands Education Support Professionals. She also served as president of the California Education Support Professionals and on the executive board of the National Council for Education Support Professionals.

Monroe is a native of Colorado and has attended school in North Carolina, Colorado, and North Dakota. She was a parent volunteer in her daughter's kindergarten class, which led to her start in Redlands Unified School District as a computer lab paraprofessional at Mentone Elementary School, where she worked for eight years. She has served in numerous leadership roles in her local association including site representative, grievance chair, bargaining chair, and others.

As a strong advocate for an inclusive organization, Monroe is credited with being a driving force behind the vote in June 2006 to change the bylaws of the California Teachers Association to include education support professionals as full, active members. Her belief that ?together we are better? and that every educator deserves respect for their roles in helping students succeed was recognized when she was presented with the CTA President's Award for Exceptional Service in 2006.

Monroe and her husband Mike reside in Redlands, California, and have three grown children and two grandchildren.

The NEA Executive Committee consists of nine members—three executive officers and six members elected at-large by the Representative Assembly. The committee is responsible for general policy and financial interests of NEA and acts for the NEA Board of Directors in between the Board's four regularly scheduled meetings each year.

May 2008

  Marsha Smith

Executive Committee, National Education Association

Marsha Smith of Olney, Md., a third generation educator who has spent 33 years championing the cause of public education, says she became a teacher to work with students and change the future.

“With my skills and my experience, I’ll be able to make a difference,’’ says Smith, a member of the National Education Association (NEA) Executive Committee.
 
Smith, a health and physical education teacher and team leader at Earle B. Wood Middle School in Rockville, Md., began serving on the Executive Committee in 2002.  On Sept. 1, 2005, she began her second term.

Teaching is part of her family heritage. Her grandmother, mother and father were educators. Smith’s husband, Reynauld, teaches at Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. and her son, Husan, is a special education instructional assistant in the Montgomery County (Md.) school system. “Education is not just a profession to me. It’s in my blood and in my soul,’’ says Smith.

Eldest daughter in a military family, she calls herself “an Army Brat.”  Smith has lived overseas in Germany and Japan as well as in states from Kansas to Alabama, New Jersey to Maryland.  “I learned so much growing up and moving with my family.  First, I learned “home” is where your family is.  I have a very close family that supports each other; Second, I learned to make friends and still have friends that go back many years; Third, I learned to accept people as individuals, don’t stereotype or make hasty assumptions.  Each person has their own special qualities. Fourth, I learned to pick up languages easily which has been a skill that I use today; Finally, I learned to set goals for myself and work hard to achieve them.”

When talking about her NEA work, Smith says, “I am dedicated to working for the professional and economic future of education professionals and ensuring the basic right that every student has to a great public school. The world is changing and this gives NEA and our members, the opportunity to engage and create enthusiasm about quality education.”

Smith, born in Fort Benning, Ga., is a graduate of Tuskegee University and a member of the Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities. She joined her first NEA chapter 32 years ago and has been active in state affiliates in New Jersey, Texas and Maryland. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom. Smith has been a consultant on teenage health issues and school health care systems. She is past Chair of Maryland’s Professional Standards Board and has served on NEA’s Board of Directors.  She has been a delegate to Education International. 

The NEA Executive Committee, the governing body for the 3.2 million-member organization, consists of nine members – three executive officers and six others elected at large.

August 2006