RA Action:

News from the NEA Annual Meeting

July 7, 2008

Speeches delivered at the NEA Annual Meeting

Keynote by President Reg Weaver
My colleagues, it has been almost a half a century, 47 years, since I first walked into a classroom as a teacher. A lot of things have happened since then, things that I never could have imagined when I was growing up as a young boy in Danville, Illinois.

Remarks by President-Elect Dennis Van Roekel
It is very special for me to be standing here before you. I attended my first Representative Assembly in 1980. And as I was thinking about what I wanted to say to you, I realized what a tough act it is to follow the five presidents who I watched since I started coming to the RA.

Teacher of the Year: Michael Geisen
As I fly around the country and travel and speak and meet with people from all over, I have a unique chance to have an amazing perspective on education while still remaining with my feet on the ground in the classroom where things are really happening.

ESP of the Year: Laura L. Vernon
I have been blessed and fortunate enough to wake up everyday for the past 33 years and go to work and engage in one of the most, fulfilling experiences ever. I get to help Educators mold the next leaders of tomorrow.

Gov. Mike Easley, America's Greatest Education Governor AwardWinner
Teaching is your profession, but building the national workforce is what each and every one of you do. You need to know that, and you need to know that the rest of the country knows that as well.

Barbara Morgan, Teacher in Space and Friend of Education Award Winner
I know I am here today because of our colleague Christa McAuliffe. Christa led the way. She led the way, and she did it beautifully for all of us. I am also here today because of the NEA’s tremendous support for NASA and because of the many teachers who kept the faith and who always, always did what teachers do best—keep the doors open for our students.