Name: Antonio Hernandez
Where are you from? Passaic, New Jersey
Job? Paraeducator in a transition program for 18- to 21-year-olds (and also an Aspiring Educator!)
What's the best part of your job? Helping my students to understand the transition from high school to life, and seeing them grow and change.
How many NEA Representative Assemblies (RAs) have you been to? This is my first RA.
Why come to the RA? I want to have a better grasp of democracy in the NEA.
Favorite RA snack? TBD
Biggest issue facing public education? Unpaid student teaching—we have Aspiring Educators who have to choose between unpaid clinicals and the jobs that pay their bills.
What do you see as a solution to that issue? In New Jersey, we're working toward state legislation.
Public education is... the best learning ground for students—and teachers.
Name: Susan Pennington
Where are you from? Springfield, Illinois
Job? Middle school librarian
What's the best part of your job? I see every student in my building, every week, and so I know every student by name!
How many RAs have you been to? This is my sixth.
Why come to the RA? Seeing the business of the union as a whole is fascinating, sometimes confusing, always interesting, and I want to be part of it. I believe in unions.
Favorite RA snack? Trader Joe's chocolate wafer bars
Biggest issue facing public education? AI: The use of AI, not only by students but by teachers.
What do you see as a solution to that issue? This is going to be an unpopular answer, but rolling back technology and getting back to paper and pencil and paper books. Speaking for middle schools, our students need to learn foundational skills first and then learn to use AI in high school.
Public education is... the mainstay of democracy.
Name: Dayshawn Simmons
Where are you from? Somerville, Massachusetts
Job? Seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher
What's the best part of your job? Teaching kids about government for the first time.
How many RAs have you been to? This is my second RA.
Why come to the RA? As education is under threat, I believe it's important to convene, develop a plan, and fight forward.
Favorite RA snack? Cheddar trail mix
Biggest issue facing public education? Our government
What do you see as a solution to that issue? All of us, together, standing up and upholding what's important for our students and communities.
Public education is... the great equalizer.
Name: Geoffery Johnson
Where are you from? San Diego, California
Job? Part-time faculty member of English and humanities, and also a district director for California's Community College Association, representing part-time faculty in the statewide union
What's the best part of your job? The thing that most excites me is the work I've done in trying to bring benefits to people—like healthcare benefits—it's transforming lives.
How many RAs have you been to? This is my second.
Why come to the RA? It's important to be here because too many teachers and even too many unionists get siloed in their systems. They don't see or appreciate the challenges and opportunities in other places. I love talking to my colleagues from Hawaii or Florida or wherever. This is how we build solidarity.
Favorite RA snack? Cheez-Its
Biggest issue facing public education? To me, it's just the dehumanization, on different levels. I have students who come across the border, at 3 a.m. to take my class at 7 a.m., and dealing with issues relating to ICE. And I have faculty colleagues, who are also regarded as disposable.
What do you see as a possible solution? I'm a big proponent of free community college, but I also think we need to expand Pell Grants. We need to find ways for immigrant students to participate. And, for contingent faculty, I believe in a one-tier system [with equal access to benefits and equal pay for equal work].
Public education is... Well, it needs to be valued, and that value has to be shown in how we fund and support it.
Name: Jennifer Wagner
Where are you from? Grants Pass, Oregon
Job? Special education educational assistant
What's the best part of your job? I get to use my love of science!
How many RAs have you been to? This is my first RA.
Why come to the RA? I want to be part of making decisions for our state and nation.
Favorite RA snack? Popcorn
Biggest issue facing public education? The loss of funding and support for special ed students.
What do you see as a solution to that issue? We need to continue fighting!
Public education is... the most important thing on Earth.
Name: Tamara Ross
Where are you from? Monroe, Louisiana
Job? Instructional coach
What's the best part of your job? Supporting and coaching teachers
How many RAs have you been to? Around 10
Why come to the RA? I come to the RA because I want my voice to be heard and to make change around the U.S., relating to educational practice.
Favorite RA snack? Snickers
Biggest issue facing public education? Lack of funding
What do you see as a solution to that issue? Prioritize resources from the bottom up—that is prioritize resources for classrooms—rather than from the top down.
Public education is... constantly revolving and changing.
Name: Diane Mokuau and Briann Starkey
Where are you from? Molokai, Hawaii
Jobs? Diane is the librarian for five schools on Molokai; Briann teaches elementary special education.
What's the best part of your job? Diane: I'm excited to support all of our students—because these schools haven't had a certified librarian previously! Briann: Seeing the success of Tier 3 students, their improvements and achievements.
How many RAs have you been to? Diane: Maybe 10? Briann: 3
Why come to the RA? Diane: To represent our island and state, connect with national issues, and also connect with friends! Briann: To be involved in solutions on a national effort, and also the camaradie.
Favorite RA snack? Briann: Chocolate-covered gummi bears. Diane: Chocolate-covered almonds!
Biggest issue facing public education? Briann: The teacher shortage. Diane: The dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and how that results in the loss of funding and support at the local level.
What do you see as a solution to that issue? Briann: Grow-your-own programs are helpful, and we have programs that also help ESPs transition to teaching with no cost to them. Diane: Get involved! Bring your voice to issues and see that connections among our voices.
Public education is... "Our future," says Briann. "The cornerstone of democracy," says Diane.
Name: Ross Dill
Where are you from? Sterling, Illinois
Job? Retired college professor of English
What was the best part of your job? Discovering that I had a small number of students who could write well—and a large number who began to understand the value of reading good books.
How many RAs have you been to? 44!
Why come to the RA? I have lots of friends that I see once a year! And I value the work—it gives me a good feeling to be part of deciding these important issues.
Favorite RA snack? This year, the lamb gyros.
Biggest issue facing public education? A lack of support—which, yes, is funding but also an understanding among people that public schools are valuable. I don't think they realize how valuable they are, and they won't realize it until we lose them.
What do you see as a possible solution? All of us—teachers, retired teachers, and other educators—need to start walking around our communities, knocking on doors, and talking to people. Ask them what they think about their public schools and why they're important—and what would happen if they disappear?
Public education is... the foundation of democracy.
Name: Amanda Ziegler
Where are you from? Pontiac, Michigan
Job? First-grade teacher
What is the best part of your job? Being with my kids!
How many RAs have you been to? This is the first!
Why come to the RA? I want to get involved more.
Favorite RA snack? The last one I had—gluten-free pretzels.
Biggest issue facing public education? The attacks on public education.
What do you see as a possible solution? Getting more people involved, speaking out, and standing up for what's right.
Public education is... amazing!
