Let’s talk!
 This
time of the year always brings exciting opportunities for
students and members. As a classroom teacher, I always looked
forward to meeting new colleagues, new students and the parents
that I’d work with throughout the year. Even as an experienced
teacher, I never could sleep the night before our first day
of school.
As an MNEA officer, I’ve had the opportunity to participate
with some of you as you experience your beginning-of-the-year
jitters. I was thrilled to be at the new employee meetings
in several districts where I talked with new teachers and
watched the work of our local leaders pay off as new teachers
literally lined up to join! In some cases, it was because
the new teachers had been told by their mentors that the MNEA
local was the group to join. In some cases, new teachers told
us that their parents were teachers and members. In many cases,
it was the professional presentations that our local leaders
made that convinced new hires to join. They realized that
MNEA is truly “something better” for Missouri’s
public school employees. You’re doing great work every
day, making a difference for our students and your members.
We sincerely thank you for all your efforts.
I had a “bonus” experience this year. My nephew
has decided to be a middle school math teacher and is entering
college this fall. I attended his orientation and sat in the
session with other parents as the chair of the education department
told students and their parents about the department and the
rigor of the program. He explained to the freshmen that they
had a responsibility to learn and become the best teachers
they could be. He explained their responsibility to the children
they will serve, and he talked about the importance of public
schools. Most of the freshmen seemed unimpressed, but it renewed
my commitment to children and their schools. Next, he talked
about other opportunities that the students could take advantage
of outside of class and only mentioned one group—Student
NEA. He told the students how Student NEA would help them
make the most of their opportunities as future teachers. Wow!
Following my nephew’s registration and purchase of books
(ouch!), we registered him as a Student NEA member. I am thrilled
and proud to have my nephew as our newest member!
After he got his membership confirmation, I started thinking
about our responsibility to Derek and all of our students
this year. We’ve had our beginning-of-the-year hoopla.
Now we have to get to the real work of education and think
about the future we’re creating.
In the last issue of Something Better, I wrote that
we need to elect a president who will invest in our children
and our future. Some readers objected to the fact that our
organization takes a position on candidates while others applauded
our involvement and recommendations. NEA and MNEA take pride
in our support for students and don’t apologize for
informing our members about candidates who support or have
pledged to support our children and their public schools.
We have to be politically involved and support candidates
who strengthen public education, maximize student learning,
ensure student health and safety and show respect for all
school employees. If an education association should not do
that, what group should? As you vote Nov. 4, we ask you to
consider casting your vote for candidates who will ensure
great schools for all students.
I’ll be voting for candidates who...
- will make sure that Derek can afford to go to college
and has great public schools in which to teach upon graduation.
- support public schools and the students who learn in
those schools.
- believe that public school employees deserve salaries
and working conditions that encourage them to stay in public
education.
- understand that collective bargaining is “something
better” for our public schools.
Join me in considering our recommended candidates. We’ll
talk again after Nov. 4!
by Chris
Guinther
MNEA president
sb,
fall '08
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