MNEA-Missouri National Education Association

Turning a new page

Missouri NEA President Greg Jung bids farewell

It’s hard for me to believe that my term as Missouri NEA president will end July 31. You know the adage about time and flying and fun. I think it has more to do with not having enough hours in the day to complete everything we want to do. In fact, the end of the term still seems surreal because I’ve been caught up in our immediate work.

I am extremely proud of you for repeatedly answering the call to action during the legislative session. Due in high measure to your contact with legislators, MNEA and the public education community were able to defeat the tax credit voucher proposal in the Missouri House that would have diverted up to $40 million dollars of public money to private schools. I want you to note that this had to be a bipartisan effort in a legislature dominated by Republicans.

That same bipartisan spirit was evident in the last 10 minutes of the legislative session when the Missouri Senate refused to continue discussion of the bill that would have permitted teacher certification by ABCTE (American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence). This Orwellian named group made an all-out push this year to get their certification recognized in Missouri. Even though this proposal was first included on an MSTA drafted bill, and had the support of most education groups in the state, you refused to allow legislators to weaken teacher certification in Missouri. Our members single handedly educated legislators about this Trojan horse bill with your emails, phone calls, letters and face-to-face meetings. Thank you.

We will face these and other efforts to undermine public education again in the next legislative session. The only way that we will be able to focus on promoting the positive agenda for our students, schools and members is to throw the rascals out. It is very plain to see which legislators are working to undermine public education. It is up to you to say, “Enough is enough.”

Collective bargaining continues to be on my front burner. The Missouri Supreme Court’s recent decision confirming collective bargaining rights for public employees will change the way school districts do business. Our long held belief in collective bargaining rights for all employees is rooted in the need to have you, the experts, at the local decision-making table. Teachers and support professionals know what students need to be successful in school. And when they reach agreements, those agreements should be legally binding. I am very proud to have played a small role in this effort.

Now, I’m gearing up for our NEA Representative Assembly and the other work that fills Association leaders’ summer days. Since I attended my first NEA R.A. in 1980 on my own dime, I have been awed by watching democracy in action as the nearly 9,000 delegates voice concerns, debate issues and forge the direction of the Association for the new year. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to run for a future delegate position. You will be extremely proud to be an NEA member.

Soon I will have to start packing up my personal belongings as we prepare to turn a new page in the Association’s history. Representatives from your local association elected a new leadership team at the April MNEA R.A. President-elect Chris Guinther will do an excellent job leading this great organization, but Chris and the other leaders will need your help and guidance as we move forward.

I have decided to turn a page in my personal life as well. I started teaching 34 years ago in Vandalia, Missouri. I will retire from teaching in July to first rest and then seek other opportunities. I look forward to the time when our paths cross again. Until then, I hope you will follow my lead by asking yourself, “How can I get involved in NEA to make things better for my students, colleagues and profession?”

by Greg Jung
MNEA president

Other Reflections

Turning a new page

‘Times are changing, and our schools must change, too.’

‘We need to make our voices heard.’

Brazen proposals funnel public dollars to private and religious schools

'Experience the power you have as a member of the NEA.'

'We speak for you.'

‘Students deserve more than a funny-money formula....’

‘Why are they stealing from Missouri kids?'

‘We on the front lines must take charge of making our schools safe for all children.’

‘MNEA is ready to fight this attack on teacher certification, but we cannot do it alone.’