Union involvement for a beginning teacher

Union involvement during my first two years of teaching has been a time of stretching my newfound wings, getting involved and becoming an activist. As a new MNEA member, I have loved becoming involved in an organization that affords me the opportunity to fight for the issues I believe in and to meet people who share my passions and joys in life. However, it has also been a time of unexpected surprises and pitfalls. Living in an area of Missouri known for its conservative politics made my first experiences as an MNEA activist one of both great struggles and of great triumphs.

In my first day of orientation as a new teacher, both MNEA and MSTA spoke to the new teachers in my district. The MSTA members, however, made a much bigger deal out of their presentation. As I was to find out later, MSTA has a much larger representation in my school district. As such, their recruitment speech came complete with a full luncheon, gift bags and convincing PowerPoint presentation—things the smaller but dedicated local MNEA group simply could not afford. I watched silently as many of my fellow new teachers joined MSTA simply because it was cheaper or seemed more convenient. Thankfully, I was already committed to joining MNEA by the firm conviction that if I did not, my mother might never speak to me again. This, however, was my first hint that I had perhaps stumbled unwittingly into one of the many conservative school districts in the area.

My sneaking suspicions only grew stronger when I attended my local’s first MNEA meeting. Surprise! A grand total of six members awaited me. Although in retrospect I am sure my memories are exaggerated, I could have sworn that when I walked in, the room had prison bars and peeling paint. I was almost sure I could hear scary music playing. Since I come from a family of strong MNEA activists in large school districts with hundreds of members, I am certain the shock showed on my face as I slipped quietly into the room to take my seat.

“Are we the...only members?” I whispered nervously to someone near me. Thankfully, the answer was no. I was told that our district has more members (there are nineteen, as opposed to nearly 200 MSTA members) but that several were unable to attend. Seeing my obvious shock, several of the older members reassured me that although our local was small, “they come to us to get things done!” And in truth, these six wonderful, dedicated people were soon to be some of my favorite people! As time wore on, I grew to respect these members for their heartfelt devotion to MNEA, for their loyalty, and for their ability to stick together and stand up for what they believed in. My local may be small, but it has become a haven of support for me in my first years of teaching.

After that first local meeting, my MNEA experiences soon began to improve. I was elected to attend the 2006 Fall Representative Assembly, and I had a blast in Jefferson City! The enthusiasm in the room was contagious. Many times, the passion shown by MNEA leaders and key speakers made my heart surge and my eyes fill with tears. I was a member of a great profession! I was in a room with great minds and big hearts, and together we were doing something to improve our children’s education!

Since my local group was so small, I jumped at the chance to get involved in MNEA at the regional and state levels. I joined PAC and attended governance district meetings. I began to network and get to know people from across the state. Later, I ran for a seat on the PAC Executive Board. I was thrilled when my new position gave me the chance to get even more involved with MNEA politics, including hearing Attorney General Jay Nixon give a heartwarming speech at the PAC board meeting in February 2007. Later that same month, I attended my district’s Capitol Action Day and was thrilled to witness our state’s legislative bodies in action. Lobbying gave me a chance to actually stand up for what I believe in and affect the course of education in our state. In March, my governance district’s UniServ director offered me the opportunity to attend Jackson Days, a convention and banquet held for Democrats in my area. That night, I got to mingle with MNEA friends and hear influential speakers such as Ike Skelton, Robin Carnahan and Claire McCaskill. During the summer of 2007, I had a blast meeting new people and strengthening old friendships at the MNEA Political Academy. I am so grateful that my organization has given me so many opportunities for fellowship, political activism and professional development.

I am now in my second year of teaching, and my MNEA experiences are only getting better. I am working with my local members to discuss collective bargaining with our school board, implementing tips I got during the Political Academy. My local asked me to serve as vice president for the year, and I am honored to have that position. I also joined the MNEA Credentials Committee and the MNEA Review Board. As the year progresses, I am learning lots and enjoying every moment!

Being a member of MNEA has made my first years of teaching a great, enriching experience. Without my local group and their support, it would have been easy to get discouraged in my new profession. In addition, MNEA’s state and local activities allowed me to jump in and get active as a new teacher. I made friends, lobbied and learned. When the rigors of my new job began to wear on me, a simple trip to the Spring R.A. or a PAC meeting rejuvenated my spirits and renewed my passion for my work. I hope as I continue teaching in my third and fourth years I can help lead my local and state organizations toward newer and better things. MNEA is a member-driven organization, and I know that our involvement and activism will be the defining factor in the quality of Missouri education. We are doing great things, and I am honored to be a member of MNEA.

by Jana M. Thomas
Republic EA

sb, winter '07