NEA Representative Assembly

Amy Castleberry, Cheatham County Education Association, said, “I attended the NEA Representative Assembly with thousands of educators from across the country and learned that they face the same challenges and concerns as those of us in Tennessee.”

NEA Read Across America

“NEA’s Annual Read Across America is an excellent opportunity to encourage reading and build community support for our public schools. Our association has taken an active role in this event each year and has had tremendous participation from parents, elected officials and community leaders,” said Jamye Merritt, Metro Nashville Education Association.

NEA Research

Laura Daniels, Humphreys County Education Association member, is concerned with the teacher shortage in her community. Laura said, “We need to have improved salaries and benefits if we want to attract and retain the best educators for our school system. NEA’s Research staff members provide current data to insure that we stay competitive as we bargain our local contract.”

NEA Dues Tab

Paul Berry, member of the Stewart County Education Association, says, “No one wants to think about collecting on a life insurance policy, but sadly a horrific accident caused the teachers and staff in Stewart County to understand it is important to have such coverage. SCEA member Joyce Gregory, bus driver and education assistant, was shot by a student and her NEA dues tab insurance policy paid a $100,000 benefit to her family. This will not make up for the loss of her life, but it does provide some financial security for her children and husband.”

UniServ Coordinators

“I couldn’t begin to do my job as local president without the assistance and support from my UniServ Coordinator, Harry Farthing,” states Grundy County Education Association’s Maggie Hanson. “Harry provides training for our officers and association representatives and supplies me with the information I need to keep my members informed.”

NEA Student Program

Dr. Nicole Kendall, instructor at Tennessee State University and past Student Tennessee Education Association president, works with education majors and is an advocate for the Association’s student program. “NEA and our state affiliate offer assistance with the PRAXIS exams as well as professional development sessions that focus on methodology, assessment, and classroom management skills. It is critical that educators stay informed about current instructional issues and best practices and take advantage of the opportunities for leadership training.”

NEA Instruction and Professional Development

Michael Morris, high school assistant principal and member of the Jackson-Madison County Education Association, believes that quality staff development is essential for professional growth and has utilized NEA’s IPD sessions for his faculty. “Teachers and education support professionals want to know how best to assist students. They desire information that is current, relevant and proven to be effective. I am proud that my professional association offers this service to members.”

NEA Foundation

Kinsey Taylor, Knox County Education Association member, stated, “I am proud to be a member of an association that sent several million dollars to the students, teachers, and schools ravaged by Katrina. NEA officers and staff were on the ground in the area only days after the storm offering assistance to members. NEA also sent an enormous amount of school supplies to some of the hardest hit areas. NEA was working hard for educators and students in a time when other education organizations were conspicuously absent.”

NEA Government Relations

Stephanie Hurt, Shelby County Education Association member and special education teacher, said, “I am pleased to know that NEA had an impact on Congress when it came to the reauthorization of the IDEA and ELL legislation. I am busy in my classroom, and I appreciate that NEA staff members monitor these issues and work to impact change. NEA lobbyists, working on a bipartisan basis, meet with all members of Congress to develop legislation that will establish laws that meet the needs of students and provide the most comprehensive services possible.”