In this issue, we introduce you to educators who are building powerful relationships to make their unions, schools, and communities stronger than ever.
In our cover story, “More Ways to Win," educators are teaming up with communities to reenvision change—reaching far beyond the bargaining table to advocate for the community as a whole. As partners, they are winning big for today’s students and cultivating relationships that will continue to reap rewards for all.
We also feature Arizona teacher Amy Bowser, who knows a thing or two about building unions—she helped grow her local from 15 to more than 165 members in one year. In “Meet Amy. She Wants You to Join Her Union," Bowser shares how making it personal is the key to her success. Surprisingly, many of the people joining unions for the first time are in their 20s and 30s—far younger than in previous generations. In “Millennials: A Pro-Union Generation," we explore how young people are fired up about social justice and economic issues—and many are looking for opportunities to lead.
This issue also offers two great teaching opportunities. In “Moving Beyond ‘Just Say No,'" educators share how life skills training is helping their students stay drug-free. And in “Teachers Unlock the Lessons of the U.S. Census," educators are using the 2020 U.S. census as a teaching moment. Learn about census lesson plans and find out where to get NEA’s beautiful—and free!—“We Count” posters for your classroom.
Finally, the U.S presidential election is almost upon us. We all know that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a threat to public education, and the election offers our best chance to replace her.
In “We Need a Secretary of Education Who’s With Us," you’ll meet retired art teacher Cathy Boote, who changed her affiliation from Republican to independent because of DeVos—and plans to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020 who will fight for public education. Never have the stakes been higher for educators.
I hope this issue will inspire you to advocate for your students in your community and vote for your students at the ballot box. Because if we don’t do it, who will?
