Wow! The 2010-2011 school year has officially begun, and it seems like we just got out of school. I hope all of you were able to have a restful but also energizing summer and are now recharged for the coming year. I am constantly amazed at the commitment of my fellow NEOEA members and am proud to be part of an organization that works so hard for the students we come into contact with each day. ALL of us, ESP and teachers alike, are educators called upon every day to provide each and every student the quality public education they need and deserve. Each of us can make a difference. It might be on a bus ride home or in the school office. It could be in the classroom or cafeteria. That moment might occur in a college lab or in the home of a two-year-old child just learning how to communicate. These special moments happen every day all throughout northeast Ohio. All 33,000 NEOEA members have a huge impact on the future because of the work we do today.

There are many challenges that we are facing. From the implementation of HB1, changes to STRS, SERS, and OPERS, school funding, and the seemingly endless articles in the newspapers attacking our profession, we are constantly having to defend who we are and what our jobs entail. The general public seems to know more about what being an educator is all about than we do. It makes the programs and workshops NEOEA offers more important than ever before. All of us need to have as much knowledge about the topics being written and reported on now more than ever.

Leaders aren’t made overnight. Less than ten years ago I really didn’t know what the relationship between NEA/OEA/NEOEA was all about. The president of my local asked me if I wanted to run to be a delegate for the NEOEA/OEA Representative Assemblies. I did, and I started my journey. Sometimes it was overwhelming, but each time I attended an RA, an NEOEA Day workshop, or Summer Leadership, I gained more knowledge of just how important the work of NEOEA/OEA is to our profession. When I became president of the Copley Teachers Association, I was much better prepared because of all the training I had taken. All of these things mentioned above plus much more will again be available to you in the coming year.

I would like to see all of us do the following to start the year: (1) hold a delegate election, (2) attend an NEOEA Day workshop on October 15, and (3) strive to become a Five-Star unit. Again, take small steps at the beginning. In order for NEOEA to have an impact in northeast Ohio and also in Columbus, we have to be informed members. Collectively we will have a stronger voice when we are called upon to address the issues with the elected officials who we count on to be our voice at the statehouse.

I look forward to working with you this year and welcome phone calls and emails. Thank you for giving me this great opportunity to represent you. It is an honor.

Take care,

Becky