Kansas National Education Association

IssuesVolume 28 • Issue 1 • August 2010Volume 29 • Issue 8 • March, 2012

Making public schoolsgreat for every child

Here, there and everywhere - KNEA members get activeKNEA Leadership AcademyTwenty-two members from across the state met to continue to develop and improve their leadership skills in the

second of three training sessions. Th is highly interactive program is designed to target mid-career educators who are

ready to expand their infl uence and impact and become more involved in their profession through the Association.

Th is session centered on communication styles, appreciating and understanding diversity and planning eff ective one-

one-one conversations. In addition, participants learned how power mapping and constructing messages can improve

a leader’s standing.

A team of seven Association Leaders and Staff guided the participants throughout the three sessions. Th e fi nal

Leadership Academy session for the year will be on June 11-12, 2012.

Who Wants to Eat Dirt?Th at was the burning question facing ten KNEA emerging leaders in the 2012 REACH training on March 2 and 3.

Th ese early career members were nominated by their locals to attend the energizing and thought provoking REACH

training. In addition to their adventures in team building, participants interacted with KNEA President Blake West,

Vice President Karen Godfrey and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Farr. Th ey also interviewed members of the KNEA

Resolutions Commission about their views on education and the work of the Association.

Participants included Kylie Booth, Haley Dunn and Lisa Stockton

of Independence NEA; Bridget Johnson, Pittsburg EA; Danica Moore, Lawrence EA; Evette Orozco, NEA KCK; Kelly Palmer, Jason Ramey and David Welch of Maize EA; and Sarah Rhodes,

Russell County NEA.

REACH stands for Realizing, Engaging, Achieving, Creating and

Honoring new members.

Oh, and the “dirt” in question is Dirt Cake – an opening activity with

participants creating a cake with no utensils, measuring cups, or pre-

measured ingredients. Teams come together in a hurry!

More learning, organizing and inspiring!

Here, there and everywhere - KNEA members get active (continued)

More learning, organizing and inspiring!

Olathe NEA members plan for legislative and political successOlathe NEA President Calin Kendall and UniServ Director Gene Neely were joined by 15 other ONEA teachers at a

legislative forum held on a Saturday morning in Olathe. Th ese teachers got to hear fi rst-hand what their legislators are

thinking about and doing in this legislative session.

Still wearing their ONEA shirts, the group gathered for lunch post-forum and discussed current issues under the

dome with KNEA lobbyist Mark Desetti. Th e event also focused on how Olathe NEA members can play a part in

helping make sure that pro-public education candidates get elected to offi ce in the upcoming elections.

Lawrence Education Association members join the KPERS movementInspired by what their colleagues did in Johnson County in support of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement

System (KPERS), the Lawrence Education Association decided to take on their own “Save KPERS” petition drive.

Modeling their eff orts on those organized in the Shawnee Mission, Olathe and Crossroads UniServ Districts, LEA

members were able to deliver nearly 1,000 signatures to their legislative delegation. Activism is indeed contagious!

KNEA’s newest Higher Education Academy graduateJanet Stramel, a member of NEA Fort Hays State

University, is a new graduate of NEA’s Higher

Education Academy. Conducting the graduation

was NEA Executive Committee member and former

KNEA President Christy Levings.

Th e Higher Education Academy and Conference

brought in members from 15 states who teach in

community colleges, technical colleges and four

year universities. Th e Academy provides hands-

on training to new and future leaders of higher

education locals to strengthen the long-term viability

and eff ectiveness of these locals and their state

associations. Th ese emerging leaders also have an

opportunity to become part of a national network of

Academy participants and graduates.

Th e NEA Higher Education Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) is a three-session training program over a nine-

month period, open to dues-paying higher education members from all categories of higher education who meet the

program’s eligibility requirements. Candidates can apply for the program directly but must be endorsed by their state

association.

Congratulations to Janet Stramel – KNEA’s newest Higher Education Academy graduate!