News Release

NEA President Reg Weaver Outlines Vision for Public Education's Future

Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus Looks at the Future of Public Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Reg Weaver, president of the 2.7 million member National Education Association, outlined his vision for the future of public education at a meeting of the Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus of the Ohio Education Association in Columbus, Ohio.

“Moving forward, we all must take on the shared responsibility of supporting great public schools for all students,” said Weaver.  “To ensure a prosperous future for the generations yet to come, parents, community leaders, business executives and elected officials must make education a priority now and provide schools with the resources needed to help students succeed in the classroom.”

Weaver, a veteran classroom teacher of more than 30 years, also talked to the 300 education leaders and lawmakers in attendance about building more respect for teachers as professionals.  “Too many educators are leaving the classroom and not enough college students are choosing education as a career because teachers do not receive the professional recognition they deserve,” said Weaver. 

“When teachers are appropriately supported, our students flourish; they grow to reach their potential and their lives are made brighter and more productive.  Our children are our greatest assets, so we must invest in their futures while we can still make a significant and positive impact on their lives.”  

The Ohio Education Association’s minority caucus is named after the late Doris L. Allen, who served as a dynamic leader with the Ohio Education Association while holding the office of vice president and later served on the staff of the National Education Association in Washington, D.C.
 
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Dec. 2, 2005

CONTACT:
Derran Eaddy   (202) 822-7213, deaddy@nea.org

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, college faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educator and students preparing to become teaches.