CONTACT: Miguel Gonzalez   (202) 822-7823

July 4, 2006

Delegates Welcome Kimberly Oliver, NEA Member and 2006 National Teacher of the Year

Weaver cites her commitment to public education, passion for teaching as qualities of a great teacher

ORLANDO—Kimberly Oliver, NEA member and 2006 National Teacher of the Year, today addressed thousands of delegates gathered for the 2006 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly. Oliver is a kindergarten teacher at Broad Acres Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

 "Her unbendable commitment to public education and passion for helping our youngest learners thrive in an increasingly interconnected 21st century global community embody the qualities of a great teacher," NEA President Reg Weaver said. "Our 2.8 million members proudly call her one of our own."

A National Board Certified teacher, Oliver is an active member of both NEA and the Maryland State Teachers Association. On June 1, 2006, she began serving as a full-time national and international spokesperson for education, as well as representing and advocating for the nation's teaching profession.

"My teaching career began when I was four because my kindergarten teacher inspired me to follow this wonderful profession," Kimberly Oliver said. "It is touching and humbling to stand here on stage in front of my peers."

Oliver told delegates that, in addition to providing an excellent teacher in every classroom, society must build a strong foundation for the youngest learners.

"We must embrace universal pre-kindergarten programs. We must support mandatory and full day kindergarten programs for all students. And we must provide adequate funding, resources and professional development to make great public schools, because, when we do not educate every child, we do a disservice to society."

The National Teacher of the Year program is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and is sponsored by ING U.S. Financial Services in partnership with Scholastic Inc.  The program focuses public attention on teaching excellence and is the oldest and most prestigious awards program for teachers.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.