DSEA Elections 2012
Posted here are the candidates running for DSEA treasurer, Exec. Board member, and/or state delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly
Voting opens Feb. 15, 2012
All DSEA members for whom we have email addresses will receive an email on or about Feb. 15, 2012 with a link and instructions for voting online.
Members for whom we have no e-mail address will receive a paper ballot mailed to their home address.
Voting ends February 29, 2012.
Since there are not enough candidates for the seats open for DSEA Executive Board members who work in Sussex County, an election will take place at the DSEA Rep. Assembly, Sat., March 17. If you work in Sussex County and would like to run for this seat and will not be at the RA, please make sure someone from your local association delegation (or any DSEA RA delegate in attendance) knows to nominate you.
Questions? Feel free to contact Sandy Dearman by email or by phone at 1-866-734-5834.
TREASURER
The treasurer of DSEA is a member of the DSEA Leadership Team. The three-year term begins September 1, 2012. DSEA leadership team (president, vice president, treasurer and NEA Director)is limited to two terms.
I am running for the 3 year term of DSEA Treasurer. I have held this position for 4 years as I filled a 1 year unexpired term. Continuing with this leadership team would be a rewarding experience as we continue to strive to make education the best Delaware has to offer while protecting all education employees and their collective bargaining rights. While other states are struggling with job loss, and the loss of bargaining rights, we in Delaware are at least having our voices heard and making a difference every day in the education world. Seeing our members rally around potential pay cuts, the threat of reduced health and pension benefits has been rewarding experiences. Having served previously on the finance, resolutions, and ESP task force and assisting in various trainings at DSEA, I want to continue this working relationship with members. Currently I am the chair of our Policy Task Force and we are committed to reviewing our policies to make sure they are in line with our practices. In addition, I want to continue serving the various local and employee groups of this GREAT UNION. I have served on DSO contract negotiations, attended several NEA RA’s, and participated in numerous DSEA workshops and academies. On the local side of the association, I have served as president of LFEA and am currently their Vice President, bargained local contracts, served as grievance chair and worked on numerous committees to improve the working conditions and rights of our employees. Locally I work as a financial secretary at Lake Forest High School, serve as a 4-H leader, and a member of Harrington Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary. I live in Harrington with my husband Doug and daughters, Heather and Jennifer.EXECUTIVE BOARD
The two-year Executive Board positions begin September 1, 2012.
There are:
two Kent County seats open;
two Sussex County seats; and
five New Castle County seats open.
Kent County
Two open seats
Patti Reid
I am seeking your vote to continue my seat on the DSEA Executive Board. I have represented all ESPs across Kent County for over six years and wish to continue doing so. I am a very strong advocate and leader for ESPs in the state of Delaware.
My involvement in DSEA is very active and strong. I am the 2010 DSEA ESP of the Year. My involvement includes serving on the Executive Board, President of Capital Paras, member of the ESP Conference Committee, as well as the Ethnic Minority Affairs Task Force, part of the DSEA Resolutions Committee, just to name a few.
I would like to continue being a strong voice and advocate for all ESPs, as well as teachers, on the DSEA Executive Board. I would appreciate your support and your vote for the Executive Board for Kent County.
Denise Waples
I am a second grade teacher in the Milford School District.
As a member of the DSEA Executive Board, I would be responsible for voting on issues that affect our organization and reporting back to the members.
I am very active in fighting for the rights of our members and the children we serve. I have represented the Association in different venues. These functions include, but are not limited to, political events, task forces, and conferences. Currently, I am a building rep in my local. As a result of my involvement with my local and state association, I have been able to learn and share a lot of valuable information
In order to continue serving on the DSEA Executive Board, I am asking for your help.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to representing the members of Kent County.
Sussex County
Two open seats
I am in my third year as a Visiting Teacher in the Indian River School District. Prior to this, I was a classroom math teacher for 26 years. I have been a member of the association since I started teaching. I am currently an Association Representative and Membership Chair of my local, Indian River Education Association. I would like the opportunity to continue being a voice for Sussex County on the Executive Board.
As a state, we are facing many tough issues and programs - budget cuts, Vision 2015, RtI, Race to the Top, DPAS II, Component 5 of DPAS, etc.
I believe that I can have an impact on the future of public education in Delaware. Thank you for your support!
New Castle County
Five seats open
Michael Bank
I have been very active in DSEA and RCEA for many years. Currently I serve as chair of the DSEA Resolutions Committee and I represent Delaware as its delegate to the NEA Resolution’s Committee. I regularly attend and actively participate in both the state and national representative assemblies as well as serve on many other committees including Cohort 4 of the DCAS Component V committee.
I have worked in Delaware public schools for 21 years. For the past 19 years I have been a school counselor at Richardson Park Learning Center in Red Clay. I have become very passionate about the concerns and issues faced by those of us who work with special needs students and I hope to be able to continue to serve as an advocate for all public school educators.
Stephanie Ingram
More than ever, being “in the know” regarding the demands being placed upon those in education requires becoming more actively involved. I believe that my experiences in the workings of my local union (member of the District Liaison and Race to the Top committee; Executive Board, Secretary, and now Vice-President of the Colonial Education Association) and DSEA (state and national Representative Assemblies, Minority and Women’s Leadership Training, and various DPAS II and Component 5 seminars) have given me a strong foundation to stand up to challenge of representing the diverse needs of our members in these turbulent times.
In all that we are expected to do, sometimes standing strong becomes more difficult. I want to be an integral part of the organization that gives educators a means to make their voices heard. I appreciate the trust you will place in my by granting me a position on our Executive Board.
Maureen Keeney
All throughout my teaching career, I have been an active member of the Local Teacher’s Association. I was a Rep in Pennsylvania for two years before coming to Delaware. My experiences include Teacher, Educational Diagnostician and Reading Specialist.
Presently I am at Howard High School where I am supporting great teacher leaders. I became a rep at Delcastle High School because of an opportunity to support my fellow teachers. In my position I have helped keep communications open between administration and teachers, helped staff with concerns in the school, and coordinated activities to make our local Association service ourl staff.
It is with pleasure and great pride that I seek to serve on the DSEA Board. I promise to do my best to encourage true collaboration, move forward in education and promote solidarity for all members.
Mike Kempski
I would like to continue to serve DSEA members by being re-elected to the DSEA Executive Board. During my last two year term I used the training I received at the Winter Advocacy Retreat to organize members to fight against possible cuts to our health and retirement benefits. Using skills and knowledge I gained from DSEA’s Leadership Weekend, I organized members to meet with legislators to voice their concerns regarding Component V of DPASII.
During the past two years I have shown a willingness to learn and to apply what I have learned to difficulties our members face. The next two years will bring challenges that require members to be highly active, better informed and more organized than ever before.
I have shown that I am up to the challenge, and I would appreciate your vote for another opportunity to serve on the DSEA Executive Board.
David Wright
I have been president of my local education association for the past three years. The landscape for public education has changed considerably during that time. In many ways, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure that our members’ rights are protected and that they are evaluated by fair and reliable measurements.
This is why I have decided to run for DSEA Executive Board. I feel compelled to become involved beyond my local association and want to assist union leadership at the state level in guiding our organization and its members through these challenging times. I attack issues and problems and communicate well with members across the state. Furthermore, I believe the ideas and analysis I can bring will further enrich the discussion and decision-making process currently employed by the Executive Board.
I look forward to serving DSEA members across the state as an Executive Board member from New Castle County.
NEA Representative Assembly (RA) Delegates
The next two NEA RA's are in Washington, D.C. (June 30-July 5, 2012) and then Atlanta, Georgia (July 1-July 6, 2013).
Basic state delegate expenses are picked up by DSEA for people elected as state NEA RA delegates..
There are vacancies for five two-year terms, and one one-year term (the D.C. RA only).
The winners will join state delegates elected last year for two-year terms ( Chicago 2011 and Washington, D.C. 2012):
Michael Bank, Red Clay
Julie Harrington, Appoquinimink ESP
Sarah Brady, Red Clay E.A. .
Dave Bradley, Brandywine E.A.
Michael Brown, Capital Paras
Christine Valente, Red Clay E.A.
Pat Murrell, Indian River E.A.
NEA RA Delegate candidates
Five two-year terms; one one-year term
The top five vote-getters will be awarded two-year terms; the sixth top candidate will have a one-year term.
Diane Albanese
I am applying for the position of State Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly for many reasons. I am interested in being a part of the solution and have worked on state committees for the new assessment and reform. I would like to be a part of the decisionmaking process as we move forward in education. Also, I believe in the importance and the need for Delaware teachers to become involved and aware.
DSEA is a huge part of the educational participatory process. I am proud to be a union member and to have been a part of the Chicago NEA assembly. I hope to play an important role during the summer of 2012 in Washington.
Kelli Eckert Bradley
Thank you for electing me two years ago and I’d be honored again to represent Delaware at the national level! As part of the NEA-RA and DSEA-RA for the past 11 years, I’ve had the opportunity to discuss issues facing educators and paraprofessionals today. We aren’t alone in our struggles and I enjoy discussing Delaware’s perspective. I would also like to continue DSEA’s representation on the Community Outreach Committee at the NEA-RA. In Chicago last year, we had Delaware Representatives serve the homeless and build a house with Habitat for Humanity. It’s been fun involving Delaware as volunteers at each host city!
Experience:
NEA RA Community Outreach Members - 5 years
DSEA Executive Board Member - 7 years
BEA Executive Board - 11 years
Building Rep - 19 years
Pam Ingram
As a longtime member of DSEA, I’ve served this association in various ways. I currently serve on the DSEA Executive Board of Directors and as president of the Colonial Paraprofessional Association. Not only am I committed, but I wholeheartedly believe in unionism. Having attended trainings, such as NEA Leaders for Tomorrow and Future Leaders, reaffirms my resolve. I’m concerned about the issues we all face in education and reform, yet witnessed what power in numbers can accomplish. I would like the opportunity to serve as 2012 State Delegate at the NEA Representative Assembly. Simply put, I care and raise my fist in solidarity.
Stephanie Ingram
We have not had anyone in the Colonial Education aSsociation actively involved at this level for some time. I have been working as vice-president of my local to make us stronger and more informed and I believe that I can broaden my efforts to the state level.
I cannot begin to describe all that I have learned in my participation in the last two NEA RAs. Being surrounded by educators from across this land at our national conventions gives one a new level of commitment, engagement, and more enthusiasm to attack the challenges we face here in our state. Attending the RAs provides one with new perspective and a better understanding of the issues facing educators on a broad scale and allows the state delegate to return with a strengthened resolve. I hope you provide me with this opportunity to continue to reaffirm my commitment to DSEA.
Adele Jones
I am in my third year as a Visiting Teacher in the Indian River School District. Prior to this, I was a math teacher for 26 years. I have been a member of the Association since I started teaching. I am currently an Association Representative and Membership Chair of my local, Indian River Education Association. I have been a delegate to both the DSEA and NEA Representative Assembly for many years. I would like to continue to serve you as a delegate to the NEA RA for the next two years. Thank you for your support.
Margaret Martinez
I am a Paraprofessional in the Capital school district, and secretary of our Association. A member of the Ethnic Minority Task Force at DSEA, I have been an active Union member for four years.
I love what I do and know that our students, our children need a voice. I want to be able to stand up for what is right. Our students need us. They need to be able to learn in a safe, healthy and fun environment.
I just completed my first term as a State Delegate and found that representing our members was a wonderful experience. I have the knowledge and the experience to do a great job.
Now I am running for State Delegate once again and when you vote for me, you will know that I will do everything to the best of my ability to stand up for our children, for our members.
Patti Reid
Having attended the NEA RA for the past six years, I know it takes a lot of commitment, hard work, dedication, and overall passion for our Union, and I will be that strong voice for ESPs in Delaware. I am a very strong advocate and leader in the State of Delaware and wish to continue doing so.
Recently, President Van Roekel appointed me as the ESP at Large member on the NEA Resolutions Committee, and I am extremely proud to be representing all ESPs, not only in Delaware but across the country in this role. I promise to bring my passion, dedication, and experience to this commitment if I am an elected delegate to represent Delaware. Please vote for me, Patti Reid, NEA RA delegate.
Denise Waples
I am a second grade teacher at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School and a member of MEA. I am asking for your support in my quest to be a representative for DSEA to the NEA Representative Assembly. As an educator I am deeply concerned with the issues we in education are facing today. As a rep to the NEA RA, my goal will be to represent and speak for not only the educators of our state but the children we serve. Please assist me in my endeavor to assist the members and children of our state.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to representing the members of Kent County.
DSEA Elections Timeline
Dec. 20: Lottery drawing for name placement on the ballot
Dec. 22: All candidate statements/photos posted here
Feb. 15: Voting opens
Feb. 29: Voting ends
March 5: Ballots counted/verified
March 6: Preliminary results announced
March 12: Challenge deadline
March 13: Exec. Board conference call to ratify results
March 17: If necessary, election of any remaining vacancies at the DSEA Representative Assembly. (One Sussex County member for the DSEA Executive Board)
Questions?
Please contact Sandy Dearman by e-mail or by phone, at 1-866-734-5834.
