NEA Board Position 1 Candidate – Bill Lyne
Term is for three years 2016-2019
My name is Bill Lyne and I am a professor of African American literature
at Western Washington University and the President of the United
Faculty of Washington State (representing Central Washington
University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington
University, and the Evergreen State College). I have also served as the
inaugural local president at Western. I have been the UFWS
representative to the AFT Washington Board of Directors and I currently
serve as the UFWS representative to the WEA Board of Directors.
For the last three years, I have served as a Washington State Director on
the NEA Board of Directors. This has been interesting and rewarding
work. I have served on committees that have shaped NEA policy around
educator training, institutionalized racism, and membership
recruitment. As a Board Director, I have also regularly lobbied (in both
Washingtons) and established relationships with the Washington
congressional delegation. Our most sustained and successful recent
effort has been the reform and reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
In all of my work as an NEA Board Director, I try to consistently make the case that respected, diverse, and
well-compensated educators are crucial to a democracy. It would be an honor to serve you for another three
years.
NEA Board Position 2 Candidate – Pam Kruse
Term is for three years 2016-2019
My name is Pam Kruse and I would like the privilege to
serve as your NEA Board Director.
Advocate for Member Rights
I am an advocate for member rights and upholding the
terms of our Collective Bargaining Agreements. While the
Friedrich’s case sits in the hands of the Supreme Court,
we have strength in unity. I refuse to sit by idly while antiunion corporate funded groups attack us. Stand with me
as we continue to advocate for better salaries, benefits,
and working conditions.
Passionate about Politics
I am passionate about political action. Whether it’s doorbelling, collecting signatures, or lobbying the
Legislature, I have a proven track record of getting things done! Franklin Pierce Education Association has
achieved over 75% WEA-PAC Membership and 65% NEA-FCPE. We took a courageous vote last year to walkout in protest against the Legislature and changed the political landscape. I will take this passion for political
action to Washington, D.C. and be your voice.
Strong Voice for Public Education
With the recent passage of ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) it is apparently clear that we must work
together to strengthen our alliances and promote the great work we are doing in our classrooms. I will bring
my understanding of the political process and be your voice for full funding of public education.
Vote YES for Pam Kruse as your NEA Board Director.
NEA Board Position 2 Candidate – Shannon Ergun
Term is for three years 2016-2019
I believe that:
· educational union priorities need to reflect the changing workplace
for which we are preparing students;
· a national voice is required to address the national education reform
movement;
· school funding should be driven by more than corporate policy;
· advocates for education need to understand the classroom, both in
theory and in practice; and
· public sector unions and the middle class are under attack and NEA
must take a strong stance to stay relevant.
I actively promote strong unions to protect the rights of workers. I have
served as an association representative for the last 6 years and have not
missed a meeting in all those years. I have been the WEA-Tacoma WEAPAC Manager for the last 3 years and have developed a positive working
relationship with the elected officials in the 27th and 29th LDs, as well as,
the Tacoma City Council and Tacoma School Board. I am currently
serving as the Tacoma EA Treasurer and as the WEA representative on
the Expanded Learning Opportunities Council created by the legislature.
I have attended WEA/NEA RAs every year as part of my active participation in my union.
I am nearly finished with my PhD in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment with a focus on the needs of
students of color in high poverty schools. The issues of education today that are affecting teaching and
learning are my top priority. I keep abreast of issues surrounding standardized testing, teacher assessment,
value-added models, and attempts at union busting throughout the nation.
NEA Board Position 3 Candidate – Shannon McCann
Term is to fill a vacancy 2016-2017
Shannon McCann is thrilled to part of the best profession and
Washington’s most powerful union; the WEA!
A Special Education teacher at Federal Way’s Totem Middle
School, Shannon collaborates with her amazing classified and
certificated colleagues so her students with intellectual
disabilities succeed as happy, independent and resilient citizens
(none of which is learned on a corporate profiteer’s test).
Shannon is an immigrant serving students of color who are
experiencing poverty. She’s dedicated to centering educator
and student experience in her organizing for union rights,
equity and fully funded public education. Serving on Labor
Management and as PAC chair, Shannon reignited FWEA’s
political activism; starting by collecting 1352 class size
signatures. Last year she led 3 busses of members to WEA’s
Olympia rally, gained 125 WEA-PAC memberships, wrote 2
successful NBIs, and was proud FWEA’s One Day Rally was over
800 strong!
As WEA-GLBT Caucus Co-President, Shannon is spearheading a
union-led coalition of educators, students, families, community
organizations, government, labor, and electeds for inclusive, safe and welcoming schools.
This year Shannon is humbled to serve as a WEA member on the Membership Matters team. She’s learning
the inspiring stories of hundreds of her talented, passionate and exhausted peers (and SWEA!) across
Washington; stories which drive membership power.
A lifelong social justice advocate, Shannon is the sole educator 2015 Alum of the prestigious Institute for a
Democratic Future, and serves as Secretary of non-profit Equal Rights Washington.
Shannon McCann would be tremendously honored to represent you as your NEA State Director.