If you are into public education, you might know that one of the largest teachers’ unions in the nation is the National Education Association (NEA). Every year, the NEA holds what is called a Representative Assembly (RA) in order to discuss internal matters, lobbying issues, and whatnot.
I was amazed to find out a few years ago that creationists have successfully infiltrated the NEA, because a colleague of mine who was our representative at the RA that year reported to me that creationists had a pretty strong presence in the vendor area of the RA. *facepalm*
Well, I am happy to announce that there is now an effort among science teachers within the NEA to push back. The NEA Science Educators Caucus is officially forming this year, and it is hitting the ground running by organizing at this year’s RA in Atlanta. For more information on them, and to get involved, read the following information from Toby Spencer, co-chair of the group, and consider connecting with them at their Facebook page…
First, thanks for committing to help improve science education in our union, in our classrooms, and in the legislature! And thank you for your patience over the past school year, I know many of you are very interested in furthering our goals and spotlighting our most important issues. I’ve waited to email the group until I had good news to share…
AMAZING news, actually! Colleen Keenan (CA) succeeded in convincing the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) to sponsor an Expo Booth this year in Atlanta! NCSE will be staffing a booth for two days before the RA sessions begin. They want our ideas!Furthermore, we will have two NCSE speakers at our caucus meetings! Dr. Eugenie Scott, NCSE Executive Director, will address us on July 1st at 4pm in our first caucus meeting. She will focus on the legalities and politics of evolution. On the following day, July 2nd, Dr. Minda Berbeco will speak to us about climate change, her area of expertise.Drs. Scott and Berceco are asking us to give them some direction both for the exhibit booth and their talks. Could you please reply with your suggestions. We know evolution/creation brought us together, but we have an opportunity to expand and further our agenda this year.Speaking of creation (!), we need to write a constitution and bylaws this year, allowing us to elect officers. We should create a budget and probably establish a nominal dues structure. All your input will be appreciated.I’d like to invite each of you to join our Caucus Facebook Group. Please find us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/nea.science/. The facebook page is for any and all things, serious or funny. Please join and post to the caucus page to say hi or to make suggestions.We’ll likely need volunteers for the NCSE booth and for caucus operations. Please be thinking about how you can help. Any bright ideas to spark interest in our cause or in our caucus meetings?Please try hard to make our caucus meetings on the 1st and 2nd of July. These are before the RA session days, so we won’t be crunched for time. I’ll update you with meeting room location(s) when I receive them. And bring a friend: we are in membership GROWTH mode.Again, thank you for your patience and support. Please send your ideas my way or post them to the facebook page. I’ll be in touch soon.
Hi Everyone! I’m excited about our caucus meetings, NCSE speakers and booth, and membership drive this year. Our room assignments are in: July 1st @ 4-5:30pm in room A405 SectA and July 2 @12-1pm also in A405(A). We’ll have guest speakers from the NCSE both July 1+2. Please come! Then we switch rooms to B309(B) for the four days of the RA–those meeting times are 9-9:30am and at breaks. I’m sure we won’t need to meet every day of the RA, but that’s up to you! I’ll also email this info to the group. And if you’ve read this far…the ribbons are coming this week!
The Skeptical Teacher 
