PSEA Members Attend the Democratic National Convention

Education and the future of America’s public schools were front and center issues at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. More than 200 NEA members traveled from all corners of the United States to make sure that education issues remain a key issue of this year’s election season.

PSEA members at the convention included President Jim Testerman, Vice President Mike Crossey, Steven Dorko (Southern Region), Laurel Dagnon (Midwestern Region), and PSEA Legal Department's Laurel McLeaish.

PSEA President Jim Testerman said, “I am energized and inspired by the emphasis on education, teachers, students, and the importance of hard work in this election season. Our members work together to remind candidates and public officials that we must improve our schools and classrooms, and give our teachers and education professionals opportunities to advance, and a professional salary. We strive to speak up for our students and our profession. My experience in Denver clearly showed that our voices are being heard across the country.”

“It’s so exciting to be going to the convention,” said Laurel Dagnon shortly before traveling to Denver. “This year is a great year for educators to be attending, with so many issues affecting schools, teachers and education. I want to really try to do a good job making sure everyone understands the importance of public education.”

Delegates discussed school funding, teacher recruitment, high school dropout rates, strong schools for a strong national economy, health care, the importance of unions and labor organizations, and other issues important to PSEA and NEA members.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” PSEA Vice President Mike Crossey said. “It was clearly said that the emphasis will be on working families, educating all children, making sure that laws that exist now are fixed and funded adequately. There will be major investments in education, health care and other issues that families care the most about.”

Crossey said delegates from every state shared common interests.
 
“We met people from all over the country who are committed to education and working families,” Crossey said.

NEA members will attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota this week.

PSEA members can learn more about election issues on the Vote 08 section of psea.org.