You’ve seen them. They attend every local union meeting together. They roadtrip to Delegate Assembly and Summer Institute in the same car. They finish each other’s sentences. Some even suspect they share the same brain. They are union buddies, a crucial component of what makes the Idaho Education Association work.  

And they’re super fun.  

We caught up with three of IEA’s most recognizable pairs at the 2025 Delegate Assembly in Boise a couple of weekends ago. So slip on your friendship bracelets and settle in, because these dynamic duos have a lot of love to share.  

‘The Twins’ 

The buddies: Amanda Campbell and Aneatra Walker 

Their local union: American Falls Education Association 

How they met: Campbell and Walker met 13 years ago at their school and have taught the same grade level for seven years.  

Why they’re union buds: Campbell and Walker started pairing up for union events three years ago “because I’m bossy,” Walker laughed. “I’m like, ‘Amanda, you should do this!’ ” 

Campbell said Walker’s infectious enthusiasm has helped bring her out of her shell. “She is the bright, bubbly one,” Campbell said.  

They both have big union responsibilities, too: Walker serves as the region vice president for Region 5 and Campbell is a building representative. That means more opportunities for union events, including their favorite so far: Summer Institute, which is hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning every July in Lewiston.  

“It was the first time we’d gone, and we didn’t feel guilty about leaving our husbands at home because we were working,” Walker said, using exaggerated air quotes.  

All jokes aside, Campbell said, Summer Institute was a productive trip. “Not only were we working for ourselves academically, but we got so much done for the school year, as well,” she said.  

And during the school year, Campbell and Walker have a reputation for being inseparable. “We are not Amanda and Aneatra,” Campbell said. “It’s, ‘Where are The Twins?’ If they can’t find me in my room, they go to her room. And if they can’t find her in her room, they come to mine.” 

And even when they’re not in school, Walker and Campbell are there for each other, picking up the phone late at night or looking out for each other’s mental health and wellbeing.  

“You know, education is stressful,” Campbell said. “You need that someone you can talk to, at any time, that’s going to get it.” 

‘CarmiAngie/AngieCarmi’ 

The buddies: Carmi Scheller and Angie Hickman 

Their local union: West Ada Education Association 

How they met: Scheller and Hickman — both longtime, active union members who also serve on IEA’s Board of Directors — kept seeing each other at organizing events.  

Why they’re union buds: They were in separate local unions when they met, and Scheller’s was going through a turbulent period.  

“As our Nampa group was going through a lot,” Scheller said, “there were many people that would observe we laughed all the time through traumatic stuff. The way we managed it and kept doing work we needed to do was by finding things to laugh about, and it drew some people to us.”  

One of those people was Hickman. “I became a cool kid!” she said.  

When Scheller joined the West Ada Education Association, she and Hickman served on the executive board together and continued to bond. “I don’t think you sustain in this work if you don’t have people you enjoy doing it with,” Scheller said.  

“What was really neat, too, is that our union relationship became a very personal relationship, and we’ve both gone through some pretty traumatic things,” Hickman said. “And being able to have that support really did grow from the union.”  

Now, Hickman and Scheller work as one unit. Hickman is detail-oriented and a time manager; Scheller is a big-picture communicator. When Hickman has an idea, Scheller processes it and determines how best to share it. Often during meetings, one of them will make a motion and the other will second it. 

But their personal lives are also intertwined: “My family adopted her,” Hickman said, because Scheller’s extended family lives outside of Idaho.  

“I’m not the only adoptee,” Scheller said. “They adopted my husband, as well. And he’s not as social, so he’s like, ‘Thank you!”  

Their fame has spread throughout WAEA, where they are known as AngieCarmi or CarmiAngie.  

“We didn’t even realize the AngieCarmi/CarmiAngie thing was a thing until people were texting us from (an event in) Chicago, and they’re like, ‘I saw people who were just like you! They’re together all the time!” Hickman said. “Or, ‘We’re going to be the next AngieCarmi!” 

Scheller and Hickman plan on being joined at the hip for years to come.  

“I think the work is so important,” Scheller said. “But it’s so much easier when you’re doing it with friends.”  

‘Merrill Stroupe’ 

The buddies: Melissa Stroupe and Andrea Merrill 

Their local union: Lewiston Education Association 

How they met: Merrill and Stroupe knew each other before they started teaching — in fact, their husbands are friends, too.  

Why they’re union buds: They began collaborating on union work several years ago. Their friendship has created a symbiotic relationship.  

“She asks,” Merrill said, “and I do. That’s literally how it works.” 

“I say jump,” Stroupe said, “and she …”  

“Does it!” Merrill laughed. “And other people started noticing.” 

That has worked to their union’s advantage. Members trust that if they share information with one, it will be shared with the other. “We’re a package deal,” Merrill said.  

When Stroupe started organizing for the GEM program, she knew she’d have at least one member on board. And Merrill did sign up almost immediately.  

They also intuitively understand how to communicate with each other. Stroupe said she “squirrels,” following a random thought, and Merrill grounds her. “We’re not the same at all,” Stroupe said.  

“But I’m catching onto the crazy,” Merrill laughed.  

Their inseparability is so well known that their recent trip to Delegate Assembly had some of their fellow union members worried because they hadn’t been spotted together in two days. “It was the longest we’ve ever been apart,” Stroupe said.  

They freely add to each other’s work and personal schedules and make commitments on the others’ behalf — in fact, during their interview, Stroupe informed Merrill she had volunteered her to be Stroupe’s sub for a bunko game held by retired members.  

That’s just how their friendship works, they said.  

“I feel like she goes Mach 90 all the time and you have to say things one time and it’s done,” Merrill said.  

“And I feel like everyone needs a Merrill,” Stroupe said. “It’s the support that you have. It’s not just a venting partner. It’s knowing that if I’m having a bad day, or if either one of us is dealing with something, we can talk to each other. It’s no judgement — it’s how I’m handling it, what I’m feeling. 

“All of this work, as much as we are passionate about it, is still hard,” she continued. “It’s still taking a lot of extra effort, and it’s nice to have a person who can still support you. And Merrill always supports me.”