The House Education Committee passed HCR 026 unanimously Thursday, and the legislation honoring IEA and Boise Education Association member Sonia Galaviz heads to the full House. The committee also heard remarks from one of the profession’s best and brightest, as Galaviz shared context about her upbringing in North Idaho, keys to her professional practice at Garfield Elementary in Boise, and guidance for the legislature as they contemplate education issues. Here are some outtakes from her remarks…
- “I am a product of public education, proud to serve in public schools, and PROUD to be a member of the Idaho Education Association.”
- “Supporting public schools is a worthy investment. It takes funding, yes, but more than that, it takes an understanding of what educators do on a daily basis and the support we need to do it. We feed kids, clothe kids, assist the families with utility bills, work out transportation to and from medical visits, counsel them, listen to them………and yes, teach them.”
- “I do this with a firm partnership with the parents and families. They are the first and most important teachers in my students’ lives and I can’t do what I do without them. I know my families know me, know my practice, know what unit I’m teaching, and know, above all that I love and will advocate for their child.”
- “We come in early, we stay late, we worry and fret over our students, and work to be the best educators we can be. We invite high standards, but support us….get to know us. I think we should hold each other accountable. We’ve both got a job to do. What you do every day impacts me and my profession. What I do every day, helps to raise and teach our next generation.”
Galaviz was recognized last month with the top national award at the NEA Foundation’s Excellence in Education gala. She has served on the IEA Board of Directors and is active in the Boise Education Association and at Garfield, which boasts 100% association membership. She has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Boise State University and is currently pursuing her PhD from Boise State. She was featured in this video as part of the IEA’s “Idaho Public School Teachers” awareness campaign
“I think the committee members got a glimpse of what we already know about Sonia—she is inspiring, passionate, articulate, generous and dedicated to her students and her profession,” said IEA President Penni Cyr. “We are grateful to have her as a colleague and so very proud of her accomplishments.”
Sonia Galaviz (right) is joined by IEA Interim Executive Director Sue Wigdorski, IEA President Penni Cyr, and IEA member/Senator Janie Ward-Engelking
Action Alert: Contact House Ed Members NOW About Bargaining Bill
A cumbersome and unnecessary bill dealing with collective bargaining verification procedures will be heard by the House Education Committee Monday. Below is the text of an e-mail that was sent to IEA members regarding this legislation.
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Dorothy Moon (R-Stanley) that would dramatically alter how local education associations conduct bargaining authorization procedures will be heard in the House Education Committee Monday, most likely beginning at 8:30 AM. The IEA encourages you to contact members of the House Education Committee TODAY and let them know that you strongly oppose H0264.
No education stakeholder groups asked for, or support this legislation, which is a solution in search of a problem that does not exist. It would replace the current authorization cards with a secret ballot process. The IEA is concerned that there would be no verification that the votes come from certificated employees or that each person gets only one vote. Contrary to proponent’s arguments, it would severely limit the level of transparency that accompanies the bargaining process.
IEA local presidents and lead negotiators will be joined by representatives from their local school districts to testify against this legislation. When both sides of the bargaining process agree that the current system is efficient, equitable and transparent, why should we even consider changing it?
Again, no education group or other entity of any significance has asked for this change. It is completely unnecessary and we ask that you tell members of the House Education Committee to vote NO on this legislation.
