Kashia Vogeler
Lewiston Education Association
We’re in a time where, as educators, we could definitely feel down and frustrated and want to give up. But you come here and you’re just inspired because there’s so many people, regardless of political affiliation, regardless of party, that have the same end goal: That we do
what’s best for kids, and in doing what’s best for kids, we support teachers and educators. So it’s great to come here and feel that boost of, OK, we can make a difference. There’s so much work that can be done, and you have this whole great group of humans that support you and have your back as you go forward.
Brandon Collins
Boise Education Association
First-time delegate
Honestly, I didn’t know what to really expect, so I didn’t have a lot of high expectations. But it’s just been interesting to see the process of how changes are made and the process of getting everybody’s input. I really kind of like it overall – it’s just totally different from how I expected a lot of it to be. … It’s cool to just see all of the work and effort that goes into the forethought of putting things forward and making those motions for us as a union.
Charles Bingham
West Ada Education Association
I teach government, so I’m a government history nerd. This is the democratic process, so I firmly believe that regardless of whether it’s politics or the union, you should be involved in the democratic process. So I threw my name out for Delegate Assembly three years ago and got in and saw the process and loved it. The boring, the exciting, all of it — this is democracy.
Sarah Hoover
Wilder Education Association
Resolutions Committee member
I think the resolutions are important because it’s the foundation of everything else. It does fill my cup, but I can go in and push for the things that I think are important. And I’m a language nerd, so I really enjoy using the best words possible to have the biggest impact … The union is one of those things where you get out of it what you put into it. So if you’re not willing to put in the time to make connections, it can be pretty isolating. I am a local president, too, and on the negotiations team, so I do sometimes get burnt out. That’s where I think Resolutions is kind of energizing — to have a single focus for the times that we’re meeting, and to work with great people and be part of an agent of change is very fun.
