The Idaho Education Association’s Growing Engaged Members (GEMs) Program is an innovative approach to building leadership and strengthening engagement among educators across Idaho. Known as GEMs, this program empowers local education associations by training teams of motivated and respected educators to hold impactful one-on-one conversations with their colleagues.
Through these conversations, GEMs fosters deeper connections and helps educators turn potential members into enthusiastic advocates, ensuring the growth and vitality of their local associations. By prioritizing relationship-building, GEMs enables local associations to form healthy teams within school buildings, establish productive relationships with administrators and achieve favorable contract bargains for pay and benefits. Strong local associations, backed by engaged and passionate members, also contribute to policy success and electoral victories at both the district and state levels.
In a recent video attached to this story, viewers can meet three GEMs members from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, who share their experiences with the program. These educators highlight the sense of solidarity and empowerment GEMs fosters, offering insights into how the program has positively impacted their school and local association. Their stories exemplify how GEMs is more than just a training program — it’s a movement that builds a strong foundation for public education advocacy across Idaho.
Are you interested in joining GEMS? Contact your local association leadership for more details.