They applied for a spot. They attended the regional mini-DAs. They traveled. They caucused. First-time delegates to the Idaho Education Association’s largest governing body, Delegate Assembly, put in hours of work before they stepped foot in the Boise Centre over the weekend. But for these delegates, the experience was worth the effort. Their answers have been condensed and edited.
Dana Facer, Pocatello Education Association, founding member of the new LGBTQ+ Caucus
I’ve always wanted to come, but I coach speech and debate and state speech is almost always on the same weekend as Delegate Assembly. But then, this year we started the IEA LGBTQ+ caucus, and it was just really important that I’m here to jump start that. My son is transgender. My daughter is bisexual. And I’m a mama dragon. … (The union) has lived through the Luna Laws. We’ve lived through a lot of other things, too. So the union has always been important for many reasons. It’s different now, because it’s scarier right now, but it’s always been an important thing.
Mazie Miller, Caldwell Education Association, co-building representative
I’ve been a member of the union since I started as an ESP (education support professional) in 2018. I am a certified teacher now. When I started becoming certified, I realized the union has so much. You have a voice in the union. … I’ve just been trying more things. So DA sounded intimidating, and then I came and I’m like, Oh, my gosh. This is so fun and it’s fun to meet so many different union people, and it’s just like one big happy family.
Angel Larson, Boise Education Association, 29 years of union involvement
I’m a lifelong union member, but I’m just now back in the K-12 classroom — I taught at the university for a while, and I came back. … I’ve always been super involved in the union. When I’ve been an educator, it’s always been a priority, because I know that work is what everyone else relies on, whether they know it or not. … What I thought was super impressive yesterday was the respectful debate that occurred. And things were knocked down. And that’s beautiful, because the conversation was really valid and important, and the perspectives were so important. Not everything just passes, which I think is very refreshing, right?
Tiffany Long, Moscow Education Association, first-year building representative
This was my first year being truly involved with the union. … DA is kind of how I figured it would be. It’s been interesting with some of the debate — it’s great to see and hear different educator perspectives, and it has been fun to be outside of our bubble in Moscow. … The union has offered solidarity and support when I need it. Earlier on in my career, I wasn’t aware of how the union could have helped me. It probably would have avoided some messes with retribution because I stood up and advocated for my students. So, then, I thought: There’s a way I can get this taken care of. Let’s dig more into it.
Christina Gaffield, Mountain Home Education Association, first-year teacher after working as an ESP
I just wanted to get more involved. I wanted to know what it is — what does it stand for? What changes? What can I do? How can I help? … A lot has surprised me. I like seeing how the members can do the new business items, which I think is really, really cool. But some of it is not so happy, either. You know, I’m seeing a lot of divisiveness, and that, as a military veteran, that really kind of hurts. … I’m getting to see people that I didn’t know were members, and reuniting with them, getting to know my home district well. And just seeing all the levels of experience! There’s so many who have maybe six months, but then there are some who have 20 years as a teacher, and learning from them is amazing. And all the fundraisers are fun, too.
