Each of the dozen IEA members invited to join an inaugural Growing Engaged Members training brought a different perspective to the experience. But one thing they all agreed on: the effectiveness of their local education association depends on an engaged membership.
Coming from across Southwest Idaho and dubbed IEA GEMs, these hand-picked educators are learning how to grow the capacity of their local education association’s engagement with its members and potential members. They gathered for the first time July 12-13 for the beginning of their 12-week course on becoming a lead organizer and building a robust, engaged membership in their local.
“Having held hundreds of conversations with educators in Idaho, what we know is each one wants to have a say in how education looks, especially in their districts and their buildings,” said Tracylea Balmer, region director for IEA’s Western Region Organizing Center. “Our Growing Engaged Members program provides training and support so each local association involved can focus on fostering relationships with individuals and make positive changes together.”
Katie Downs, a preschool special education teacher at Purple Sage Elementary in Caldwell, works to advance her practice as an educator though professional organizations. But she feels a disconnect between what she’s able to achieve personally and her ability make a difference on behalf of public education overall.
“I feel as though my advocacy efforts aren’t as effective as they could be, especially on the special education side,” Downs said. So, she’s been getting more involved with her local and the National Education Association to help create more positive change in her field. Being an IEA GEM is the perfect opportunity to take those efforts to a new level.
Mark Anderson, an educator at Boise’s East Junior High, said he took IEA up on its invitation to be a GEM because he wants to help advocate for education support professionals.
“They are the ones who really keep things going in our schools,” Anderson said. He pointed to the inequity in pay for support staff, which was exacerbated by the pandemic, as his impetus for helping them understand how the association can help them.
Second year West Ada School District teacher Maddie Lauritzen sees member engagement as the best way to address the things that need to change at her school.
“Instead of complaining about problems, I wanted to get involved,” said the Sawtooth Middle School 7th grade English teacher. “If you don’t get involved, you can’t change anything.”
The GEM training is gearing participants up for the coming back-to-school membership drive for their local education associations. But in the meantime, trainees are reveling in building their skills and the anticipation of the program’s potential for growing the IEA’s influence.
“It’s everything I’ve been wanting,” said Lauritzen.
