State of the Union Recap

In his third State of the Union Address to the nation before a joint session of Congress, President Obama focused on “restoring an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.” The president again pledged to continue making education a top domestic priority in his administration, saying that “teachers matter” and that “rather than bashing them or defending the status quo,” we should support teachers. Read the full text of the State of the Union.

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel praised the president’s bold vision and ambitious plan to lead the country and provide more hope for middle class families. Much of the vision laid out in the speech was consistent with the letter president Van Roekel sent to President Obama earlier this month.

NEA member Sara C. Ferguson, an elementary math and literary teacher in Chester Upland, Pennsylvania, attended the State of the Union address as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama. Chester Upland School District officials recently told educators that there wouldn’t be enough money to pay them. Teachers and support staff agreed to continue working without pay for the sake of their students. Read Sara Ferguson’s blog post in the Huffington Post.

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