Jaim Foster Testifies on Capitol Hill

Quotes

"Having a vision and the wisdom to make it happen is what makes a great leader. I feel tht Jaim has what it takes to lead the association." -- Wynndolyn Thompson, VEA/FEA Board of Directors, Former FEA Treasurer

"As an NEA Director from Nebraska, I have seen and experienced your leadership ability on many levels। You will bring a fresh voice and face to FEA। They need you and I wish you great adventures on your promsing election." -- Mark Shively, NEA Board of Directors-Nebraska

"Jaim Foster is so well spoken and up to the minute on all matters in Education. I urge you to vote for Jaim as he will serve FEA well." -- Barbara Wilson, Former VEA Board of Directors and Campaign Manager to Elect Princess Moss

“Jaim Foster is a people person and believes that teachers have a voice and need to be heard. He is the person that can and will rally on the behalf of teacher's rights, benefits and most of all pay.” -- Deborah Welborn, FEA Member, 2nd Grade Teacher

“Mr. Foster exemplifies the epitome of great teaching. He brings children into a world where it is safe to be inquisitive and imaginative. His classroom is a place where students soar into discovery and actualization! Jaim Foster is a wonderful model of excellent teaching and an awesome representative for the field of Education.” -- Theresia Rolllins, FEA Member, Preschool Autistic Classroom Instructional Assisstant

Endorsements

National Endorsements

Mark Shively -- NEA Board of Directors, Nebraska

Stephen Henry -- NEA-GLBTC Caucus C0-Chair, Tennessee

State Endorsements

Lee Dorman -- NEA Board of Directors, Virginia

Isis Castro -- VA State School Board Member, VEA Board of Directors

Wynndolyn Thompson -- VEA Board of Directors

John Osterhout -- Chesapeake Education Association


Local Endorsements


Debbie Daniels -- FEA Board of Directors, Robinson HS

Isis Castro -- FEA Treasurer, Whitman MS

Wynndolyn Thompson -- FEA Board of Directors, Former FEA Treasurer, South Lakes HS

Mike Clarke -- FEA Board of Directors, Lake Braddock SS

Cornelius Streeter -- FEA Board of Directors, Falls Church HS

Crystal Tanks -- FEA Board of Directors ELECT, Parklawn ES

Theresa Jones Morris -- FEA ESP Council, WPHS/Pulley Career Center


Maria Galo -- Parklawn ES, Custodian

Fran Jackson -- Glen Forset ES, 4th Grade Teacher

Theresia Rollins -- Parklawn ES, Instructional Assistant

Mary Campbell -- Parklawn ES, ESOL Teacher

Judy Skirbunt -- South Lakes HS, Teacher

Sherlie Scribner -- Jeb Stuart HS, Teacher

Deb Crerie -- FEA-R

Sarah Odachowski -- Parklawn ES, 2nd Grade Teacher

Mary Binns -- Parklawn ES, 2nd Grade Teacher

Deborah Welborn -- Parklawn ES, 2nd Grade Teacher

I Believe...

Engaging

Giving a voice to all FEA members: ESP's and teachers; new members and veterans. Opening the dialogue among all members to strengthen the Association.

Activating

Stimulating members to participate in the benefits their FEA membership provides. Offering opportunities to network with colleagues and further professional development.

Empowering

Encouraging all members to be advocates of the Association to students, parents, school board, and the community on educational issues.

Testifying at the Capitol

Virginia teacher urges Congress to strengthen economy by investing in education

NEA welcomes President Obama’s renewed national attention on education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Miguel A. Gonzalez
March 24, 2009 (202) 822-7823, mgonzalez@nea.org

WASHINGTON—Jaim Foster, a second-grade teacher from Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., today urged Congress to strengthen the economy by investing in education. Foster, a member of the National Education Association and Virginia Education Association, joined Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in urging Congress to act quickly to pass President Barack Obama’s budget.

President Obama’s budget outline calls for timely investments in quality public education—from preschool through higher education—to move toward the goal of great public schools for every student and prepare students to compete in a global economy.

“It’s reassuring that President Obama is once again making education a national priority and focusing valuable resources on education,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “Investing in quality public schools will see the greatest return on taxpayer money, and strengthen the entire economy.”

President Obama has requested that Congress invest in early childhood education and prepare students at a very early age. He says funding for the Early Head Start program should be doubled, and Head Start should be expanded.

“As a second-grade teacher, I personally know the importance of students coming to school ready to learn,” said Foster. “President Obama’s vision for early childhood education is ambitious and welcome. This is one of the best investments our country can make and a commonsense approach we can’t afford to pass up.”

President Obama has also called on Congress to expand Pell Grants, college grants for the neediest students. All Americans should be able to afford higher education, the president said, and the country must triple the number of graduate fellowships in science to help spur innovation by up-and-coming researchers.

“The president’s budget will transform public education and prepare students to compete in a global economy,” said Foster. “His budget reflects a renewed commitment to protecting the basic right of every student to attend a quality public school.”

NEA members also support the president’s proposal to reform health care by allocating more than $630 billion over the next 10 years to the task. It’s an issue that hits home with all Americans, Foster said, including NEA’s 3.2 million members who want health coverage not just for themselves but for their students.

“When school nurses become primary care providers, as what happens all too frequently today, we’re well past the time for health care reform,” said Foster. “Students can’t learn unless they come to school healthy.

We urge Congress to act quickly to pass President Obama’s budget, because investing in schools is good economic

Experience

National Experience

· NEA Safe School Cadre National Trainer

· NEA Mid-Atlantic GLBT Caucus Co-Chair

· Campaign to Elect Princess Moss Logistics Chair

State Experience

· VEA Board of Directors

· District 8 Board of Directors

· Diversity Cadre Trainer

· Minority &Women’s Concerns Committee

· Campaign Practices Committee

· VEA GLBT Caucus Co-Chair

· VA Department of Education Advisory Board on Teacher Education & Licensure

Local Experience

· FEA Board of Directors

· Human & Civil Rights Committee Chair

· Scholarship Committee

· Constitution Committee

· Government Relations Committee

· Membership Pilot Program Committee

· Parklawn Building Representative