Guest blog: Studt shares why he attends the NEA RA
07/01/2016
The National Education Association (NEA) will host its Representative Assembly (RA) starting tomorrow through July 7 in Washington, D.C. ISTA member Randy Studt will serve as an Indiana delegate. Studt reflects on his past eight years as a delegate and the value the experience has brought him. We’ll hear from Studt again in the coming week about this year’s NEA RA.
Edited by Kara Seward
I teach German at West Lafayette High School and this is my eighth time at the NEA RA. I'm excited to be representing my members of West Lafayette Education Association (WLEA) and ISTA at the world's largest democratic assembly.
My first time at San Diego was a blast, but a huge learning curve. I had no idea that I was required to be in meetings all day – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at least! I just thought I was being sent to a regular conference. But instead, I had the chance –and the responsibility – to actively participate in debating the future of our organization and the beliefs we hold in common. Try getting thousands of people to do that at once!
That participation led to me getting more involved with ISTA and my local. I'm now co-president of WLEA, serve on the district council, chair the ISTA Legislative Subcommittee of Issues & Concerns, and was elected to I-PACE, our statewide political action committee. At the NEA RA, I serve as our contact for the Ohio delegation and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender caucus.
Most importantly, I've had the great benefit of forging relationships with ISTA leaders from across the state. We share our professional worries and successes, but we've also become friends and supporters. I know they have good hearts. Along with our hard working ISTA staff, we all share in this struggle to make our public schools stronger and to protect our colleagues. And for that reason, I keep coming back each summer.
Studt has been a lifelong member of ISTA. Born in Connersville, Ind., he taught for 18 years at North White and since 2003 at West Lafayette.