Joanna Hock, ISTA's first full-time, two-year term president died September 11. She was 83.
09/18/2014

 

Joanna Hock served as ISTA president from the beginning of 1972 through 1973. The 1970s brought about great change to ISTA – teachers demanded more control over their profession and ISTA. It was under her tenure that the National Education Association mandated unification of its affiliates, which means that ISTA members were required to also join their local and national associations.

 

She also led the effort to gain a collective bargaining bill in Indiana in 1973. Sarah Borgman, chair of ISTA-Retired, ISTA Board member and former NEA director, recalls, “That year, Joanna led the rally at the convention center and then we marched down the street and packed the capitol building on all three floors.”

 

Prior to becoming ISTA president she had also served as an NEA director, president of the South Bend local, and an association representative. Colleagues recall her as being a tireless advocate for educators with a special passion for the voices of women in South Bend and having an insightful voice at the bargaining table as well as in leadership.