Important Update from the Association President

Over the past week, tensions have been high across our Association, and this came to a head at the recent Site Rep Council meeting. The level of conflict and the breakdown in respectful communication at that meeting were not reflective of who we are as educators or as a union.

As your president, I want to be clear:

Professional conduct and respectful dialogue are non-negotiable expectations for all Association leaders — including the Executive Board, committee members, and site representatives.

We represent hundreds of members, and our behavior must always reflect the values of our profession. Disagreement is part of union work, but disrespect is not.

Moving forward, we are implementing strengthened norms and procedures for all meetings to ensure conversations remain productive, orderly, and focused on the issues that matter most to our members. These norms apply to everyone, regardless of position or perspective.

This is a time for steady leadership, clear communication, and a renewed commitment to working together for the good of our students, our colleagues, and our community.

Thank you to the many members who continue to show professionalism, compassion, and unity through challenging moments. Our work is too important to allow division or disrespect to distract us from our shared mission.

In solidarity,

Jennifer Rader