A Letter from the President

WINTER 2020

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

It goes without saying that 2020 has been a year of challenges and triumph.

Educators have been called on to do extraordinary things in dangerous circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic rages around our state. Despite the COVID pandemic, our members persevere; rise to the challenges; provide support to students; and find innovative ways to celebrate success. From the early closure of our schools in the Spring, to a premature return to face-to-face learning that has exacerbated the spread of the virus; students, educators and their families have faced great uncertainty. Thousands of positive cases in our schools have forced shifts to online learning with little notice, and more than a dozen educators lost their lives to the virus in just a few months. In this issue, we feature deep reporting from the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network on what educators met during that return to in-person teaching. We also offered educators an opportunity to share what they’re experiencing anonymously in our COVID Confidential feature. The virus is also sure to affect the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session, set to begin January 11th. It already promises to be a session like no other. From school funding and salaries to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and using public funds to expand private school vouchers, higher education issues and everything in between, we anticipate a contentious and difficult session for education in Arkansas. Check out our legislative update to ensure you are ready to join us as we advocate for our students and profession. One of AEA’s longtime priorities, legislative support for Pre-K, is near and dear to Kathleen Hale of the Fayetteville Education Association. Find out how she has overcome challenges to build a strong program that continues to thrive during the pandemic. We also meet Rogers EA President Ashley Rieske, who is working to keep students healthy while finding new ways to keep her local engaged and working together to advocate for safe working conditions. Finally, be sure to check out the AEA Primary Election Candidates on pages 12-17. You can find pictures and brief statements for each candidate in the election. Voting for active members will be available online at AEAonline.org beginning at 8:00 a.m. on February 8, 2021 and ending on February 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. If a final election is held, members will be able to vote March 22, 2021 beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending April 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Thank you for all you do for Arkansas’s students, and I hope you find rest over the upcoming winter break.

Carol Fleming, President, AEA

ABOUT PRESIDENT FLEMING: Carol B. Fleming MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist currently serving as President of the Arkansas Education Association. Before taking the helm of the state’s largest association for education professionals, Fleming spent two decades working with students at Pulaski Heights Middle School within the Little Rock School District. Fleming has worked to ensure good public education policies at the local, state and national level. As a parent of an adult with special needs, she is reminded daily of the importance of advocating on behalf of the professions and those served which has fueled her passion for education, leadership, and professional issues. Her goal is to get others to become involved to support successful public schools.