The Latest from VEA

The Virginia Journal of Education

By Matthew Fentress

Have you ever watched a NASCAR race? Being an educator can be a lot like being a NASCAR driver. There you are, driving almost 200 miles per hour and moving ahead, but an obstacle gets in the way of your professional progress. Sometimes we seem headed straight into a blazing crash of uncertainty.

Wouldn’t it be good to know that high above the stadium of the classroom and crowd of others, there’s someone watching over you? That’s what it means to be a part of an education association.

On NASCAR teams, spotters help keep an eye on the road for the driver while the smoke clears. When you’re a Union member, you have a team supporting you as you take your laps every school day. Your spotters are your Building Representatives. They, along with your local’s Executive Board, can provide a different perspective to help maneuver and guide you out the other side of an issue. As you race through this school year and find you need assistance reach out to your Building Reps, Uniserv Director, or local president. Working in public education, while extremely rewarding, can be a hard and emotional journey. Remember, you don’t have to take that journey alone. We can’t always win on our own but together we are stronger.