Marilyn A. Lofgreen, Instructor Specialist, Weber State University
It is my privilege to serve as the Student Adviser for the Weber State University/Utah Education Association Student Program. Having been a former president of the Morgan Education Association, I have had a broad experience with the UEA and have enjoyed the many years I've worked with pre-service teachers at Weber State University.
I was pleased to represent Utah as a student chapter adviser at the NEA Student Conference and Higher Education Summit on March 3-5, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. It re-ignited the fire that I felt as a former local president. The issues we discussed were pertinent and valuable to me as a student program advisor and centered around making a strong and productive program for students preparing to be educators. The NEA Student Program provides many exciting support vehicles for students, various benefits, and a great opportunity to develop a network of support.
I attended a session in which we discussed benefits available for student members. One of the more important benefits is liability insurance for student teaching. The NEA has the best liability insurance at the cheapest rate. Student members can also take advantage of money-saving member benefits such as the NEA Professional Library, magazine subscriptions, various life, home, and auto insurance programs.
Another session featured Robert McChesney, Research Professor of Communications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He spoke about the attacks on higher education and the attacks on a free press. He spoke about the dangers of quashing free expression in academe. How research that is done in higher education-and challenging the conclusions of that research-is essential to learning. Dr. McChesney's remarks will always be a reminder of the precious link between our democracy and a free, public education for all.
Students preparing to be teachers in Utah can take advantage of the
NEA/UEA Student Program by going to
www.nea.org/student-program/membership/index.html
for more information.
Dues are just $25 per year.