Susan Nicholas is a graduate of Leaders for Just Schools and the IEA Educator Voice Academies project. She is sharing her story for the Opportunity Archive Project. The Opportunity Archive Project aims to collect stories about how our past has influenced our current and future racial, social and educational justice work. We believe these stories can help build solidarity and expand our collective vision for better futures. Here is Susan's story in her own words.
"My name is Susan Nicholas. I currently teach CTE Hospitality and Instructional Physical Education at Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford Public School District #205. I also represent IEA members as an NEA Director and member of the National Education Association Board of Directors. At the NEA, I serve on the NEA Board Leadership Work Group, and the NEA ESP Planning Committee. I am an EMELT, Leaders for Just Schools, and Educators Voice Academies graduate. I also currently serve on the Public-School Strong Campaign, and am a member of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, and the Special Education Caucus.
The Past:
In 2009, I started my journey as the Lena-Winslow Education Association representative for IEA Region 19. I did not know what to expect when attending my first region council meeting and NEA-RA. I was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing leaders from IEA Region 19 who took me under their wings.
In the summer of 2010, I attended the NEA-RA Representative assembly for the first time. I listened, learned, and absorbed a wide array of information and knowledge from the leaders of IEA Region 19 and 20. I desired to be like these leaders. They volunteered at the NEA-RA, expressed their opinion at the microphone, and showed their displeasure when delegates did not remember their fiduciary responsibility. They laughed, cried, and showed the compassion and desire to improve the lives of all educators and students across the nation.
Present:
The last ten years, I have had the ability to learn and collaborate with other leaders from across the nation. This past year, I took part in the Educators Voice Academies project, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, and the Leaders for Just Schools level one cohort. These all helped me to become a better leader at the local, state, and national level.
For our second project with Educator Voice Academies, we worked towards creating change in our community by collaborating with local and state leaders.
This past February, I shared before the NEA Board what I was doing to Promote, Protect, and Strengthen public schools in the Rockford Public School District #205. I explained that I had contacted Representative West, Congressman LaHood, Congressman Sorenson, and Alderman Prunty 6th Ward. I shared pictures and voiced my concern that students at Jefferson did not have access to sidewalks. I talked about the upcoming Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program that if pursued and approved would provide funding for sidewalks near Jefferson High School. Mary Kusler is the Senior Director, Center for Advocacy, National Education Association. During a break, she introduced me to Susanna O’Daniel, Manager of Strategic Federal Partnerships for the NEA. I will always be thankful that O’Daniel then offered to follow up with the Rockford area political leaders I had earlier reached out to.
Next spring, the students at Jefferson High School will have two new sections of sidewalks and crosswalks to use when traveling to and from school. I am thankful for Alderman Prunty from the 6th Ward of Rockford, Representative West of Illinois 67th, District, Representative West’s staff members Tamir Bell and Jeremy Ernnis, Eric Lotke and Susana O’Daniel of the NEA, Kevin Saunders, City of Rockford, Congressman Sorenson Illinois 16th District and staffer Ryan Wolfe, and finally Congressman LaHood’s of Illinois 17th District and staffer Nick Collins.
The Future:
I will continue to encourage others to embrace their superpower, advocate, and collaborate with community allies to create change within their classroom, local community, state or nation to change the unjust nature of our current educational system. This work is hard, daunting and at times seems like an uphill battle. But when you are doubting yourself or lose hope, look in the eyes of your students and see their pleas for help and then look in the mirror and believe you can make the difference. With the spirit of Opportunity Coalition’s core value of “Always Build Together” and the IEA’s belief that we are “Stronger United”, let’s remember that we can do this together!"