Virginia Education Association members from across the Commonwealth will celebrate progress in public education, press for
still better schools for our state’s young people, and meet with Gov. Terry
McAuliffe this week in Richmond at the 131st annual VEA convention.
“This event offers us a chance to discuss and work
through some of the most important issues we face in our schools every day,”
says VEA President Meg Gruber. “Our delegates have been elected to represent their colleagues, the people doing the hard, hands-on work of
public education. We look forward to hearing from the governor, and anticipate
a meeting that will be productive for both our students and our educators.”
Some 700 convention delegates will also chart the
Association’s course for the year ahead, discuss policy resolutions, debate new
business items, and elect new leadership. The convention opens Thursday
evening, April 7, at the Richmond Convention Center and runs through Saturday, April
9.
McAuliffe will speak Saturday morning, and
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, will
deliver the convention’s keynote speech Thursday evening. U.S. Rep. Robert C.
“Bobby” Scott will also provide greetings Saturday morning.
Another Delegate Assembly highlight is the awards banquet on
Friday evening, at which the Association will honor deserving supporters of
public education in Virginia.