As we make the transition from summertime rest and renewal to the hectic fall school days, I want to thank every one of you for the work you do to support all of Nevada’s students. This is going to be an incredible year of learning, growth, and activism as we continue to create great learning and working environments in our public schools.
This summer, I transitioned from my role as a classroom science teacher of 25 years to serving as President of the Nevada State Education Association. I bring an analytic approach and great enthusiasm to the position. As your Union, we will work together to ensure every public school student in the state of Nevada has an opportunity to learn, grow, thrive, and succeed regardless of zip code. This is our work; this is our duty as Educators in Nevada.
This summer, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. During this anniversary summer, I have been continually reminded via “remembrance media” of what a focused and determined group of people can accomplish. Nearly 60 years ago, President Kennedy laid out his audacious goal to land on the moon when he spoke these words to a Texas crowd on September 12, 1962:
“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills...”
Ensuring a great public school for every student in Nevada is our moonshot! To paraphrase JFK, we choose to take on the challenges of doing what is best (and right) for our students not because it is easy. We choose to take on these challenges because they are hard and they will serve to organize the best of our energies and skills.
Educators of Nevada, our children need us, our communities need us, and I need all of you as we endeavor to meet the challenges of today to achieve our goals. Union brothers and sisters, it is a tremendous honor to be your NSEA President. We can do this; we must do this!
In solidarity,
Brian Rippet
President, Nevada State Education Association
