Members & delegates please log-in to download comprehensive 2021 DA information about: New Business Items (NBIs), child care, special assistance, the Human & Civil Rights Gala, PAC fundraising, text alerts and other critical information.
Please note: Delegate Credentials will be mailed toward the end of September. Please contact your local union with any additional questions about the 2025 Delegate Assembly.
2025 Florida Education Association Delegate Assembly
October 10-11, 2025
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 996-9840
The Delegate Assembly (DA) is FEA’s highest decision-making body.
Each year, locally-elected delegates come together to discuss and debate education issues, elect officers and chart the organization’s future.
Important decisions are made that impact education and association policy.
2025 DA Resources
DA Resources
Coming Soon
- THIS HIDDEN LIST IS FOR REFERENCE
- More than a Business Meeting: A closer look at the FEA DA
- Watch Pre-DA Virtual Delegate Meeting (Will open in new tab; requires website login)
- 2023 DA Schedule
- Voting at the DA
-
New Business Items
(including submission form) - Human and Civil Rights Awards Breakfast
- Annual PAC Fundraising Campaign
- Sign up for text alerts
- Child Care at the Delegate Assembly
- Special Assistance
The Florida Education Association’s annual Delegate Assembly (DA) is the one of the highlights of the year for one-thousand delegates who make the trip to Orlando.
At its core, the DA is a business meeting — but a meeting like no other.
Delegates, who are all duly elected from their local union, gather in a grand exercise in democracy: members have a voice in the important decisions that will set the future course for our union and public education.
- Each year delegates gather to conduct the business of FEA including:
voting for members to serve on the National Education Association Board of Directors - adopting FEA’s budget
- voting on amendments to the FEA Constitution and Bylaws
- recognizing FEA locals for their work in building membership
- discussing and debating New Business Items, which provide guidance and direction to the FEA officers on the priorities of the membership in the year to come.
In fact, Article III of the our constitution declares the DA is “highest policymaking body” of the Florida Education Association.
More than a business meeting
However, the DA is much more than just a business meeting.
It is also a chance to connect with colleagues from around the state. There are nearly a dozen caucus groups such as the Science Educators Caucus, the Young Educators Caucus, the Minority Affairs Caucus, the Women’s Caucus, and many more. Membership in one (or more) of these caucuses is a great way for members to stay engaged throughout the year with colleagues from all over the state who share similar passions.
Thank you to the FEA DA Diamond Sponsor:
2024 Delegate Assembly Schedule
Full 2024 DA Agenda: Download the complete 2024 DA agenda booklet (PDF, 2 MB). Every delegate will receive a hard copy at registration.
Friday, September 20
- Professional Development / 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
- CBE Annual Shareholders Meeting / 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m.
- Local Delegation Meetings / 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
- Constituency Meetings / 2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
- Special Interest Caucus Meetings / 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- Opening General Session / 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
- NBI Submission Deadline / 7:00 p.m.
- All Delegate Welcome Reception / 9:30 – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 21
- Second General Session / 8:00 – Adjournment
2024 Professional Development Course Descriptions and Presenter Bios
- Beyond Creating Equity
- Community Schools 101 Workshop (AFT)
- Elections Matter, But That’s Only the Beginning!
How to Make the Change We Want - Empowering Our Retirees
- Part 1: How Can Retirees get Involved in Election 2024
- Part 2: Time and Stress Management Hacks
- Equality Florida: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students:
What You Need to Know - Equity in Action: Advancing Inclusive Educational
Excellence and Social Justice - Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence:
A Hands-On Learning Experience for Educators - How to Have Hard Conversations
- Managing Behaviors in School Communities for
Educational Staff Professionals - Math and Reading Party: Learning Math and Reading
Through Music and Dance - Organizing with Member Benefits
- Parliamentary Procedure and Roberts Rules
- Share My Lesson: Maximizing Student Success
— Collaborative Tools and Resources - Social Media for Advocacy
- True Colors
Beyond Creating Equity
BCE is designed to help educators identify and address the issues of racial inequity in education. Its focus is on what it looks like to be a culturally competent teacher in practical application. Participants will examine various aspects of racial inequity and how to implement change for the education all students deserve.
Location: Salon 8
Facilitator: Michael Woods, Board Member, Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association
Michael (he, him, his / they, them, there) has been an educator for almost three decades and has been a long-time racial and social justice trainer and ally. He started as a trainer for the ADL (Anti-Defamation League’s) in its “Classroom of Difference” program in the early 1990’s – or late 1900s as his students call it. He is proud to be a Master Holocaust Educator and has travelled to Germany, Poland, and Prague, with his best friend and survivor, Norman. He is a Board Member of the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association (where he serves as Board Liaison for the Human and Civil Rights and Minority Affairs Committees) and a Governance Board Member of the Florida Education Association (where he also serves on its Minority Affairs Committee).
Community Schools 101 Workshop (AFT)
The community schools’ strategy is evidence based, but not cookie cutter. Community schools foster collaboration among stakeholders to ensure greater equity in policies and partnerships while seeking to honor the culture and lived experiences of students, families, and staff. They do this while maintaining a high academic standard that promotes student wellbeing and powerful learning. The Community Schools 101 Workshop is designed to equip participants with an understanding of community schools, what makes them successful, and opportunities for implementation in and outside of K-12. It will also delve into the ways that the community school’s strategy supports students, families, and staff. Participants will come away with resources and connections to help them take the next steps to implement the community schools’ strategy with their own school-community.
Location: Salon 1
Facilitator: Dena Donaldson, Assistant Director, American Federation of Teachers Educational Issues
Dena Donaldson serves as Assistant Director in the Educational Issues Department of the AFT overseeing community schools and early childhood education policy initiatives. Dena works with AFT affiliates and national partners to provide technical assistance related to policy, advocacy, and implementation of the community school strategy for states and local communities. She currently sits on the National Coalition for Community Schools Steering Committee and is on the Parent Teacher Home Visit Project Board of Directors.
Elections Matter, But That’s Only the Beginning! How to Make the Change We Want
Change starts with each of us. Our democratic process requires informed citizens who act so that their voices are heard and considered. When we understand the elements of political engagement and how each person’s actions make a difference, we can create our success. We hear all the time “All politics is local.” We must act locally, grow our influence, and build our power, one leap at a time. Participants will explore how to make changes happen, review the lessons from this summer’s school board races and plan for how to use those results.
Location: Salon 16
Facilitator: Cathy Boehme, Political Specialist, Florida Education Association
Cathy Boehme retired from her science classroom in 2014 so that she could join FEA’s team and be more active in direct political action to improve education. She works for the members of FEA in Public Policy Advocacy (PPA) and represents our educators as a lobbyist in Tallahassee and around the state. She is passionate about the ideals of our American democracy, helping members find their voices and realize their power to create change for the better.
Empowering Our Retirees
Location: Salon 21 (both sessions)
Session 1: How can Retirees get involved in Election 2024
In this session, participants will get an overview of AFT National Retiree Programming and learn about the role of our Retired Activists in the 2024 elections. Affirm our commitment to union values and focus on electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for the future of democracy. As the session concludes, all attendees will be invited to join an impromptu postcard writing session.
Facilitator: Bernadette Aguirre, Director of Retirees, AFT Retiree PPC, American Federation of Teachers; Meghan Rozarie, Organizing, American Federation of Teachers
In 2010, Bernadette Aguirre started working with the AFT as part of the Texas AFT political team. Before working in Texas, she was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the City of Albuquerque in New Mexico. In 2011, Bernadette joined the AFT Organizing Department in the Southwest Mountain Region. Her roles at AFT have included working with the Texas Associate Membership program, coordinating the weekly AFT telephone town halls as a member of the AFT COVID response team, and overseeing the committee for recruiting and interviewing AFT national representatives. Currently, she is the Director of Retirees and the AFT Retiree PPC. Her main focus is on developing activists, engaging with members, and growing the retiree “day-time army.”
Meghan Rozarie started working in the AFT Organizing Department in 2018 as a retiree organizer. Meghan grew up in a union family and developed a passion for organizing, training and mobilizing members and communities. Her inspiration came from her grandmother, as well as other educators, organizers, mentors she encountered, and a challenging union campaign in her own workplace.
Session 2: Time and Stress Management Hacks
There never seem to be enough hours in the day, but there certainly seems to be enough stress! How would you like to learn some life hacks to decrease stress while making the most of your time? In this interactive session, participants will share their wellness routines and ideas, and learn new ways to stay active and take the best care of yourselves in retirement.
Facilitator: Michele Ridolfi O’Neill, Organizational Specialist, National Education Association
Michele Ridolfi O’Neill is an NEA organizational specialist on the Year-Round Organizing team, working in the Zone 3 states of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. She began working for NEA in the summer of 2022, but prior to that, had been working at the Connecticut Education Association as their educational issues specialist and Aspiring Educator Program organizer for over a decade. Michele was in the classroom—first as an instructional aide and substitute teacher, and then as a classroom teacher, primarily at the middle school level—for 12 years. She was awarded NEA’s Outstanding State Organizer award for her work in organizing aspiring educators and is thrilled to bring over 20 years of organizing experience, first as a local president and member of the Connecticut Board of Directors, then as staff, to her role at NEA and her work with members.
Equality Florida: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: What You Need to Know
In the spring of 2022, HB 1557, also referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, was signed into law. It prohibits “classroom instruction by school personnel, or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity.” A federal lawsuit challenging this law was settled on March 11, 2024, resulting in critical clarifications for Florida teachers, faculty and staff. This training will discuss those clarifications, general best practices for operating within a difficult political climate, and additional opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ+ teachers, students and their families.
Location: Salon 3
Facilitators: Geanny Joseph Ruiz, Senior Manager, Equality Florida’s Statewide Safe and Healthy Schools Program; Alex Quinto, Counselor Pinellas County Schools
Geanny Joseph Ruiz serves as the Senior Manager for Equality Florida’s Statewide Safe and Healthy Schools Program. She is a South Florida native of Haitian descent. Geanny has worked extensively within education systems and local communities, providing professional development and resources to advance the health, safety and well-being of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. She began her career in the non-profit sector at Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, where she provided services to support mental health and combat substance abuse in Broward County. Prior to her time at Equality Florida, she oversaw the Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives and Allyship at Florida Atlantic University’ Center for Inclusion, Diversity Education and Advocacy. She has implemented policies, procedures and programs to foster inclusive environments for all communities. She holds a master’s degree in education from Florida Atlantic University.
Alex Quinto is an educator who was born and raised in Florida. Previously, he served as a school counselor for Pinellas County Schools, as well as serving on the Pinellas School Counselor Association board. He was awarded as GLSEN’s 2022 Educator of the Year. His work included providing a safe and supportive environment for all of his students and staff. His impact as a school counselor extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the lives of the children he worked with and leaving a lasting legacy of compassion, empowerment, and positive change.
Equity in Action: Advancing Inclusive Educational Excellence and Social Justice
This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the crucial intersection between education and intersectional equity issues. The session will examine the ways systemic oppression affects educational outcomes and community support structures, with a particular focus on children, youth, and families living in poverty and experiencing homelessness. The disproportionate impact of these issues on Indigenous, Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA2S+ communities will be illuminated, along with a call to action — to rethink and reshape educational practices and policies through culturally responsive and equity-centered lenses. Participants will engage in critical reflection and collaborative dialogue, forging interdisciplinary connections to envision and implement educational reforms that bridge opportunity gaps.
Location: Salon 6
Facilitator: Dr. Rajni Shankar-Brown, Professor and JBD Chair of Social Justice Education, Stetson University
Rajni Shankar-Brown, MA, M-MA, MBA, PhD, (pronouns she/aval/they) is an internationally renowned Professor and the JBD Distinguished Chair of Social Justice Education at Stetson University and the Founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Catalyzing Equity, Justice, and Social Change, as well as the recipient of Stetson’s most prestigious awards — the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, the McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching; the Hand Award for Distinguished Faculty Achievement. She is a published author of leading education articles and books, a racial and intersectional equity coach, a community organizer, a cultural strategist, a dancing poet and accomplished artist. Her poet stage name is “Rising Lotus”, and she is ranked internationally in spoken word poetry. Dr. Shankar-Brown is a leading expert on transformative systems change and sustainable educational practices to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and a lifelong champion for ending and preventing poverty and homelessness.
Exploring Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Hands-On Learning Experience for Educators
In the rapidly changing landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront. It is reshaping entire work sectors and will have an impact on almost all work. This workshop provides an introductory overview of AI, explaining its basic concepts and the various forms it takes in today’s world. This workshop aims to demystify AI and explore its implications in the labor sector. A critical part of the workshop involves real-world demonstrations. Participants will witness firsthand how AI works, and explore both the benefits and challenges of AI integration in the workplace.
Location: Salon 12
Facilitator: Rob Weil, American Federation of Teachers
Mr. Weil taught high school mathematics in Colorado for twenty years. In addition, he served as the president of the Douglas County Federation of Teachers (DCFT) until he joined the AFT national staff in 2001. Mr. Weil works on issues related to teaching and learning, collective bargaining, international education, and artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of education and work.
How to Have Hard Conversations
In this training, participants will learn how to have hard conversations. They will gain a greater understanding of differences among professionals and professions, as well as tools to work across cultures while enhancing relationships and reducing misunderstandings.
Location: Salon 11
Facilitator: Chester Wilson, Executive Director, CW Consulting Firm
Dr. Chester Wilson is a certified family, circuit, and county mediator, providing mediation services since 2014. As an experienced mediator and mediation trainer, he offers private and court-ordered mediation services and Continuing Mediation Education (CME) through his organization, CW Consulting Firm. He is an approved Family and County Primary Trainer and an Assistant Circuit Civil Trainer. Dr. Wilson contracts to provide family and county mediation services for the 7th Judicial Circuit. He also serves as a contracted trainer for the Florida Supreme Court’s Dispute Resolution Center and the 7th Circuit’s county mediators. Additionally, he participates as a trainer in the Florida Dispute Resolution’s County mediation training program.
Managing Behaviors in School Communities for Education Staff Professionals
This session will provide education staff professionals with effective strategies for managing unwanted behaviors across the various school and education settings. In addition, we will cover techniques for de-escalation. Unlike any other time in public education, examining and exploring root causes of challenging and disruptive behaviors requires different skill sets: pedagogy grounded in trauma-informed and restorative practices, navigating physical and virtual environments, while straddling your own personal and professional demands and their influence across learning communities.
Location: Salon 7
Facilitator: Shareka Battle, ESOL Resource Teacher, Pine Grove Elementary School, Delray Beach, Florida
Shareka Battle is an ESOL Resource Teacher at Pine Grove Elementary School, in Delray Beach. She also facilitates three professional development courses for her local union, Palm Beach County CTA and another for AFT. She has been in education for 18 years, serving in a number of different capacities. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, watching sports and spending time with friends and family.
Math and Reading Party: Learning Math and Reading Through Music and Dance
Come sing, dance, exercise and learn! This electrifying and empowering presentation challenges 21st century educators and parents of young children to embrace the art of infusing music, dance and exercise into math and reading lessons. Research indicates the infusion of music and movement with math and reading content invigorates learning and reduces anxiety toward each subject in later years. Students’ language and vocabulary skills are improved as a result to learning math and reading through music. The Math Party includes a range of concepts including counting, converting, multiplication and many more. The Reading Party teaches alphabetic, phonemic and phonological awareness principles like never before! This session is cutting-edge, interactive, and fun — don’t be tardy for the Math and Reading Party!
Location: Jr. Ballroom F
Facilitator: Dr. Stephanie Pasly-Henry, author, publisher and educational entrepreneur
Dr. Stephanie Pasley-Henry is recognized as one of America’s most creative and dynamic educational entrepreneurs. She is regarded as a master teacher of cutting edge and best practices for K-12 classroom instruction. An author, publisher, motivational speaker and certified fitness instructor, her greatest professional pleasure has been the many opportunities she has been afforded to host student assemblies, professional development trainings and Math and Reading Party Parent Nights at schools across the nation and abroad. Her Strategies aimed at engaging and motivating students, teachers and parents are riveting and thought-provoking. Her passion for educating children, coupled with her love of music and exercise gave birth to the unique creation of an educational programmatic system that enables teachers to infuse music and movement with mathematics and reading instruction.
Organizing with Member Benefits
Facilitator: Shayla Ivey, Member Benefits Specialist, Florida Education Association; Pam Williams, Member Benefits Specialist, Florida Education Association
As a valued FEA member, you have exclusive access to a suite of benefits designed to help you save money and make smart financial decisions. In this session, member benefits staff will provide an in-depth exploration of all the cost-saving advantages available to you, including discounted insurance rates, financial planning services, and special offers on everyday essentials. Your member benefits experts will guide you through practical strategies on leveraging these benefits effectively, ensuring you understand how to maximize the substantial savings potential. Whether you are new to FEA or a long-standing member, this session is your key to unlocking the full financial benefits of your membership.
Location: Salon 20
Parliamentary Procedure and Roberts Rules
Learn how to make your meetings run more smoothly! Find out how easy it is to understand the basics of Robert’s Rules of Order. Understand how to use that knowledge appropriately. Get tips on how to effectively participate and/or chair meetings using parliamentary procedure. Participants will learn the order of precedence, several basic motions, and when and how to make motions.
Location: Salon 15
Facilitator: Jeff Neurauter, member of American Institute of Parliamentarians
Jeff M. Neurauter is a member of the American Institute of Parliamentarians and an experienced parliamentarian. Jeff has served as a parliamentarian for numerous local, state, national, and international organizations, including student groups, churches, unions, social associations, and professional organizations. In addition to serving as a parliamentarian at conventions, he has conducted numerous seminars and workshops across the United States on the use of parliamentary procedure. Jeff specializes in providing workshops and advice to organizations on the development and revision of bylaws and governing documents.
Share My Lesson: Maximizing Student Success – Collaborative Tools and Resources
Join this engaging workshop that explores how Share My Lesson (SML), powered by AFT, can be your go-to platform for enhancing student success. Discover how SML offers a vast collection of free, high-quality teaching materials, lesson plans, activities, and professional development resources designed to meet the diverse needs of educators. This workshop is designed for educators, school staff, and administrators who are looking to enhance their teaching practices and collaborate more effectively with peers. Whether you’re new to SML or a seasoned user, you’ll leave with practical strategies to integrate these powerful tools into your daily routine, ultimately driving student success.
Location: Salon 2
Facilitator: Natalie Dean, Assistant Director, American Federation of Teachers Share My Lesson
Natalie Dean is a public relations professional and entrepreneur. For 15 years, she has built an extensive career in corporate, crisis, multicultural and education public relations, working with national and global entities. She currently serves as Asst. Director, Affiliate Engagement for ShareMyLesson.com at the American Federation of Teachers. She manages the education site’s internal communication strategy while promoting its member value to more than 3,000 local affiliate chapters.
True Colors
True Colors is an easy, entertaining way to identify your character spectrum to better understand yourself and others. True Colors uses four colors to identify distinct perspectives and personalities. Most of us have a dominant or bright color and are influenced or shaded by the other three colors, thus creating our True Colors Spectrum. True Colors establishes a common language by which we communicate core motivations, needs and behaviors. Discovering your spectrum is fun and exciting! Once you recognize the True Colors in yourself and others, you will be able to respond more appropriately and concisely in your varied communication settings.
Location: Salon 10
Facilitator: Vanessa Skipper, Vice President, Brevard Federation of Teachers
Vanessa Skipper proudly serves as the Vice President of the Brevard Federation of Teachers. Additionally, she has nine years of experience as the secondary director of the FEA Executive Cabinet. As a dedicated educator, she taught English and Journalism for grades 7-12 and was honored as a finalist for Brevard Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2014. Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public Relations from UCF, a Master’s degree in English Language Arts Education from UCF, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Stetson University.
Thank you to the FEA DA Emerald Sponsor:
NTA Life
Voting at the DA
There are two amendments that will be on the ballot:
- Bylaw Amendment 1: Proposed Amendment to the FEA Constitution related to Executive Cabinet terms of office
- Bylaw Amendment 2: Proposed Amendment to the FEA Constitution related to Executive Officer terms of office
There are two unopposed candidates for office at this year’s DA.
- Teresa Hodge, NEA Board of Director, Seat 1
- Wendy Carey, NEA Board of Director, Seat 2
Click here for the text of the amendments and the candidates’ statements and bios (you must be a member and logged-in to the website).
New Business Items
Each year at the Delegate Assembly members can submit New Business Items (NBI) — which provide guidance and direction to the FEA officers on the priorities of the membership in the year to come.
New Business Items will be available for review after the 7:00 p.m. submission deadline on Friday, September 20 at FEAweb.org/nbi2024
Thank you to the FEA DA Emerald Sponsor: Optavise
FEA Human & Civil Rights Breakfast
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HCR tickets will be handed out in Orlando at the Delegate Assembly information desk.
Annual DA PAC Fundraising Campaign
We are excited to announce the Annual DA PAC Fundraising for the 2024 Delegate Assembly.
This is the 24th consecutive year FEA member delegates have participated in our voluntary PAC fundraising campaign. Your individual contributions help support great public schools! PAC funds support pro-public education candidates on the federal, state and local level regardless of their political affiliations.
The DA PAC fundraising goal is $100 per delegate, but we welcome donations in any amount. Every member who contributes to PAC does so voluntarily.
Every FEA DA delegate and staff member is invited to participate by making a $75 contribution to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education and a $25 contribution to AFT COPE (Committee on Public Education).
You are encouraged to make your contribution to American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA) today, before the Delegate Assembly using the links below:
Reminder: Only members and staff can participate in this activity. Also note, we are unable to accept cash or money order contributions in excess of $100.00 at the Delegate Assembly because of federal law.
For questions or concerns, please contact Cathy Boehme by calling the PPA office at (850)224-2078 or by email at cathy.boehme@floridaea.org.
Sign up for text alerts at the DA
Text da2025 to 22394 to sign up for our text program so you can stay in the loop as we approach the event — as well as real-time reminders and updates at the Delegate Assembly!
Child Care
Child care will be offered at the Delegate Assembly
The coverage time period will be:
Friday: 7am to 11pm (breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner provided)
Saturday: 7am to 4:00 pm (Breakfast and lunch provided)
Please find
Thank you to the FEA DA Sapphire Sponsor:
Educators Choice
Special Assistance
FEA is pleased to announce that we will be offering special assistance to those who need it at the 2024 FEA Delegate Assembly. This is for any delegate who may need extra help during the voting process and other DA functions.
Delegates can pre-register for special assistance only by sending an email to Virginia Edwards at virginia.edwards@floridaea.org. You can also notify a registration specialist at the Delegate Assembly.
Social Media for Advocacy
When used strategically, social media is a tool that can help to grow a pro-public education and pro-union movement. We’ll start the session with an overview of how to create messages that inspire and engage local members and the community at large and then apply those messaging guidelines to building social media campaigns.
Location: Salon 13
Facilitator: Luke Flynt, Education Policy Communications Specialist, Florida Education Association
Luke A. Flynt (he/him) is a native of Vero Beach, Florida, where he attended public schools K-12 and came back home as to teach middle school English for twelve years upon graduating college. Flynt was elected FEA Secretary-Treasurer in 2015 and served one term. For the past five years, he has worked in FEA’s Communications department as an education policy communications specialist. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife CJ. In their free time, CJ & Luke enjoy spending time outdoors and partaking in Tallahassee’s amazing craft beer scene.