Middle school special education teacher from Washington state reelected to NEA Executive Committee

DENVER-A dedicated Washington state teacher and union activist with experience at the local, state, and national level will serve another term on the Executive Committee of the National Education Association. Shannon McCann, a middle school special education teacher from Seattle, Wash., was reelected by her union siblings at NEA's Representative Assembly (RA) to serve on the organization's influential and highest governing body.

A labor activist since her childhood, McCann has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of her fellow members. As president of the Federal Way Education Association, she organized transformational bargaining wins for local education support professionals. At the state level, she has served on the Board of Directors, Racial Justice Committee, Executive Committee and Budget Committee for the Washington Education Association (WEA). She has also chaired the WEA LGBTQ+ Caucus.

"Shannon McCann has been an instrumental member of our Executive Committee, and I know she will continue to be," said NEA President Becky Pringle. "As communities come under attack, NEA members are mobilizing because unions are made for moments like these. Shannon's deep organizing experience and unwavering commitment to racial and social justice will continue to help power our movement forward and protect the rights of every educator and student."

Prior to her election to the Executive Board, McCann had served on NEA's Strategic Plan and Budget Committee; Board of Directors; Safe, Just, and Equitable Schools Policy Statement Task Force; and the Racial Justice in Education Internal Language Stakeholder Group. She had also chaired both the NEA Legislative Committee and the Retired Conference Planning Committee.

"Thank you delegates for reelecting me to the NEA Executive Committee. I am humbled and honored. This work has never been about one person - it's about the collective power of educators, ESPs, public service employees and communities standing together," said McCann. "I will continue to bring my experience in organizing, bargaining, and coalition building to this role, fighting for the pay, respect, and support every educator deserves and every student needs. I believe an inclusive union is a strong union, and that strong locals mean a strong state, a strong nation, and a strong democracy. Together, we will keep organizing, keep advocating, and keep building a public education system worthy of all our students."

Nearly 7,000 educators are in Denver, Colo., for the 169th Annual Meeting and 105th RA, the organization's top decision-making body, which sets association policy for the coming year. Delegates will complete an agenda, which includes adopting a budget, electing Executive Committee members, and addressing new business items.

For more information on NEA's Annual Meeting and RA, go to nea.org/ra.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at nea.org.