NEA's García Elected Vice President, North America and Caribbean of Education International

Washington, D.C. — NEA President Lily Eskelsen García was elected vice president of Education International (EI) yesterday at the organization’s 7th World Congress in Ottawa, Canada.

EI’s July 21-26 conference, centered on the theme of “Unite for Quality Education — Better Education for a Better World,” brought together some two thousand people from 400 teachers unions and associations across 171 countries. EI is the voice of teachers and other education employees across the globe. A federation of 396 associations and unions in 171 countries and territories, it represents some 32.5 million educators and support professionals in education institutions from early childhood to university.

García starts her four-year term as EI’s vice president for North America and Caribbean at a time when educators and public sector unions around the world face growing challenges.

“It’s an honor to represent educators from throughout North America and the Caribbean,” said García. “Educators across the world share the same goal: that every student they encounter that day will know an educator cares for them and is dedicated to reaching, teaching and inspiring them to reach their full potential.”

I am very happy to know that Lily is set to join our colleagues on the new Executive Board,” said EI President Susan Hopgood. “I look forward to the leadership she will bring to both the Board and to Education International as Vice President, and I am excited to work with all of our new members as we begin our next four years."

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