MINNEAPOLIS, MN – San Bernardino teacher and CTA member Robert Varela Rodriguez has been elected to the Executive Committee of the National Education Association. Rodriguez, a 14-year special education teacher in San Bernardino City Unified School District, was elected by more than 7,000 delegates at the annual NEA Representative Assembly, meeting this year in Minneapolis.

The NEA Executive Committee consists of nine members — three executive officers and six members elected at-large by the Representative Assembly. The committee is responsible for general policy and interests of NEA and acts for the NEA Board of Directors in between its four regularly scheduled meetings each year.

A passionate educator and longtime union activist, Rodriguez has represented California on the NEA Board of Directors for six years, served three years on the NEA Budget Committee and just completed a two-year term on the CTA Board of Directors. He served for three years as the president of the San Bernardino Teachers Association and three years as vice president. During his 14 years of teaching, Rodriguez has worked at the elementary, middle school, special day class and resource specialist levels.

“I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” said Rodriguez. “My passion for learning and reading made teaching a natural fit for me. Teaching students with special needs is extremely rewarding. I feel accomplished each time I help a child learn how to read.”

During his speech to the NEA RA, Rodriguez recognized the hard work of his immigrant parents who encouraged him to study hard and become the first in his family to graduate from college. He also recognized the struggles educators and communities face as a San Bernardino teacher and student were killed during a shooting at North Park Elementary School last year.

“We are living in difficult times, but I believe that only through organizing and collective action can we effect change,” said Rodriguez. “Educators and students are demanding action, demanding change and demanding justice! I will stand up and advocate for all educators and students as a member of the NEA Executive Committee. It’s my hope that when our grandchildren look back, they will say this was the start of an incredible labor movement where working people came together, united, to demand a better life and a better future.”

“Robert’s passion is evident in the work he does with his students and as union leader in California,” said CTA President Eric Heins. “He will be a strong voice for our students, our profession, all working families and social justice.”

Rodriguez holds a master’s degree in education from CSU-San Bernardino and lives in Riverside. He joins fellow CTA member George Sheridan on the NEA Executive Committee. Sheridan, from Black Oak Mine School District, is serving his second term.

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The 325,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.