Spring RA
Iris K. Salters, For MEA president
Who is Iris?
I am a special education classroom teacher, consultant and speech pathologist. I have been employed by the Kalamazoo School District since 1967, my second year as a teacher. I still continue as a full time employee of Kalamazoo Public Schools. Since 1999, I have been on unpaid sabbatical leave upon assuming the position of vice president and then as president of the Michigan Education Association in February 2006.
I am the mother of two children and the wife of a tremendous retired school employee. Education for our children, my spouse and me has always been provided by public school districts and colleges.
My family has always believed in public education and the value it affords Michigan families. I am a third generation teacher. My grandmother and aunt were both public school educators. You see, I was born in a small community on the western side of the state, South Haven. I went to school and graduated from Covert Public Schools.
I earned undergraduate degrees from Western Michigan University in speech pathology, teaching of educable mentally impaired and secondary education. I hold two master’s degrees from WMU, one in teaching the disadvantaged and the other in middle school education.
What is my experience?
I come to you with not only decades of experience in the classroom setting but also more than 20 years of association leadership. My advocacy for children and quality education led to service as a member of the MEA Board of Directors, the MEA Executive Committee, the MEA/NEA Resolutions Committee, as well as other committees and task forces at the local, state and national levels.
In 1992, I was elected president of the Kalamazoo Education Association/Kalamazoo Public Schools, a position I held until I assumed duties as an MEA state officer in 1999. I currently serve on the boards or executive committees of several organizations, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Accident Fund, the Michigan Prospect, WKAR and the Michigan Democratic Party.
Awards
I have been fortunate to have been the recipient of several awards, including the Leroy Bartoo Award, the Sisyphus Award, Partners in Education Award for Kalamazoo County, and Women of Distinction-YWCA-Kalamazoo.
Candidate statement
What do I stand for?
I believe that my word is my bond and that my integrity must be upheld in all actions.
I have always been a strong supporter of building strong families and children. It is our responsibility to make sure that children have the opportunity to maximize their potential and become strong productive citizens.
Further, I believe that a strong local and state association is key to the future of students and school employees.
The mission statement of the MEA says it best:
“The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and working environments of our members are of the highest quality.” Officers of the MEA must keep these words uppermost in their minds as well as depicted in their actions.
What makes me seek this position?
There are two reasons, my passion for advocacy and the enjoyment and fulfillment I receive from doing it. Those who know me understand that I believe firmly that education and education employees are undervalued in our society. Coming from a long line of educators, I know that we provide our communities and families keys to opportunities.
For children, it is the opportunity to live a full, vibrant and resource-filled life. For our members, it is the opportunity to provide resources and opportunities for their families. We need persons who are willing to stand up for us while we do our jobs in our classrooms and worksites.
The second reason is I gain enjoyment and inner joy from helping my fellow members. Working with members has enabled me to enjoy my passion—advocacy.
What am I asking?
I am asking that you support me for a second term as your president. I have partnered with an extremely talented colleague running for a second term as your vice president. Together, we make the team of Salters and Cook. We will protect your interests and not let you down.