BHS teacher to join assembly

Brainerd High School teacher Janis Cummings recently was elected to join 145 other Minnesota educators at the 86th National Education Association Representative Assembly in Philadelphia.

More than 9,000 educators are expected to convene in July for the legislative assembly, which is believed to be the largest democratic decision-making body in the world.

Delegates will debate important issues facing public education, including teacher training and retention, reform of the No Child Left Behind law and funding for schools. Delegates also will elect top officers and set policy for the association.

Delegates will have the opportunity to look ahead to the presidential election, with eight candidates for the Democratic or Republican nomination addressing the group. Candidates scheduled to appear at the assembly include Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee and Joe Biden.