Kimberly Colbert

Name:  Kimberly Colbert
Position running for:  NEA Director
Local/affiliate:  St. Paul Federation of Teachers
Job title:  English and theater teacher

Kimberly Colbert

I am proud to announce my candidacy for a second term as NEA Director.  During my first run for office, I emphasized my commitment to education as public service.  This commitment has not changed.  During my first three years in office, I have had the privilege of bringing the stories and concerns – the voice – of Education Minnesota members to NEA, Capitol Hill, the Minnesota State Legislature and a variety of communities.  I seek another term to continue this important work.

Public discourse and criticism of education continues to reflect society’s social and economic disparities.  Unfortunately, it has also become an arena for bashing educators. As a part of my effort to build relationships and an understanding of the issues with all our elected officials on the Hill and at home, I continue to press for an accurate and fair portrayal of our role in educating our students and advocate for a greater voice for educators as we seek reform.

As a teacher and former ESP, one of my goals was to ensure that our elected officials had a clear definition of “educator,” and understood that the interconnectedness of our jobs is an important and unique source of strength for our profession. During my visits to the Hill I have emphasized the fact that teachers cannot and do not teach kids by themselves.  Rather, there is a whole, invaluable community of professionals from pre-school to post-secondary education who daily touch the lives of our students.

On the NEA board, I have also worked to give Education Minnesota a role in shaping policy and “growing” leadership for our national organization.  This work has included helping my colleagues to build a board Merged State Caucus, facilitating the Midwest Minority Leadership Training and promoting homegrown talent for the Midwest Regional Leadership Conferences. 

Serving our members has been an extraordinary honor and a pleasure.  I humbly ask for your support for another term as NEA Director.