Lily Eskelsen García facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lily Eskelsen García
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| President of the National Education Association | |
| In office September 1, 2014 – September 1, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Dennis Van Roekel |
| Succeeded by | Rebecca S. Pringle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lilia Laura Pace
May 1, 1955 Fort Hood, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Ruel Eskelsen
(died 2011)Alberto Garcia
(m. 2016) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Utah (BA, MS) |
Lily Eskelsen García, born Lilia Laura Pace on May 1, 1955, is an American teacher and a leader in labor unions. She was the president of the National Education Association (NEA) from 2014 to 2020. The NEA is the largest labor union in the United States. It represents public school teachers and other education staff.
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Early Life and Education
Lily Eskelsen García was born Lilia Laura Pace on May 1, 1955. Her birthplace was Fort Hood, Texas. Her father was in the United States Army. Her mother came from Panama.
How Lily Became a Teacher
Lily started her career working in a school cafeteria. Then, she became an aide for a special education teacher. This teacher encouraged her to go back to school. Lily decided to study to become a teacher herself.
She worked hard to pay for her education at the University of Utah. She used scholarships and student loans. She also earned money as a folk singer. She graduated with high honors in elementary education. Later, she earned a master's degree in instructional technology. This degree focused on how to use technology in teaching.
Teaching Career
In 1980, Lily Eskelsen García began teaching. She taught fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Her first teaching job was at Orchard Elementary in the Granite School District in Utah.
Awards and Special Teaching Roles
In 1989, Lily was named Utah Teacher of the Year. This award recognized her excellent work in the classroom.
Later, while she was also a union leader, she taught children who were homeless. She taught them in a single classroom at a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City. She also taught at the Christmas Box House Children's Shelter. This was a special public school for foster children. It taught kids from kindergarten to sixth grade in one room.
Labor Union Leadership
The attention Lily received as Teacher of the Year helped her. It encouraged her to run for a leadership position. In 1990, she won an election to become president of the Utah Education Association. This group is connected to the National Education Association (NEA).
Key Initiatives and Roles
As president of the Utah Education Association, Lily started the Children at Risk Foundation. She was its first president. This foundation helped children who faced difficulties. She also served as president of Utah Retirement Systems. This organization helps manage retirement funds for public employees.
In 1996, she was chosen for the NEA executive committee. This committee helps lead the National Education Association.
Rising Through the NEA Ranks
In 2002, Lily was elected NEA Secretary-Treasurer. She won with a large number of votes. She served two three-year terms in this role.
On July 4, 2008, she was elected NEA vice-president. She was re-elected in 2011 with even more votes. In 2014, she was elected NEA President. She served as president until September 1, 2020. After her, Becky Pringle became the new NEA president.
Public Speaking and Advocacy
In September 2008, Lily Eskelsen García spoke at a conference. It was for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She often shares her advice for parents about education. Her advice has been in magazines like Time, Working Mother, and Woman's World. She has also appeared on TV news shows.
She has been a main speaker at many education events across the United States. She also writes a blog called "Lily's Blackboard." On her blog, she discusses the latest topics in education.
Union Activism
Lily's union leadership included writing protest songs. One song was about the No Child Left Behind Act. This was a law about education. As vice president, she worked closely with other labor unions. For example, she spoke out against taxing health-care benefits. She did this with leaders from the Teamsters and the AFL-CIO.
Personal Life
After high school, Lily married Ruel Eskelsen. They had two children together. Ruel passed away on March 18, 2011.
Lily is now married to Alberto Garcia. He is a graphic artist. In 2014, they published a book together. It is called Rabble Rousers: Fearless Fighters for Social Justice.
