Vermont Women Advocate for Good Public Education
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly C. Martini, 212-870-3729
kmartini@gbgm-umc.org
Troy Conference United Methodist Women gathered May 20 for their annual United Methodist Women’s Day, continuing locally what has become one of the organization’s main foci – good public education for all children.
Using the theme, “Take Time for Children, Jesus Did!” more than 100 people gathered for the event, which began with a panel discussion -- “The Campaign for Children, No Child Left Behind Act”.
Local panel members discussed the cause and effect of this national legislation in their community and state. The act is scheduled for reauthorization in 2007. The United Methodist Women’s Division is urging members of the one-million member organization to understand the legislation and get involved in public education advocacy, similar to the women in Vermont.
Panel members included Jerry McGovern, education columnist for the Press Republican Paper in Plattsburgh, NY; James Butterworth from the New York State Department of Education in Albany, NY; and Mary Ann Lauder a Special Education Teacher in Springfield, VT.
Following the panelists’ opening statements on their experiences with the “No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act,” panel members addressed questions and comments of the audience.
Panel moderator, Ginena Dulley Wills, the Sara Shingler Intern for Public Education with the United Methodist Women’s Division, concluded that participants left the event with a sense of responsibility:
“United Methodist Women need to be involved in their local Public Schools after sponsoring a Public Education Study in each local church. This involvement will lead them to express their concerns on their local, district, state and national levels,” Ms. Dulley Wills said.
