Dennis Van Roekel

Dennis Van Roekel is a renowned American educator and trade unionist, best known for his tenure as the president of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest trade union in the United States, representing over 3 million members, including American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Van Roekel's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the education landscape, working closely with prominent figures such as Arne Duncan, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. His commitment to education reform has been recognized by organizations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). As a prominent figure in the education sector, Van Roekel has collaborated with institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

● Early Life and Education

Dennis Van Roekel was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, and grew up in a family of educators, with his parents being members of the National Education Association (NEA) and his father serving as a National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) leader. Van Roekel's early education took place in Colorado public schools, where he developed a passion for mathematics and science, inspired by teachers who were part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). He pursued higher education at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning a degree in mathematics education and later a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix, while also being involved with the American Mathematical Society (AMS) and the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

● Career

Van Roekel began his teaching career in Arizona public schools, where he taught mathematics and science for over 20 years, working with organizations like the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Arizona Education Association (AEA). During this time, he became actively involved with the National Education Association (NEA), serving as a local union leader and later as the president of the Arizona Education Association (AEA), collaborating with figures like John McCain and Jan Brewer. His leadership and advocacy for education reform caught the attention of national leaders, including Ted Kennedy and George Miller, who recognized his potential to drive change in the education sector.

● Presidency of

the National Education Association In 2008, Van Roekel was elected as the president of the National Education Association (NEA), succeeding Reg Weaver and working closely with other prominent education leaders like Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Diane Ravitch, a renowned education historian and Brookings Institution fellow. During his presidency, Van Roekel focused on issues like education reform, teacher evaluation, and Common Core, engaging with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He also worked to strengthen the NEA's relationships with other education organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the National Association of School Boards of Education (NASBE).

● Advocacy and Policy

As a prominent advocate for education, Van Roekel has worked with policymakers like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and John Boehner to shape education policy, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA). He has also collaborated with organizations like the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to promote education reform and improve student outcomes, often working with experts from institutions like the Urban Institute and the Center for American Progress. Van Roekel's advocacy has been recognized by groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), who appreciate his commitment to equity and access in education.

● Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Van Roekel has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to education, including the National Education Association's (NEA) highest honor, the NEA Friend of Education Award, as well as awards from organizations like the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). He has also been recognized by institutions like Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for his leadership and advocacy in education, often alongside notable figures like Michelle Obama and Jeb Bush.

● Later Life and Legacy

After completing his term as NEA president, Van Roekel continued to be involved in education advocacy, working with organizations like the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the Education Commission of the States (ECS). He has also served on the boards of institutions like the Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Arizona, and has been involved with initiatives like the Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21) and the Coalition for Community Schools. Van Roekel's legacy as a champion of education continues to inspire educators and policymakers, including figures like Betsy DeVos and Miguel Cardona, who recognize the importance of his work in shaping the education landscape, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the American Library Association (ALA).