Kelsy Dunlap
Kelsy Dunlap
for OEA Region II VP
for OEA Region II VP
"Though [they] be but little, [they are] fierce." -Shakespeare
"Though [they] be but little, [they are] fierce." -Shakespeare
justice - solidarity - advocacy
justice - solidarity - advocacy
Vision for OEA
Vision for OEA
Powerful, member-driven locals.
Powerful, member-driven locals.
Coordinated, region-wide organizing and member activation.
Coordinated, region-wide organizing and member activation.
Educator voice in education policy.
Educator voice in education policy.
Powerful, Member-Driven Locals
Powerful, Member-Driven Locals
Our union power begins at home - with our locals and Uniserv councils. I commit to establishing communication channels with each Uniserv council and acting as a liaison from Region II to OEA leadership, ensuring member voice is heard and used to make the decisions that guide our organization. I will regularly attend Uniserv council meetings around the region and check in with local leadership. I will use these feedback mechanisms to gauge concerns and priorities that need addressed at the local and state levels by actively participating in state-level meetings, committees, and advocacy efforts to ensure that the unique needs of our region are represented.
Our union power begins at home - with our locals and Uniserv councils. I commit to establishing communication channels with each Uniserv council and acting as a liaison from Region II to OEA leadership, ensuring member voice is heard and used to make the decisions that guide our organization. I will regularly attend Uniserv council meetings around the region and check in with local leadership. I will use these feedback mechanisms to gauge concerns and priorities that need addressed at the local and state levels by actively participating in state-level meetings, committees, and advocacy efforts to ensure that the unique needs of our region are represented.
Coordinated, region-wide organizing and member activation.
Coordinated, region-wide organizing and member activation.
By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support within our region, we can amplify our advocacy efforts and create a stronger collective voice. This involves organizing solidarity events, facilitating cross-council partnerships, and providing resources for members to support each other during challenging bargains. As Region II VP, I would work to replicate the successes of Woodburn, Silver Falls, Greater Albany ACE and EA, ASK ESP, SKEA, and other locals at bargaining tables around the region.
By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support within our region, we can amplify our advocacy efforts and create a stronger collective voice. This involves organizing solidarity events, facilitating cross-council partnerships, and providing resources for members to support each other during challenging bargains. As Region II VP, I would work to replicate the successes of Woodburn, Silver Falls, Greater Albany ACE and EA, ASK ESP, SKEA, and other locals at bargaining tables around the region.
I am committed to prioritizing professional development opportunities that equip our members with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective at the bargaining table. This includes organizing workshops on grassroots organizing, lobbying techniques, and coalition-building strategies.
I am committed to prioritizing professional development opportunities that equip our members with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective at the bargaining table. This includes organizing workshops on grassroots organizing, lobbying techniques, and coalition-building strategies.
Amplifying and Strengthening Educator Voice in Education Policy
Amplifying and Strengthening Educator Voice in Education Policy
We know that we are facing a crisis in public education. Neither students nor educators are being given the supports they need to thrive in school. I pledge to actively engage in legislative advocacy, lobbying for policies that promote justice, equity, and safety in education. We have seen great strides in elevating educator voice in our state government, and I will continue to build relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, mobilizing grassroots support for critical issues such as safe working conditions and equitable access to resources.
We know that we are facing a crisis in public education. Neither students nor educators are being given the supports they need to thrive in school. I pledge to actively engage in legislative advocacy, lobbying for policies that promote justice, equity, and safety in education. We have seen great strides in elevating educator voice in our state government, and I will continue to build relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, mobilizing grassroots support for critical issues such as safe working conditions and equitable access to resources.
My Qualifications
My Qualifications
I have a solid foundation of leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels, coupled with a passion for advocating for educators and students. Just as comfortable wielding a bullhorn at a protest march as I am speaking with elected local, state, and national officials, I am am the right person at the right time for this role.
I have a solid foundation of leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels, coupled with a passion for advocating for educators and students. Just as comfortable wielding a bullhorn at a protest march as I am speaking with elected local, state, and national officials, I am am the right person at the right time for this role.
Salem Keizer Education Association
Salem Keizer Education Association
Chair, Organizing Committee (2023-present): Spearheaded initiatives to engage and mobilize members, strengthening our collective voice during a challenging bargain. Led the SKEA Organizing Committee in planning and executing rallies, pickets, letter writing campaigns, and community outreach efforts. Our practice picket event on March 6 drew over 500 SKEA and ASK ESP members, families, and community members. As of March 2024, we have solidarity signs in the windows of over 100 local businesses.
Chair, Organizing Committee (2023-present): Spearheaded initiatives to engage and mobilize members, strengthening our collective voice during a challenging bargain. Led the SKEA Organizing Committee in planning and executing rallies, pickets, letter writing campaigns, and community outreach efforts. Our practice picket event on March 6 drew over 500 SKEA and ASK ESP members, families, and community members. As of March 2024, we have solidarity signs in the windows of over 100 local businesses.
Building Representative, McKay High School (2017-present): Acted as an advocate for educators in my building, addressing issues and facilitating communication. Held regular listening sessions to gather member concerns to bring to building administration. Organized members and families to advocate for greater bond funding for improvements to McKay High School, resulting in additional funding of over $1million.
Building Representative, McKay High School (2017-present): Acted as an advocate for educators in my building, addressing issues and facilitating communication. Held regular listening sessions to gather member concerns to bring to building administration. Organized members and families to advocate for greater bond funding for improvements to McKay High School, resulting in additional funding of over $1million.
Chair, Elections Committee (2021-present): Led efforts to ensure fair and transparent union elections, using SimplyVoting and accurately reporting results to SKEA leadership. During my tenure, voter turnout increased from 17.1% in 2021 to 28.7% in 2023.
Chair, Elections Committee (2021-present): Led efforts to ensure fair and transparent union elections, using SimplyVoting and accurately reporting results to SKEA leadership. During my tenure, voter turnout increased from 17.1% in 2021 to 28.7% in 2023.
Member, Bylaws & Policies Committee (2021-present): Contributed to the development and review of union bylaws and policies, ensuring alignment with member needs and values.
Member, Bylaws & Policies Committee (2021-present): Contributed to the development and review of union bylaws and policies, ensuring alignment with member needs and values.
Secretary (2019-2023): Served as member of Executive Committee and Budget Committee; managed administrative duties to ensure smooth operations within the SKEA.
Secretary (2019-2023): Served as member of Executive Committee and Budget Committee; managed administrative duties to ensure smooth operations within the SKEA.
Secondary Board Director (2017-2019): Represented the interests of secondary educators in SKPS, advocating for their needs and concerns.
Secondary Board Director (2017-2019): Represented the interests of secondary educators in SKPS, advocating for their needs and concerns.
Chair & Founding Member, SKEA Human & Civil Rights Committee (2017-2019): Established the HCRC to work for equity for all students and educators in Salem-Keizer Public Schools.
Chair & Founding Member, SKEA Human & Civil Rights Committee (2017-2019): Established the HCRC to work for equity for all students and educators in Salem-Keizer Public Schools.
Early Career Leadership Fellows (2016-2017): Collaborated with a cohort of other early career educators to develop leadership potential.
Early Career Leadership Fellows (2016-2017): Collaborated with a cohort of other early career educators to develop leadership potential.
Delegate, OEA RA (2017-present): Participated in shaping the direction and work of our state association. Presented and passed an NBI in 2023 to advocate for increased compensation for National Board Certified educators in Oregon.
Delegate, OEA RA (2017-present): Participated in shaping the direction and work of our state association. Presented and passed an NBI in 2023 to advocate for increased compensation for National Board Certified educators in Oregon.
Delegate, NEA RA (2017-2020): Represented SKEA members while shaping the direction and work of our national association.
Delegate, NEA RA (2017-2020): Represented SKEA members while shaping the direction and work of our national association.
Oregon Education Association
Oregon Education Association
OEA Board Director, Region 03 (2023-present): Represented educators in our region, advocating for their rights and interests, as well as increased transparency into the OEA budget.
OEA Board Director, Region 03 (2023-present): Represented educators in our region, advocating for their rights and interests, as well as increased transparency into the OEA budget.
OEA Board Liaison, LGBTQ2SIA+ Advisory Council (2023-present): Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion within our union.
OEA Board Liaison, LGBTQ2SIA+ Advisory Council (2023-present): Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion within our union.
OEA Board Liaison, OEA PAC Board (2023-present): Supported efforts to advocate for pro-education policies and candidates.
OEA Board Liaison, OEA PAC Board (2023-present): Supported efforts to advocate for pro-education policies and candidates.
State Delegate, NEA RA (2021-2022): Continued to advocate for Oregon educators on the national stage.
State Delegate, NEA RA (2021-2022): Continued to advocate for Oregon educators on the national stage.
National Education Association
National Education Association
Attendee, NEA Leadership Summit (2017 & 2018): Gained valuable insights and strategies for effective leadership and advocacy.
Attendee, NEA Leadership Summit (2017 & 2018): Gained valuable insights and strategies for effective leadership and advocacy.
Professional Experience
Professional Experience
Physics & Computer Science Teacher, McKay High School (2012-present): Committed to delivering high-quality education and fostering an inclusive, equitable learning environment.
Physics & Computer Science Teacher, McKay High School (2012-present): Committed to delivering high-quality education and fostering an inclusive, equitable learning environment.
GSA Advisor, McKay High School (2014-2022): Supported LGBTQIA2S+ students and promoted inclusivity and acceptance within the school community.
GSA Advisor, McKay High School (2014-2022): Supported LGBTQIA2S+ students and promoted inclusivity and acceptance within the school community.
Tutor, Portland Public Schools (2009-2010): Tutored high school mathematics and science for Portland Public Schools’ credit recovery program.
Tutor, Portland Public Schools (2009-2010): Tutored high school mathematics and science for Portland Public Schools’ credit recovery program.