2014 Presenters for the 39th Annual Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism Conference

CEAFU 2014 Conference All Star Line-Up (in order of appearance)

(click here to download the schedule)

CTEN was formed in 2006 because a wide range of information from the more global concerns of education policy, education leadership, and education reform, to information having a more personal application, such as professional liability insurance, options of relationships to teachers unions, and the effect of unionism on teacher pay, comes to teachers from entities that have a specific agenda.

Larry is an excellent, prolific writer, whose comments and op-eds have appeared in Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, Real Clear Politics, The Weekly Standard, Newsweek, Townhall Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Big Government, U.S. News & World Report, Investor’s Business Daily, Huffington Post, and a host of other outlets.  He is a regular columnist and blogger, and has appeared on many radio and tv shows.  Larry participated with Rod Paige, Terry Moe and other education experts to defend teacher freedom, facing off against Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and has promoted charter schools.  He continues to promote education reform in every venue he can.

CTEN maintains an active and strong new media presence, reaching out to teachers and those interested in education reform across the USA, and around the world, with its popular Facebook page, whose members include teachers, writers, think tankers, and political activists.

W. James Young, NRTW Staff Attorney

Jim Young has been a Staff Attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation since 1989.  He obtained his law degree at Emory University, and graduated Hampden-Sydney magna cum laude with a BA in Political Science and History.  Jim has also appeared before the United States Supreme Court.   He has published articles on forced dues in politics, and other cases.   Jim will be discussing the Knox case today, and its implications for teachers.

Neal McCluskey, Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom

Neal McCluskey serves as the associate director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom.   He has just testified on Common Core standards (June 13) before the House of Representatives.

Prior to arriving at Cato, Neal served in the U.S. Army, taught high school English, and was a freelance reporter covering municipal government and education in suburban New Jersey.

More recently, he was a policy analyst at the Center for Education Reform.

McCluskey is the author of the book, “Feds in the Classroom: How Big Government Corrupts, Cripples, and Compromises American Education,” and his writings have appeared in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Baltimore Sun, and Forbes. In addition to his written work, Neal has appeared on C-span, CNN, the Fox News Channel, and numerous radio programs.

Neal holds an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University where he double-majored in government and English, a master’s degree in political science from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in public policy from George Mason University.

Nathan J. McGrath, NRTW Staff Attorney  

Nathan Mc Grath has been a Staff Attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation since 2012.  He earned his law degree at Regent University, where he studied under Bruce Cameron.  Nathan graduated from Grove City College and also worked as the Director of Communications for the National Right to Work Committee before serving as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. House of Representatives, Representative Donald A. Manzullo.  Nathan has recorded a video for Pennsylvania teachers explaining their workplace rights relating to union resignation window periods and dues deduction.  He will be reviewing the Thaxton v. OEA teacher case settlement this afternoon.

Elizabeth Mow, West Virginia Professional Educators

Elizabeth taught high school Social Studies at Buckhannon’s Upshur high school for 20 years Buckhannon, and one year as a Junior High teacher.  She graduated from Connecticut College with a bachelor’s degree in Government and a minor in Economics in 1948, and did various graduate work during her tenure as a teacher.  Elizabeth spent a year in England travelling with her family.  She participated in a Middle East Institute at Old Dominion University, and served on the following boards and conferences as a retired teacher:

• The Governor’s Education Conference, January 10, 1992.
• Member of the Professional Personnel Evaluation Task Force, Center for Professional Development, 1992.
• Member of W.V. Department of Education Committee on Teacher Evaluation 1991-92.
• Member Governor’s Committee on Education 1990-92.
• Commentator for West Virginia Public Radio February, 1990 to February, 1991.
• State President West Virginia Professional Educators 1989-91.

Elizabeth has served functioned as WVPE’s Legislative and Membership Director since its inception in 1980.

William L. Messenger, NRTW Staff Attorney

Bill has been a Staff Attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation since 2001.  Bill obtained his law degree at George Washington University and his BA at Ohio University.  He has published articles on the First Amendment and pre-recognition agreements.  During the past year, he has argued two cases before the United States Supreme court, Harris v.  Quinn, which is the case he will be talking about today, and Mulhall v. UNITE HERE local 355.

Ginger Tinney, Professional Oklahoma Educators

Mrs. Ginger Tinney began her service to Professional Oklahoma Educators, then known as the Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators, in 1989 and established the Professional Oklahoma Educators Foundation in 1998. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 1981. She received her Masters of

Education in administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1986 and is also certified as a principal and superintendent in Oklahoma.

Mrs. Tinney has a diverse background in education. She has taught in both elementary and secondary levels, in rural and urban areas, and in special education as well as in regular education. In addition to being a classroom teacher, she also drove a school bus and served as school sponsor for numerous school clubs and groups. Mrs. Tinney was selected by students to receive several “Teacher of the Month” awards.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Tinney was appointed by Governor Keating to serve on the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee, where she served from 1996 to 1998. In 2002, she was honored with the prestigious National Freedom Fighter Award from Concerned Educators Against Forced Unionism (CEAFU), the education arm of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation in Washington, D.C. Then, in 2009, Mrs. Tinney was awarded the National Right to Work Carol Applegate Education Award.

In 2005, Mrs. Tinney co-wrote the Collaborative Communication Model as a replacement to antiquated collective bargaining methods. The model has since been implemented in several schools with great success. Collaborative Communications brings openness and accountability to the negotiating process and creates a forum for teachers, administrators and school board members to work together to better serve students.

Sarah E. Hartsfield, NRTW Staff Attorney

Sarah earned her law degree at Regent University, where she was a student of Bruce Cameron, in 2011, and then joined the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation as a Staff Attorney.  She graduated from the University of Texas, and interned with the Singer Legal Group in Virginia Beach before coming to Right to Work.  She currently spearheads the Charter School Employees Workplace Rights Project.  She will be giving a review of the Project today, and will be in the studio along with Nathan McGrath to answer any questions you may have on the legal presentations today.

John C. Bowman, Professional Educators of Tennessee

John C. “J C” Bowman is the Executive Director & CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a member-owned, member-governed professional association for educators. As a professional association, PET believes it takes everyone working together to improve Tennessee public schools. This collaborative philosophy is evident in PET’s legislative program, professional development and a diverse membership that includes all types of public school employees.

A former public school teacher, Dr. Bowman has an extensive background developing legislative priorities, evaluating existing education policies, and coordinating political activities with policymakers and lawmakers.  He formerly served as Director of the Center for Education Innovation at Florida State University and as Director of the Florida Department of Education Choice Office, and under Florida Governor Jeb Bush. In 2003, Dr. Bowman received the SMART Award from the National Institute for Educational Options, Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University for his educational efforts in Florida.

In addition he has also served as Director of Education Policy for the Tennessee Institute for Public Policy, and President of Children First Tennessee.

A popular speaker, Dr. Bowman has appeared on radio and television shows, and been featured at events on the local, state and national level. In addition to authoring numerous academic studies and articles for various organizations and publications, he serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of School Choice, published by Haworth Press.

J. C. Bowman is a Marine Corps veteran, meritoriously promoted twice in the line of duty. His academic background includes attending Lee University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education (Social Sciences, emphasis in History) and Trevecca Nazarene University where he attained his Master of Education (Administration and Supervision). He has also completed further coursework in Special Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee at Martin. His doctoral degree is from Emanuel Baptist University.

Bruce N. Cameron, NRTW Staff Attorney

Bruce N. Cameron has served as the Reed Larson Professor of Labor Law at Regent University School of Law since 2007 and has been a Staff Attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation since 1976.  He received his JD from Emory University and BA in Administration Business Administration/Political Science, with honors, from Andrews University.

He has published many writings on religious objectors and union dues, including a guide for religious objectors and religious accommodations, “Am Employee’s Guide to Union Dues and Religious Do Nots,” monograph published by the Foundation.  Other publications include “Labor Unions and Rights of Conscience,” Liberty, May-June 1981; and “Caution: Agency Fee Payers Can Be Harmful to Your Financial Health,” Illinois Public Employee Relations Report, Summer 1987.

Bruce handled the Dewey Esquinance case, which changed the scene for teachers in Tennessee, a Right to Work state, by limiting teacher union officials’ exclusive representation rights.

Milton L. Chappell, NRTW Staff Attorney

Milton L. Chappell has served as a Staff Attorney with the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation since 1976.  He obtained his law degree at Catholic University, and Columbia Union College, earning a B.A. in Sociology/Political Science, summa cum laude.

He has published numerous articles on teachers’ rights, including, “Protecting the Rights of State Employees Against Compulsory Unionism”; “Legislative and Practical Alternatives to the Current Monopoly Bargaining Model That Will Enhance the Viability of Independent Teacher Groups;” and “From Abood to Tierney: The Protection of Nonunion Employees in an Agency Shop: You’ve Come a Long Way”.

Among the teacher cases he has defended are Davenport v. Washington Education Association, 551 U.S. 177 (2007); Otto v. Pennsylvania State Education Ass’n, 330 F.3d 125 (3d Cir. 2003);  Swanson v. University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, 269 F. Supp. 2d 1252 (D. Hawaii 2003); Leer v. Washington Education Ass’n., 172 F.R.D. 439 (W.D. Wash. 1997); George v. Baltimore City Public Schools, 117 F.R.D. 368 (D. Md. 1987); Albro v. Indianapolis Educ. Ass’n, 585 N.E.2d 666 (Ind.App.), aff’d sum nom., Fort Wayne Educ. Ass’n v. Aldrich, 594 N.E.2d 781 (Ind. 1992);

Greg W. Mourad, National Right to Work Committee

Greg Mourad has worked for the National Right to Work Committee for 16 years, and currently serves as its Vice President for Legislation. He is responsible for directing the Committee’s efforts to advance the cause of employee freedom in Congress and in the 50 states.

Greg has testified before committee hearings in numerous state legislatures around the country, has appeared on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, Breitbart.tv, and on numerous national and local radio shows.  He is regularly quoted in print publications such as the New York Times, Washington Examiner and Detroit Free Press.

He has also lectured at a variety of seminars and conferences, regarding both legislative policy and legislative strategy.

Before joining the Right to Work Committee, Mourad served as staff on the political campaigns of several conservative candidates seeking office in Congress and the Virginia General Assembly.  He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1993.