Members of the Washington Education Association elected former Mercer Island High School teacher Mary Lindquist to a two-year term as president last week. Lindquist is currently president of the Mercer Island Education Association (MIEA) and the WEA Sammamish Council. She officially begins as WEA president at their headquarters in Federal Way on July 1.

Back on the Island, MIHS social studies teacher Mike Radow will take on Lindquist’s responsibilities as president of the MIEA. Radow officially begins on July 5, after the close of the National Education Association’s convention in Philadelphia. However, he has already become well acquainted with the job.

“As Mary Lindquist has been taking on her new tasks as WEA president, I have been assuming more and more duties of the president this spring,” he said.

One of Radow’s main aims as president is to re-energize and strengthen the MIEA by encouraging broad member participation in all local and state-wide activities, Radow said, adding that he hoped to “provide contract maintenance services for teachers, counselors, librarians, bus drivers, secretaries, paraprofessionals, and other educators who need assistance.”

“MIEA representatives sit on many district committees to provide input in decision making,” the social studies teacher pointed out. “As the new president, I am committed to listening to all voices with an open mind and encouraging kind and courageous communication.”

With their vote of confidence earlier this month, WEA members are entrusting Lindquist to oversee significant changes within the school system, namely to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning test, which the association has criticized for its influence in making “high-stakes decisions” about students and schools. Lindquist backs their concern.

“We should not support any single high-stakes test, not for fourth graders, not for seventh graders and certainly not to determine who graduates from our high schools,” Lindquist said. “As WEA president, I also will ensure our organization always fights for adequate lifelong compensation for all educators.”

The Seattle resident also pledged to continue the WEA’s aim to improve school funding.