Leader of powerful union comes straight out of the classroom
ARLINGTON — For the first time in his career, Larry Delaney won’t be in a classroom when students arrive for the new school year.
After 26 years of teaching social studies and math at Lakewood High School, Delaney is taking on a slightly different role in education this fall.
He’s the new president of the Washington Education Association, the politically muscular statewide union of public school teachers. It’s a job in which he’ll be relied on to communicate the hopes, aspirations and demands of tens of thousands of classroom instructors to school board members, lawmakers and the governor.
Delaney, an Arlington resident who turns 51 this month, said coming right out of the classroom gives him a “unique connection” to members.
“I get the issues. I can articulate the issues,” he said. “I can give voice to the classroom teacher.”
Since assuming office, he’s been out every day talking with members, sitting down with allies in the labor movement and meeting lawmakers. He’s also visited with striking teachers in Kennewick.
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