Sue Conway and Dana Ragle
While one of our priorities is to visit each site during this school year, we know there are many of you who do not know us. Our involvement in BTA has been more of a behind the scenes role; therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to you.
Sue Conway: I’m an eighth grade Social Science teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School. It’s hard to believe that this is my 19th year of teaching! Luther has been a wonderful place to work and to hone my teaching skills. At Luther, I have been Faculty Chair, the BTA Faculty Representative, and Social Science Chair. I have also been involved in BTSA as a support provider. I feel so fortunate to work in a school where I have outstanding and supportive colleagues and great friends. I’m sure all of you feel the same way about your school.
I have been involved in BTA for many years. I started as a Faculty Representative and progressed to the Middle School Representative. This experience allowed me to participate on BTA’s Executive Board and to get to know the dedicated and amazing people who make up the leadership of our Association. Their example helped to inspire me to move on to the challenge of the co-presidency. My involvement in BTA has shown me the power of unity and the importance of advocating for the respect teachers deserve.
Dana Ragle: I am a third grade teacher at Miller Elementary where my husband, Jason, teaches fourth grade and my daughter, Marleigh, has just begun kindergarten. I am in my eleventh year of teaching after spending the beginning of my career in San Diego City Schools. Miller has become a second home for me and during my time there I have come to realize how lucky I am to work with such a talented and dedicated group of colleagues who inspire my teaching each day.
My involvement in BTA has included the roles of Faculty Representative, Elementary Director, BTA/PTA Liaison and most recently Vice President. I have enjoyed all of my past positions as they have allowed me to get to branch out and get to know teachers across the district while advocating on their behalf.
We look forward to beginning our co-presidency by following the example of strong leadership set by our previous co-presidents while at the same time creating new goals for the coming year. As mentioned, we will be visiting sites and finding out what issues you are passionate about. Finally, we are empowered in knowing we can rely on you, our fellow members, for support as we begin the negotiations process. Together we have created an Association that promotes strong schools, strong students, and a strong community.