With 39 years of classroom experience behind him, Dan Liner, the new president of the Hamilton County Education Association, eagerly looks ahead to his new role at the helm of the local teacher's union.
"Quality education is obtainable," Liner said. "It is very important to find common ground among all stakeholders."
Liner is replacing Sandy Hughes as president of HCEA, and his first official day was July 1. Just weeks ago, Liner finished packing up his classroom at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences and he said he will miss teaching "Romeo and Juliet" and the occasional journalism class. But he is eager to affect public education and provide what he calls a more secure role for teachers within the system.
The union has been advocating for teachers in Hamilton County for nearly 70 years. Liner said he plans to continue that tradition and hopes to grant teachers an even louder voice within the school system. He said he has plans to increase the union's membership, which has been dwindling for years, and wants to continue to support all teachers within the public school system - particularly the union members.
Last year's school board decision to boot some teachers' spouses off of the school system's health care plan was not the right way to save money, Liner said. He also thinks it is unfair the decision was made in 2014 for teachers to work without contracts and with just a handshake.
When Liner describes his role as the local union head, he said it is not too different than the school board's or school system Superintendent Rick Smith's roles.
"We all have the same vision and want the best education for our children," Liner said. "Just different perspectives."
Smith did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
The relationship between the teachers union and the school system has not always been harmonious. Just last year the union attempted to sue the Hamilton County Board of Education over a letter sent from Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Stacy Stewart to the HCEA. In the letter Stewart notified the union it was violating a provision of the Education Professional Negotiations Act by encouraging school administrators to maintain their membership with the union.
HCEA interpreted the law differently, saying that administrators could have membership. Ultimately, Judge Curtis Collier ruled summary judgment in favor of the school board.
School board member Steve Highlander said he hopes that HCEA, the school board and the superintendent can cooperate with each other. Highlander, a teacher for many years, said he understands teacher's concerns.
"My desire is that we can all work well together," Highlander said.
Theresa Turner, UniServ coordinator for the Tennessee Education Association, said she looks forward to working with Liner "to re-establish a more public and impactful HCEA."
She said Liner's quiet, strong persona will make him a good leader of the union for the next two years.
"He is a conscientious and tireless advocate for those who work on the front lines of delivering a quality public education product daily," Turner said.
Contact Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.