Dan LinerWith 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.