BEA Vice President

Let me explain…

When I was younger, the only thing I knew about unions came from my dad. For many years, he attended meetings as the long-time secretary of the local chapter (Marrero, LA) of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Although I didn’t truly understand at the time, my dad was able to provide for our middle-class family back then because of the collective power of their union.

Fast forward to 2001. When I was a student teacher at Aloha High School, my mentor teacher, Katja Freeborn, also happened to be a BEA building rep. Not only did I receive tremendous mentorship about being a classroom teacher, but I also got to see firsthand the interworkings of union work as it related to a profession in education. She encouraged me to join the union as a student educator and also recommended me to the SPARKS program that BEA used to have to ignite interest in the union. From that moment, I knew that this was going to be a part of my identity as an educator, but I had no idea how that was going to play out over the course of my career.

When I landed my first probationary job at Beaverton High School in 2003, I was immediately approached by the current building rep, Ben Wichser, about helping out as a rep. Apparently, a “little birdie” told him about my recent exposure to BEA. I accepted, and after Ben stepped away from being the lead rep the following year, I stepped into the role. Over the next 17 years as a building rep, I came to appreciate the role. Supporting my colleagues, being an advocate for their needs, problem-solving dilemmas both big and small, and generally having discussions with them as well as the administration over the years, have helped shape my activism over the years.

BEA has always believed in me. I was asked numerous times about joining committees, bargaining teams, and the executive board earlier in my career. I joined what I was able to do, but as a father raising two sons along with my wife, I had to be strategic about balancing family time with being a teacher and union advocate. In the meantime, I canvassed for school district levies, bonds, and BEA-supported school board candidates. I took several trips to rally down at the Capitol in Salem for adequate school funding, and like many of my union siblings, I marched down to the Portland Waterfront on May 8, 2019, to help rally support around the Student Success Act.

Coming out of Covid, I was asked to put my name in to run for an executive board position. I figured the time was finally right. My boys were now teenagers, and they had grown independently. It was late in the election process, but I was able to be elected as a write-in candidate. From 2021-2025, I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed being a part of the BEA executive board. The feeling that I got as an advocate for BHS was expanded due to my role as a liaison for additional buildings. Being able to help problem-solve issues and hearing from reps in different worksites was both challenging and extremely rewarding. Honestly, I thought being on the executive board would be the apex of my union work.

Last year, BEA lifted me up yet again. With the prospect of vacant officer seats due to Lindsay Ray’s potential election to OEA Vice President, several members whom I have tremendous respect for encouraged me to put my name in for a possible appointment. My kids were soon both off to college, so I gave the idea a great deal of thought. I would soon be an empy-nester after all. After Ray’s election, things happened quickly. I left my fate to others. If people wanted to see me step into the role of VP, they would have to nominate me, which is what happened. I accepted and allowed the process to play out according to our bylaws. My name was moved forward by the executive board and brought to the May representative assembly for approval. Needless to say, things got a little weird. Our members were confused, and some were very upset with the appointment process. There were transparency concerns and the desire for a more democratic process (like a special election), which didn’t exist in our bylaws as written. I totally understood where they were coming from, which is why I didn’t take it personally. My appointment did not have the necessary votes (2/3) of the reps, so we were back to the drawing board. Several weeks later, a special assembly was called on the last day of school to again fill the position. Despite disappointment in the process, my name was moved again by the executive board. This time, after rigorous discussion and debate, the rep assembly ratified my appointment to the vice presidency.

Being out of the classroom for the first time in 25 years was quite an adjustment. I missed my colleagues right away, and not that long after, I missed the students. A pretty steep learning curve awaited. Being VP of BEA is a very unique position. It feels like you are a sort of a TOSA, but your position is a little HR, part Teaching and Learning, building rep on steroids, a moderator, facilitator, organizer, politician, and figurehead. You are supporting the president and their vision for our union, while maintaining and monitoring the infrastructure of the organization of 3,000 members. You spend most of your time with… adults! It took me a few months to get into a routine. I try to visit schools as much as possible, with the hopes of at least 1 or 2 per week, and I finally got my Outlook calendar dialed in so I can keep track of the various meetings that I need to attend. My day is certainly no longer dictated by a bell schedule. Currently, I feel like I’m just starting to get the hang of things, which is why I want to run for the position of BEA vice president. I’d love the opportunity to continue to learn and build on what I have been working on this year. It was an honor to be appointed to the vacant vice presidency this year, but I would be extremely humbled to be elected by our general membership this February. Therefore, I am humbly asking for your support. Together, we can move our union forward to meet the needs of our students, our members, and our community in these most uncertain times.

LET’S FREAKING GEAUX!

Troy, January 2026

Vision for BEA

  • Support the BEA President in decision-making by sometimes offering support, an alternative perspective, and acting as an emissary/surrogate when needed.
  • Being a responsible steward of member dues.
  • Train, support, and guide the infrastructure of the executive board, building reps, and various committees.
  • Answer the call for more transparency within our union at all levels.
  • Meeting members where they are when it comes to union involvement and participation.
    • Recognizing comfort levels while gently nudging calls to action.
    • Helping our members seek a comfortable balance in their lives.
    • Providing avenues for members to pursue interests.
  • Create a culture of union presence in all BSD worksites because we can.
    • Elected BEA officers and executive board members will be seen in worksites as much as possible.
    • Building reps, as well as general membership, should invite leadership into their buildings to commissariate, celebrate, and agitate when needed.
  • Continue to support and advocate for the Greater Beaverton community and its various organizations through our presence, volunteerism, and charitable contributions.
  • Establish and maintain an organizing structure within our organization so that we can mobilize at a moment’s notice.

Qualifications

Education

  • B.A. English:  The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1997)
  • M.A.T.:  George Fox University (2001)

Work Experience (Oregon)

Vermont Hills Family Life Center-Teacher Assistant (Toddler Room) and after-school elementary site coordinator (1998-2001)

Beaverton School District (2001-present)

  • SD Long-Term Substitute:  Aloha HS (April-June 2001)
  • ELA Teacher:  Aloha HS (2001-2002)
  • ELA Teacher:  Beaverton HS (2002-2025)

Union Experience

  • BEA member since 2001 as a student teacher at Aloha HS
  • BEA building rep at Beaverton HS (2003-2021);  awarded rep of the year (2018)
  • member of PD Advisory Committee since its inception (2015)
  • BEARSJ (2019-2020)
  • BPAC (2023-present)
  • BEA Executive Board (2021-2025)
  • BEA Vice President (appointed June 2025)
  • OEA RA delegate (2019-2025)
  • OEA PAC convention (2020-2025)
  • NEA Leadership Summit (2018)
  • NEA RA delegate (2020-2025)
  • NCUEA conference (2023,2025)
  • BEA Vice President (appointed June 2015)