ROSEMONT – Delegates at the Illinois Education Association (IEA) 169th Representative Assembly have elected a high school teacher from Dolton as the next president of the organization.
Al Llorens, who is serving his second term as IEA vice president, won the election. Llorens brings decades of public education experience to this leadership position. He’s taught fourth grade phonics and middle school reading in Champaign schools, served as a math and science teacher in Kankakee, worked as a sixth and seventh grade math teacher in Chicago and most recently served as the high school math and head girls’ track and cross-country coach at Thornridge High School.
“I am deeply honored to be chosen to lead the state’s largest public education union. At a time when the attacks against public education are growing louder and more intense, I am looking forward to working together with our 135,000 members and our communities to make sure all our students get an honest, equitable, high-quality public education,” Llorens said.
Llorens will succeed IEA President Kathi Griffin, who is retiring this summer after completing her second term as president.
Delegates also elected a new vice president and secretary treasurer.
Karl Goeke, a high school teacher from Bloomington, was elected to his first term as IEA vice president. He is currently serving as a National Education Association (NEA) Director.
Gina Harris was elected IEA secretary/treasurer. Harris is a culture and climate coach for several elementary schools in Oak Park School District 97, and she is also currently serving her second term as an NEA director.
The three-year terms of the new officers will begin following the conclusion of the NEA Representative Assembly and Annual Meeting, to be held in Orlando in July.
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At 135,000 members strong, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) is the largest union in Illinois. The IEA represents PreK-12 teachers outside the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty and support staff, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
