Billie Helean

From Rio Rancho to Houston: Mapping the Future of Our Schools Greetings from Houston! This weekend (March 6–7), I am joining fellow AFT Regional Leaders to discuss the national landscape of public education. It is a powerful experience to stand in solidarity …

From Rio Rancho to Houston: I joined AFT regional leaders this weekend to talk national strategy, but the real work is happening back home. Read how we’re bridging the gap between federal budgets and our local schools. ⬇️

#UnionStrong #AFT #RRSEU #FundOurFuture #ProtectOurSchools

New Beginnings: From Owl Pellets to New Leadership Great-Horned Owl nesting at Stapleton Elementary There is a specific kind of magic that happens at Stapleton Elementary when the notorious New Mexico wind starts to carry a blustery hint of spring.…

Spring is in the air at my school! 🌸 From owls nesting on campus to 1st graders studying habitats, it’s a season of growth. I’m also looking forward to a new chapter for our district with incoming Superintendent Dr. Dodd.
#1stGrade #NMedu #NatureInClass #NewBeginnings

In Rio Rancho, NM, @rrseu.bsky.social members are expanding what high school can be through a new career and technical education campus—giving students hands-on learning, industry certifications & pathways to good jobs or college.

🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9AW...

#PublicSchoolProud #CTEworks

Anybody pretending the affordability crisis isn't real — from the president on down — does not know how to walk in the shoes of regular Americans. aft.org/affordability #TrumpAffordabilityChaos

Together, we are America Americans want us to treat each other with dignity, not inhumanity.

Americans want us to treat each other with dignity, not inhumanity. It may feel like dystopian scenes are inescapable these days, but what I see—from kids buzzing about books to a Super Bowl performance celebrating love and diversity—gives me hope. Read my newest column ⤵️
www.aft.org/column/toget...

You're welcome! 🤗

Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy Public Education and the Future of Democracy

Linked on AFT's website: bookshop.org/p/books/why-...

Enjoy! 😊

Of, By, and For the People: A Demand for Humanity The start of a new semester usually brings a sense of renewal to Rio Rancho, but this January, that renewal is overshadowed by a deep sense of grief and a profound disappointment in our federal lea…

Bridging the start of a new semester with the weight of what's happening globally.

We’re shaping a new direction for our schools, but it’s hard to focus on 'renewal' when our federal government fails its most basic duty to the people.

#EduSky #UnionStrong #NewMexico #HumanRights

Precisely. We teach our students about the Bill of Rights; it's about time everyone remembers those rights apply to the people at the front of the classroom, too. 🖇️🙌

#TeacherRights #UnionLoud #AFT

New leadership, new energy! 🍎

My perspective on the appointment of Dr. Robby Dodd as our new superintendent. Optimistic! 🤝✨ Read the full piece in the Rio Rancho Observer here:

www.rrobserver.com/opinion/unio...)

#RioRancho #NMedu #UnionStrong #PublicEducation #RRPS #NewLeadership #TeacherVoice

Good job, Randi! I started back to the gym this last summer and I'm still going 3x per week at 4am before work. (Except for this week - sick as a dog! 😷) Keep going! Proud of you! 👏🏼

The Mid-Year Reset: Finding Balance and Joy on Winter Break Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com The final bell of December is a sound every teacher holds dear. As a 1st grade teacher, that bell doesn’t just signal the end of a semester; it signals t…

Puzzles, birding, and prepping for a big 2026. Here's how this 1st grade teacher & Union President is spending her winter break... and why I’m optimistic about the months ahead. 📖✨

Full post here: bhelean.wordpress.com/2025/12/28/t...

#TeachersOfBlueSky #EdSky #UnionPresident #NewYearReset

🫶🏼

@aft.org President @rweingarten.bsky.social's new column lifts up all of the helpers in our communities. It's the helpers who give us hope to reclaim the promise of America and build a better future for all. Read it here ⤵️
www.aft.org/column/grati...

Economy & Education: U.S. trade rep. Greer and teacher's union head Weingarten | The Conversation

Democrats are comfortable fighting Trump, but to change the country we need to do more than critique; Americans want solutions & there’s lots of room to work on economic pathways to success and creating opportunity for all. Thanks @DashaBurns for the conversation. www.politico.com/video/2025/1...

🍎 More Than a Thank You Note: Finding Gratitude in the Crisis of Modern Education We must keep our optimism for education in spite of the challenges we currently face. Thanksgiving approaches, and across the internet, there’s a lovely chorus of gratitude directed toward ed…

It’s tough to be a thankful teacher when budgets are slashed and the federal DOE is under fire. Find out why my gratitude still burns bright, fueled by NM investment, my union, and my students. #ThankfulTeacher #NMEd #UnionStrong #EducationCrisis

I'm planning on attending this important town hall. The next leadership team for New Mexico must have the climate crisis at (or at least VERY NEAR) the top of their agenda.
#NMPolitics
#NMClimate
#ClimateChange

‘Chaos and fear’: Mass. officials raise alarms over Trump’s move to dismantle US Dept. of Education "Our students and educators need a supportive federal education agency," one top Healey administration official said Wednesday.

“We know the damage is already being felt in our schools, with our most vulnerable students suffering the most.” AFT-MA president Jessica Tang -The harm isn't theoretical. It's happening NOW. That's why we're suing. That's why we're fighting.” #TrumpCrushesYourDreams www.masslive.com/politics/202...

New Mexico Legislature approves bill to backfill food assistance if federal SNAP aid falters New Mexico has enacted legislation to support food assistance with state funding each week if SNAP federal food aid falters. A bill was signed into law Monday.

I am *so* proud to live in a state where the priority is taking care of vulnerable people, and not lining the pockets of already-billionaires.

I 💛 Nuevo Mexico!

#NewMexicoProud
#FundSNAP
#SNAP
#HoldTheLine

The Unknown Person Inside: Why Public Education is Our Hope for the Future There is a beautiful, profound truth captured in the simple idea from Janusz Korczak that children “should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be—the unknown person inside each…

Public Education is our hope for the future, and should be funded as if it is so.
#FullyFundPublicEducation
#ProtectOurKids
#Education

Bought tickets for Paul McCartney's #GotBackTour from @ticketmaster.com WITH INSURANCE. My Mom passed 6/25 in CA & circumstances required an investigation. Delayed our ability to have a service until 9/4, and we traveled. Show was 9/7. NOT COVERED. THE DEATH WAS NOT PROPERLY TIMED. NO REFUND. #LIVID

Mike Nellis (@mikenellis) This is the best messaging I’ve seen from any Democrats on the shutdown. Kudos to AOC, Bernie, and their teams for putting this out there.

Talking about the stakes -why Dems said no. Its all about healthcare. substack.com/@mikenellis/...

Good morning from San Pablo Reservoir. 🌞

Trump & Republicans have control of the White House & Congress, but still can't pass a budget & refuse to negotiate.

Our paychecks, healthcare, & schools are NOT bargaining chips. Congress needs to stop the games & do their jobs.

Tell your rep: REJECT the #TrumpShutdown.

There is way too much stress-inducing stuff. We all need to take time for ourselves, to regroup and recharge. If we don't, we'll all go crazy, and then what good are we? This weekend we took some time for ourselves and rode the Durango-Silverton train. 5/5 ✨, highly rec!
#recharge
#USAstress
#FDT

Republicans plan on cutting healthcare for Americans and laying off more government workers. If Dems were in  power, they would not do that. They are not in power, but I am grateful they are fighting this every way they can. #ThisIsTrumpsShutdown

One of my favorite quotes so far, from @rweingarten.bsky.social in her book, #WhyFascistsFearTeachers

Shutdown Tracker: Trump Calls Democrats ‘Crazy’—Says He Won’t Compromise Trump has repeatedly targeted Democrats over gender-reassignment surgeries—without explaining what he means—in blaming them for a possible government shutdown.

Trump, despite having a Republican trifecta in DC, is refusing to meet with Democrats. It shows his reckless disregard for the pain a shutdown will cause to American families. #TrumpsGovernmentShutdown www.forbes.com/sites/sarado...

Definitely well-deserved! Not even done with it yet, and it's one of my favorite books! Thank you for everything you do. 💙

Why Fascists Fear Teachers Teachers are under siege not for anything they do wrong, but for what they do right.

I agree with @AFT.org President @rweingarten.bsky.social. "We must recommit as a nation to the right to express ourselves nonviolently without fear and to resolving disagreements peacefully and civilly.” www.aft.org/column/why-f...