Region I Vice President: Stephen Siegel
Stephen has been a school counselor, general education teacher and special education teacher for 25 years. He has worked in 3 states, and at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Currently, Stephen is a special education teacher at Reynolds High School. He became involved in union work because he believes in the potential power of a labor movement to transform the world into a more just and equitable place.
Region II Vice President: Juliet Safier
Juliet has been a proud high school English teacher for over 20 years, and has taught in three states: California, Arizona, and Oregon. She also has a proud history of union membership and leadership. When Juliet is not teaching or representing the union, you can find her reading a book, baking tasty treats, or watching baseball.
Region III Vice President: Beth Yarbrough
Beth started her OEA journey in 2000 as a high school science teacher. After 20 years teaching, she moved into an instructional coach position at her local ESD. Beth is passionate about supporting new members in their roles and the union.
NEA Director: Chris Early
Chris Early is a social sciences teacher at Umatilla High School in Umatilla, Oregon. He has been serving as an NEA Director for Oregon since 2021, and has served in several leadership positions in the Umatilla Education Association and the Columbia River UniServ Council. Chris am passionate about equitible, fair, and just treatment of all OEA members and the students they serve.
NEA Director: Adolfo Garza-Cano
Adolfo Garza-Cano is a seasoned, bilingual, K-2 Educator from Portland Public Schools. He is passionate about uplifting and advocating for the historically marginalized, and underrepresented voices of our students, educators, and families. Adolfo is proud to be a Union member and to be a part of a larger movement that continues to Organize, Educate, and Advocate for public education in the name of equity, and social, and racial justice, and human rights at the Local, State, and National level.
NEA Director: Brinda Narayan-Wold
Brinda Narayan-Wold is member of Eugene Education Association’s Executive Committee, served on the Bargaining Team and has been an OEA-PAC Convention Delegate. She has also been an OEA Board Member since 2021. Brinda has provided testimony to our State Legislature and has worked with state legislators, thanks to Legislative Breakfasts hosted by EEA.
Brinda serves on EEA’s Candidate Interview Committee, endorsing candidates running for office and has served as a delegate to several OEA Representative Assemblies. She is also a trained mediator through OEA’s Mediation Program. These experiences shape her to be an effective two-way communicator with multiple stakeholders.
Racial Equity Director: Monica Weathersby
Monica Weathersby is a proud mother of four, and is an elementary teacher. Concurrently, in her local union, she chaired membership, oversaw the sick bank, and was a union building representative. Monica enjoys helping members in our union lift each other up, so that we and our families can have a better future!
Community College Director: Becky Torres
Becky Torres has been involved in higher education for more than 32 years and has a passion for helping students succeed with their goals in furthering their education. Becky is proud to have been a student, a graduate, and now an employee of the school where it she began her higher education journey, and to now share her knowledge with future students and graduates.
ESP Director: TJ Lunger
TJ Lunger is an Educational Support Professional with Greater Albany Public Schools, and a proud member of Greater Albany ACE. His career as a behavioral support professional was inspired by his desire to pay forward the grace and understanding he was shown as a student in our public schools. Today, he loves connecting with children, both in and around his program, in order to help provide understanding and tools that they need on a social and emotional level.
As a union member, TJ is inspired to help working class people recognize the power they have when they come together to create change. "We've had our backs broken for far too long. Our union is the place to make change. Your voice matters - please come and speak your truth. You will be welcomed, heard, and quickly put to work," he says.
