United Voices Past Issues

In our summer 2025 issue of United Voices, we’re looking back at the results from the latest session of the North Dakota Legislature and this year’s ND United Delegate Assembly. Additionally, we have in-depth feature stories about two of our amazing, award-winning members: Joan Hall of Bismarck, the 2025-26 Education Support Professional of the Year, and Erika Feole of Grand Forks, the 2024 Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. Also check out a member-written article on why Title I funding matters for ND students.

This spring issue of United Voices, we’re focusing the many things happening at the state Capitol that affect our members. Including but not limited to voucher schemes, tenure, K-12 funding, property tax reform, and more. Our cover story explores these bill. We also introduce three ESP of the Year candidates, and discuss the ongoing work of our Special Education Collective.

Like the educators and public servants we represent, those of us at North Dakota United often get so busy that we do not take the opportunity to fully appreciate what we have accomplished over the course of this past year. In this Year in Review issue, we want to highlight the important work we have done on behalf of our members.

For our fall issue of United Voices, we’re discussing the catastrophic effects measure 4 would have on public schools and public services across North Dakota. Measure 4 will be voted on in the election this November - we're urging our members to VOTE NO. Our cover story explores what property taxes fund, and why the future of North Dakota depends on that revenue. We also introduce the four Teacher of the Year candidates, what's next it the fight against voucher schemes, and how to make the most of your NDU membership.

For our summer issue of United Voices, we’re spotlighting our finalists for the 2025 North Dakota United Education Support Professional of the Year award. Our cover story features this year’s winner, Laurie Mahrer, a speech language pathology assistant in Mandan, and her fellow finalists: Dustin Brunner, a paraprofessional from Devils Lake, and Julie Eiler, lead paraeducator in Fargo. Also, we have a Q&A with Rebecca Fricke, executive director for NDPERS, and much more.

Inside our spring issue of 2024, our cover story focuses on the upcoming Delegate Assembly. In addition, we have stories on the ongoing issue of educator retention and recruitment.

Bismarck physical education instructor Sheila Peterson named 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. "She makes people feel important. She acknowledges them and finds any way she can to make them feel seen, heard, valued and validated." Hear from Sheila Peterson in this issue of United Voices.

Ten years ago, North Dakotans from communities all across the state, representing the wishes of thousands of their fellow union members, workers in public education and public service, had a choice to make. A big one, at that. Read about this historic milestone in our union's history in this issue of United Voices.

In our summer 2023 issue of United Voices, we feature the story of Risha Allen, a music teacher in Minot who has amassed a gigantic following of more than 200,000 on TikTok due to her inspiring songs she writes with her students. We also have a complete wrap-up on the 2023 session of the North Dakota Legislature, as well as the 2023 North Dakota United Delegate Assembly, a full list of upcoming professional development courses offered by ND United, and so much more.

Inside our spring issue of 2023, our cover story spotlight shines on Bruce Schonberger, a custodian at Central Campus High School in Minot and the ND Education Support Professional of the Year. In addition, we have stories on the ongoing session of the ND Legislature, a Member Voices column by Bismarck teacher Heather Hintz, profile of NDPERS board member Jason Grueneich, and more.