United Voices Past Issues

The Fall 2026 issue of United Voices celebrates the members who strengthen North Dakota’s public schools and public services — from 2027 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Brian Schneider and his fellow NDU finalists to award-winning history teacher Landen Schmeichel and attorney Mike Geiermann, retiring after nearly 40 years of advocating for members. This issue also examines rising school employee health insurance costs, recognizes recipients of $85,000 in NDU Foundation scholarships and grants, and highlights the workplace support, professional learning opportunities and benefits available through membership. Universal school meals advocacy, summer leadership training and new Foundation license plates offer more ways to get involved and invest in North Dakota’s future.

The Summer 2026 issue of United Voices celebrates the members who strengthen North Dakota’s public schools and public services every day — from honoring 2027 Education Support Professional of the Year Dawn Ressler and recognizing 35 County Teachers of the Year to recapping the 2026 Delegate Assembly. This issue also highlights advocacy in action through a teacher-led legislative classroom visit, the campaign to bring universal school meals to North Dakota voters, new public school awareness ads, professional learning opportunities for members, and stories showcasing the leadership, service and impact of educators and public employees across the state.

The Spring 2026 issue of United Voices highlights the people, policies and purpose driving North Dakota United’s work across the state — from honoring three finalists for ESP of the Year to advancing the push for universal school meals and preparing members for advocacy in the year ahead. This issue also features a powerful member spotlight on courage and community, flexible professional learning through Podcast PD, and a preview of the 2026 Delegate Assembly, where members will come together to learn, connect and shape the future of public education and public services in our state.

The 2025 Year in Review special edition of United Voices captures a year defined by strength, solidarity and tangible wins for North Dakota United members — from defeating repeated voucher schemes and advancing key legislation to expanding professional development, celebrating outstanding educators, and deepening member engagement across the state. Through detailed reports, member stories and clear accountability, this Year in Review issue reflects how collective action continues to protect public education, support public employees and strengthen communities statewide.

Welcome back to a new school year! In our fall 2025 issue of United Voices, we have compiled a list of resources and opportunities for North Dakota United members to maximize their membership and become the best you can be. Also, we have in-depth feature stories on North Dakotans for Public Schools, NDU member Ashley Gaschk's recent election as president of ND AFL-CIO, a full list of scholarship and grant recipients from the NDU Foundation, and so much more.

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.