It's good to have friends in high places. This year, MEA-MFT has a dozen members serving in the state legislature.

Some are state and county employees, some are teachers, education support professionals, or retirees. Some are Republicans, some Democrats. Some are representatives, some senators.

They hail from all across Montana. All are dedicated folks who have given up four months of their lives to represent Montanans in the state legislature. Meet our dynamic dozen in the dome:

SENATOR SAM KITZENBERG, Glasgow (Serving his fourth term as a state senator. Previously served as a representative.)

Occupation: Retired high school English teacher.

My hopes for the session: Optional full-time kindergarten. More funding for the university system resulting in lower tuition for students. Satisfy the school lawsuit problem.

Why this job matters: A legislator is able to make a difference in a lot of cases and uplift a lot of values. One of the keys to longevity is education, and I can further education here at the legislature.

What I value most about MEA-MFT: The people who work hard at the legislature and who stand up for education and kids. They stand up for teachers, kids, full-time kindergarten, and funding for the university system. They stand up for things that are close to my heart.

A person I'd like to meet: My hero, Joe DiMaggio.

Best book I've read lately: I am currently reading Lincoln.

Best movie: "The Pursuit of Happyness." I recommend everyone see it.

Words that describe me: Religious, compassionate, kind.

REP. JOHN PARKER, GREAT FALLS (second term)
Occupation: Deputy county attorney, prosecuting felony cases.

Hopes for this session: To help create even better opportunities for Montana's students and teachers. We must continue to build a world-class education system.

Why this job matters: If we do not elect intelligent, skillful, passionate, creative, tenacious leaders, all Montanans will suffer.

What I value about MEA-MFT: Opening doors of opportunity for Montana's kids. Recognizing the value of our work on behalf of the public.

Person I'd like to meet: Thomas Jefferson. He could offer great insight to the House Democrats.

Pastimes: Reading, cooking, hiking.

Best book I've read recently: The Motherhood Manifesto.

REP. ROBYN DRISCOLL, BILLINGS (second term)
Occupation: Community Education Coordinator for Billings Public Schools.

Hopes for the session: I hope both parties can see their way to passing good policy for Montanans and not use politics to guide their votes.

Why this job matters: It gives people a voice at the state level. It's important to have people who are employed in the education field in the legislature to vote on school issues.

What I value about MEA-MFT: Unity and being able to share ideas with others and serve on school district committees that make decisions that will affect all employees.

A person I'd like to meet: Nancy Pelosi.

Pastimes: Reading, cooking, gardening.

Best book I've read lately: Teacher Man by Frank McCourt.

Words that describe me: Tenacious, joyful, hard-working.

REP. JILL COHENOUR, EAST HELENA (third term)
Occupation: Chemist, State Environmental Lab.

Hopes for the session: Protect what we have for the future, gain what we need for the present, and address what we haven't from the past.

Why this job matters: Because the people have a right to a government that is responsive to their needs. We need priorities that work for Montana's working families so our kids will be educated to compete in the global market. We need to take care of the veterans who have served our country, the elderly and those in need, while making this state the best place to work and raise a family.

MEA-MFT value I share most: The value of taking care of those in need. It is our duty as citizens to make sure we care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Best book I've read lately: The Great American Job Scam by Greg LeRoy.

Words that describe me: Tenacious, dedicated, caring.

REP. DOUG CORDIER, COL. FALLS (first term)
Occupation: 28-year educator and coach; last 16 as Columbia Falls High School guidance counselor for post-secondary planning.

Hopes for the session: That this closely divided legislature can work together to provide positive legislation for Montana's children and families.

Why this job matters: If we as citizens don't seriously consider serving in elected positions, we're giving up an opportunity to make a difference for our families, communities and state. Our democracy's health is due in part to the pool of candidates the electorate may choose.

Any service to the public matters because it's morally the right thing to do. None of us is an island. All of us need to pitch in and do the work of our society.

What I value about MEA-MFT: I value my membership because we promote the well being of children, provide legal and professional support to members, and encourage sound educational practices. MEA-MFT defines what a professional organization needs to be.

Pastimes: Hiking, climbing, and camping with my family and friends.

Words that describe me: Hardworking, friendly, self-effacing.

REP. HOLLY RASER, MISSOULA (fourth term)
Occupation: 1st grade teacher.

Hopes for the session: To restore a statewide commitment to education and respect for the professionals who dedicate their lives to our children.

Of course, that means adding money to the educational system, but more than that, I hope Montanans see that as our children's needs change, the institutions that serve them must change. It isn't enough any more to teach reading, math, and memorization of historical facts; we need to provide challenging situations to stretch the use of these disciplines.

If all we had to do was make sure our kids pass some tests, our jobs would be easy. But that's not all we do, and we need to say it "loud and proud" as I tell my first grade readers.

Why this job matters: Because we can make a difference. We are so lucky to live in a small state where it is relatively easy for regular people to get involved in the legislative process. We need regular people with good ideas as legislators. Too often we get people with rigid ideologies instead.

What I value about MEA-MFT: I value being regarded and respected as the professional I am. As we deal with school policies and negotiations, if we don't stand up for ourselves as professionals, who will?

Pastimes: My daughter and I dug a 2,000-gallon pond this summer, complete with waterfall and two tons of rock (all hand placed.) It's my favorite place to sit and think and watch the fish.

Words that describe me: Committed, passionate, teacher.

REP. WANDA GRINDE, BILLINGS (second term)
Occupation: Retired, 30-year elementary teacher and librarian in Montana.

Hopes for the session: State investment in k-12 and higher education, state-funded full-time kindergarten, holding the line on college tuition increases, access to affordable health care for all Montana's citizens.

Why this job matters: Montana truly has a citizen legislature, and it's important for citizens to get involved in policy making that will benefit Montana's working families.

What I value about MEA-MFT: We can provide a common voice and network to improve education opportunities and improve the professional lives of all our members. MEA-MFT has many success stories for Montana's public schools and the people who work there.

A person I'd like to meet: Nancy Pelosi, first female Speaker of the U.S. House.

Words that describe me: Optimistic, honest, goal-oriented, friendly.

REP. VERONICA SMALL-EASTMAN, Lodge Grass (second term)
Occupation: High school business teacher, school to work coordinator.

Hopes for the session: Fund early literacy for Head Start children, car seats for infants and children, fund higher education for foster children, develop natural resources in an environmentally clean manner, cervical cancer prevention for middle school girls.

Why this job matters: Voices of all Montanans should be heard. My constituents have a voice and they need to be heard.

What I value about MEA-MFT: MEA-MFT tells it like it is. They don't hide around the bush. MEA-MFT is a union that supports employees and legislators who want to be a voice for education.

A person I'd like to meet: Nancy Pelosi because she represents women and working mothers and believes in peace.

Favorite pastime: Enjoying my grandsons.

Words that describe me: Quiet, friendly, hard-working.

REP. GARY BRANAE, BILLINGS (fourth term)
Occupation: Retired educator, taught 33 years as a high school math teacher and counselor.

Hopes for the session: That we as legislators can approach our tasks with a sense of responsibility, openness, and dedication.

Why this job matters: We have the opportunity to represent the people in our district.

What I value about MEA-MFT: Being associated with dedicated people who care about our kids. Our future lies with our children.

Person I'd like to meet: Jimmy Carter--I appreciate his approach to life.

Best book I've read recently: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.

Words that describe me: Listener, friendly, concerned.

REP. ELSIE ARNTZEN, BILLINGS (second term)
Occupation: I am in my 15th year as a fifth and sixth grade teacher.

Hopes for this session: To keep funding education to the fairest level possible for the tax payers that I represent, the teachers who teach, the many people who support educational programs, and most important, the children we educate.

Why this job matters: Serving as a legislator and still teaching means that I understand first hand some of the difficulties and strengths that come with state policies handed to local districts. An asset that I bring to the process is that I continually listen and ask questions of my fellow teachers, other staff members, administrators, and parents.

What I value about MEA-MFT: I appreciate the work ethic that MEA-MFT has over issues that affect education.

Best book I've read lately: Give me a book on anything historical and I am happy.

Words that describe me: I am positively an inquisitive, energetic person.

REP. RON ERICKSON, MISSOULA (first term, also served previously)
Occupation: Retired from University of Montana. I came to Montana as a chemistry professor and spent most of my career in the environmental studies program. I was a cofounder of the environmental studies graduate program.

Hopes for the session: I have broad hopes of being able to fund education better and start to make a difference on health care. I also think we must begin to address the problems of climate change. We have a very exciting group of freshmen legislators and a number of bills to halt climate change.

Why this job matters. Montana is such a great state. I lived in several other states-it's wonderful to have a citizen legislature.

You can actually know the people who are representing you. In our election process, we have a chance to try to meet everyone we represent. There are very few places in the U.S. where that is true. I got to knock on every door in my district. In the legislature there is a wonderful mix of people from all walks of life who care about the state.

MEA-MFT value I share most: The value of recognizing education as a profession, and people who are deeply committed to the task of working with coming generations.

Person I'd like to meet: Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates), who hit a homer to win the World Series in 1960.

REP. ROBIN HAMILTON, MISSOULA (second term)
Occupation: Taught five years in Whitefish, moved to Missoula and bought The Shack Restaurant. Took a job teaching English at Hellgate High School in '78, retired in '02.

Hopes for this session: Fund education at a higher level, provide adequate health insurance for all teachers at a reasonable rate, and invest in our infrastructure and in the people of Montana.

Why this job matters: Every person who serves as a legislator tends to educate the people around him or her about government. A constituent talked to me yesterday about a problem and I was able to provide some help. And then he said, "What exactly is a representative?" He got the short course and left the capitol more knowledgeable.

What I value about MEA-MFT: I value MEA-MFT for many reasons; one of the most important is that MEA-MFT helps teachers realize they are professionals and deserve to be treated that way.

Pastimes: I'll be cross-country skiing, skate-style, on MacDonald Pass this winter and hope to run Missoula's first-ever marathon in July.

Best book I've read lately: Collapse: How Societies Chose to Succeed or Fail, by Jared Diamond, may be the most important book of the 21st century.

Read about more amazing MEA-MFT members.