MSEA Vice President

Nikki Woodward (She/her/hers)

Nikki Woodward is an early intervention infant and toddler specialist for vision/visual perceptual disabilities or developmental delays. Her experience in the birth–12 setting spans general education and special education. Throughout her career, Nikki has elevated early childhood, antiracist, just schools, disability justice, and restorative justice to amplify education justice across all public education. Nikki believes that public education is an equalizer for all learners, and we must provide them the opportunity to become their greatest selves. Nikki moved to the DMV area in 2006, making this her home where together with her husband, they are rearing three children in Prince George’s County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Converse College, a Master of Arts from the University of North Colorado, Advance Graduate Studies from George Washington University and Gallaudet University, and a Doctorate in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Nikki is also a fellow recipient of the Maryland Early Intervention Leadership Academy (EILA) and the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP).

Elizabeth Rasmussen (She/her/hers)

Dr. Elizabeth Rasmussen is in her second year working as a UniServ Director with the Education Association of Charles County. Elizabeth’s prior experience was in the classroom; she was a High School Social Studies Teacher in Florida for over 16 years. Elizabeth also has a history of union experience back in her home state of Florida. Elizabeth served as a Lead Member Organizer for her local union, served on local and state membership committees, as a local building representative, on a local executive board, legislative committee, bargaining team, and was part of the Florida Young Remarkable Educators (FYRE) Cadre. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies Education from University of North Florida, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Florida, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Florida.

Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones

Dr. Cierra Kaler-Jones, a social justice educator, writer, scholar, and artist. Her research focuses on how to create and sustain educational spaces rooted in joy and love, while refuting control and management tactics in school that deny young people opportunities for creativity and critical consciousness-building. Dr. Kaler-Jones serves as the Director of Storytelling for Communities for Just Schools Fund, a donor collaborative that resources education justice organizers across the country.

MSEA UniServ Director

Cresta Kowalski (She/her/hers)

Cresta Kowalski is a UniServ Director at the end of her third year working with Garrett and Allegany Counties in Mountain Maryland. She has always been a part of the labor movement while working as a 22-year special education teacher for students with Autism across Maryland and West Virginia. She holds master’s degrees in special education from WVU and Educational Leadership from Wheeling Jesuit University; currently, she is pursuing her PhD (ABD) in Special Education from Northcentral University. Before becoming a staffer for MSEA, Cresta was an association rep, government rep leader, and Board of Director within ACEA. In her free time, Cresta volunteers as a grassroots organizer in Allegany County for the local Democratic Central Committee and local groups working in the realms of social, reproductive, and economic justice.

MSEA UniServ Director

Nathan Curtis (He/him/his)

Nathan Curtis is a UniServ Director who is in his 6th year at the Carroll County Education Association. He was a high school English teacher for 18 years in Wisconsin before beginning his work in the labor movement. While a teacher, Nathan served in a variety of governance roles in his local, including president, building rep, and negotiator. He was local president of his local when the WI governor at the time declared war on workers and stripped all public-sector unions of their collective bargaining rights. That catalyst was what made him dedicate his professional life to doing what was right for workers.

MSEA UniServ Director

Allison Heintz (She/her/hers)

Allison Heintz is a UniServ Director in Harford County, where she supports HCEA in organizing, bargaining, and member engagement. She spent 17 years in the classroom prior to joining staff and was an active local leader, serving on her association’s Board of Directors and as part of the first cohort of Grassroots Organizing Team (GOTeam) Leaders. That experience shaping member-driven campaigns continues to inform her work today, particularly in building strong community partnerships to advance public education. Allison lives in Baltimore and, in her free time, fosters cats and kittens and plays Dungeons & Dragons—both of which, she notes, have proven surprisingly useful in union organizing.

MSEA UniServ Director

Joia Clevinger (She/her/hers)

Joia Clevinger is currently a UniServ Director for the Frederick County Teachers Association, but has previously served MSEA as both a statewide political organizer and UD in Montgomery County. She’s also gained organizing and advocacy experience both in her previous UD role with the Virginia Education Association and as an active union member with the California Teachers Association. As a high school agriculture teacher in Bakersfield, CA, Joia served in governance at multiple levels in the union, notably supporting members on her local negotiations team and as the part-time release Grievance Chair.

Dan Chambers