Picone named interim AEA director

Liz Picone has been named the Arkansas Education Association’s interim executive director for the next 6-8 months while the teachers’ association searches for a full-time leader.

Picone has 28 years of association staff experience. She has been an organizational specialist serving National Education Association members. She has worked in more than 35 states helping with membership campaigns, political campaigns, and developing leaders and staff.

She plans to focus on membership growth. The association’s recruitment drive begins April 1.

“Arkansas teachers and education support professionals are at the heart of all we do and the source of AEA’s power,” Picone said in a press release. “Our members allow us to provide professional development programming, educator support and advocacy for students and educators at the local and state level.”

Prior to working for education associations, she taught orchestra in public schools in Texas for 13 years.

“Coming from the classroom, I know the value of an organization that has your back and amplifies educator voice,” she said in the release. “Over the last three decades, I’ve seen the incredible things educators can accomplish when we work together, and I look forward to working with Arkansas educators to spread the word about AEA’s work to improve student learning conditions and school employee working conditions.”

She replaces former Executive Director Tracey Ann-Nelson, who recently left the association for another position after working for the AEA for seven years.