Editor's note

NEA Today, Feb 2001 by Fischer, Bill

Most readers have probably never noticed the masthead that appears on the bottom of page 2 of NEA Today. It lists most of the key people who are responsible for the publication.

At most publications, the title of publisher is mostly an official one, signifying some combination of editorial and fiduciary responsibilities.

Most publishers I'm aware of don't spend a lot of time on the publication's editorial content, leaving most of the heavy editorial lifting to others.

But that's not so for Sam Pizzigati, who's been publisher of this magazine since it was founded 18 years ago.

Sam's been a hands-on publisher, steering it along with a deft hand, attending all story conferences, acting as the main interface with NEA governance, editing and fine-tuning articles, and contributing original writing as well.

It was Sam's idea to fold the old NEA Reporter, a newspaper mostly devoted to leader news and political topics, with NEAs Today's Education, a monthly magazine, to start a new publication, NEA Today.

Sam's leaving the NEA after a 20-year career, to work on some long-delayed writing projects of his own.

Taking over as publisher of NEA Today on an interim basis is NEA Assistant Executive Director Tony Rollins. Leona Hiraoka, currently editor of the Learning section of NEA Today, will assume a new editorial management role with responsibility for NEA Today, as well as several other NEA membership publications.

Sam's vision, editorial savvy, and low-key style will be missed. We wish him well.

And we pledge to him, but more important to all NEA members, to continue the mission that we began nearly 20 years ago: to put out the best member publication in education and labor journalism.