Billie Helean
@billie-helean.bsky.social
Feminist. Proud mom, M-I-L, and wife. Dog mom. Teacher. 💙 AFT Local Prez. 🏳️🌈 Ally. 💛❤️ New Mexico Proud.
It’s tough to be a thankful teacher when budgets are slashed and the federal DOE is under fire. Find out why my gratitude still burns bright, fueled by NM investment, my union, and my students. #ThankfulTeacher #NMEd #UnionStrong #EducationCrisis
🍎 More Than a Thank You Note: Finding Gratitude in the Crisis of Modern Education
We must keep our optimism for education in spite of the challenges we currently face. Thanksgiving approaches, and across the internet, there’s a lovely chorus of gratitude directed toward ed…
bhelean.wordpress.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM
It’s tough to be a thankful teacher when budgets are slashed and the federal DOE is under fire. Find out why my gratitude still burns bright, fueled by NM investment, my union, and my students. #ThankfulTeacher #NMEd #UnionStrong #EducationCrisis
I'm planning on attending this important town hall. The next leadership team for New Mexico must have the climate crisis at (or at least VERY NEAR) the top of their agenda.
#NMPolitics
#NMClimate
#ClimateChange
#NMPolitics
#NMClimate
#ClimateChange
November 22, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I'm planning on attending this important town hall. The next leadership team for New Mexico must have the climate crisis at (or at least VERY NEAR) the top of their agenda.
#NMPolitics
#NMClimate
#ClimateChange
#NMPolitics
#NMClimate
#ClimateChange
Reposted by Billie Helean
“We know the damage is already being felt in our schools, with our most vulnerable students suffering the most.” AFT-MA president Jessica Tang -The harm isn't theoretical. It's happening NOW. That's why we're suing. That's why we're fighting.” #TrumpCrushesYourDreams www.masslive.com/politics/202...
‘Chaos and fear’: Mass. officials raise alarms over Trump’s move to dismantle US Dept. of Education
"Our students and educators need a supportive federal education agency," one top Healey administration official said Wednesday.
www.masslive.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:33 PM
“We know the damage is already being felt in our schools, with our most vulnerable students suffering the most.” AFT-MA president Jessica Tang -The harm isn't theoretical. It's happening NOW. That's why we're suing. That's why we're fighting.” #TrumpCrushesYourDreams www.masslive.com/politics/202...
I am *so* proud to live in a state where the priority is taking care of vulnerable people, and not lining the pockets of already-billionaires.
I 💛 Nuevo Mexico!
#NewMexicoProud
#FundSNAP
#SNAP
#HoldTheLine
I 💛 Nuevo Mexico!
#NewMexicoProud
#FundSNAP
#SNAP
#HoldTheLine
New Mexico Legislature approves bill to backfill food assistance if federal SNAP aid falters
New Mexico has enacted legislation to support food assistance with state funding each week if SNAP federal food aid falters. A bill was signed into law Monday.
apnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I am *so* proud to live in a state where the priority is taking care of vulnerable people, and not lining the pockets of already-billionaires.
I 💛 Nuevo Mexico!
#NewMexicoProud
#FundSNAP
#SNAP
#HoldTheLine
I 💛 Nuevo Mexico!
#NewMexicoProud
#FundSNAP
#SNAP
#HoldTheLine
Public Education is our hope for the future, and should be funded as if it is so.
#FullyFundPublicEducation
#ProtectOurKids
#Education
#FullyFundPublicEducation
#ProtectOurKids
#Education
The Unknown Person Inside: Why Public Education is Our Hope for the Future
There is a beautiful, profound truth captured in the simple idea from Janusz Korczak that children “should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be—the unknown person inside each…
bhelean.wordpress.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Public Education is our hope for the future, and should be funded as if it is so.
#FullyFundPublicEducation
#ProtectOurKids
#Education
#FullyFundPublicEducation
#ProtectOurKids
#Education
Bought tickets for Paul McCartney's #GotBackTour from @ticketmaster.com WITH INSURANCE. My Mom passed 6/25 in CA & circumstances required an investigation. Delayed our ability to have a service until 9/4, and we traveled. Show was 9/7. NOT COVERED. THE DEATH WAS NOT PROPERLY TIMED. NO REFUND. #LIVID
October 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Bought tickets for Paul McCartney's #GotBackTour from @ticketmaster.com WITH INSURANCE. My Mom passed 6/25 in CA & circumstances required an investigation. Delayed our ability to have a service until 9/4, and we traveled. Show was 9/7. NOT COVERED. THE DEATH WAS NOT PROPERLY TIMED. NO REFUND. #LIVID
Reposted by Billie Helean
Talking about the stakes -why Dems said no. Its all about healthcare. substack.com/@mikenellis/...
Mike Nellis (@mikenellis)
This is the best messaging I’ve seen from any Democrats on the shutdown. Kudos to AOC, Bernie, and their teams for putting this out there.
substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Talking about the stakes -why Dems said no. Its all about healthcare. substack.com/@mikenellis/...
Good morning from San Pablo Reservoir. 🌞
October 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Good morning from San Pablo Reservoir. 🌞
Reposted by Billie Helean
Trump & Republicans have control of the White House & Congress, but still can't pass a budget & refuse to negotiate.
Our paychecks, healthcare, & schools are NOT bargaining chips. Congress needs to stop the games & do their jobs.
Tell your rep: REJECT the #TrumpShutdown.
Our paychecks, healthcare, & schools are NOT bargaining chips. Congress needs to stop the games & do their jobs.
Tell your rep: REJECT the #TrumpShutdown.
September 30, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Trump & Republicans have control of the White House & Congress, but still can't pass a budget & refuse to negotiate.
Our paychecks, healthcare, & schools are NOT bargaining chips. Congress needs to stop the games & do their jobs.
Tell your rep: REJECT the #TrumpShutdown.
Our paychecks, healthcare, & schools are NOT bargaining chips. Congress needs to stop the games & do their jobs.
Tell your rep: REJECT the #TrumpShutdown.
There is way too much stress-inducing stuff. We all need to take time for ourselves, to regroup and recharge. If we don't, we'll all go crazy, and then what good are we? This weekend we took some time for ourselves and rode the Durango-Silverton train. 5/5 ✨, highly rec!
#recharge
#USAstress
#FDT
#recharge
#USAstress
#FDT
September 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
There is way too much stress-inducing stuff. We all need to take time for ourselves, to regroup and recharge. If we don't, we'll all go crazy, and then what good are we? This weekend we took some time for ourselves and rode the Durango-Silverton train. 5/5 ✨, highly rec!
#recharge
#USAstress
#FDT
#recharge
#USAstress
#FDT
Reposted by Billie Helean
Republicans plan on cutting healthcare for Americans and laying off more government workers. If Dems were in power, they would not do that. They are not in power, but I am grateful they are fighting this every way they can. #ThisIsTrumpsShutdown
September 29, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Republicans plan on cutting healthcare for Americans and laying off more government workers. If Dems were in power, they would not do that. They are not in power, but I am grateful they are fighting this every way they can. #ThisIsTrumpsShutdown
One of my favorite quotes so far, from @rweingarten.bsky.social in her book, #WhyFascistsFearTeachers
September 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM
One of my favorite quotes so far, from @rweingarten.bsky.social in her book, #WhyFascistsFearTeachers
Reposted by Billie Helean
Trump, despite having a Republican trifecta in DC, is refusing to meet with Democrats. It shows his reckless disregard for the pain a shutdown will cause to American families. #TrumpsGovernmentShutdown www.forbes.com/sites/sarado...
Shutdown Tracker: Trump Calls Democrats ‘Crazy’—Says He Won’t Compromise
Trump has repeatedly targeted Democrats over gender-reassignment surgeries—without explaining what he means—in blaming them for a possible government shutdown.
www.forbes.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Trump, despite having a Republican trifecta in DC, is refusing to meet with Democrats. It shows his reckless disregard for the pain a shutdown will cause to American families. #TrumpsGovernmentShutdown www.forbes.com/sites/sarado...
I agree with @AFT.org President @rweingarten.bsky.social. "We must recommit as a nation to the right to express ourselves nonviolently without fear and to resolving disagreements peacefully and civilly.” www.aft.org/column/why-f...
Why Fascists Fear Teachers
Teachers are under siege not for anything they do wrong, but for what they do right.
www.aft.org
September 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I agree with @AFT.org President @rweingarten.bsky.social. "We must recommit as a nation to the right to express ourselves nonviolently without fear and to resolving disagreements peacefully and civilly.” www.aft.org/column/why-f...
How appropriate that "American Educator" was in my mailbox with my pre-ordered copy of #WhyFascistsFearTeachers authored by my SHEro, @rweingarten.bsky.social. Must-read. Authoritarians fear teachers because they foster an educated populace, the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. #FightFascism
September 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
How appropriate that "American Educator" was in my mailbox with my pre-ordered copy of #WhyFascistsFearTeachers authored by my SHEro, @rweingarten.bsky.social. Must-read. Authoritarians fear teachers because they foster an educated populace, the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. #FightFascism
Sometimes I'm extremely surprised and excited by what happens in my back yard. Today was one of those days! This Wilson's Warbler wasn't a lifer, but a first for my back yard! I hope he hangs out for a while. 🙂
#backyardbirding
#birds
#backyardbirding
#birds
August 31, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Sometimes I'm extremely surprised and excited by what happens in my back yard. Today was one of those days! This Wilson's Warbler wasn't a lifer, but a first for my back yard! I hope he hangs out for a while. 🙂
#backyardbirding
#birds
#backyardbirding
#birds
Reposted by Billie Helean
Do you know about how Norway's teachers stood up to Nazis? I talk about it in my new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers. You can preorder here: www.WhyFascistsFearTeachers.com
August 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Do you know about how Norway's teachers stood up to Nazis? I talk about it in my new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers. You can preorder here: www.WhyFascistsFearTeachers.com
Reposted by Billie Helean
A picture tells 1000 words. We all wand DC to be safe- and the crime stats show it was going in the right direction
www.rawstory.com/trump-dc-cri...
www.rawstory.com/trump-dc-cri...
Trump busted in real time as networks' graphics shoot down DC crime claims
No sooner did Donald Trump begin addressing the nation about federalizing the D.C. Police Department and putting National Guard on the streets despite crime being down, MSNBC posted a bright red graph...
www.rawstory.com
August 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A picture tells 1000 words. We all wand DC to be safe- and the crime stats show it was going in the right direction
www.rawstory.com/trump-dc-cri...
www.rawstory.com/trump-dc-cri...
Reposted by Billie Helean
Teacher pay is too low, and so is respect for the profession. Thank you @rrseu.bsky.social President @billie-helean.bsky.social for showing what’s possible when educators organize. For the first time, many in her district are earning a living wage. aftvoices.org/we-can-do-th...
We can do this: Pay teachers what they’re worth
By Billie Helean
aftvoices.org
August 5, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Teacher pay is too low, and so is respect for the profession. Thank you @rrseu.bsky.social President @billie-helean.bsky.social for showing what’s possible when educators organize. For the first time, many in her district are earning a living wage. aftvoices.org/we-can-do-th...
To quote Dua Lipa: "The kids ain't alright." 😞
#GunViolence
#DoBetter
#MarchForOurLives
#MomsDemand
#NotOneMore
#GunViolence
#DoBetter
#MarchForOurLives
#MomsDemand
#NotOneMore
Michaela's Muses: Community children need our help
I just covered yet another vigil for a local kid that died. That is the third one in the last nine months.
www.rrobserver.com
August 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
To quote Dua Lipa: "The kids ain't alright." 😞
#GunViolence
#DoBetter
#MarchForOurLives
#MomsDemand
#NotOneMore
#GunViolence
#DoBetter
#MarchForOurLives
#MomsDemand
#NotOneMore
Direct, local impacts of the careless budget cuts by the Drumpf regime.
#FundingCuts
#BigUglyBetrayal
www.rrobserver.com/business/rio...
#FundingCuts
#BigUglyBetrayal
www.rrobserver.com/business/rio...
Rio Rancho WESST office closing, services continue despite funding cuts
RIO RANCHO — The local WESST office is closing in October, but New Mexico WESST will still provide services to the Rio Rancho and Sandoval County areas.
www.rrobserver.com
August 2, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Direct, local impacts of the careless budget cuts by the Drumpf regime.
#FundingCuts
#BigUglyBetrayal
www.rrobserver.com/business/rio...
#FundingCuts
#BigUglyBetrayal
www.rrobserver.com/business/rio...
One of my favorite speeches from AFT TEACH came from AFT Secretary-Treasurer, Fedrick Ingram. Please give it a listen - it will give you the boost you didn't know you needed! @aftunion
youtu.be/2T0zgNZ31jc?...
youtu.be/2T0zgNZ31jc?...
Here They Come: Fedrick Ingram's Call to Educators
YouTube video by AFT
youtu.be
August 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
One of my favorite speeches from AFT TEACH came from AFT Secretary-Treasurer, Fedrick Ingram. Please give it a listen - it will give you the boost you didn't know you needed! @aftunion
youtu.be/2T0zgNZ31jc?...
youtu.be/2T0zgNZ31jc?...
Reposted by Billie Helean
As Americans reckon with deep cuts to Medicaid on its 60th anniversary, there’s a resurgence of activism and organizing to reverse these cuts.
www.aft.org/news/educato...
#CancelTrumpsMedicaidCuts
www.aft.org/news/educato...
#CancelTrumpsMedicaidCuts
Educators share powerful stories on Capitol Hill
AFT members―125 strong―from 21 states and territories gathered at the U.S. Capitol Thursday to urge members of Congress to support policies that protect public schools and their students. Speaking out...
www.aft.org
July 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
As Americans reckon with deep cuts to Medicaid on its 60th anniversary, there’s a resurgence of activism and organizing to reverse these cuts.
www.aft.org/news/educato...
#CancelTrumpsMedicaidCuts
www.aft.org/news/educato...
#CancelTrumpsMedicaidCuts
🙂 I love my 2nd job! Advocating for our profession makes my heart sing and brings me significant amounts of satisfaction. Education staff are truly heroes, and they deserve the world handed to them on a silver platter. #saveourkids
www.rrobserver.com/news/educati...
www.rrobserver.com/news/educati...
Rio Rancho Schools union president appears with Bernie Sanders at D.C. event
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Rio Rancho Public Schools Union president advocated for higher teacher and staff pay Thursday during a town hall meeting held by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and
www.rrobserver.com
July 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
🙂 I love my 2nd job! Advocating for our profession makes my heart sing and brings me significant amounts of satisfaction. Education staff are truly heroes, and they deserve the world handed to them on a silver platter. #saveourkids
www.rrobserver.com/news/educati...
www.rrobserver.com/news/educati...
Reposted by Billie Helean
Getting that education funding back is a big win for kids and communities. A great moment with @rweingarten.bsky.social @hirono.senate.gov at the AFT TEACH Conference. #ProtectOurKids
July 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Getting that education funding back is a big win for kids and communities. A great moment with @rweingarten.bsky.social @hirono.senate.gov at the AFT TEACH Conference. #ProtectOurKids