OEA President & Vice President

OEA President Gail Rasmussen

Gail Rasmussen, an education support professional from Eagle Point, was elected OEA President in April 2009. When elected to OEA President, Rasmussen was serving her second term as OEA Vice President. In 1999, Rasmussen was named "National Education Support Professional of the Year," by the National Education Association.

Rasmussen has worked in the Eagle Point School District for 18 years. She got her start in public education as a receptionist at Eagle Point High School. She worked her way through a series of positions, which gave her more and more responsibilities, including attendance coordinator, administrative assistant to the athletic director, and then coordinator of the school district's Occupational Internship Program, a career exploration program (school-to-work) that is a joint partnership with the Veterans Administration Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics (VA SORCC).

Rasmussen says her top priority in her new role at the Oregon Education Association is to stabilize school funding. "Kids need stability," she says.

Rasmussen’s election as OEA President is historic on two counts: she is the first classified employee to be elected to the highest OEA office and she will also be the first African-American to serve as OEA president.

Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Rasmussen spent her childhood there. She is married to Paul David (David), who is retired from the Veterans Administration. They have two sons, Kent and Tavis, and four grandchildren.

OEA Vice President Johanna Vaandering

Johanna “Hanna” Vaandering, a Physical Education teacher from Ridgewood Elementary in the Beaverton School District was elected OEA Vice President in April, 2009. Prior to her election as OEA Vice President, Hanna has served as Beaverton Education Association President, OEA Region I Vice President and as Pacific Regional Director for the National Council of Urban Education Association.  

Hanna taught elementary physical education for 17 years at Ridgewood before her election as President of the Beaverton Education Association (BEA). While at Ridgewood, Hanna started a successful rhythms program to help her students understand the importance of movement and dance.  The most rewarding aspect of her seventeen years at Ridgewood was having past students come by the school and tell her “you made a difference in my life”.

Vaandering’s experience with OEA started early in her career as a building representative. “Advocating for those who make a difference in the lives of our students on a daily basis made me understand the importance of our union,” said Vaandering. After serving on her first bargaining team, Hanna was elected to the BEA Executive Committee and then served as Vice President prior to becoming President. Assuring the rights of each and every member are protected and advocating for stable and adequate funding are top priorities for Vaandering as OEA Vice President.

Hanna was born and raised in Washington County, she enjoys traveling, but is proud to call Oregon home. A graduate of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Hanna was a two-time All-American and Academic All-American catcher for the lady Boxers.  Scuba diving, water skiing and spending time with family and friends are ways in which Hanna likes to spend her free time.