ESC Region 12 Employee Named President of National Rural Education Association

WACO, Texas – Phil Gerik, a long-time advocate of rural education and field service agent with Education Service Center Region 12, was recently named president of the National Rural Education Association (NREA).

“Phil is committed to a quality education for students in rural schools,” Don Rogers, executive director of the Texas Rural Education Association (TREA) said. He provided enthusiastic leadership and membership development as president for our state and I know that will carry over to our national association.”

Gerik is well suited for the position, recently serving as state president, and as a former superintendent for a rural school district. He has been actively involved in rural education during his 40-year career. His experience includes serving as superintendent for Mount Calm ISD, principal and teacher in West ISD, and coach in Northeast ISD (San Antonio) and Mesquite ISD. Gerik will oversee the preparation for the 20011-12 NREA National Convention, which will be held next October in Ohio.

“Phil does a great job helping us meet the needs of our rural districts which make up a large portion of schools in the region,” Executive Director Jerry Maze, Ed.D., for ESC Region 12, said. We are proud and excited to have an employee leading and serving at the national education level.”

Gerik is married to Cathy, who is also an educator, and they reside in Waco. The couple has two children, a son and daughter. Their daughter is a math teacher in the Houston area.

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About ESC Region 12
One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 is dedicated to serving school districts, charter schools and area private/parochial schools in improving student performance. ESC Region 12 partners with school districts to deliver services and solutions to educators so they may help all children be successful. Based in Waco, with satellite offices in Corsicana, Hamilton, Nolanville and Teague, ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Mills and Navarro Counties.

About NREA
The NREA (National Rural Education Association) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It is the oldest established national organization of its kind in the United States. Through the years it has evolved as a strong and respected organization of rural school administrators, teachers, board members, regional service agency personnel, researchers, business and industry representatives, and others interested in maintaining the vitality of rural school systems across the country.