Leadership
Linda Cook, the trustee for Prince William Education Association (PWEA), was an elementary and special education teacher for 33 years in a district outside of Philadelphia, PA. She has been a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) for 47 years. She served in numerous capacities with her local, region, and state organizations, including 26 years as local president, 13 years on the PSEA Board of Directors, and 11 years as Southeastern Region president. Currently Linda is president of Delaware/Philadelphia Counties PSEA-Retired and Southeastern Region PSEA-Retired and an active member of the region PACE team. Prior to becoming the trustee at PWEA, Linda served as a mentor to the new local president for United Education Association of Shelby County (Memphis, TN) and was a trustee for Arlington Education Association in Virginia.
Organizing & Membership Ad hoc committee
Co-Chairs
Emily Cherry teaches middle school Language Arts. She has been a member of PWEA since 2020. She has served as a building rep since 2021, served as a co-chair of the PWEA Social Justice Committee, has been a delegate to VEA and NEA assemblies, and has served as the Middle School Director.
Angie Trerotola is a PWCS graduate of Unity Reed and now teaches at Osbourn Park High School. Angie’s top priority is creating a safe space for her students where they can learn to use their voice and take charge of their future. Her work in PWEA led to her joining and co-chairing VEA’s LGBTQIA+ Committee since 2022 which created VEA’s “All Are Safe in Virginia” campaign so allies across the state can show support for their LGBTQIA+ students.
Committee Members
Monann Davis, Elizabeth Marlowe, Amy McCarthy, and Tabatha Zarkauskas
VEA directors
Monann Davis is a dedicated educator and union leader with more than 20 years of experience teaching English in grades 6–12. A native of Petersburg, Virginia, she is a proud graduate of Prince George High School and Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Monann currently serves as a VEA Director, Fitz Turner Commissioner, and is a founding member of MOCA, while also contributing her leadership as Recording Secretary for the Prince William Alliance of Black School Educators. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and remains deeply committed to advancing educational equity, supporting educators, and uplifting her community.
Andy McCarthy discovered his passion for education while in college, tutoring first‑generation American elementary students and witnessing firsthand the transformative power of learning. He began his professional teaching career in 2004 as an English Language Arts teacher at Woodbridge Middle School. In 2006, Andy transitioned to Woodbridge Senior High School where he later piloted the AP Capstone Program. He currently teaches English 10/AP Seminar, and AP Research.
A dedicated advocate for educators, Andy has been a longtime member of PWEA and has become increasingly active in recruitment and collective bargaining efforts in recent years. He is thrilled to continue his support for public educators through his membership on the VEA Board of Directors.
Staff
Missy Alexander is the VEA Statewide Organizer, previously supporting local associations in Stafford, Culpeper, and Rappahannock as UniServ Director. She leads the VEA Organizing Committee and serves as liaison to VEA’s Member of Color Alliance (MOCA). A former English teacher, Missy worked as a worksite rep, member organizer, and executive board secretary for Prince William Education Association.
Don Cash is a UniServ Director serving PWEA predominately on the west side of Prince William County. He has previously worked in Fairfax serving as a Uniserv Director helping support members with concerns, questions, grievances and campaigns. Before joining VEA he worked in many union roles for the United Food Commercial Workers including organizing, member concerns, grievances, and bargaining.
Bridget Seery is a UniServ Director serving PWEA predominately on the east side of Prince William County. She is a native of Arlington County. She previously taught for 17 years as a special educator in the state of Pennsylvania. Bridget also served in numerous capacities in her local association and Pennsylvania Education Association, including 4 years as local president. She has been elected previously to serve as a school board member. Additionally, she worked as a field organizer for United Steelworkers of America.
Jeremiah Hoyt is a Northern Virginia Organizing Specialist serving Prince William, Stafford, and Arlington. He was previously located in Loudoun County where he worked on the collective bargaining campaign and issue organizing. Before joining VEA he worked for SEIU on public collective bargaining campaigns around Virginia.