Executive Board

Steve Elza, Local 1211 President

Steve Elza has been an Automotive Technology teacher at Fremd High School in Palatine since 2007 after previously teaching at the Technology Center of DuPage and General Motors.  Steve earned his BA in Automotive Technology and his first MA in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  Steve also earned a second master’s degree in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University.  He was named Illinois Teacher of the Year in 2015 thrusting him into his leadership work at the local, state, and national levels.  Steve is currently serving as the President of Local 1211, is on the IFT Executive Board as a Vice-President, has been appointed Chair of the IFT CTE/STEM Constituency Council, serves on the IFT Defense Committee, the IFT P-20 Educational Committee, and AFT CTE/STEM Constituency Council while also is Chair of the Political Action Committee (PAC) Region K for the IFT.

Anita Lee, Local 1211 Vice President of Operations

Anita Lee has been a Social Sciences teacher at Palatine High School since 2002 after previously teaching at Warren High School and in Korea.  Anita has a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MA in Education from the University of Michigan.  In addition to handling all communication for the Teachers Council and the Local, Anita is extensively involved in the Evaluation process for our teachers, including being the resident expert on PERA and SB7.

Leslie Schock, Local 1211 Vice President of Communications

Tim Waters, Local 1211 Secretary-Treasurer

Tim Waters has been a Social Science teacher at Rolling Meadows High School since 2002.  Prior to coming to RMHS, Tim was a Special Education teacher for six years at Carl Sandburg Jr. High in Rolling Meadows. Tim has a BA in History from Saint John’s University.  He has a MS in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois University, and a MS in Special Education from Dominican University.  Tim has served the D214 EA as a Building Representative, Chairperson of Welfare and Ethics, Vice President, and President.  Presently he also serves as the D214 EA Secretary.  Tim has been on two contract negotiations committees representing the D214 EA.  He was the lead negotiator for the 2019-2024 CBA.  In addition, Tim represents the D214 EA on the D214 Evaluation and Professional Growth committee.  In addition to these roles, Tim is the Head Debate Coach at RMHS, as well as the Assistant Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach.

Nichole Anderson, Local 1211 Vice President of Outreach

Nichole B. Anderson has been a dedicated Social Science educator for over twenty-six years starting in Chicago Public Schools and currently at Rolling Meadows since 2003.  Nichole earned her BS in Education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.  She also has a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from DePaul University, as well as a MS in Special Education from Saint Xavier University. Additionally, Nichole has served as a PLC Leader, RtI Coordinator, Dean Assistant, Equity Team Leader, as well as an activity sponsor for a host of student groups ranging from the Black Student Union to Student Council. She diligently served as the lead building representative for RMHS and served as Vice-President for the D214 Education Association. She currently leads the Local 1211 Anti-Racist Coalition (ARC) group and has received awards from both D214 and CPS. She is excited about her role as Vice President of Outreach and Engagement.