THE LCEA INSIDER

LCEA Welcomes 18 Colleagues to the LCEA Team

2013-08-19T18:34:00.000-05:00

The LCEA is excited to welcome our 18 new and one returning colleagues to the classrooms of Lewis Central Schools and to the Lewis Central Education Association team.

We know that as they join our team, they are committed to our Association's passion of positively changing the lives of our students and preparing each of our students for a successful life.

As we already know that you will do your best to help them in their transition and know that you will do whatever you can to make their transition to LC a pleasant and uneventful one, we ask you to share from your supplies and materials reserves

We are excited to have these enthusiastic new and veteran educators join the Lewis Central Education Association team in advocating for a quality public education for each of our students.

The LCEA will welcome them to the district at a picnic Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Dave and Kelly Bergman's home, we will be giving them some complimentary Titan gear, sharing our referral guide, offering them help in moving, offering them a tour of the district, and even more.

LEWIS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Christian Carper, Family & Consumer Science, begins his career at Lewis Central High School. Christian is a graduate of Iowa State University.
Molly Clark, Language Arts, launches her career at Lewis Central High School. Molly is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.
Katie Coltrain, Spanish, comes to Lewis Central after four years at Ottumwa Community School District and two years at Cardinal Community School district in Eldon, Iowa.
Daniel Craney, Industrial Technology, brings 32 years of experience Lewis Central's team after 15 years at Springfield Platteview Community School District in Springfield, Nebraska and 17 years at Millard North High School in Millard, Nebraska.
Katie Klosterbuer, Family & Consumer Science, launches her teaching career at Lewis Central High School.
Kailey Mangum, Special Education, begins here career as she becomes a Titan.
Suzann Morin-Steffen, Alternative Education, shares 17 years of experience from Westside Community School District and other districts with the LC Team.
Alyssa Wallace, Math, continues her career at Lewis Central after two years with the Council Bluffs Community School District.

LEWIS CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Kim Denning, Special Education, joins Lewis Central's team after teaching for two years in the Glenwood Community School district.
Danielle Guntly, Social Studies, begins her teaching career at Lewis Central Middle School.
Hannah Haarhues-Casey, Science, brings her experience from Hills College all the way from down under in Australia to Lewis Central. Before that, Hannah taught for eight years at Riverside High School in Oakland, Iowa.
Clara Luquette, Guidance Counselor, brings 24 years of experience to Lewis Central. She has four years of experience from Council Bluffs Community Schools and 20 years of experience in Texas.
Burke Swenson, STEM Educator, brings 19 years of experience with him to Lewis Central. He spent six years in Oakland, Iowa, eight years in Iowa Falls, a year at Carroll High School and four years at New Hampton.
Carrie Trecek, Language Arts/Literacy, begins her teaching career at Lewis Central High School.

TITAN HILL INTERMEDIATE

Aubrey Eckhart, Fifth Grade, begins her career at Titan Hill.
Laurie Kammrad, Fourth Grade, is back at LC after a year in Council Bluffs Community Schools.
Alison Nurre, Fourth Grade, launchers her career at Titan Hill.
Tina O'Donnell, Fourth Grade, brings 20 years of experience to Lewis Central after 16 years at St. Alberts, a year at Council Bluffs Community Schools, and three years at Holy Name Elementary School.

KREFT ELEMENTARY

Amber McGreevy, Kindergarten, joins Kreft Elementary after four years at Council Bluffs Community Schools and four years in the Waterloo Community School District.

E-Dues and You

2013-08-18T23:43:00.002-05:00

It's truly sad that many of America's legislatures have waged war against unions. Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina and many others have seen attacks on their collective bargaining, dues deduction and the laws that protect public employees and their hard-earned rights.

It used to be true that although the parties disagreed about the best approach to public education that they supported the idea of public education. That is no longer true with many radicals looking to sell the cornerstone of our democracy to the highest bidder.

One of the first things that legislatures and governors due when they win control of both chambers of their legislatures is to "immediately" remove dues deduction. The unorganized and unprepared frequently see a drastic blow to membership and the collective voice that unions provide America's educators. As a result, those who want to "stay at the table" and avoid "being on the menu" have circumvented this with e-dues payment for membership.

There are a variety of good reasons that Lewis Central has joined in this push: (1) we want to protect our state and local Association that is currently guarded by a single vote in the senate; (2) your dues deduction is split over 12 months vs. 10 months; (3) the school district no longer has a list of who is a member and who is not; (4) it puts your dues dollars in the same category as your cable bill, car payment, electric bill and simplifies bill paying; (5) you directly see your monthly contributions without the help of a middle-man.

Please join us in becoming an e-dues LCEA member. Want to know more? CLICK HERE for FAQs about e-dues.

E-dues. Just set it and forget it!

2013-08-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Frequently Asked Questions E-Dues Questions

ISEA’s continues its Electronic Dues Deduction (E-dues) program that is a quick and easy method to pay local, state, and national Association dues; special funds; and PAC contributions without having to go through the school district.

There are so many reasons why E-dues is the way of the future for Association dues:

State associations around the country have seen a coordinated attack on labor organizations and their ability to collect through payroll deduction. Almost a dozen states have seen an outright challenge to their payroll deduction systems so far.

Arrange E-dues and all future payments are set. Payments will be taken directly out of your bank account. No more going through your school district’s accounting system, no more wasting valuable Local Association time and money collecting dues.

Just like with other monthly bills, the funds are transferred with no worry and no extra charge. The Association dues amount collected is the same as what would have been collected through payroll deduction only it’s faster, easier, and no one needs to file unnecessary paperwork through the school district office. E-dues places all Association business where it should be—with you and our local.

No more going through your employer to make sure amounts and paperwork are correct. All Association business is done with our local Association.

Branstad names Dr. Brad Buck as new Iowa Department of Education director

2013-08-11T07:17:00.002-05:00

Gov. Terry E. Branstad today named Dr. Brad Buck, 44, to be the next Iowa Department of Education director, calling him a visionary leader with the right skills to implement the landmark education reform package passed by the 2013 Legislature.

Buck has served as superintendent of the 1,300-student Saydel school district in rural Polk County since July 2011. He previously worked as a school administrator in the Waukee, Hudson and North Mahaska school districts from 1997 to 2011. Buck began his education career in 1992 as a science teacher at Parkview Middle School in Ankeny. He is also a past president of School Administrators of Iowa.

“Dr. Buck’s passion for giving all students a world-class education and his knowledge of how to better utilize teacher leadership to accomplish that goal played a critical role in his selection,” said Branstad. “He understands the importance of collaboration as educators and parents work together to assure students are prepared to compete in the global economy.”

Better utilizing teacher leadership is the centerpiece of Iowa’s 2013 education reform package. Each of Iowa’s 346 school districts has the option to adopt a teacher leadership system that will use the expertise of top teachers to improve instruction and raise student achievement. Districts can apply for planning grants in September, and the teacher leadership systems will be phased in over the next several years. When fully in place in 2016-17, the price tag is expected to be $150 million annually.

Buck has a head start on understanding how to put a teacher leadership system in place. Working closely with the Saydel Education Association during the 2012-13 school year, Buck helped secure a federal Teacher Incentive Fund grant that will allow the Saydel school district to implement its own teacher leadership system starting this month.

“Brad Buck’s strong record of service in Iowa school districts and willingness to think outside the box make him a great choice to lead the Iowa Department of Education at this point in time,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Buck said, “The Governor and Lt. Governor, the Legislature, and the Iowa Department of Education have cast a bold vision for school improvement efforts in our state. As importantly, they have recognized the importance of providing the necessary tools and supports needed to implement this work. I am excited and humbled to be chosen by the Governor to serve the students, families, and educators of Iowa in delivering on the promises contained in this legislation and making our education system the best performing in the nation.”

Buck’s official start date has not been finalized, but will be no later than September 1. He and his wife, Traci, live in Urbandale and have 6 children.

READ BUCK'S RESUME

NEA Back to School Guide

2013-08-09T10:37:00.005-05:00

Educator-tested tips, advice, and resources for a successful start to the school year. Students may still be enjoying their summer vacations, but for educators, the beginning of the next school year is just around the corner. NEA editors have compiled a list of our best articles and resources to help you - whether new or veteran - get ready for the fall semester.

CLASSROOM SET UP

Classroom Beautiful: Do It Yourself  8 veteran educators share photos of their classroom and tips on how to organize your space for better learning.

Assessing Your Space  What to consider when planning your classroom setup.

Using a Theme  An elementary school teachers shares advice for decorating a classroom around a theme.

Stocking the Classroom—For Free  Savvy educators' tips on scoring no-cost classroom resources.

PREPPING FOR THE FIRST WEEK

Classroom Survival Kit  NEA members recommend must-have items for the classroom.

33 Ways to Start the First Year Off Right  A little planning before school begins can pay big dividends throughout the school year.

NEA's Custom Lesson Plan Search Engine  We've customized a Google search engine with 1,000s of lesson plans from across the Web, each one hand-picked and vetted by our Search Editor.

LOTS MORE IF YOU

Setting Up Rules and Routines
Ways to keep things running smoothly so you have more time to teach.

Discipline Tips from Drama Teachers
Your classroom is your stage. Use it to command attention and respect from students.

Strategies for Better Bus Behavior How one savvy driver turns her troublemakers into helpers.

Management Tips for New Teachers Learn how to bring order to the classroom, establish a positive climate, and reach your students.

Getting to Know Each Other Aids and activities to help teachers and students learn about each other in the busy first days of school.

Ask an Expert Need help with a specific classroom management problem? Post your question on our Classroom Management discussion board and receive an answer from a master teacher. While there, you can also advise your other help-seeking colleagues.

Why Middle School Students Can’t Stop Talking And how you can accommodate them to keep things running.

Classroom Disruptors
What to do about out-of-control kids? Your colleagues share their strategies.

Breaking Up Fights Basic techniques for school personnel.

Social Skills Kids Need to Succeed
Why we should teach manners and etiquette in school.

WORKING WITH PARENTS

Meet the Parents Forge a strong partnership with parents by meeting them on their own turf.

Welcoming ELL Parents into the Classroom Having trouble engaging your ELL parents? Just follow along for our teacher-tested strategies.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Preparing for and conducting successful conferences.

The Overzealous Parent Strategies for working with helicopter parents.

Bringing Parents in the Picture
Building partnerships that last beyond back-to-school night.

Dealing with Irate Parents What to do when Mom and Dad are furious over Ashley's failing grade? Advice from your colleagues.

YEAR-LONG SUPPORT

Works4Me Practical classroom tips written by teachers, for teachers. Browse online, search for a specific topic, or sign-up for a weekly email and have the best tips delivered to your inbox.

NEA Online Community
Share advice, tips, questions, or opinions on NEA’s discussion boards. Topics range from advice for thwarting cheaters to getting students interest in P.E. classes.

KEEPING A SENSE OF HUMOR

A Beginner's Guide To Teaching The three-minute lunch and 9 other tips you didn't learn in college.

Caption This! Try your hand at writing funny captions for our cartoons or read the submissions of your colleagues.

Um, You, Over There ... is that Megan or Margaret?
A veteran educator struggles to remember students’ names.

Classroom Observations are Not About Compliance

2013-08-06T06:57:00.001-05:00

by Peter DeWitt on August 5, 2013 8:25 AM
from EDUCATION WEEK

"The best thing about being a teacher is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a teacher is that it matters every day." Todd Whitaker

As much as Todd Whitaker was talking about teachers, I'm sure he'll agree that the same can be said about school administrators. I enjoy reading about systems change, and try to abide by servant leadership every day, but Todd has always been a game changer for me. Long ago when I began to read his books he provided me with the hope and inspiration that what I do as a school leader matters. His words cut to the heart of most issues. Todd gives feedback and it doesn't involve a point scale.

Getting ready for the school year, that seems to be quickly approaching, I have been reading a lot about evidence-based observations. If you're a teacher, and maybe even a principal, you're probably sick and tired of hearing about evidence-based observations. That's most likely because it is accompanied by some state-mandated training.

The problem is that evidence based-observations are really important. Not because of the state-mandated point scales that come with them, but because of the fact that they can inspire important conversations between principals and teachers.

I know that school leaders are supposed to be seen as the master teachers walking into classroom observations, but I strongly disagree with that philosophy. The excitement about observations is not just what the students and teachers can learn from the principal (if they're effective), but what the principal can learn from the students and teachers.

Observations and Conversations

In the usual observation format teachers and principals meet in the pre-conference and discuss the upcoming lesson and the objectives. The principal may ask the teacher what they would like the principal to see during the lesson but that's where the scripted part of the process needs to stop. Unfortunately, most leaders walk in with the expectation of seeing the discussed objectives and miss out, or choose not to see, the other important elements. They're worried about getting the observation done so they can move on to the next one.
Observations should be seen as teachable moments for all stakeholders in the process. I often walk in with my iPad and take notes, but I stop note-taking and walk around and ask the students questions. Sometimes, if the students are engaged in a lesson without the teacher standing over them, I ask the teacher some clarification questions, which goes back to Whitaker's original quotation.

The best thing about being a principal is that it matters. The hardest thing about being a principal is that it matters every day. Every conversation. Every interaction. Every minute of our days provides us with the opportunity to serve our students and teachers, but it also affords us the opportunity to learn from our students and teachers. If we expect our teachers to be life-long learners, we better have the same expectations for ourselves. And that is where I have an issue with accountability. Actually, let me rephrase that...it's where I have an issue with the accountability.

Compliance Practices

Any teacher or principal worth their weight in salt doesn't have an issue with accountability. Those individuals have been holding themselves accountable since before they began their careers. What most educators have an issue with is the accountability created by state education leaders.

Yes, they all stand and give their poetic, and sometimes engaging, speeches where they recite the words of such great works as Invictus by William Ernest Henley. They may even say that all of this accountability is not about compliance, but their actions speak louder than the most poetic and well-spoken words.

When we, as school leaders, sit across from our teachers and engage in conversations about instructional practices we have the opportunity to walk away inspired. Some of the best conversations I have had with teachers moved me to research information that would help them extend the learning in the classroom. Those conversations with staff and administrative colleagues have pushed me to stretch my own thinking.

What cheapens the process is when we have to end those conversations by telling them how many points they received. Our best teachers don't need to be provided with points. They need to be provided with effective feedback and they need to know that they can even teach their school leader a thing or two. Points is a pathetic attempt at compliance. Points tell people that we have power over them.

Even with the difficult conversations, which we have always done without point scales, they are meant to get the best out of teachers who need help, and now points only make them feel worthless. My job as a school leader isn't supposed to be about making someone feel worthless; it's supposed to be about inspiring them to do better, and I don't do that with points. I do that with words and actions.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

What I would appreciate, more now than ever, is for state education leaders, and those at the federal level, to have the decency to admit that as much as they may say all of this accountability (which they joke about in speeches) is not about solid instructional practices and creating relationships. These mandates and accountability are about compliance. We can hear inspirational speeches every day, but as soon as the conversation leads back to points, we have your number. True change doesn't need points.

LCEA Executive Board Training & Retreat

2013-08-04T23:39:00.000-05:00

Your dedicated and member-elected LCEA leaders decided at their May LCEA Meeting to give part of their summer for some planning time, collaboration and training and team building before we kick-off a great 2013-2014.

Here's what they decided (with a change of location).

WHAT: LCEA Association/Building Representative and Executive Board Training/Retreat

WHERE: Lewis Central High School Drama Room

WHEN: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 from 8:00 AM-Noon

BREAKFAST: LCEA will provide a continental breakfast of assorted bagels and pastries, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee.

OVERVIEW: We will take some time to have some breakfast; work with our wonderful SWUU Directors, Pat Shipley and Cindy Formeller (our new director who we are very lucky to have in SWUU) to evaluate the LCEA program; discuss our goals and expectations for the year; work with our building teams and more.

Welcome to Lewis Central Picnic

2013-08-04T19:38:00.003-05:00

We are excited to have you here at Lewis Central. Because you're so busy getting ready for a new start, we'd like to invite you to join us in an informal family friendly picnic. Please bring only yourself/yourselves and an appetite.

WHAT: Welcome to LC Family Friendly Picnic
WHEN: Sunday, August 11, 2013 * 5:00 PM
WHERE: 22383 Stonybrook Drive CLICK HERE for directions.

The LCEA will be providing the cookout meats, drinks and amenities. Our welcome team from each

building will be bringing side-dishes, cover dishes and desserts and probably some funny stories and bad jokes.

We hope you can join us for some informal fun and a chance for someone to cook for you and yours as you prepare for a great year.

Please RSVP with number attendees to our host Dave Bergman or let Tom McLaughlin, LCEA president, know.

51 Top Sources to Become [an even] Better Teacher

2013-08-04T17:28:00.000-05:00

Teachers may spend their days imparting knowledge to others, but that doesn’t mean they should stop learning themselves. Whether they choose to take classes, read books, or just talk with their colleagues, professional development offers a chance to become a better and wiser teacher.

There are numerous resources out there on the web, making finding, sharing, and accessing great tools for development easier than ever. We’ve collected just a few here that can get you started on learning and growing as an educator. So, in addition to TeachThought, what other resources are out there?

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES

Don’t miss out on these sites which are filled to the brim with articles, resources, and learning materials for teachers.

1. edutopia.org: TeachThought favorite edutopia has for years been among the best resources anywhere for project-based learning ideas, videos on successful schools, and blog articles written by educators across the field.

2. Education Week Teacher PD Sourcebook: This sourcebook is filled with amazing resources for teachers, including great articles, a directory of useful sites, and links to PD events.

3. Educators Professional Development: EPD bills itself as “professional development for teachers, by teachers” and that’s just what you’ll find here. Listings for local events, conferences, and a monthly newsletter can help you stay in the loop.

4. Teacher Vision: Teacher Vision offers articles on a wide range of education topics, from learning how to be a better teacher to surviving your first year in the classroom.

5. Teacher Tap: Teachers will find a wealth of great reading material on this site, touching on topics like technology, information literacy, and high-tech learning.

6. Staffdevelop.org: This simple site offers teachers articles, books, resource links, and information about professional development workshops.

7. Education World: Education World has a large professional Development section on their site, packed with articles, interviews, reviews, and other helpful tools for educators.

8. Teachers’ Domain: Teacher’s Domain isn’t just a great place to find digital media for use in the classroom. The site also offers access to some useful professional development materials.

9. Read Write Think: Learn about conventions, read publications, and network with other teachers through the professional development tools offered by this great website.

10. Common Sense Media: On the Common Sense Media site, teachers can take advantage of curriculum training videos that touch on a number of key educational topics.

11. Teachers Network: From lesson plans to videos about teaching to how-to articles, the Teachers Network site is an excellent place to start looking for some professional development resources.

12. Intel Teach Elements: Intel offers teachers a chance to take part in their Teach Elements series which, through videos and reading materials, can help educators to learn more about a range of critical 21st century teaching topics.

13. Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators:If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your teacher needs, consider this resource. You’ll find high quality tools for teaching as well as some to help you improve your own education as well.

14. Podcasts for Teachers: Head to this site to find a list of 40 amazing podcasts for teachers. Through them, you’ll learn more about education news, how to teach, and the free resources out there for teachers.

15. Best Books Channel: One of the best ways to educate yourself as a teacher is to read books. Luckily, Education World provides a place to find the best of the best when it comes to professional development and other teaching topics.

COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

These sites can help you find professional development courses and workshops, both for free and for a fee.

16. Annenberg Learner: Here teachers can find information about workshops and courses, distance learning opportunities, personal development resources, or just pick up some new resources to use in the classroom.

17. Learning Forward: From a professional development book club, to e-learning opportunities, to great content, this site offers innumerable resources to any teacher looking to learn.

18. Teacher Online Education: In the market for some online courses to help you earn graduate or professional development credits? This site has plenty to offer educators.

19. iTunes U: On iTunes U teachers can find a wealth of professional development courses, as well as those in just about any topic or field out there. Better yet, nearly all of them are free.

20. Saylor.org: Saylor is a great place to take courses in basic topics, making it perfect for brushing up on college courses or refreshing your knowledge before heading back to the classroom.

21. OpenLearn: The Open University offers teachers a chance to find free, useful courses on a wide range of topics.

22. PBS Teacherline: PreK-12 educators will find a great list of courses offered through PBS and affiliate institutions that are designed to help teachers boost their skills in technology and teaching reading, writing, math, and science.

23. The Teacher’s Workshop: Head to this website to find out more about workshops, sign up for a newsletter, get reading material, and even find some sample plans.

24. Staff Development for Educators: This company offers teachers online courses, on-site training, workshops, and other useful professional development resources.

25. OER Commons: Head to OER for a wealth of open educational resources, including a large number of articles and courses on professional development.

26. Classroom Connect: Head to this site to learn more about workshops and conferences focused on technology integration in schools.

27. Beacon Educator: Through Beacon Educator, teachers can take online professional development courses that can help to push their careers forward and give them more confidence in the classroom.

28. Knowledge Delivery Systems: Those in the market to take online courses for professional development should check out this company, geared toward educational professionals.

FIELD SPECIFIC

Looking for professional development materials that are specific to the area in which you teach? These sites have got you covered.

29. National Science Teachers Association Professional Development:The NSTA has a learning center, web seminars, and a social network to help science teachers build their professional skills.

30. National Council of Teachers of English:English teachers should check out the resources offered by the NCTE, including books, articles, workshops, and more.

31. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:Those in the market for some math teacher-specific materials shouldn’t miss out on what the NCTM has to offer. With everything from high-quality publications to e-seminars listed in their professional development section, you’re sure to find something useful.

32. National Association of Special Education Teachers:Being a special education teacher can be challenging, so you need all the support and resources you can get. The NCSET is one place to find both, so make sure to check out their publications, resources, and social tools.

33. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities:Through the NICHCY, teachers can learn more about effective staff development strategies for working with students who have disabilities.

34. American Institute for History Education:Resources on the AIHE site range from grant writing help to web-based distance learning, offering a wealth of services for any dedicated history teacher to take advantage of.

35. National Art Education Association:Find great professional development resources for teaching art when you visit the NAEA website.

SKILL BUILDING

Work on building specific skills that you’ll use in the classroom by visiting these amazing professional development resources.

37. LOC Professional Development:

The Library of Congress wants to help teachers expand their knowledge, so they’ve created tools to help teachers better learn how to get students in touch with primary source material.

38. Teaching Tolerance:Learn new ways to promote tolerance and understanding in your students, through the great PD resources offered by this organization.

39. ERIC:No matter what you want to learn about, whether it’s neuroscience or classroom management, you’ll find academic papers on it here that you can read and use to build your knowledge.

40. CAST:Through the CAST website, teachers can learn more about UDL (Universal Design for Learning) using a series of modules, reading materials, and toolkits.

41. ASCD: ASCD is an industry leader in professional development for school districts.

GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS

These groups and organizations offer a number of professional development resources for teachers.

42. National Education Association: The NEA is a great place to look for professional development resources. The site is home to great articles, resources for teaching, help with grants, tools, ideas, and much more.

43. U.S. Department of Education: The USDE offers teachers help with building their professional careers through a series of useful articles and resources.

44. AFT:If you’re paying those union dues, you might as well get all you can from the union. Visit the union website to find professional development resources and to learn more about the ER&D Program.

45. Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy: Read the latest research from this organization, which can go far in informing your teaching practice.

46. GEEO.org: Want to explore the world while working as a teacher? Consider one of the programs offered by the Global Exploration for Educators Organization.

47. AIR Publications: The American Institutes for Research produce a number of useful publications for teachers that touch on topics like leadership, innovation, after-school programs, school reform, and more.

48. NCTE: The National Council for Teachers of English has both frameworks, policies, and resources for the modern literature teacher.

NETWORKING

49. Academia.edu: College professors can connect with others and see what research is being done through this academia-only social network.

50. Teachers.net Chatboards: Looking for a little advice from your peers? Head to one of these teacher chatboards on Teachers.net to get answers to your questions, guidance, and support.

51. OK2Ask: On the TeachersFirst site is a resource called OK2Ask. It’s a series of short live sessions where teachers can ask questions and get answers to their professional development issues.

Image attribution flickr user vancouverfilmschool; this post was first published at bestcollegesonline.com

5 Tools to Increase Our Productivity

2013-08-03T18:47:00.002-05:00

Teachers these days are up to their ears in work that must be accomplished each day. In addition to time spent in front of students, teachers spend hours writing lesson plans and learning objectives, creating and grading tests and assignments, as well as attending meetings, professional development seminars, and courses for keeping up with certification. Any tools that can help a teacher manage time and get tasks done in a timely manner are hugely beneficial. Below are some of the best ways for teachers to become more productive with technology tools.

1. RescueTime

RescueTime is an online time tracking and management program for any busy person who wants to get more done with their time. When entering grades into online grade books, it is too easy to flip over to email or Facebook and lose track of time. RescueTime can block those distractions to make it easier for you to stay focused. It also runs timers in the background to track how much time you spend on different applications. You can check these statistics to see where you are losing time with unproductive activities. RescueTime also helps you track your time off of the computer and sends you alerts to get you refocused on your work tasks.

2. Google Docs
If you are a high school English teacher, you know how much grading and commenting on papers can suck time out of your day. It’s easy to get distracted, to let your mind wander, and to take longer doing it than you meant to. WithGoogle Docs, you can streamline the process and save paper. Google Docs is a free service that allows you to upload documents, edit them, and share with others. Your students need not print their papers to turn in; they can simply upload and share with you. Editing the papers and inserting your comments is much faster when done electronically. This allows you to quickly read and grade first, second, and final drafts of student papers and to give your students instant access to your comments for revisions.

3. Springpad
Being organized is one of many aspects of a great teacher. If organization is not your strength, Springpad can help. It is more than just a high tech to-do list generator. The features on this organizing tool are numerous and include storage of documents, to-do lists, notes with images and links, and notebooks to which you can attach notes, files, and lists. The notebooks you create on Springpad can be private or shared with other teachers.

4. Virtual Assistant
If you think a second pair of hands could help you be more productive in your time out of class, you can hire a set. The International Virtual Assistants Association can help you find a professional to complete tasks for you remotely. Virtual assistants are skilled in various ways. You should be able to find one to create or polish and edit your Powerpoint slides for lectures, input data into grading software, and search for resources and video clips for the classroom. Your VA should also be able to help you with research if you are working on an advanced degree while teaching.

5. Wunderlist
Wunderlist is an easy-to-use and free task manager that can help teachers and other professionals make and organize lists. You can use it on your computer, tablet, and phone at no cost, a great feature for teachers. Wunderlist is very easy to use and you can take your lists with you everywhere you go so that you are working smarter, not harder. If you are co-teaching, you can share related lists with each other. You can even email tasks to your list. The subject of the email matches the task to the appropriate list.

Mary Ellen Ellis is a science teacher and writer for Teacher Certification Degrees, a career resource for individuals interested in pursuing a career in education.

NEA Member Benefits: NEA DUES TAB

2013-08-01T12:13:00.000-05:00

NEA DUES-TAB: Free automatic coverage for all members. All members can take advantage of the valuable, automatic life insurance coverage provided by NEA DUES-TAB. It’s a guaranteed benefit provided at no cost to Active, Staff, Reserve and Life** members by the NEA Members Insurance Trust®. All one has to do is register his or her beneficiary for:
• Up to $1,000 of life insurance
• Up to $5,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage
• Up to $50,000 of AD&D insurance for any covered accident that occurs while on the job or
while serving as an Association leader
• $150,000 coverage if death is caused by homicide which occurs while the eligible member is engaged in any activity in the express or implied terms of the member’s occupation.
• NEA-Retired members are able to receive the $50,000 benefit associated with Accidental Death & Accidental Dismemberment caused by an accident or assault while acting on Association business in the capacity of Association leader.

** Life members must be actively employed in the field of education in order to be eligible for the DUES-TAB benefit.

Click here to learn more about your FREE DUES TAB with NEA Member Benefits.

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Thank a Union: 36 Ways Unions Have Improved Your Life

2013-07-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

Orignally posted at this site.
Posted by the LCEA INSIDER on August 20, 2012 with some grammatical/content revisions.

Let's get one thing straight...

Employers and Corporations did not feel generous and decide to give (workers) two days off every week to enjoy a meaningful personal life. (Most Americans call these days off) weekends. Corporations did not just feel like being nice one day and give their employees paid vacations. CEOs didn't (brainstorm) together in a board room and say, "Let's give our employees more rights at work" or "Maybe there should be laws to limit our (unreasonable) power(s) over an employee".
Virtually ALL (of) the benefits (that union and non-union American workers) have at work--whether you work in the public or private sector--all of the benefits and rights you enjoy everyday are there because unions fought hard and long for them against big business who did everything they could to prevent giving you your rights. Many union leaders and members even lost their lives for things we take for granted today.

The right-wing attack on unions is nothing more than ignorance, lack of education, and propaganda.

If republicans would rather support corporations instead of organized groups of workers working to secure a fair work environment A.K.A a union, I ask them to walk the walk as well. Give up every benefit and right that you use that unions are responsible for (securing).

Complete trust and submit yourself to the corporate agenda you fight for. Play by their rules with no influence from democrats or labor unions to try to force rights among the workers of this country. Dedicate your life to their life goal of making your company more money than the year before. Just understand that this may mean sacrificing the union fought rights you enjoy everyday. I mean, you don't want to be a hypocrite, do you? Like bashing unions on your union fought lunch break? Which means if you practice what you preach, you don't get a lunch break.

Corporations use to work employees 80+ hours a week, offer no breaks, hire children, offer horrid, unsanitary work conditions, paid literally next to nothing, and even murder. Not murder with a pen like they do today, but actual murder. They basically did whatever they wanted.

This is what they were like before unions. Don't take my word for it, look it up. (Links at bottom of page). If we rid the world of unions tomorrow, who is to say that they won't go right back to the way they were merely 70 years ago? The GOP governor of Maine signed a bill to repeal child labor laws this year, maybe they are going back to their roots whether we have unions or not.

So conservatives, please practice what you preach and give up all these rights and leave the umbrella of these laws for they were brought to you by unions...

36 Reasons Why You Should Thank a Union

Weekends
All Breaks at Work, including your Lunch Breaks
Paid Vacation
FMLA
Sick Leave
Social Security
Minimum Wage
Civil Rights Act/Title VII (Prohibits Employer Discrimination)
8-Hour Work Day
Overtime Pay
Child Labor Laws
Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
40 Hour Work Week
Worker's Compensation (Worker's Comp)
Unemployment Insurance
Pensions
Workplace Safety Standards and Regulations
Employer Health Care Insurance
Collective Bargaining Rights for Employees
Wrongful Termination Laws
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
Whistleblower Protection Laws
Employee Polygraph Protect Act (Prohibits Employer from using a lie detector test on an employee)
Veteran's Employment and Training Services (VETS)
Compensation increases and Evaluations (Raises)
Sexual Harassment Laws
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Holiday Pay
Employer Dental, Life, and Vision Insurance
Privacy Rights
Pregnancy and Parental Leave
Military Leave
The Right to Strike
Public Education for Children
Equal Pay Acts of 1963 & 2011 (Requires employers pay men and women equally for the same amount of work)
Laws Ending Sweatshops in the United States

So will conservatives give up all 36 of these union fought rights? Will they stand by their rhetoric that unions are thugs and refuse to take benefits from these "thugs" or will they hypocritically carry on the diatribe that unions are ruining this country while enjoying their weekends and paid vacations?

Or...

Maybe they could just admit that while not perfect, like anything else, unions have done great things for working people that they use and benefit from everyday of their lives?

Maybe a conservative union-hating family got to have some of the best moments of their lives while on vacation from work, and they still got to come to a job still there waiting for them, because of unions?

Maybe a conservative can't wait for their lunch break at work so they can turn on the radio and listen to Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Back talk about how horrible unions are?

If you don't want to give up all your union fought rights and benefits at work, I understand. I don't want to either, that's why I'm pro-union and vote Democrat.

But maybe you could just admit that unions are not demons spawned from hell, and admit the FACT that they have improved your life in more ways than one?

Or am I asking too much?

Sources and Information:
AFSCME
Dept of Labor
Timeline
Wikipedia.org
Child Labor Public Education Project
AFL-CIO
SEIU

Take a Risk...Flip Your Parent Communication!

2013-07-10T08:50:00.000-05:00

by Peter DeWitt on July 7, 2013 6:17 AM|
from EDUCATION WEEK TEACHER

The Flipped model can clearly be a fad, but it doesn't have to be if it is done with integrity.

Old model of parent communication - Monthly newsletters with important dates & info.

New model of parent communication - Classroom websites, district Facebook pages, school Twitter pages...and monthly newsletters.

But what about flipping communication? Most schools are looking for new and innovative ways to engage parents. Connected leaders have been flipping their faculty meetings in order to model the method for teachers who want to flip their classrooms. Some leaders are doing it because their teachers who flip their classrooms have influenced them and inspired them to take a risk. Yes, risk-taking is reciprocal.

Unfortunately, due to outside influences such as increased accountability, or to inside influences such as...well, staff and school leaders that don't get along, some school leaders are nervous about flipping anything.

They have a fear that the reaction to flipping will look something like this...

Last year I posted a blog about flipping parent communication and there were mixed reactions. I get it! There are educators who hate discussing technology because they believe it is a fad or feel that techies inflate the need for technology in the classroom. I have written numerous times about finding a balance, so even though I feel like it's implied when I write, I will say it again...it's about finding a balance (Finding Common Ground) between being old school and being...well...new school.

To many educators, flipping faculty meetings or parent communication sounded like an odd thing to do and I received the following questions.

• Was I just trying to put a twist on an old form of communication?
• Was it really necessary to flip communication with parents?
• How many parents actually viewed the videos?

The answer to questions 1 and 2 are both "yes." The answer to question three is a bit more complicated. To my surprise many parents responded positively. I noticed that the videos I flipped were viewed a lot in the first 24 hours. We can't say the same thing for our paper communication (although we always need to send that because some parents don't have computers). We don't know if the paper we send home gets thrown away without being looked at or hung up on the refrigerator (We call ours the Refrigerator Page).

When it came to flipping communication, parents contacted me to say they liked the way that I flipped some big events, important information (DASA, Common Core State Standards, etc.) and just a regular day in the life of our students (i.e. in music, using netbooks, in gym, etc.). To be perfectly honest, I now feel as though I did not flip communication nearly enough.

Why Flip Our Communication?

Parents are really busy and some of them just can't get to school. They miss out on volunteering or have to work when we have night events. Flipping communication allows them to see what they missed. It helps them feel a little more engaged even though they had to work.

If it is a flipped communication about something that happened in the school day, and the school leader sends it out that day, it is quite possible that parents can view it before their child even gets home from school. This, of course, can lead to a dinner conversation. When parents ask, "What did you do at school today?" their child may have a better answer than..."Nothin."

According to Business Insider, "There Will Be 1.4 Billion Smartphones In Use By December (ABI Research via VentureBeat). By the end of this current year, 1.4 billion smartphones will be in use: 798 million of them will run Android, 294 million will run Apple's iOS, and 45 million will run Windows Phone, according to a new study by ABI Research. With the world population at 7 billion that will mean one phone for every five people in the world."

That has staggering implications for schools. Most of our parents, and many of our students, carry a Smartphone with them wherever they go. It's important for them to disconnect but it's just important for schools to get with society and upgrade their communication.

Flipping communication can clearly be a fad, but it doesn't have to be if it is done with integrity. Unfortunately, too many school leaders will not take the chance because they are worried about taking a risk or looking foolish to parents. I guess I wasn't worried about it as much because there are times when I do look foolish and I'm kind of ok with that. However, I also trust our parents because we have a really special community and I figured if it was a flop they would let me know that they didn't like it.

Images Can Evoke Strong Feelings Over the past year I have taken a great deal of time to figure out why flipping is important. I don't have any long-term longitudinal studies that state the importance of flipping. There is just too much data in my life these days and I didn't need any more. However, I looked at flipping communication from two different viewpoints.

They are:

Viewpoint #1 - As I incorporated pictures or videos into the flipped communication I had parents and teachers stop to tell me what they thought about them. Perhaps the video inspired them in some way or they thought the information was important. The flipped video was something they could watch on their own and it inspired a conversation.

Viewpoint #2 - I attended an edtech conference in Boston and the keynote presenter used a medium to present that was short on narrative and heavy on pictures. I was completely enveloped into what she was saying because the pictures drew me in. Pictures have a way of doing that, especially when they are of our students. They get us to smile and we feel more engaged.

Schools can continue to use a newsletter and do nothing else. However, if that is all they use, they can't walk away wondering why parents aren't as engaged as they should be. School leaders, much like the staff they lead, need to take risks. Sure, they might fail once or twice, but if the flipping is done with integrity, it may lead to a new format to engage parents, and we all need that.

Three Things to Make Next Year a Better One

2013-07-09T18:43:00.001-05:00

by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers on July 9, 2013 5:55 AM
EDUCATION WEEK TEACHER

In 2007, Karl Fisch, Director of Technology at Araphoe High School in Colorado, and the author of The FischBowl, and Scott McLeod, widely recognized as one of the nation's leading academic experts on K-12 school technology leadership issues and author of Dangerously ! Irrelevant, developed the video, Did You Know; Shift Happens - Globalization; Information Age. They surprised everyone with some pretty overwhelming information. This link is to the original version. It has been updated several times over these past six years, but even the original message still rings true. We are faced with a world that is continuing to change at an increasingly accelerated pace and we are charged with leading learning institutions inside of the tornado that has become our life.

Every day there are blog posts and articles that give us (as an example) the "10 most important things to do in order to...." They all have good pointers and are very helpful in helping us manage to keep our feet on the ground and move forward in spite of that tornado that sweeps us off our feet and throws us around. Each of us must choose which applies to our environments and which applies to the readiness level of our teachers and schools. We offer 3 things to do in order to figure out which of the other 10 things are worth doing for your classrooms and schools. If we do these three things, we may be better prepared to handle this next year with more wisdom and preparation than we had in the last.

Take Control of Your Time

As impossible as this seems, we can do it better. In a long ago post, we talked about the work of Paul Bambrick-Santoyo. In his book Leverage Leadership he suggests that controlling our schedules gives us the opportunity to provide "Quality School Leadership." Certainly this seems impossible with interruptions, a child or parent in need, meetings, Email, phone calls to take and return - especially for building level leaders.
Here are some ideas from Bambrick-Santoyo and from leaders we have known, which may work for you. In Part 3 of his book, he talks about blocking out our schedules. Set times for observations, meetings with groups of teachers, teacher-leader meetings, work time, etc. Teaching the people who support and work with us takes time. Secretaries need to be reminded of times that can be used to make appointments and times that must be left untouched. They need to be taught about what constitutes an emergency and what can wait. And we all need to be prepared to stray from even the best constructed schedule when those emergencies occur. Our teachers and colleagues, students, secretaries, even our supervisors can become familiar with our pattern if we stick to it as best we can. It is a difficult thing to do, but an important one that can help us accomplish our goals.

Set Priorities And Stick To Them

With all the things we have to do while implementing the Common Core, new observation and evaluation systems, new regulations and mandates, it is easy to let our local priorities slip away. We could take time this summer to step back and consider what is important in our classrooms, buildings, and districts. Student and staff culture, relationships with parents, curriculum development, attendance, grading and homework practices, new systems of organizations, increasing our use of technology etc. - what ever is on our "local plate" needs to stay as our focus. For some, putting it right up on the wall, on the homepage of our computers, on every page of our planner, in our office and in the hallways, as a footnote on every memo, whatever works to help keep our priorities in front of all of can be of help.

Invite More Perspectives Into The Conversations

We all have committees to serve on or lead. We include parents, teachers, students, colleagues, and community members into some of our decisions, but most often, we invite those who we perceive as supportive and of like minds. If we commit ourselves to being purposeful in choosing people to serve on our committees, to contribute to our decisions, who have divergent opinions, perceptions, and purposes from our own, we can begin (or continue) to broaden the foundation of support in our communities as everyone feels heard, and comes to a common understanding that is always based upon our stated purpose: educating children and preparing them for their futures as adults. This takes practice and courage, especially if we have a challenging year like this last one. The testing uproar alone was enough to invite us to pull back and away from disagreements. But it is working through those disagreements, understanding each other, learning how each other thinks and why that is so, helps to build valuable relationships. And it is on that foundation we can integrate our work and remain focused on what is important to us for the children. Resource: Bambrick-Santoyo, Paul. (2012). Leverage Leadership.San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

ISEA at Work for US: Education Reform Update

2013-05-06T19:58:00.000-05:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED 5/1/2013

How many of us would be willing to invest a little time now to save time that might be wasted later? This is our busiest time of the year "IN" and "OUT" of the classroom. We do a great deal of our job in the classroom and most of us know that some of our most valuable work for the profession happens when we do "the other half of the job." None of us in the LCEA is willing to only do half of our job, so now is the time for all good Association members to come to the aid of their profession.

Weeks ago when I traveled to each of the building's in the school district, I asked you to take a pledge with me about taking action during this legislative session. You took the pledge with me and now is when I need to take action on that "ask."

The ISEA management, leadership and staff have--as usual--done a fabulous job in breaking down the Education Reform Issue here in Iowa that is in conference committee in the legislature. So, here's what we need you to do:

(1) VIEW THE ISEA VIDEO:

(2) IF YOU NEED IT, HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WRITING OR CALLING LEGISLATORS

Tips on Writing to Legislators
Tips on Phoning Legislators

(3) Please call or e-mail today, each member of the Education Conference Committee below and tell them to support the Senate Democrats' new counter-proposal.

Senate Switchboard: 515-281-3371

Co-Chair Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) - Herman.Quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Tod Bowman (D- Maquoketa) -- Tod.Bowman@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm (D- Cresco) -- Mary.Jo.Wilhelm@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Joni Ernst (R- Red Oak) -- Joni.Ernst@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) -- Amy.Sinclair@legis.iowa.gov

House Switchboard: 515-281-3221

Co-Chair Rep. Ron Jorgensen (R-Sioux City) - Ron.Jorgensen@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Quentin Stanerson (R-Center Point) -- Quentin.Stanerson@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Cecil Dolecheck (R-Mt. Ayr) - Cecil.Dolecheck@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Sharon Steckman (D- Mason City) - Sharon.Steckman@legis.iowa.gov
Rep. Frank Wood (D-Eldridge) - Frank.Wood@legis.iowa.gov

NEA INSIDER--March 1, 2013

2013-03-01T21:48:00.001-06:00

TRIGGERED: TELL CONGRESS ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS WILL HURT YOUR STUDENTS

Automatic budget cuts to the education programs and services on which middle-class families and the nation’s 50 million students rely go into effect today. Congress’ inability to reach a compromise means $85 billion in across-the-board cuts, including $3 billion to education and Head Start, have been triggered.

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said, “The real consequences of the budget cuts—fewer educators and reading coaches, ballooning class sizes, and no after-school tutoring—are keeping educators and students up at night, and they are causing uncertainty and angst as school districts are making budgetary decisions for the upcoming school year… It’s wrong to balance the budget on the backs of students without demanding that corporations and the rich pay their fair share.”
This week, NEA partnered with labor allies AFSCME, SEIU and AFT to create a television spot about the cuts that will begin airing March 4. Called “Remembered,” it singles out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and six members of the Republican-controlled House: Reps. Gary Miller and Jeff Denham of California, Rep. Bob Gibbs of Ohio, Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida, Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa, and Rep. Dan Benishek of Michigan.

Now is the time to pull out all the stops and urge Congress to reverse the damaging, across-the-board cuts. Contact Congress immediately! Personalize the impact of the cuts with real-life stories.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Share your story — Tell us how across-the-board cuts will affect you, your students, your school, and your colleagues.
Email your Members of Congress — For details on the impact of the cuts, check out NEA’s program-specific and state-by-state charts.
Call Congress on our Educator Connector Line, 1.866.293.7278
Take the Kids Not Cuts pledge— Already took the pledge? Share it with at least five friends and ask them to join the fight.
For the latest news, check out Kids Not Cutson the Education Votes website.

VIEW AND SHARE NEW INFOGRAPHICS ON THE IMPACT OF THE CUTS

Education Votes has created new social media share-ables with national and state-specific data showing how many students will be affected by these unconscionable cuts. Please share them with your networks as soon as you can. They have already been viewed almost 100,000 times in less than 24 hours!

DEMAND ACTION TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE

This week, NEA member and California school counselor Vincent Pompei testified before the House Education & the Workforce Committee at a hearing entitled, “Protecting Students and Teachers: A Discussion on School Safety.” He focused on the need to create a safe learning environment in schools beyond just physically securing the building. From his testimony:

“When students feel safe and connected at school, they are more likely to learn. Yet most educators get no training—we call it “professional development”—in what it takes to create a school climate that nourishes mental well-being as well as academic success.

If our nation is serious about keeping students safe, that has got to change. We must do more than react after the damage has been done. We must invest in professional development that acknowledges the need for “preventive care”—a healthy, safe, and inclusive school climate.”

Pompei also addressed the issue of student-to-counselor ratios. The American School Counselor Association recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1. In California, where Pompei lives, the ratio exceeds 1,000 to 1—“a caseload not even Superman could handle!” he observed in his testimony.

Next week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is marking up proposed gun violence legislation. Let your Senator know that you support stronger, sensible measures to prevent gun violence and keep our children and communities safe.

NEA is advocating for a multi-pronged approach to curbing the gun violence plaguing our nation. In addition to stronger laws to limit access to weapons of war, we support:

Enhancing school safety while giving local districts the flexibility to decide what they need — counselors, nurses, or other personnel.
Providing professional development for all school staff in cultural competence, conflict management, and anti-bullying initiatives.
Expanding and improving mental-health services.

Learn more about NEA’s efforts to ensure the safety of all students.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!

E-mail your Members of Congress — Tell them enough is enough. Tell them to take action immediately to help prevent more senseless deaths from gun violence.
Sign NEA’s petition — Support meaningful action on preventing gun violence, bullying, and expanding and improving mental-health services.
Send your stories to edinsider@nea.org— Lawmakers need to hear from educators about what they can do to help prevent more tragedies. Have you or your school been touched by gun-related violence? What have you experienced as an educator when discussing such incidents with your students? Tell us!

SPEAK UP FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

NEA’s priorities for comprehensive immigration reform include providing a path to legal citizenship, promoting family unity, and passing the DREAM Act. Read NEA’s letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on this issue.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!

E-mail your Members of Congress — Tell them to act swiftly, in a bipartisan manner, and enact comprehensive immigration reform.
Take the pledge — Students and their families deserve fair immigration reform now!

VAWA REAUTHORIZATION PASSES!

On February 28, the House passed the NEA-supported Senate version of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act by a margin of 286-138. Click here to see how your representative voted. President Obama is expected to sign the measure into law shortly. In addition to streamlining and updating VAWA, the bill provides important new protections for LGBT and Native American women, and will help ensure the continued funding of critical VAWA-supported programs. Since the enactment of VAWA, the rate of domestic violence has been cut in half and the number of people who have died at the hands of an intimate partner has fallen by 34 percent for women and by 57 percent for men.

CHEERS AND JEERS

Cheers to:

	Reps. Susan Davis (D-CA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) and to Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) for sponsoring bipartisan resolutions recognizing Read Across America in the House and the Senate, respectively.
	Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) and 17 Republican colleagues who sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) urging them to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

Jeers to:

Jeers to Senators James Inhofe (R-OK) and Patrick Toomey (R-PA) for proposing a “sequester substitute” that would continue job-killing, economy-slowing deep cuts of $85 billion this year alone, putting essential services like education at even greater risk while preserving tax loopholes for the wealthy and corporations.

ISEA HOTLINE--February 28, 2013

2013-02-28T20:49:00.002-06:00

Attend your local legislative forums this weekend! Last week the House passed HF 215, which includes their amendments to the Governor's Education Proposal.

A summary of the bill is located in the Legislative Action Center on isea.org under the Updates tab. The House version only provides 2 percent allowable growth; lowers the minimum teacher salary to $32,000; takes peer review out of the bargaining process; requires principals to do annual summative evaluations; and allows schools to opt out of the Teacher and Career Leadership Pathway.

Here are the questions you need to ask your legislators at the forums in your area this weekend:

1) Do you support 4 percent Allowable Growth for FY 2014 and FY 2015, separate from any education reform legislation?

2) Would you support raising the minimum teacher salary to $35,000 separate from the optional portion of the Career and Compensation Matters section of current legislation in the House?

3) We are just now beginning to bargain the current process of Peer Review. Do you support continuing this process?

4) What is the rationale behind annual summative administrator evaluations when administrators admit that adding to the frequency will adversely affect the quality of the evaluations?

5) Why is the Teacher and Career Leadership Pathway optional? With over $800 million in reserves, why can't we implement the program statewide?

Take Action Now! Write to your legislators on Allowable Growth and House File 215.

When you talk with your Legislators, explain what this means for your students and your community. If this proposed Legislation would affect the bargaining of your contracts and your school's ability to budget, tell your Legislators about those consequences. Take positive action and let your Representatives know how this affects you!

You Better Start Listening to Teachers

2013-02-26T20:08:00.000-06:00

from EDUCATION WEEK by John Wilson on February 25, 2013 6:15 AM

This past week I noticed a storm brewing, and I am not talking about the snowstorm that swept through the Midwest. I'm talking about the indications of unrest found in the latest MetLife American Teacher Survey. The results were dismaying but not surprising to me. I've talked to teachers who, like most in their profession, care deeply for their students and weep with anger over the bureaucratic intrusions into their classrooms that prevent them from doing their best for those students. I've talked to teachers who say they can't afford to teach, and I've talked to teachers who are exhausted from the struggle to provide resources and attention to classes too large for students so needy.

I have also heard that the average salary of teachers has declined---declined for the first time in my lifetime. Their profession is not getting better for teachers. Politicians, education leaders, business CEOs, and parents must listen to teachers before serious damage is done to the public schools of America.

When I read the results of the MetLife survey, I noted that results were based on information gathered in the fall of 2012. How much worse will the next report be if we don't start doing some things differently? According to the survey, job satisfaction is at the lowest level in twenty years, and teachers who are more likely to leave for another occupation are at the highest level. Teaching was once thought to be a secure profession, but now, high numbers of teachers feel insecure in their jobs because of budget cuts and flawed evaluation systems. The combination has created an environment of fear and high stress levels in which no employee can do her or his best work for children.

This survey provided key insights into the elements that produce job satisfaction. Being treated as a professional with respect and trust, adequate opportunities for professional development, time to collaborate with other teachers, preparation time for lessons and analysis of student data, and parent involvement that promotes positive relations were the main drivers. Additionally, the survey found that while benefits are fair for now, salaries are woefully inadequate and there seems to be little effort to prioritize salary improvement in budgets.

I have often written that the primary core value of teachers is fairness. Life for them today is not fair. For example, a blog about an architect of the flawed No Child Left Behind legislation stated that he has his own children in a private school, a school that proudly promotes that it does not administer the state standardized tests and advertises its small class sizes.

In addition, politicians have unfairly bashed teachers using that big club of flawed standardized tests. Teachers know that they are totally responsible for their practice, but test scores are the responsibility of the test takers. You can evaluate a teacher's practice if test scores show a pattern of problems, but it is not fair to stop at one test score. If the testing pressure continues, the best prepared teachers will only be found at schools for the middle class and affluent while poor children will be relegated to short-termers and the unprepared.

How can we begin to shore up our schools and the teachers in them? We can start by having every school administer the Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey and use the data to make substantive changes in the school environment. The New Teacher Center is the resource for getting that started. The Center's work is no longer mere theory, but meaningful data for school improvement and a must for those who want to improve teacher job satisfaction.

Secretary Duncan should use his bully pulpit to declare teacher morale and job satisfaction key factors in achieving world class schools. He should conduct teacher town hall meetings virtually and in person to listen to teachers. The Secretary of Education needs to partner with America's teachers in providing all children a great education. If we truly believe that teachers are the most important element in creating great schools, then listen, listen, listen.

A storm is brewing. Let's take the steps needed to prevent its blowing down our public schools.

Education Votes--February 23, 2013

2013-02-24T17:31:00.001-06:00

President Obama honors Newtown, Conn., educator heroes

"They gave their lives to protect the precious children in their care. They gave all they had for the most innocent and helpless among us." - President Obama

WI Gov. Walker delivers a blow to public education, takes aim at schools and working families...again

"Parents, teachers, education support professionals, school board members and administrators see past the lip-service and recognize that flat-lining public school funding while at the same time expanding taxpayer funding for private schools will harm neighborhood public schools." - Mary Bell, junior high library media specialist and WEAC president

Lawmakers prepare for hearing on school safety

More debate and discussion on gun violence and school safety is expected on Capitol Hill next week. Click through to find out more and let us know what you want to say to lawmakers.

Wisconsin teacher fights for his students and immigration reform

72 percent of Americans support a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million aspiring citizens living in the United States. Increasingly, there is bipartisan support for DREAMer students and comprehensive immigration reform from congressional Democrats as well as prominent Republicans.

Visit our "Kids Not Cuts!" topic page for all the latest info on the fight against across the board cuts and what you can do to get involved.

URGENT: IF CONGRESS FAILS TO ACT, EDUCATION FACES MORE CUTS IN JUST ONE WEEK!

2013-02-24T16:55:00.000-06:00

Walking off the “fiscal cliff” would be an absolute disgrace. The innocent, most vulnerable, and neediest among us would be devastated. I understand that coming to a consensus is difficult. But our representatives in Congress are adults who know how to fend for themselves, not innocent children who need all the support they can get. Put ideologies and party stances aside. Do the right thing. Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. — NEA member from Illinois

Democrats, Republicans, business leaders, economists, and educators agree: across-the-board cuts — “sequestration” in Washington-speak — is a terrible idea. Yet some in Congress seem willing to let them happen.

Next week, Congress returns from recess and unless it acts, automatic across-the-board cuts will begin March 1. We expect votes in the Senate as early as Wednesday, including a plan from Democratic leaders to raise new revenue from the very wealthy and profitable corporations instead of making indiscriminate cuts.

Now is the time to pull out all the stops — Contact Congress immediately! Personalize the impact of the cuts with real-life stories like those submitted by your fellow educators.

NEA member Megan Allen, a fifth-grade teacher from Florida, testified before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on February 21. She told lawmakers:

I have 36 students who dream. Who have beautiful goals. Who see school as the lever to break the chains of poverty and achieve something amazing in life for themselves and their families. And our school is working to make that happen …

In my school district — Hillsborough County in Florida — 142 schools stand to lose $3 million in Title I funding. On top of that, we’ll be getting $2 million less for special education — the equivalent of shifting the entire cost of educating 1,500 students with disabilities from the federal government to Hillsborough County. Programs serving English-language learners — we have 25,000 — will be cut as well…

Some say we cannot afford to keep spending as much on education. I say we cannot afford to spend a cent less. In fact, we should be spending more. We owe it to our youngest dreamers. Our learners. Economic recovery begins in our classrooms. Investing in education is investing in the future of America. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow — our living legacy.

Allen’s testimony was so moving, it made national news! Check it out on YouTube.

The Washington Post printed Allen’s testimony in its entirety — and her picture — under this headline, “It’s wrong to spend ‘a cent less on high-risk kids,’ teacher tells lawmakers.”

The Hill included this quote from Allen in its story on the hearing: “My students live in poverty and have special needs that federal funding help. The looming cuts threaten all of this.”

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Check out the impact of the cuts in your state with NEA’s program-specific and state-by-state charts.

Share your story — Tell us how across-the-board cuts would affect you, your students, your school, and your colleagues.

Email your Senators now — Tell them to support the Democratic leadership’s plan to prevent the devastating cuts. Tell them to oppose any plan that would permit those cuts to proceed.

E-mail your Representative — Tell him/her to stop any across-the-board cuts to education funding

Call Congress on our Educator Connector Line, 1.866.293.7278 — Urge elected officials to protect education, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Take the Kids Not Cuts pledge — Already took the pledge? Share it with at least five friends and ask them to join the fight.

For the latest news, check out Kids Not Cuts on the Education Votes website.

DEMAND ACTION TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE

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Millions across the nation continue to demand stronger, sensible measures to prevent gun violence and keep our children and communities safe. But it will be very difficult to pass even common-sense measures that most Americans support — for example, criminal background checks for all gun purchases. We must keep up the drumbeat to succeed!

NEA supports a multi-pronged approach to curbing the gun violence plaguing our nation. In addition to stronger laws to limit access to weapons of war, we advocate:

Enhancing school safety while giving local districts the flexibility to decide what they need — counselors, nurses, or other personnel.

Providing professional development for all school staff in cultural competence, conflict management, and anti-bullying initiatives.

Expanding and improving mental health services.

This Wednesday, NEA member Vincent Pompei, president of the California Association of School Counselors and one of four public educators invited to the first White House anti-bullying summit with President Obama and the First Lady, will testify at a hearing of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, “Protecting Students and Teachers: A Discussion on School Safety.”
Learn more about NEA’s efforts to ensure the safety of all students.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!

E-mail your Members of Congress — Tell them enough is enough. Tell them to take action immediately to help prevent more senseless deaths from gun violence.

Sign NEA’s petition to keep students safe from gun violence.

Send your stories to edinsider@nea.org— Lawmakers need to know the truth about violence in our nation’s schools and classrooms. Tell us what you think they can do to help prevent more tragedies. Have you or your school been touched by gun-related violence? What have you experienced as an educator when discussing such incidents with your students? Tell us!

SPEAK UP FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM

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NEA’s priorities for comprehensive immigration reform include providing a path to legal citizenship, promoting family unity, and passing the DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for talented young people who were brought to this country as children. Read NEA’s letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on this issue.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

E-mail your Members of Congress — Tell them to act swiftly, in a bipartisan manner, and enact comprehensive immigration reform.

CHEERS AND JEERS

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Cheers to:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for holding the hearing at which NEA member Megan Allen testified to the havoc across-the-board cuts would wreak on her students.

Representatives Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elijah Cummings (D-MD), and John Sarbanes (D-MD) for their support for stopping the looming cuts.

Cummings said to Allen, “I went to a school like yours. If it were not for the support services and the people like you, I would not be here in Congress today. When you talk about that rock, I get it. Your kids … want to be somebody. They want to dream. That little boy Daniel with the rock, I want to see where he is in 10 years.”

When Sarbanes observed that Congress ought not be cutting education programs while continuing tax subsidies for oil companies, Allen responded, “When I hear about the sequester, it sounds nonsensical. Why would we do this? Why would we take from 10-year-olds while letting large corporations get big tax breaks?”

Jeers to:

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) for saying the looming across-the-board cuts don’t go far enough. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published February 20, he said, “Most Americans are just hearing about this Washington creation for the first time: the sequester … There is nothing wrong with cutting spending that much — we should be cutting even more — but the sequester is an ugly and dangerous way to do it.”

Every Child Counts

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The past two weeks of session were quite busy. Here is a recap of some of the most notable happenings related to kids and their families.

Last week, the HHS Budget SubCommittee heard presentations on Medicaid expansion which is a pretty hot topic at the Capitol right now. And, this week, the SubCommittee heard from 1st Five.

You can download the presentations below:

DHS - Medicaid Expansion Presentation
DHS - Iowa Care Presentation
1st Five

CLICK READ MORE below and read about specific EDUCATION and STUDENT/CHILDREN legislation.

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Budget SubCommittee heard testimony from Shanell Wagler, Facilitator, Early Childhood Iowa,

David Arens, Former Polk County ECI Board Member and

LauraBelle Sherman-Proehl, Administrative Consultant, Early Childhood, Dept. of Education. You can download their presentations below:

ECI Overview and Polk Co ECI Presentation
ECI Needs Assessment
Shared Visions Presentation

On February 19th, the House debated the Governor's education reform bill with a vote coming on February 20th. The House has a rule that they won't cast any votes after midnight and debate lasted right until midnight, so they recessed and came back for final statement and vote. HSB 4 (now HF 215) passed on party line vote. House Democrats offered several amendments, including expanding preschool and reducing class size but the Majority party ruled them non-germane, which is a little mind boggling. Not sure why preschool education is not relevant to education reform?! The bill moves onto the Senate...........stay tuned!

The first funnel date is March 8th, so there should be a flurry of activity leading up to that date!

We do our best to keep you up to date on what is happening during this legislative session. Feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions you might have. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

And finally, don't forget to communicate with your legislators and weigh in on important children and family issues!

Quality Early Learning and Development:

HF 215 ( formerly HSB 4) - Governor's Education Reform Bill - UPDATE - Passed House 52-44 on 2/19. Sent to Senate and assigned to Senate Education Comm.

SSB 1058 - Governor's Education Reform Bill - Subcommittee of Quirmbach, Schoenjohn and Ernst.

SF 48 - An Act requiring background checks for school employees.

HF 144 - Deems a child who is 4 yrs old and attending preschool as being of compulsory school age unless a parent submits a letter withdrawing the child from preschool. UPDATE - passed out of Subcommittee and in committee.

NEW:

HF 256 - Membership requirement in ECI Boards.

HF 253 - Requires audits every three years of local ECI Boards. Subcommittee mtg on 2/27 @ 11:30.

HF 255 - Act relating to direct and indirect costs under the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children and including effective date provisions

SF 222 - EHS expansion by state of Iowa

Child Health and Well-Being:

SSB 1001 - An act requiring pulse oximetry screening for newborns in a birthing hospital. UPDATE - Subcommittee directed impacted parties to work out agreement and return with plan the first week in March.

SF 71- Medicaid expansion - The bill requires DHS to amend the medical assistance state plan to implement the bill with respect to the provision of medical homes and the coverage of certain low-income adults. (Companion bill is HF 83) UPDATE - two subs held - voted out of Subcommittee on 2/21.

HSB 95 - Relating to the use of restraints against a pregnant inmate or detainee. (Companion Bill SF 134). UPDATE - See this story. The bill is still alive in the Senate.

HF 97 - This bill provides eligibility for mental health services through the regional mental health and disability service system for certain children. The regions, consisting of counties, are being formed and phased in during FY 2013-2014.

HF 98 - This bill relates to the mental health and disability services (MH/DS) fund levy for FY 2013-2014 and FY

2014-2015

SF 101 - An Act relating to coverage for foster children under the Medicaid program

HSB 32 - An Act relating to the penalties for the criminal offense of sexual exploitation of a minor by the purchase or possession of child pornography.

HF 80 - An Act mandating drug testing of applicants for and certain recipients of assistance under the family investment program.

HF 167 - An Act establishing a child endangerment offense for the mother of a newborn child who caused an illegal drug to be present in the newborn child's body.

HF 161 - An Act requiring regional mental health and disability services to be provided to both children and adults.

HF 160 - Appropriates $11.63 million in FY 13 from the federal children's health insurance fund to the DHS MH Redesign Transition Fund. UPDATE - Passed house 58-42 on 2/13. Referred to Senate Approps.

NEW:

SSB 1159 (Companion HSB 122) - vision screening for school age children. UPDATE: - subcommittees held in both chambers.

SF 196 - An act related to prenatal and postpartum care.

SF 178 - An Act relating to mandatory child abuse and dependent adult abuse reporter training, and including applicability provisions

SF 216 - An Act providing for training on suicide prevention and trauma-informed care for school personnel. Subcommitte on 2/25 at 12:15.

Family Economic Success:

HF 80 - Mandates drug testing of applicants for and certain recipients of assistance under the family investment program.

HF 1 - This bill relates to the taxpayers trust fund by modifying the transfer of moneys from the Iowa economic emergency fund to 29the taxpayers trust fund.

SF 88 - This bill increases the amount of the state earned income tax credit. Currently, the credit is equal to 7 percent of the amount of a taxpayer's federal earned income tax credit. The bill increases the amount of the credit to 20 percent. UPDATE - Subcommittee meeting on 2/27 at 11:30

SF 132 - This bill relates to specified aspects of the regulation of delayed deposit services businesses. Pay Day Loan Bill.

SF 135 - This bill requires that designated state departments and law enforcement agencies be provided access to delayed deposit services customer information when requested by the department or agency by subpoena.

HF 175 - An Act relating to eligibility determinations for the state child care assistance program.

HF 178 - An Act declaring the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act invalid, null and void, and of no effect in this state.

*bills listed by ECC legislative priority area. Bill listed might be helpful or harmful to the priority area.

Duncan Blasts Congress Over Sequestration Cuts.

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USA Today (2/21, Toppo) reports, "Education Secretary Arne Duncan came out swinging Thursday, directing his harshest words at congressional lawmakers before what he calls 'increasingly likely' mandatory spending cuts for 'real kids, real teachers and real classrooms' from sequestration this March." Duncan told reporters that districts are already laying off teachers in anticipation of sequestration cuts, and "blamed what he called 'the height of dysfunction' in Congress." USA Today quotes him saying, "There's no one in their right mind who would say this is good for kids and good for the country, yet somehow it becomes tenable in Washington. I just think people don't spend enough time in the real world. And if we spent more time in the real world, we wouldn't have this kind of intransigence here." The article notes that the Administration has estimated that some $725 million in Title I funding and $598 million in special education funding would be eliminated if sequestration takes place.

The Washington Post (2/22, Brown) reports that Duncan "criticized Congress for failing to reach a deal to stop the across-the-board cuts...which could force thousands of teachers out of their jobs." Noting that most of the roughly $1.3 billion in education funding in jeopardy "goes toward programs for poor children and students with disabilities," the Post adds that "schools that receive more federal aid - including Department of Defense-run schools and those on Indian reservations - are likely to feel the squeeze immediately, which could mean shorter school weeks in spring or a shorter school year." The Post quotes Duncan saying, "These are two populations that we owe more to, not less, and those cuts are going to kick in quicker."

The AP (2/22) reports that Duncan "says he's increasingly worried that deep spending cuts will take effect on March 1, hurting the nation's students and teachers," and "says no one would have designed the automatic budget cuts, known as sequester, on purpose. Duncan says those automatic cuts were designed to be so unpleasant that lawmakers would reach a compromise to dodge them." Duncan, the AP adds, called the impasse, "'the height of dysfunction in Congress' and warns he cannot mitigate the cuts if they take hold."

The Huffington Post (2/21, Resmovits) reports that Duncan said that "districts are already asking for help dealing with the massive, imminent cuts," quoting him saying, "I was on a call yesterday, people are starting to give RIF [reduction in force] notes. The sequestration stuff is very very worrying to me. I'm increasingly concerned that's going to happen. Schools are already starting to give teachers notices." The Post adds, "Decisions would be made on a district-by-district level, and cuts could include things like slashing after-school programs, firing teachers, curtailing pre-school and shortening the school day or school year - simply because money has run out sooner." The piece notes that Duncan stressed that he has no power to mitigate the impact of the cuts, quoting him saying, "I'll be really clear. There is no fix. I wish I had some magic wand. I don't." Regarding the potential impact on the department itself, Duncan said, "It will have an impact here. We'll work our way through it.

There is a potential of furloughs." Michele McNeil also writes about Duncan's sequestration comments at the Education Week (2/22) "Politics K-12" blog. Meanwhile Gannett (2/20, Groppe) continues coverage of Michigan officials' comments about the impact on state schools.

Bloomberg News (2/22, Przybyla) mentions Duncan's comments on education cuts, notably those related to impact aid, in an article about the potential cuts that would affect "four-year-old children in low-income families who receive free milk, fruit and vegetables through a US government nutrition program," the Women, Infants and Children program. Politico (2/22, Samuelsohn) also mentions Duncan in an article about the Administration changing its apparent policy of not allowing individual cabinet agencies address the impact of the sequester..

KFOX-TV El Paso, TX (2/22, 9:42 p.m. MST) broadcast, "New warnings tonight about how Federal spending cuts could impact schools. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says classrooms across the country would see larger class sizes as school districts are forced to lay off teachers. There would also be less money for special needs programs." WWCP-TV Johnstown, PA (2/22, 10:31 p.m. EST) and KIRO-TV Seattle (2/22, 6:08 p.m. PST) are among several other stations running such reports.

Florida Teacher Testifies About Cuts' Impact.

Valerie Strauss writes at the Washington Post (2/22, Strauss) "Answer Sheet" blog that Megan Allen, Florida teacher of the year for 2010, "testified before the US House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on Thursday about the effects on high-needs students if Congress allows automatic 5 percent funding cuts," even as Duncan "said that school districts are already struggling with plans should the budget cuts go forward, and that he is concerned about the effects on teachers and students." Strauss relates Allen's prepared remarks.