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A N I N D I A N A S TAT E T E A C H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N
Building Parent Engagement Find ways to establish trust with parents from the first day of school PAGES 14-15
MEET YOUR NEW OFFICERS: Incoming officer terms begin Aug. 1
PAGES 19-21
Horace Mann puts their appreciation into action Horace Mann representatives like to show ISTA members how much they appreciate the work you do to help shape our children’s future. Horace Mann is a proud sponsor of the Hoosier of the year award, honoring local members.
Horace Mann representatives also sponsor Teacher Appreciation/Recognition events as well as Student Achievement/Recognition event.
Contact a local representative to ask about: • Holding a drawing for door prizes, such as a teacher appreciation basket of school supplies, or lunch on them. • Providing refreshments for the teacher’s lounge. • Giving away planning calendars, calculators, pens and other supplies for teachers. • Serving as a guest speaker. • Hosting an in-service hospitality room or cart for serving sub sandwiches, doughnuts, pizza,etc. • Volunteering for help in the classroom, study hall,playground or lunchroom. • Hosting student perfect attendance or outstanding achievement awards. • Holding an open house to raise funds for a school project.
For more information, or to find a local Horace Mann representative, visit horacemann.com. 2 SUMMER 2019 AM-C03028 (319) (ISTA)
OUR KID S . OUR S C H OOLS . OU R F U T U RE .
SUMER 2019: VOL. 2, ISSUE 4
IN THIS ISSUE Making kids safer on and off the school bus.
Pages 12-13
Keith Gambill President, Aug. 1 Jennifer Smith-Margraf Vice President, Aug. 1 Doug Taylor Treasurer Dan Holub Executive Director Indiana State Teachers Association Publisher Kim Clements-Johnson Editor Keith Clock Contributor
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President’s Letter
Perspectives
Ask Eric
Keith Gambill’s first Advocate president’s letter. His term begins Aug. 1.
ISTA members take their students on trips around the globe.
ISTA’s legal counsel outlines changes to education law.
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Organizing in Action
Our Rights Tips and a calendar for preparing for bargaining.
Learn about one local association’s efforts to connect with student and first-year educators.
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Kara Seward Contributor
EDITORIAL BOARD Mickey Brady LaPorte ESP Association Rhiannon Castetter Seymour Education Association Sanae Glendening Vigo County Teachers Association Ron Curry Delaware Community Classroom Teachers Association Steve Wynn ISTA UniServ Director
Our Advocacy How hunger impacts student learning.
150 W. Market St., Ste. 900 Indianapolis, IN 46204
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Professional Development Professional development requirements and how to add a content area to your license.
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Our Association
Extra Credit
Meet ISTA’s incoming officers.
These teachers make keeping in shape a priority, and how you can too.
We want to hear from you! Send ISTA your comments about the magazine. If you have story ideas or want to be a contributor, email communications@ista-in.org.
Advocate is the official quarterly publication of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the state level of the United Education Profession. The content of the Association’s publications will be consistent with its mission, strategic objectives and policies.
PURPOSE, MISSION, AND GOALS PURPOSE To advocate for and advance the interests of Indiana’s students, educators and public schools. MISSION The Indiana State Teachers Association is a professional association organized to sustain quality public education, improve students’ educational opportunities and advance the professional status of educators. GOALS • Unified voice - we are stronger together. • Economic security and professional working conditions for educators. • Premier public education system that serves all kids regardless of ZIP code, culture or ability.
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER
“We’ve only just begun…”
A
lyric made famous by The Carpenters is quite apropos for our work in the Red For Ed
movement and promoting the great work of public education. Likewise, I have just begun as president of ISTA. I am honored to serve on your behalf, and I look forward to getting to meet with and work with you. A special thank you to outgoing
Keith Gambill, ISTA President Follow Keith on Twitter @istapresident as of Aug. 1.
president Teresa Meredith for her work and service and especially for making sure I am as prepared as possible to step into the role of president. Coming on board with me is our newly elected ISTA Vice President Jennifer Smith-Margraf, a high school Spanish teacher and member of the Lafayette Education Association, and ISTA Treasurer Doug Taylor, an elementary school teacher in New Albany-Floyd County and member of the New AlbanyFloyd County Education Association, continues in his role. They are wonderful leaders and will do great things. Additionally, we have new folks joining the ISTA Board of Directors and our standing committees. How refreshing it is to have so many members taking on statewide leadership roles. We have a long road ahead, but I have faith that collectively we can make it.
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Now is the time to share our stories about how changes in education are affecting our students. Our words are powerful, our communities support us and our students are counting on us. This summer many of you participated in Association activities at the local, state and national level. It’s time to implement all the plans you prepared for the 2019 – 20 school year. Your work and preparation will benefit and empower all ISTA members. I hope you took time this summer to relax and renew. Remember – even during the school year – to take time for yourself whether it is visiting with friends and family, reading, fishing or catching up on some sleep. Thank you for your continued membership and support of the work of our Association. As I prepare for my first year, I look forward to meeting you as I travel the state.
PERSPECTIVES
Bon Voyage: Educational International Travel Three educators share their experiences in international travel with students on cultural exchange programs or foreign language experiences.
Conner McNeely from the Perry Education Association traveled with foreign language students to Spain. “Students took a day trip to Toledo, Spain — known as the city of three cultures,” said McNeely. “They loved the ancient architecture and how they could see both Muslim and Christian influences throughout the city.”
Alex Lute from the Culver Community Teachers Association traveled with foreign language students to Costa Rica. In the photo, “our group on the Pacific coast at Manuel Antonio National Park,” explained Lute. “We saw white faced capuchin, squirrel monkeys, bats and iguana.”
Emily Salinas and Luke Boggess from the Indianapolis Education Association traveled with students to Mexico on a cultural exchange. Pictured are, “Students with Mr. Boggess from Indianapolis in Tlaxcala standing atop the Piramide del Sol at the ancient Aztec city of Teotihuacan, just outside Mexico City,” shared Salinas.
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ASK ERIC
Ask Eric Eric Hylton is ISTA’s legal counsel. He is an attorney and partner at the law firm of Riley, Bennett & Egloff, LLP in Indianapolis. Hylton holds degrees from Indiana University-Bloomington Kelley School of Business and Indiana University-Indianapolis School of Law. Hylton answers common member questions about legal protections and services, due process and member support. Submit your questions to communications@ista-in.org.
What bills were passed in the 2019 legislative session that specifically affect collective bargaining? The two main bills that were passed in the 2019 legislative session that affect collective bargaining are SEA 390 and SEA 606. SEA 390 requires that before parties bargain in private during the 60-day formal bargaining period that begins on Sept. 15, the parties must hold at least one public hearing and take public testimony to discuss issues involved in collective bargaining. The law also requires that before a school board ratifies a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA�), the school employer must conduct a public meeting to discuss a tentative CBA at least 72 hours before the CBA is ratified by the school board and allow public comment at the ratification. There is no guidance in the law as to how these meetings are to be conducted other than they must be public and allow testimony and/or comments from the public. These requirements are
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going to make it difficult for parties to get agreements done in the tight 60-day bargaining window. SEA 390 also allows a civil penalty of at least $500, but not more than $5,000, if a school employer or local association is found to have committed an unfair labor practice. This bill is beneficial to local associations because the overwhelming majority of unfair labor practices are filed by local associations and until now, the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board had no power to order financial penalties, but, instead, could only issue cease and desist orders. Next, SEA 606 increases the amount that salary increases can be based on years of experience and education from 33.33 percent to 50 percent. ISTA had asked that the percentage amount be removed altogether to give the parties more flexibility in bargaining salary increases. The increase from 33.33 percent to 50 percent provides very little additional flexibility. However, SEA 606 does provide additional flexibility to differentiate salary increases to allow currently employed teachers to receive a salary adjustment in comparison to starting base salaries of new teachers.
OUR RIGHTS
Todd Shafer Todd Shafer is the vice president of bargaining for the Culver Community Teachers Association. He teaches at Culver Community Middle/High School.
Get Organized for Bargaining Walking into an unknown situation can be a scary proposition but walking
Writing Your Proposal Timeline: Completed in bargaining year •
Develop areas of negotiation by completing a contract analysis and reviewing survey results.
•
Establish rules for bargaining committee and administration to follow throughout formal bargaining and set date.
•
Obtain a list of new hires and corresponding bargaining information for these hires. Also, obtain list of teachers no longer employed.
•
Create an initial written proposal to start formal bargaining.
into a bargaining session without preparation can be
Formal Bargaining
downright dangerous. With
Timeline: Sept. 15 – Nov. 15
the help of your UniServ
•
Director, ISTA and this
Exchange initial proposals at first scheduled bargaining session.
•
bargaining formula, your
Discuss in private the administration’s initial proposal.
•
Set the date for upcoming bargaining session, if needed.
•
Proofread the final draft for details once you have reached a tentative agreement.
local can tackle successfully negotiating a contract for your members. Pre-Bargaining Timeline: End of school year into summer •
Set your agenda for the bargaining window but be flexible.
•
Request needed data from administration and compare to previous years.
•
Send survey to members to compile concerns and weigh priorities for bargaining.
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Determine bargaining committee roles.
Ratification •
Share tentative agreement and notify teachers of the ratification meeting date.
•
Vote on the tentative agreement and send result to administration.
•
School board ratifies the agreement.
During the 2019 General Assembly, changes to the bargaining law were adopted into statute. Indiana law now requires two public meetings during the bargaining process.
Read “Ask Eric” on corresponding page for more information on how SEA 390 impacts bargaining.
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ORGANIZING IN ACTION
Did You Know Potential Members Can Join Online? How to Answer, “Why Should I Join?”
Last year, ISTA was one of a handful of state education
Connecting with new educators
associations that launched online membership. ISTA’s Join Now platform saw more than 230 potential members join online. Join Now is another tactic in our toolbox for recruitment. As new and early career educators enter the profession and consider membership, we need to meet them where they already are – which is very likely online and scrolling social media feeds. ISTA has a Join Now webpage and will launch social media ads targeted to potential members in July. But, this should not replace one-on-one conversations. One-on-one conversations are still the best way to recruit members. The ads will reinforce the value of membership and encourage potential members to join us.
It’s worth it.
Being an educator isn’t a job, it’s a calling. It’s also personally rewarding and professionally demanding. That’s why the Association strives to provide you with the support you need to be great at what you do.
Thanks to the Association’s advocacy and bargaining power, your membership helps provide financial peace of mind.
Susan Davis
Elementary Teacher
From fair compensation, health care and retirement security, to exclusive member-only discounts at major retailers and on mortgages and car loans, the Association offers services to help you and your family.
Stronger together.
We’re working together to provide a quality public education to every student, regardless of ZIP code.
Ben Yoder
Junior High Orchestra Teacher
Every student has a basic right to a great public education. That’s why our Association is about more than salary and benefits. It’s about creating schools and supporting the educators who are growing tomorrow’s inventors, thinkers, artists and leaders.
Ben Tatum
High School English, Literature & Language Arts Teacher
With Join Now, you have the tool to get new educators to join online. But how do you connect with new educators in your local, building or work site? It’s about supporting new educators in their first few years – help them over the hump of the first five years. Demonstrate the value of membership and how we support them. Give them a voice and encourage them to get involved. Share the following membership materials with new educators to start answering the question, “Why should I join?”
1.
Download Download (ESP)
Your Advocate. Your Partner. Your Association.
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2.
How can we best support you? Please print using one box per letter.
FIRST NAME
MIDDLE NAME
LAST NAME
WORKSITE
EMPLOYER
PERSONAL EMAIL
HOME ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
CELL PHONE #
ZIP
NEW EDUCATOR FORM Let’s find out what each new educator is interested in learning more about.
Get NEA Mobile Alerts Message and data rates may apply. Four msgs/month. SMS terms at nea.org/terms.
Download
JOB TITLE (Pick one that most represents your work.) Classroom Teacher
Reading Specialist
Special/Developmental Ed
Coach
Counselor
Occ. Therapist
Librarian
Other
Administrator
Education Support Professional
Speech/Hearing Psychologist
(continues on back)
RESOURCES
There are also materials available to promote Join Now, which will arrive with membership materials and be available online. We’ve prepared an FAQ, instructions and postcards to leave with potential members who are interested in joining via the online form, rather than the print form.
VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP How membership can help new educators in their careers.
FOR NEW & EARLY CAREER EDUCATORS
It’s our mission to ensure educators have a seat at the table. Whether it’s representation at the bargaining table, legal support or advocacy, we’re here for you. Join at ista-in.org/JoinNow.
ISTA and your local association work in your building and your schools to protect your rights and represent you during bargaining, evaluations and discussion. More at ista-in.org/legal-benefits.
Access high-quality professional development. Attend ISTA conferences, including the INspiring Educator Conference tailored for new and early career educators. More at ista-in.org/events.
NEA’s School Me series features tips, advice and life hacks to help you feel confident in your first years on the job. Check out podcasts, videos and blogs at nea.org/schoolme.
Student loan debt can feel overwhelming, but we’ve put together resources to help you make the best decisions about your financial future. Find info at nea.org/degreesnotdebt.
EdJustice engages and mobilizes activists in the fight for racial, social and economic justice in public education. Learn more at educationvotes.nea.org/ neaedjustice.
Our kids. Our schools. Our future. Join us at ista-in.org/JoinNow.
We’re raising our voices to protect public schools. To support every student, we’re wearing Red for Ed. Let’s stand together. Join the movement at InvestInEducationIN.org.
NEA micro-credentials are competency-based credentials focused on classroom practices. They can count toward your professional growth plan. Learn more at ista-in.org/prc.
Whether you’re planning a well-deserved vacation, purchasing a vehicle or shopping, NEA Member Benefits is there to help maximize your hard-earned dollars. Save at NEAMB.org and ista-in.org/ISTAMB.
Download (ESP)
3.
NEW EDUCATOR RESOURCES ISTA and the National Education Association have developed digital resources, podcasts and on-demand professional development to support new educators. Download
Lisa Hamblin Lisa Hamblin is the membership chair for the Fort Wayne Education Association. She teaches third-grade at Fort Wayne Community.
Building Future Membership by Supporting Student Memberships In the 2018 – 19 school year, the Fort Wayne Education Association (FWEA) focused on student teachers and first-year teacher membership. Often, first-year educators feel overwhelmed due to the challenging nature of the profession, and this can cause them to put off joining the Association as they focus on the dayto-day demands of classroom teaching. To build relationships and encourage Association connections, FWEA collected donations to support student memberships for aspiring educators. A student membership results in discounted dues once an educator has joined the workforce. We hope that the next generation of teachers will begin to see the importance and benefits of joining the Association. With donations from current members, we were able to fund 17 student memberships. We hope that these student memberships will increase first-year teacher membership. As more and more first-year teachers enter the field, FWEA has created a plan to meet these teachers where they are in the challenges of new employment. Once hired in our district, FWEA lets them
FWEA collected donations for supporting student memberships using these envelopes.
know that we are here for them – we invite them to Association events, meet with them at coffee shops, offer to help set up their classrooms, send texts, emails, etc. to build relationships and find out what issues are important to them. Membership is a focus all year long in FWEA, not just at the beginning of the school year. Membership is about building strong relationships. We continue to maintain strong membership percentages because of the dedication of our association members and representatives.
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OUR ADVOCACY
Impacts of Hunger on Student Performance Government reports show that one in six kids in Indiana struggles with hunger, meaning thousands of students go to school on an empty stomach. Studies are clear – hunger has a real impact on academic performance. Students who eat breakfast at school have better attendance records and exhibit fewer behavior problems. In studies of several school breakfast programs, scientists have found that students who eat breakfast at school have better attendance records, are less likely to be tardy and exhibit fewer behavioral and psychological problems. Missing meals and experiencing hunger impair child development and achievement. Studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry document the negative effects of hunger on kids’ academic performance and behavior in school. Hungry children have lower math scores. They are also are more likely to repeat a grade, come to school late or miss school entirely. Eating breakfast at school helps children perform better. Studies published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that academic achievement among students who eat school breakfasts tends to rise, especially in math.
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kids in Indiana struggles with hunger Sources: National Education Association, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Marcia Yurczyk Marcia Yurczyk, school and summer monitoring programs coordinator, Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), has worked on building community nutrition programs for more than nine years.
Program Helps Feed Hungry Students During the Summer The Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) was created in the 1970’s following concerns students lacked access to nutritious meals during the summer months. During this time of year, traditional school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to students. Therefore, to help children receive proper nutrition throughout the entire year, the federal SFSP program reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to any child ages 1 – 18 in eligible areas during the summer months and school vacation periods. To be eligible to serve meals, a site must be in areas where at least 50 percent or more of the students receive free or reduced-price meals. Sites can be found within local schools, community centers, churches, and parks and are open once school is out for summer. Meals served must meet U.S. Department of Agriculture meal pattern requirements.
Locations of Summer Food Service Programs
SFSP is administered through the IDOE Office of School and Community Nutrition. Talk to your local school food service staff to see if SFSP sites are available in your community.
To find the nearest sites and meal service times, visit the IDOE website. This link will remain active from mid-May throughout summer. In addition, SFSP sites can also be found by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 and entering your ZIP code.
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OUR MEMBERS
Jill Blair drives a school bus and is a member of the East Allen County Schools Transportation Association.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY:
PLEDGE TO KEEP KIDS SAFE As school comes back into session, there will be new protections to keep kids safe at the bus stop and while getting on and off the school bus. Share these safety tips with your students’ parents and widely in the community.
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School bus safety begins at the bus stop. The safety record for school buses is remarkable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traveling on a school bus is six times safer than the family car, and school buses record the fewest fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles. Much of this has to do with the training and skills of school bus drivers. ISTA represents school bus driver associations in several areas of the state. Of the student injuries or fatalities that do occur, most happen in the area outside the bus. That’s why being safetyconscious is not only important for school bus drivers, but also for students, parents and motorists. We all have a role in making sure kids travel to and from school safely.
Parents and guardians can help protect their children in a variety of ways, using these tips from NHTSA: • Providing children with backpacks or book bags so they do not endanger themselves recovering dropped items. • Making sure that clothing and book bags are free of dangling drawstrings or other items that could get caught on the handrail or door of the bus as children are boarding or exiting. • Ensuring students are at the bus stop a few minutes before the bus arrives. • Reminding children of their responsibility to behave properly while waiting for and riding on the bus. • Keeping bus stop areas free of trash cans, snow drifts in winter or other obstructions that could make it difficult for the driver or other motorists to see children.
ISTA secured greater school bus safety at the Statehouse. School bus safety is a top priority for ISTA. Our school bus driver members report that vehicles illegally passing buses is an issue they regularly face. In May, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) conducted a survey of school bus violations and found that there were more than 2,500 vehicles who illegally passed stopped buses in just one day. During this legislative session, SEA 2 passed with the support of ISTA. The law adds additional penalties, including suspension of driver’s license, for drivers who fail to heed engaged school bus stop arms. It will also require the distribution of information for how an individual or school may petition to reduce the maximum speed limit in locations to ensure safe loading and unloading of students.
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OUR PROFESSION
Angie Kirkham Angie Kirkham has been teaching for ten years. She has taught first, third, fourth and fifth grades. She currently teaches fourth-grade at Clifty Creek Elementary in Columbus, Indiana.
First Impressions: Creating Community at Your School Angie Kirkham shares ideas on how to connect with parents. She advocates partnering with community organizations to build connections and serve the whole child. The beginning of each school year is an exciting time for everyone! Many schools hold events such as an open house or meet-the-teacher night. This can be the all-important first impression for many families, so it is crucial to create a positive and fun event. This can also be a time to present a lot of information, so getting families to show up is important. Working with community groups to connect special events with these nights can encourage turnout. Clifty Creek Elementary in Columbus was contacted by members of a local organization to hold a back-to-school clothes event. The organization and school collected gently used clothing for several months. The clothing was sorted by quality and size throughout the spring and
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Events like Outreach to Teach can bring the community together to support a school or district. Learn More
summer to prepare for the event. During the open house, families that attended were able to “shop” for clothes for their children free-of-charge. This event was a positive way to show parents that the school and community were working together for them and their families. Community groups that schools could work with include: • American Red Cross • United Way • Boys and Girls Clubs • YMCA • Veterans groups
1. Make your first interaction with parents positive. Build a relationship at the beginning of the year sharing your expectations, how your classroom operates and what students and parents should know about your classroom. This builds trust before any behavioral or academic issues arise. 2. Offer parents an opportunity to tell you about their child before school starts. Respond and build on sharing information about your student. This tactic will also ease tensions should you have to deliver bad news. 3. Make back-to-school night an opportunity to get to know the parents and where they may feel comfortable participating in their child’s education. 4. Find opportunities for all parents to contribute. Some parents work multiple jobs or don’t have the opportunity to take off work to volunteer in the classroom. Provide options for them to show their child that they’re a part of the classroom or offer times to connect that may work with parents’ schedules. 5. Answer the question, “What did you do in school today?” Give weekly snapshots via email or an online platform so parents know what’s happening in the classroom.
Partner with community groups to find other options for parents to participate in their child’s education.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LICENSING: ADDING A NEW CONTENT AREA The IDOE’s Office of Educator Licensing has helpful tips to make adding Risa Regnier Risa Regnier is the director of educator licensing at the Indiana Department of Education. She has a B.A. in English and secondary education from Oberlin College and a J.D. from McKinney School of Law.
new content areas to your license easier. Just log in to your Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS) account to start.
Use the IDOE licensing webpage. Contact IDOE Educator Licensing staff with questions at 317-232-9010 or licensinghelp@doe.in.gov or join us on live chat weekday mornings from 9 – 11 a.m. ET. You can also check the dates of applications being processed by visiting the LVIS homepage.
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Adding new content areas to your instructional license is easy, and you can qualify for most additions by passing the CORE content licensure test in the area you wish to add. Find more details about the tests, including whether the content area can be added by testing. Here are the steps to add a content area to your instructional license through testing:
There are six instructional areas requiring both completion of an approved program of coursework and passage of the CORE content test(s): Early Childhood Generalist, Elementary Generalist, Exceptional Needs, High Ability, Fine Arts and English Learners. Here are the steps to add a content area to your instructional license through coursework and testing:
1. Save your passing CORE test score report that you received electronically.
1. Have an official transcript of your coursework and your passing CORE score report scanned and ready to upload.
2. Log in to your LVIS account and select the green button for “I am an Indiana: Teacher.” Proceed through the application screens by selecting the button that represents the action for which you are applying.
2. Log in to your LVIS account and select the green button for “I am an Indiana: Teacher.” Proceed through each screen by selecting the button reflecting your license and the action you are seeking.
3. Upload your passing CORE test score report when prompted.
3. Upload your transcript and CORE test score report when prompted.
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SECURITY BENEFIT
Financial Essentials SAVING AND PLANNING WORKSHOPS FOR ISTA MEMBERS As part of your membership, NEA Member Benefits and Security Benefit are offering free, local workshops to help members build a successful path to retirement. Regardless of your current career stage, the Financial Essentials workshop can help you find answers to your fundamental questions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can take control of your retirement picture. For more information contact:
Frank Vargo Indiana State Director, Security Benefit Frank.Vargo@SecurityBenefit.com 574.303.7248
Neither Security Benefit Corporation nor its affiliates are fiduciaries. This information is general in nature and intended for use with the general public. For additional information, including any specific advice or recommendations, please visit with your financial professional. Security Benefit and its affiliates and subsidiaries are not affiliated with the NEA or the Indiana State Teacher’s Association.
One Security Benefit Place | Topeka, KS 66636 | SecurityBenefit.com 99-00501-78 2019/01/14
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OUR ASSOCIATION
Get to Know Your Incoming Officers At this year’s ISTA Representative Assembly, delegates elected three new officers. Each incoming officer answered questions about the Association, their background and interests. Incoming president and vice president’s terms will begin Aug. 1 and the incoming National Education Association (NEA) board member’s term will begin Sept. 1.
What are your goals as you begin this new role? Empowering our locals. We must grow from the ground up and that begins with helping the local realize the power and influence they have and how to use these tools to advance our cause.
Keith Gambill
them and understand how the Association works inside and outside of their school district. Watch ISTA and NEA media for events that motivate them and attend. Members leave Association events energized and we want more to participate.
ISTA Incoming President
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues for educators and public schools right now? Salaries are first and foremost. Too many educators are seeing much, if not all, of their wage increases being eaten up by increased health care costs. Secondly, respect for our work and allowing us the professional courtesy to
KEITH GAMBILL
Quick Facts How long have you taught? And what have you taught? Thirty-two years – middle school vocal music and drama. I’ve also been on the visual staff for many marching bands and winter guards. You’ll occasionally see me judging now.
make the decisions that are in the best interest of our students.
In what ways would you recommend members get more involved in the Association? Meet with their local leadership and get to know
Who was your favorite educator in school? Why? Kathy Kissel Wallace, my high school music teacher. She saw my passion for music and made sure I would get the opportunity to live my dream. She is still teaching, and SHE IS A MEMBER!!! What are your hobbies outside of school and ISTA? Spending time with family, travel, attending live music
Where do you see the Red For Ed movement going? Immediately, into the community. Summer vacation time is also festival and fair season this is the perfect time to work to engage the community. Gather together for a Red For Ed booth and march in your parades. We must keep the movement alive.
and theater events and Christmas decorations! What’s your favorite book? In school it was Charlotte’s Web. Today, I love James Patterson’s Alex Cross series and books by John Grisham. His book, The Last Juror, had perhaps the most beautiful and heartbreaking endings of any book I’ve ever read.
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OUR ASSOCIATION
What are your goals as you begin this new role?
that they do on behalf of our members every day.
Our main focus must be growing the Red For Ed movement across the state of Indiana. As part of that movement, I would like to create a model school funding formula that we consistently advocate for with our partners.
Jennifer Smith-Margraf
As vice president, you will chair the ISTA Foundation for the Improvement of Education. What do you hope to achieve through the ISTA Foundation?
I am looking forward to the many opportunities to attend and participate in events at locals across the state to interact with members from every part of the state and support the work that they are doing. I want every member to know that their leadership team is here to support and empower them in the work
My goal is to extend the strategic planning process that ISTA has participated in to the ISTA Foundation. Through that process, members will have input into the mission, vision and goals of the ISTA Foundation to ensure that the foundation’s future work reflects what our members desire that work to be.
How do you envision connecting with ISTA members as vice president? I will continue to travel the state meeting with all 23 district councils, ESP council, retired council and aspiring educator chapters.
JENNIFER SMITH-MARGRAF
Quick Facts How long have you taught? And what have you taught? Nineteen years – teaching Spanish at Jefferson High School in Lafayette.
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ISTA Incoming Vice President
Who was your favorite educator in school? Why? My Spanish teacher, Emily Martin, because she challenged her students to become truly fluent speakers of the language.
What are your hobbies outside of school and ISTA? Reading, hiking, watching the Cubs, Michigan and Purdue sports and cross-stitching. What’s your favorite book? The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
What are your goals as you begin this new role? I want to build relationships with other board members from across the U.S. to collaboratively improve our members’ futures. I plan to share member stories and bring their concerns for resolutions.
NEA board members connect with federal legislators through lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. What issues do you hope to address with lawmakers? I will be advocating for the students and teachers of our
JULIE HYNDMAN
Quick Facts How long have you taught? And what have you taught? I am a second career teacher preparing to start my 25th year with Fort Wayne Community Schools. I have taught third, fourth and fifth grade over my tenure. I will be returning to a fifth-grade classroom at St. Joe Central Elementary this fall.
How would you encourage ISTA members to get more involved in federal policy making advocacy?
Julie Hyndman
Incoming NEA Board Member state while serving in this role. I will promote equality of services for all districts and their students, request appropriate funding for all mandates and help NEA monitor the accountability for every entity taking public tax money.
Who was your favorite educator in school? Why? My favorite teacher was Ginny Harrod at Huntertown Jr. High. She was a language arts teacher that shared her love of reading and challenged us to enjoy it as well. What are your hobbies outside of school and ISTA? Grandkids, traveling and quilting are what I love to do! I look forward to regular visits with my six grandkids. It is such an enjoyable booster. I love to
Members should continue to attend local meetings held with their congressional representatives, as well as write and call them. They should share their firsthand stories, telling about their experiences in the classroom. Realizing that our united voices are so much stronger than just a handful working for us is vitally important.
travel when possible. I took up quilting about twelve years ago after inheriting an awesome sewing machine and supplies. I have made about two dozen quilts for friends and family and the NEA Fund auction. What’s your favorite book? I love reading novels to my students. My favorites would be Ruby Holler, The BFG and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I also enjoy novels by Fanny Flagg and short novels by Richard Peck.
ISTA-IN.ORG
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EXTRA CREDIT
Walmoth leads the Run Club at her school – passing her love of running on to her students.
Hustle for That Muscle Balancing a career in education and maintaining a fitness schedule can be challenging. Check out these two educators who make it work and prove to students that they’ve still got it! Chuck Herber from Lafayette Education Association went viral last year when he wiped the floor with a high school student in pushups. The English and journalism teacher has been grading papers for 53 years. “For me, staying in shape means doing conditioning every day at home and not at a gym,” said Herber, who does repetitions of pushups, crunches, squats, lunges, pullups and 12,000 minimum steps daily.
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SUMMER 2019
Shannon Walmoth from Brownsburg Education Association dedicates time to run 3 – 4 times a week. “Throughout my 19 years teaching, I have found that running is the number one way for me to stay in shape and have the energy I need to be a good teacher,” said Walmoth. Her tips to make running a habit: pack a running bag for school and commit to squeezing in a run before you head home and find a group to motivate you and make you accountable.
Coverage you can depend on for the ones you love.
As an eligible NEA member,* you’ve got the protection of NEA Complimentary Life Insurance, issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America — but you should name a beneficiary to make sure your loved ones are covered. Then visit neamb.com/life to learn about all the solutions available to help meet your insurance needs.
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Go to neamb.com/free-tote and register your beneficiary to get this FREE tote. Or call 1-855-NEA-LIFE (632-5433) and mention offer code: TOTEBAG.
* Visit us online or call for eligibility requirements. NEA Members Insurance Trust is a registered trademark of the NEA Members Insurance Trust. NEA Complimentary Life Insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ. 0302614-00002-00
DT170819
Sprint Works for Educational Professionals ℠
Teachers, administrators, and other education staffers enjoy special savings through the Sprint Works Program. It’s our thanks for your good work.
http://sprint.co/2DgLWLX Existing Sprint customers register at sprint.com/verify
Bring this code to the closest Sprint store along with proof of employment in Pre-K or K-12 Education, such as your work badge or paystub. Corporate ID: GDVRT_ZZZ Call Sprint Sales: 866-639-8354 Visit a local Sprint Store: sprint.com/storelocator
Activ. Fee: Up to $30/line. Credit approval req. SWP Offers: Sel. SWP only. Offers avail. for eligible company/agency employees or org. members (ongoing verification). Subject to change according to the company’s/agency’s/org’s agreement with Sprint. Offers are avail. upon request. Other Terms: Offers/coverage not avail. everywhere or for all phones/networks. May not be combinable with other offers. Accounts that cancel lines within 30 days of activating on promo pricing may void savings. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com N175943 for details. © 2018 Sprint. All rights reserved.
