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2020
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
Educators Give Back in Hard Times PAGE 12
RESOURCES FOR ELECTION DAY
PAGE 15
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SUMMER 2020
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OUR KID S . OUR S C H OOLS . OU R F U T U RE .
SUMMER 2020: VOL. 3, ISSUE 4
IN THIS ISSUE
Keith Gambill President Jennifer Smith-Margraf Vice President Doug Taylor Treasurer
ISTA voices support and advocates for racial and social justice.
Dan Holub Executive Director
Page 6
Kim Clements-Johnson Editor
Indiana State Teachers Association Publisher
Keith Clock Contributor
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Perspectives
Our Advocacy
Plan for the new school year with your students at the center.
Stand for respect and protect public education funding.
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Organizing in Action Decision 2020 is fast approaching. Participate in this election.
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Professional Development Access online professional development.
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Organizing in Action Learn how ISTA members lead community actions to support front-line workers.
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Our Members
Our Profession
Use the Red For Ed movement to connect with and recruit new and early career educators.
Learn how to juggle the role of parent and colleague.
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Our Association
Extra Credit
Read about the actions taken at the ISTA and NEA Representative Assemblies.
Explore culturally diverse lessons for your classroom.
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.
Kara Seward Contributor Katie Beaumont Contributor
EDITORIAL BOARD Amy Price Evansville Teachers Association Sanae Glendening Vigo County Teachers Association Ron Curry Delaware Community Classroom Teachers Association Steve Wynn ISTA UniServ Director
150 W. Market St., Ste. 900 Indianapolis, IN 46204
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
Lift Every Voice
E
ducators cannot be silent. From ensuring the health and safety of students and staff to fighting for racial and social justice, we must lift our voices. United, our voices are magnified. We’ve made great strides this year, but in the wake of a global pandemic and incredible social unrest it is clear we have a long way to go. ISTA has been busy working with local and state leaders to provide a safe return to school. While there are still many unknowns, we are working to engage policymakers to ensure educators and students have the resources they need to be successful this school year — including demanding our discussion rights are honored and collaborating with members across the state to determine the best course of action in reopening schools. In June, the ISTA Minority Affairs Committee produced a thoughtful panel discussion on race and unity. You can watch a recording of the event, access national and state resources on racial and social justice and share your ideas on how
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Keith Gambill, ISTA President Follow Keith on Twitter @istapresident
we can continue the conversation and create real, lasting and positive change in our schools and communities. Visit and share ista-in.org/racialjustice. I hope you’re staying safe and healthy. Please take time to relax and renew. No matter how or when schools reopen this year, I am confident that the members of ISTA will be ready to welcome our students.
PERSPECTIVES
Contributions from ISTA members Christine Brioni, Jen Butler and Ben Yoder.
Place Kids at the Center of Your Planning
Christine Brioni
How to plan for in-school and remote learning. Ben Yoder: We may not know what the format of school will look like in the fall, but we do know that we will be working with some pretty awesome kids. No matter what you’re planning, be sure that you’re keeping kids at the center of your process.
Jen Butler
Ben Yoder
Christine Broni: I am looking at my fall units and thinking about where to split the e-learning and in-person lessons. Since I teach middle school science, I am planning to have the students do much of the reading and studying at home. This will allow the times that they are in class to be used for labs and experiments. Jen Butler: Ask for help. Reach out for help when you need it. I am not a new teacher, but I was teaching a new subject area to me. I found multiple groups on Facebook when I first started the year, and they have been a life raft when I felt like I was drowning. Ben Yoder: We all got into the profession because we wanted to work with kids, and I know that for me COVID-19 hasn’t changed that. My cooperating teacher from my student teaching experience, Susan Ellington, told me to keep all the cards, letters and mementos that students give me in a drawer of my desk. Revisit them to remind you why you’re teaching. Christine Brioni: Build relationships. One of the challenges I am preparing for in 2020–21 school year is how to get to know my students and have them get to know to me. At the end of July, I will write postcards to welcome students to my class. I am also planning a series of videos to let students know about me as a person. Engage with these ISTA members and others on the ISTA Ed Talk Facebook group.
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OUR ADVOCACY
LaQuita Maxey LaQuita Maxey is an ISTA UniServ Organizer. Born and raised in Cleveland, she has resided in Indianapolis for 17 years. She has a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in business administration.
How to be an Advocate for Racial Equity The wave of national, and even international, protests over police brutality and racial inequities is a turning point in the conversation on racial justice — and educators must be involved in the conversation. We can create equal opportunities for all kids, but it must start with breaking down biases, standing up for colleagues of color and demanding equitable resources for kids. As a UniServ Organizer, I talk with educators individually and in small groups frequently. What I enjoy most is hearing your passion behind why you became an educator – it’s always about the kids. But let’s be real, many of you have also shared how hard the job can be. However, it gives you the opportunity to shape the next generation. Let’s shape the next generation today by advancing racial justice in the educational system.
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Racial justice is the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. From Race Forward and Courageous Conversations
What’s ISTA doing on racial and social justice? ISTA’s Minority Affairs Committee reviewed and revised the Association’s Minority Improvement Plan. The committee updated the plan to reflect today’s struggles, challenges and realities faced by both educators and students of color. The plan looks to increase outreach to educators of color by building and strengthening relationships, implement racial justice training, improve the professional development opportunities for educators of color and advance efforts to recruit and retain more educators of color.
Watch Race & Unity: How Can I Be an Advocate for Racial Equity? Watch Now
In June, the committee hosted a conversation on race and unity. Panelists discussed how educators can be advocates for racial and social justice in their schools and community. Attendees were asked to take steps in their districts to end systemic racism. And you can make a difference, too. Visit and share ista-in.org/racialjustice.
As an educator, how can I advocate for racial equity? As an educator, it’s your responsibility to serve all students equally. It’s necessary that every educator becomes a leader on this issue to ensure student success. What can you do to advocate for racial equity? •
Educate yourself about race and racism.
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Reflect on and admit to your own biases.
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Embrace difficult conversations about race.
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Join or start a book club on race to keep the conversation going.
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Learn when to listen and when to speak up.
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Become an ally for racial equity.
Submit your ideas on how ISTA can continue to be a leader in breaking down racial and social injustices here.
Want lesson plan ideas? Read Extra Credit on page 22 for lesson plan ideas to represent voices of color throughout the school year.
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OUR ADVOCACY
RED FOR ED:
Respect for Educators We’re in unprecedented times. As Black Americans and allies protest against police brutality and systemic racism, everyone continues to reel from a global pandemic. During this time, educators have helped their students transition to remote learning, delivered meals, advocated for their students, and worked with students facing trauma from recent events. Through all of this, parents and community members have recognized educators’ invaluable role in the lives of Hoosier kids. It’s time to remind lawmakers of the vital role educators play in communities. Educators have shown professional expertise, flexibility and calm under pressure. It’s time to get the respect we deserve from lawmakers. Red For Ed actions may look different this year, but we will continue to advocate for respect and to protect public education funding. Many local associations have named a Red For Ed coordinator who will lead local actions that can build partnerships, grow community support, demonstrate educator solidarity and make change.
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Horace Mann puts their appreciation into action Horace Mann representatives like Contact a local representative to ask to show ISTA members how much about:: they appreciate the work you do to • Holding a drawing for door prizes, such as a teacher appreciation basket help shape our children’s future.
of school supplies, or lunch on them. • Providing refreshments for the Horace Mann is a proud sponsor teacher’s lounge. Giving away of the Hoosier of the Year Award, planning calendars, calculators, pens and other supplies for teachers. honoring local members. • Serving as a guest speaker. • Hosting an in-service hospitality Horace Mann representatives also sponsor Teacher Appreciation/Recognition room or cart for serving sub sandwiches, doughnuts, pizza,etc. events as well as Student Achievement/ • Volunteering for help in the classroom Recognition events. 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.
OUR ADVOCACY
When Educators Work Second Jobs Three ISTA members share how working a second job impacts their careers, families and work-life balance. Respecting and acknowledging the professional expertise of educators remains the overarching goal of the Red For Ed movement. Their stories are why we continue to fight. Stay updated on what you can do for Red For Ed at InvestInEducationIN.org. Some content lightly edited for clarity.
Abby Calendar, Elementary Teacher, Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation “Throughout my teaching career I have worked two jobs. I start my day in the classroom by 5:30 a.m. to prepare for my students. After school is always a stress-filled rush to gather up loose ends and leave as quickly as possible to arrive at my other job. Red For Ed has been such a positive force for teachers to encourage us to advocate for ourselves and our colleagues. The lack of respect our elected officials have shown teachers is disheartening but we must continue to work together and fight for fair funding. We can make a difference. The time for change is now!”
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Heather Harter, Foreign Language and Literature Teacher, Caston School Corporation “I have been teaching for 20 and a half years. For the past year or so, I have had a second job. I thought that being a teacher would be enough. I am single and I discovered I was struggling to keep up with only one income. I decided, even though I have an autoimmune disorder, I was going to have to get a second job if I did not want to stress about getting my bills paid every month. My dad was a teacher and we never struggled. I am a foreign language teacher. There are many crafts and projects that we do in class, as well as creating authentic food. These types of activities are part of our
state standards but my school doesn’t reimburse for these costs. My second job also helps to pay for supplies that I need for class that I couldn’t otherwise afford.”
Andrea Bender, Elementary School Teacher, EvansvilleVanderburgh School Corporation “I am a second-year teacher in Evansville. I love my teaching career and even on the hardest of days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Nothing compares to my classroom full of children who are laughing, smiling, working and learning in a fun way. What I don’t love are my other two jobs. On top of all the long school days and many professional development trainings, I also work at my local Dollar General year-round, and in the summer, I pick up a third job at a local trophy shop in town. I started working for Dollar General in 2014 to help pay for college. When I graduated, I thought it would be okay if I quit – silly me. After my first year of teaching, I bought my first house and started paying my massive student loan bills. Quitting any of my side jobs was never going to be an option. I work about 50 hours a week
during my summer vacation and during the actual school year I work every other weekend for about 12 hours. I then sit in my home office and try to muster up the motivation and energy to create engaging lessons for the job I truly love. It’s exhausting. Educators deserve to be able to live in a world where eating out shouldn’t feel like splurging.”
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ORGANIZING IN ACTION
Community Connections ISTA members and local associations have taken community to a whole new level since March. Here’s how ISTA members have supported front-line workers in their communities.
NEA-South Bend posted early messages of support to community.
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Brenda Buckingham-Ehrmann Brenda Buckingham-Ehrmann has taught art for 31 years, the last 26 for the Community Schools of Frankfort. She is active in the Frankfort Education Association, currently serving as the discussions chair and Red For Ed coordinator.
Michigan City Education Association left signs of hope and thanks for essential workers.
Liz Oshel Liz Oshel is a science teacher at Clinton Prairie Jr./Sr. High School. She has taught at the secondary level for four years. Liz is the Red For Ed coordinator for the Clinton Prairie Classroom Teachers Association.
Keeping Red For Ed Alive During Pandemic NEA-South Bend delivered care packages to front-line workers.
We’re the Red For Ed coordinators for Clinton Prairie and Frankfort. We randomly sat together at the ISTA Northern Advocacy Conference and a countywide public education initiative began. Two days after our first action the pandemic closed school doors. Our Clinton County Red For Public Ed page on Facebook keeps us visible. On the page, we have recognized front-line school employees, like our cooks, who feed students. The page has also promoted voting information. With our UniServ Director’s leadership, we hosted an online Tell Your Story workshop.
Columbus Education Association distributed masks to grocery employees.
During Teacher Appreciation Week we gave people a chance to shine a light on their fellow educators. This resulted in positive posts on public education and new followers. This pandemic may have changed our focus, but public education needs us more than ever.
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ORGANIZING IN ACTION
Red For Ed Actions Gain Community Support Garnering community support has been a significant area of growth in the Red For Ed movement in Indiana. Educator actions empowered students and parents to become advocates for their public schools.
The foundation of the Red For Ed movement was built by educators, but is sustained by an ever-increasing number of advocates. But we have much more work to do.
From the hard work of local associations across the state, many communities are more aware of the need for teacher respect and increased pay. It took educators getting up early, gathering around flag poles before school and demonstrating their commitment to their profession and students through walk-ins and telling their Red For Ed stories to local reporters. Educators across the state also connected with local businesses, attended school board meetings and participated in community parades and fairs.
The Red For Ed movement will look different in the new school year, but together we will continue to advocate for what’s best for our students and for public school educators. We must protect public education funding — and together, we can. Talk to your school board members, your friends and neighbors, political candidates and current policymakers about the importance of preserving public education funding during this critical time.
Red For Ed Walk-in Highlights from 2019–20 Here are images from last year’s Red For Ed walk-ins across the state. How will your local safely continue Red For Ed actions in the new school year?
East Allen EA
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Logansport EA
Seymour EA
Know the Issues Most candidates will say they support education. However, their voting record may not say the same. Make sure you know where legislators stand on these issues: • Preventing cuts to public schools • Providing fair wages for educators • Opposing private school vouchers • Protecting your retirement and giving a muchneeded cost-of-living adjustment
Support pro-public education candidates
• Holding virtual charter schools more accountable Ask your representatives where they stand, and ask them to support educators on these issues in the coming 2021 legislative session.
It may seem clichéd to say this is the most important election in generations — but it’s true. Given the global pandemic, the state of the economy and the potential negative impact on public education, there hasn’t been a more important time to have a state legislature that truly supports public education. Here’s what you can do. Confirm your voter registration and make a plan to vote. Take time to learn where your candidates for Indiana state representative and senate stand on key issues and those who have earned the support of your fellow ISTA members. Talk to your friends and family. Share your stories and encourage them to vote for pro-public education candidates in November.
Each legislative session, we track legislators’ voting records on bills that are important to our members. Learn more.
Know Who Educators Support Candidates seeking the endorsement of ISTA’s political action committee, the Indiana Political Action Committee for Education (I-PACE), go through an extensive process that includes completing a questionnaire which asks where they stand on issues important to public schools, educators, collective bargaining and retirees. Next, local political action committee members — who are all ISTA members — interview the candidates for further evaluation to determine if they should be recommended by I-PACE. Visit ipace-in.org to find out which candidates are recommended by local educators. I-PACE is the only statewide political action committee solely focused on electing pro-public education candidates. Help I-PACE in its mission to make positive change for public schools from the Statehouse to local school boards. Donate.
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OUR MEMBERS
Gianna Mesarina Gianna Mesarina is an early career educator who teaches kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School in East Chicago. Mesarina graduated from Purdue University in 2018.
F R E S H FAC E S
How to Welcome New and Early Career Educators in your Local Content has been lightly edited for clarity.
During such an uncertain time, there is one thing I’m certain of. Come August, there will be thousands of early career educators (ECE) — those in years 0-7 — starting their careers. They will be entering the profession and trying to put their best foot forward. Imagine how powerful their first steps can be if they are walking beside some of the greatest educators in the state of Indiana. Below are tips on how to welcome your new educators. Bringing association representatives or leaders to the new hire event or meeting. By doing this, you are putting a face to the union. Connect new educators to others in their work site. They know their work site best and can assist in answering questions about the union or even questions as
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simple as, “Where do I go to the bathroom during school hours?” By building a connection, you lay the foundation for strong relationships and an even stronger membership. Consult other ECEs in your work site. Don’t limit these interactions to association representatives or your most seasoned members. They have more recently been in the same boat as the new hires. They have unique insights and can provide a substantial amount of support. By involving your current ECEs in the conversation, you can help them find their voice in their school and union. When a new student comes into our classrooms, we do everything in our power to make sure that student feels accepted, prepared and loved. It is time we start doing this for our ECEs.
Leveraging Red For Ed to Connect with ECEs Without a doubt, this was a landmark year
Dakota Hudelson
for the Indiana Red For Ed movement.
Dakota Hudelson is an ECE finishing his fifth-year teaching. He is secretary of the Columbus Educators Association, L-PAC 19 chair, ELI coach, Issues & Concerns committee member, association representative, cat dad and partner to an amazing man.
Standing in a crowd of 20,000 last November was a career-defining moment for myself and so many others. As locals begin thinking about the future of the Red For Ed movement, there are many ways to use the movement locally to engage new and ECEs. First and foremost, locals should be tapping ECEs to be leaders in their organizing infrastructure. ECEs can help busy local leaders by stepping into Red For Ed coordinator roles, either at the district or work site level. Additionally, ECEs can serve on Legislative Action Teams and L-PACs, providing a fresh and idealistic perspective on organizing and campaigning. Next, locals can use ECEs to begin exploring the social justice frame of unionism. While industrial and professional unionism are important and frequently the focus of local leaders, Millennial and Gen Z educators frequently cite social justice issues as a top concern. Are we talking about how school choice has exacerbated racial and economic segregation in schools? How do funding cuts disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color? Do we explore the gender pay gap, which is more pronounced in academia than nearly any other sector of society, and the concerns of voucher schools discriminating against queer students and families? These important Red For Ed issues can inspire social justice-minded ECEs to action. In the end, it is vital that ECEs continue to be a specific focus in each conversation about Red For Ed. We don’t want to look back on this time ten years from now and wonder what might have been.
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OUR PROFESSION
Christianne Beebe Christianne Beebe is an elementary teacher and the local president in Brownsburg. She and her husband, a high school educator, have three school-aged kids.
Parenting While Teaching As educators, we’re used to juggling several different roles throughout the course of a school day. When your own child is a student of your colleagues, it can be complicated to take on the role of parent at home. Here are some tips that have helped me balance both responsibilities: 1. Don’t expect special treatment. Don’t ask colleagues to overlook policies that apply to all other students. Don’t use your master key to retrieve forgotten homework from your child’s classroom or allow your kids to come to you for forgotten lunch money. Your own children need to be treated like every other student. 2. Follow the golden rule. As teachers, we all have plenty of parents who are quick to point out the mistakes we make. Strive to be supportive instead. Think about the small, thoughtful gestures from parents that mean a lot to you and take the time to do them. 3. Let your kid’s teachers be the experts of their own classrooms. There will be situations that come up that you know you would handle differently in your
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own classroom. However, keep in mind that different is not always better. There are many effective teaching styles and strategies. It’s not your place to offer suggestions or give unsolicited advice. 4. Always be professional. Unprofessional behavior in your parent role reflects poorly on you as an employee and colleague. Follow the appropriate chain of command if you have a valid concern use a respectful tone in your communications. Don’t ignite gossip by telling colleagues about a problem you have with your child’s teacher. Remember that while your child may have each teacher for a year, those teachers may end up being your colleagues for decades. Try to effectively partner with your children’s teachers while in your parent role.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Explore NEA Micro-credentials ISTA has partnered with the National Education Association (NEA) to bring micro-credentials to our members. Micro-credentials are online, professional learning experiences designed to support educators in both the development of skills and the acquisition of knowledge, while remaining socially distanced.
Micro-credentials are created and assessed by teachers and focus on classroom practices that support student success. They range from technology integration to teacher leadership programs like diversity, equity and cultural competence pathway. NEA micro-credentials are free, and upon completion, the submission is equivalent to 15 Professional Growth Plan (PGP) points. ISTA generates a PGP certificate as documentation. Learn more and start a micro-credential today.
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OUR ASSOCIATION
RECAP
Historic Virtual Representative Assemblies Both ISTA and NEA hosted online representative assemblies this year. Even with more condensed agendas, both assemblies acted on important issues that impact members and educators. Here’s a recap of the two meetings.
Top 3 Outcomes from the ISTA Representative Assembly
Top 3 Outcomes from the NEA Representative Assembly
1. Doug Taylor reelected as ISTA treasurer.
1. Approved NEA’s proposed budget and strategic plan for 2021.
2. Bylaws were amended to prevent a spike in membership dues if beginning teacher salaries rise quickly. Dues for active teacher members will be computed as 1.4 percent of the average beginning teachers salary of the previous year rounded to the nearest dollar, and in no year shall annual dues increase by more than $10, unless another bylaw amendment is passed at the Representative Assembly. 3. Bylaws were amended to better align ISTA state leadership positions with the school year calendar. Terms will now be from July 15 – July 14. All term lengths and number of terms eligible to serve remain the same.
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2. Hosted an education town hall with former Vice President Joe Biden. 3. Delegates to the NEA RA will vote for NEA president, vice president, secretarytreasurer, new executive committee members, education support professional (ESP) at-large and ESP alternate at-large. The delegates will also vote to uphold the NEA board and political action committee’s recommendation to support Biden in the general election. Election results will be announced Aug. 6 or Aug. 31, if a runoff is required.
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
EXTRA CREDIT
Celebrate Diversity in Your Classroom Students and educators come from all backgrounds. Celebrate diversity and embrace significant historic milestones, new cultural experiences and lessons in your classroom. Here’s a calendar to get you started. Explore more observances from the National Education Association.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month The timing aligns with five Central American nations who celebrate their Independence days in September. Resources
Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
LGBT History Month Raise awareness of the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender groundbreakers. Resources
October
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month Explore the varied cultures of the original inhabitants of North America. Resources
November
Black History Month Recognize the Black experience in America and how those experiences have shaped America. Resources
February
Women’s History Month Discover the paths of trailblazing women.
Resources
March
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month The month is celebrated to commemorate the arrival in May 1843 of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States. Resources
May
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PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE:
RANDY STUDT ISTA HOOSIER EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Presented with support from Horace Mann.