Maine Educator September 2018

MAINE

Educator We Can Do It!

Ba c k to S c h o ol

2018-19

Secrets to year-long success!

September 2018 www.maineea.org @maineea

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.

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: TOTE BAG

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* 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

DT220918

September 2018 Volume 79, Number 1 MAINE

Educator We Can Do It!

September 2018 www.maineea.org @maineea

Featured on the cover: MEA Member Zoe LafranceArmstrong, Massabesic EA

CONTENTS

Ba c k to S c h o ol

2018-19

Secrets to year-long suc-

Advocacy 16 18

19 20

21 22

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News You Can Use 8 9 10 11 12

14 15

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Engaging in Appropriate Conversations Tech Talk: Back to School Fast Facts Humor in the Classroom Learning Locks How one school is celebrating learning while engaging their entire community.

Crowdfunding Tips Dealing with Helicopter Parents Editorial Staff

Managing Editor Editor Layout Design

Robert Walker Giovanna Bechard Shawn Berry

Leadership

President Vice President Treasurer NEA Director

Grace Leavitt Jesse Hargrove Beth French Amanda Cooper

NEA Representative Assembly Grants & Opportunities Find new sources of revenue for all the things you need this school year!

Fall Conference - Save the Date!

From the Faculty: Understanding the Conversations of Students in Poverty MEA Board of Directors - Who We Are MEA Contracts: Best of the Best

Everyone can bring their love for learning."

- Lynn Snow, Learning Locks page 12

Your Association 23 #WeAreMEA 24 We Can Do It! - Secrets to Success 28 Perspectives: Why Being Involved in the MEA

Helps Students and Schools 29 NEA Foundation Opportunities

Funding to help your students & funding

for your career, these grants can help!

30 MEA Calendar 31 MEA Member Deals

Board of Directors Robert "Bo" Zabierek Suzen Polk-Hoffses Mallory Cook Cedena McAvoy Ken Williams Janice Murphy Maryann White Jim Thornton Terry Martin

Bob McCully Janet Howe Kuech Donna Longley Lisa Leduc Neil Greenberg Thomas Moore III Gerry French

Maine Educator (ISSN #1069-1235) is published by: Maine Education Association 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330-8005 207-622-4418; fax 207-623-2129 POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Maine Educator 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-8005 Non-Profit US Postage paid at Augusta, Maine and additional mailing offices.

For advertising rates and information please contact: Shawn Berry 35 Community Dr., Augusta, ME 04330 207-622-4418 ext. 2206

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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Ba c k to S c h o ol

2018-19

Proficiency-Based Diploma Changes The use of proficiencybased diplomas is no longer required by the state. School districts will now be allowed to choose whether to use proficiency-based diplomas or other graduation standards under a new Maine law.

The MEA advocated for the change to the mandate, after many members spoke about the lack of support surrounding implementation of the system, among other issues.

PENING BELL

Frances Perkins Institute for Social Justice at USM

The Maine Education Association is pleased to announce its members in the Associated Facilities of the Universities of Maine (AFUM) received a $597,480 grant from the NEA Center for Great Public Schools. These funds will support co-grant applicants, professors Julie Ziffer and Susan Feiner, in their work to establish The Frances Perkins Institute for Social Justice Education. The Center is appropriately named after Maine native, Frances Perkins who was FDR’s Secretary of Labor, principal architect of the New Deal and the first woman to serve as a cabinet secretary.

The goals of the center include: increasing retention and graduation rates through social justice education; closing racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps; and promoting social/racial justice professional development among early career PK12 educators. To reach the goals, with the grant funding provided, professors at USM will include new, innovative curricular options including pop-up courses for addressing social justice, diversity and cultural competency. A pop-up course is a short workshop that offers students an opportunity to engage in new material, otherwise not offered in a non-traditional way.

Maine Department of Education Certification Office Eliminates Walk-in Appointments From Maine DOE As part of the Maine Department of Education’s goal of ensuring accurate and efficient educator credentialing, we are asking educators to manage their Maine teacher credentials electronically. The Department is transitioning to the new online certification system, and effective July 9, 2018, the Certification office eliminated walk-in office hours. If educators have additional or more specific questions, they can call 207-624-6603 or email the certification office at cert.doe@maine.gov.

MEA Members Participate in Families Belong Together March More than 30 MEA members participated in a Families Belong Together March while in Minneapolis during the NEA Representative Assembly. The MEA members were with 6,000 other educators who took to the streets, led by NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia. The Trump Administration’s immigration policy separates children and parents seeking asylum, causing trauma and denying children the opportunity to be in supportive learning environments where educators can nurture their success. The MEA supports students on this issue and showed its support during this march.

Maine Teacher Terry Martin marched in July to support all students.

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Maine Educator • September 2018

EDITOR'S NOTE faith into the people who are in charge inside those buildings—the teachers, custodians, secretaries, food service workers, ed techs. To small children—all of you are just the "adults in charge" and your roles are equally important in the eyes of my child. He calls everyone a teacher—because all of you are teaching him something. It's a profound responsibility.

#BESTSUMMEREVER

E

ach year, as summer begins, I always tell myself this is going to be the best summer ever. I hope that as a family we enjoy new adventures and keep some family traditions alive. This summer didn't disappoint.

This summer was the best summer ever—until next summer, of course. When summer ends, there is always that let down—mostly because we all know the cold is coming—but there is so much excitement and a tinge of sadness.

The start of a new school year always reminds me of how fast my own children are growing up. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was changing diapers, and now my youngest will be in first grade. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind not changing diapers and my youngest is still very much a little boy, but he now has a personality all his own. He likes big kid things...but he still can't tie his own shoes.

My son is just like so many other kids who will walk the halls of schools across this state, putting all their

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But as the year begins, and I know my children will learn new things, I am continually reminded that they are still little, regardless of how "big" they get. So, I will take this time to let them ask for one more hug, (even if it is a stall tactic to go to bed) or read that favorite book one more time. I will let them eat ice cream twice in one day during a hot September weekend night. I will let them be the children they are because it won't be long before they won't ask for those second hugs.

Time goes quickly and slowly sometimes all at the same time. I encourage you, as you begin another year, to remind yourselves of the reason you decided to be an educator—the reason you love the children you work with, and remember—this year will at times go quickly and slowly all at the same time. So, make this year the best year yet. I'm hopeful for this coming year— hopefully both my boys will learn and grow, meet new friends and enjoy their time with the "adults in the building."

And for the love—can someone please teach my youngest to tie his shoes?! No matter how hard we try at home we are complete failures! (And yes, I know that's not in the job description, but I know you all care enough to try.)

Giovanna Bechard Editor editor@maineea.org September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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MEA | President's Message A New School Year—Let’s Get Acquainted!

40: The number of Wednesdays in the academic year that I hope we all will wear RED for PUBLIC ED to keep the recent increase in attention on educators and students going! Let’s be visible in our communities and be sure that the great work we do every day for our students gets the respect and recognition we deserve!

MEA President Grace Leavitt (pictured right in red) speaks with MEA Members from Orrington TA

A

s the new school year begins, it is important to lay a strong foundation for the learning to come by building or rekindling relationships—with our students, their parents, and with our colleagues.

On the first day of my Spanish classes I have often used this icebreaker: I write several numbers on the board and the students guess what the questions might be for which the numbers are the answers. It lets them get to know a bit about me, use Spanish right from the start, as well as review numbers and how to ask questions. Then it’s their turn to write down “their numbers” and have the rest of us come up with the questions.

So here are some numbers for you get to know a bit about me, your new MEA President! See if you can guess what these numbers refer to!

A) 34 B) 2 C) 1972 (answers below)

D) 3

E) 1985

And now some numbers that are important to all of us: 24,000: The number of MEA members—let’s keep this number growing! Be sure to talk to each of your new colleagues about how important the MEA is to us all and how we—and our students!—can continue to improve teaching and learning and working conditions because of our strong association!

3,000,000: The number of NEA members—which makes ours the largest union in the country. This means our members have access to numerous valuable resources for their professional as well as personal lives.

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Maine Educator • September 2018

2 ½: The number of months until November—there is lots to do to help elect friends of education, people who make decisions that affect our members and our students!

12: The number of educators running for the state house—they will be great policymakers for our students and our members!

24,000: Yes, this is a repeat—but it is also the number of educators I hope to get to know directly as I travel around the state—and it is the number of people I hope will open and read the monthly President’s messages as well as all other information they get from the MEA, so we can stay connected and wellinformed.

While I know I will miss the excitement of the opening days in the classroom—the first September in over 40 years!--I am excited to be serving as your president and to be doing all I can to make Maine’s schools the best they can be—for educators and students!

(Answers: A. The number of days I’ve been MEA President as I write this B. The number of daughters I have C. The year I first taught a class and fell in love with teaching (in Madrid, while still in college) D. The age (in months!) of my granddaughter E. The year my husband, older daughter and I moved to this wonderful state to live in the log home my husband built in Raymond)

Grace Leavitt President gleavitt@maineea.org

Free Stuff

Food to Teach Math & Science

of the best four letter words out there Iget.t'sFREEone especially when you're on a tight budMaine Educator found a few freebies!

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FoodMASTER is a collection of hands-on activities and virtual programs that use food to teach math and science. These enhancement resources are categorized under grades 3-5, 6-8, and higher education.

New England Aquarium Free Pass The Teacher Pass Program aims to increase accessibility to the Aquarium for New England teachers. Participants in the program will enjoy free admission, discounts, and much more!

• K-12 teachers and some school administrators currently employed in a New England school system (pre-K, homeschool, after-school, college, retired, and informal teachers and administrators do not qualify for this program at this time)

Curriculum covers things like ten topics in food groups, measurement, food safety, and management.

Resources include posters, teacher’s edition, chapters, and math supplements, and more.

FMI: https://bit.ly/2z6Y0B3

• Applicants must provide a school email and mailing address in order to be considered for the program.

How to Apply: https://tinyurl.com/ybx8qbor

Financial Literacy Lessons

Pictures for Projects Pics4Learning is a curated image library that is safe and free for education. Teachers and students can use the copyright-friendly photos and illustrations for classroom projects, web sites, videos, portfolios, or any other projects in an educational setting. Pictures are categorized in topics like food, countries and animals.

Find images: http://www.pics4learning.com/

Econ Ed at St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank is a source of 26 types of K-12+ resources primarily in economics and personal finance but also in related civics, history, literature, math, and STEM. Resources can be keyword searched by subject, resource type and concept.

Resources can be ordered alphabetically or by release date. Sample lessons include: Saving and Spending Game. Prior to this activity, Grade 3-5 students should read/hear Uncle Jed's Barbershop and review concepts: income, savings, savings goal, and spending. Students play in groups of four or five and take turns rolling dice and drawing cards to reach a savings goal of $50. Dice required.

FMI: https://bit.ly/2NlesR7 September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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News You Can Use

Engaging in Appropriate Conversations

By: Teal Ruland | nea.org

W

hat’s on and off-limits to talk about with students might seem obvious, but it isn’t always so black and white.

speech is protected only if they speak out as citizens on “matters of public concern” and their speech doesn’t disrupt the school.

Sometimes it can be hard to avoid uncomfortable details about current events or stay away from the lurid details of wars throughout history.

• Online: Don’t “friend” your students, and keep your profiles private.

However, it’s important to keep the classroom and school a safe haven for your students, as well as build and keep their trust and respect. Below are some points to consider when you have conversations and discussions with students.

Politics & Persuasions Discussing politics in the classroom requires a careful, light-handed approach. Teachers want to encourage exciting and challenging discussions, but not push their own agenda on the students. Remember, you have a captive, impressionable audience. On the other hand, sharing your own views can help put topics—like civil rights and the Holocaust—into perspective for students.

Be sure to use a balanced approach by presenting both sides to your class.

Personal Life With more than one billion users on Facebook and other social networking sites, it’s more than likely you're on social media too. Many educators believe they have the absolute First Amendment right to post anything they want on social networking sites, including party pictures and diatribes about the boss.

After all, they’re on their own time and using their own resources. However, the courts say otherwise, and teacher free speech rights are fairly limited: their 8

Maine Educator • September 2018

• In person: Exercise caution in discussing personal topics. Your students don’t need to know the details of your night out on the town.

Perfect Timing There’s a time and place for private conversations with students. Don’t waste valuable class time by engaging in what should be private chats. Bring up the issue before the bell rings or after class is over.

Professional Gossip Yes, you may think your predecessor was incompetent, but be wary of letting your students—and other teachers—know that. The Denver Post cited a study that “’found gossip in the workplace tended to be overwhelmingly negative, but the insults were more subtle and the conversations less predictable’, says Tim Hallett, a sociologist at Indiana University.” The study also found that negativity trickles down to the students, affecting their focus and lowering test scores.

And don’t even think about bad-mouthing other teachers or students to your class. You’ll lose their trust and potentially your job.

So, what topics of conversation are appropriate for teacher and students? Topics that take into consideration the ages, sensibilities, and sophistication of your students.

Tech Talk 3 Back to School Tech Ideas Whether you're actually using technology in new ways or mimicking the use of it, here are a few ideas for getting back to school to get to know your students and for your students' parents to learn more about you and the work happening in your school.

QR Codes and Audio Recordings Invite your parents on a back-toschool night, or a parent-teacher conference, to listen to their child and their stories. AAsk students to write a short essay about what they did this summer, or share something about themselves, or their goals for the year. Then, ask students to read their essays aloud as they record their work.

Upload the recorded essays and turn them into a QR Code you can print and have parents use when you see them next. It's easier than you think with Vocaroo. Students just have to click the red record button, select save, and the QR code button appears and ready for use.. Here's a sample of what your recordings and QR Codes can look like found on Pinterest. (The stars cover students faces to show online but imagine how cute it would be for a parent to see their child holding the QR Code.)

Cell Phone/Tablet Use without the Actual Device Since many students live in a cell phone and tablet world, take advantage of their screen time without an actual screen. Learn more about your students with these innovative worksheet ideas. Ask students to "text the teacher" and share a "summer selfie" about their time away from school.

Take a Selfie This is a literal one—actually have your students take a selfie and then print and post them on a bulletin board inside your room. Ask students to be creative with their photo to show something about who they are or what they like to do. Then ask students to write a few things about themselves their classmates might not already know.

Looking for other tech ideas? Check out previous Tech Talk issues in the Maine Educator Online!

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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FAST FACTS

School Lunch: Hunger

School children eligible for subsidized school lunch Location

Data Type

Maine

Number

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

75,310 80,478 83,676 84,496 83,088 86,473 85,776 85,838 81,062 83,380

Percentage 39.0% 43.1% 44.2% 46.1% 45.8% 46.8% 47.6% 47.8% 45.1% 46.5% *Source: Kidscount Data Center

Somerset County County with the highest percentage of students, 69.8%, who are eligible for subsidized school lunch.

37%

Percentage of Maine's food insecure population that does not qualify for public assistance. *Source: Good Shepherd Food Bank

*Source: Kidscount Data Center

Special Education Data

$351 MILLION

Annual special education spending—indicates a 15% increase in cost between 2010 and 2015. Regular education spending increased by 10% in the same time frame according to the Maine Education Policy Research Institute at USM. Some of the increased costs are due to placing students in regular classrooms with a one-to-one aide in order to be successfully placed in a classroom.

16.7%

Percentage of Maine students who received special education services in 201516 school year. For perspective, the national average is 12%.

*Source: Maine Department of Education; Includes state wards and state agency clients 10

Maine Educator • September 2018

Changes in Need

The overall numbers of resident special education students have increased in some disability areas (notably Autism, Multiple Disabilities, and Other Health Impairment, which includes ADHD). They have decreased in others, particularly Speech and Language Impairment and Emotional Disability.

L

aughing may promote learning, reduce stress in school, and increase student engagement—just ask former classroom teacher, and author Mary Kay Morrison who points to research that shows humorous moments increase student engagement and help embed learning in the longterm memory.

Using

HUMOR m

oo in the classr

“The number one quality that high-school kids want in a teacher is a sense of humor,” Morrison says. “They remember those teachers, and they will become more engaged with those teachers. We’re finding humor actually lights up more of the brain than many other functions in a classroom,” says Morrison. In other words, if you’re listening just auditorily in a classroom, one small part of the brain lights up, but humor maximizes learning and strengthens memories.”

But how to make students laugh and seem authentic without trying too hard—that's the trick.

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Plan Your Laughs The internet is your friend in this case. There are entire Pinterest Boards dedicated to funny things you can use in your class.

Teaching grammar? Try showing a few of these (see pictures 1, 2, & 3) options to emphasize the importance of why spelling and punctuation matter.

Ask Students to Participate in the Fun

2 Especially when your tattoo is misspelled...

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Morrison says teachers can have students demonstrate their knowledge through parody songs, riddles or funny tweets.

One middle-school teacher she worked with gave each of his students a small section of a social studies chapter and asked them to write a content question using a joke, pun or riddle.

The teacher then incorporated the funny questions on the unit assessment. “The kids absolutely loved taking that test,” Morrison says.

Don't Try Too Hard Students, even the youngest, will know if you're not being authentic. Make sure you're towing the line on what is and isn't appropriate. If you have even the slightest question about whether a joke is appropriate, the answer is—it's not. Be you and enjoy your work—students will respond. *some content provided by NEA Member Benefits

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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Learning LOCKS

There are Love Locks where two sweethearts place a padlock on a bridge or fence to symbolize their love and devotion to each other.

There are Locks of Love where someone cuts their hair and donates it to a charity to help craft wigs for needy children.

NOW—there are Learning Locks.

L

earning Locks began at Thomaston Elementary School where students, teachers and community members added a lock to the fence of the school garden to commemorate a memorable life lesson, an educational milestone, such as the first day of Kindergarten or a graduation, or to pay tribute to a “teacher” that has made a difference in their lives. A “teacher” could be a traditional school teacher, a coach, a scout leader, a parent, a friend.

Lynn Snow, a 5th grade teacher at the school who

cares for the garden, helped create learning locks.

Snow is also a co-founder of the garden, helping sow the seeds years ago as she worked to incorporate the garden and its contents into her science curriculum.

"I love this garden, and I want to bring the community together. My family is involved—my dad and my daughter and my husband together built the shed.

By adding the Learning Locks we can bring the community together. Yes, it’s a fence but everyone can bring their love for learning and their stories of who helped them along the way. This is a way to celebrate our learning in a public way," said Snow.

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Ethan Bicaj, student 12

Maine Educator • September 2018

I'm putting the lock on for my third grade teacher because she was the first teacher, for me, that was really nice and helpful. She helped me a lot in math. The lock is to thank her for helping me so much.

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I'm proud the kids are talking about their teachers and they are willing to appreciate their teacher and their education. I love the Learning Locks!

I think it's fantastic for the school, students and the community. We have a lot of support at this school.

Jeanie Cushman, 5th grade teacher

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The lock was for my father who also taught at the middle school for 36 years.

Charles Gallagher, Middle school teacher

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My lock is to remember working with these great teachers at this school, as four really good friends. It was really a great experience here for me that I will never forget - Anne Pavalkis, Retired 5th grade teacher started garden in 2009.

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Lynn Snow, 5th grade teacher

I love this garden, and I want to bring the community together...By adding the Learning Locks we can bring the community together. Yes, it's a fence but everyone can bring their love for learning and their stories of who helped them along the way.

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

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From$0 $0 to Funded-Tips for From toFully Fully Funded— Better Writing Tips forCrowdfunding Better Crowdfunding Writing

CROWDFUNDING CROWDFUNDING

More and more educators are taking money out of their Moreto andfund more both educators are needs taking money out of their pockets to fund pockets basic and those other items both basic needs and those other items that make learning more that make learning more engaging for students. As engaging for students. As crowdfunding, on sites like DonorsChoose, crowdfunding, sitestolike DonorsChoose, becometomore become more on popular pay for school needs, it's important find popular pay your for school needs, important ways ways to to make projects stand out.it's Here are a few tipstotofind go from $0 to make your projects stand out. Here are a few tips to go from $0 to fully funded.

Skip the Fancy Education Words

It's important to give your future donor a picture of a child putting your donation to use.

You're educators, so you know your "language." But, you need to remember your audience—they're not educators and don't necessarily understand your Start Small pedagogy or Lexile Levels. When crafting your message to donors, use simple words, and speak in lay language. You may need a lot, but if you're just starting out with If your goal is to increase reading levels, say something crowdsource funding, think twice before asking for like, "My goal is to help my students read various types everything in one project. Consider breaking up your of text as they enter middle school." "asks" into several smaller projects. The less you ask for, the more likely you'll get funded quickly and attain the supplies you need for your students.

Talk Students, Not Supplies

Be descriptive when talking about your needs. Don't just simply say you need notebooks, talk about the creative stories your students will write on the pages of those notebooks. If you need popsicle sticks, explain how your students will transform those popsicle sticks into catapults for a lesson on gravity. It's important to give your future donor a picture of a child putting your donation to use.

Break Through—Be Creative Chances are there are other projects in your district, and likely your school, that are also vying for online crowdsource funding. When naming your project, think creatively. Remember, you're in essence fighting for funding so you need to market your project in the best way possible. Take this example from a school in Portland asking for new instruments for their music class—"You Know We're All About that Bass Xylophone!" Playing off the popular song for the project's title catches the potential donors' eyes.

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Maine Educator • September 2018

Share Your Project This is where you turn into a marketing director again, and share your project beyond your inner circle of family and friends. If you want people to donate, you need to tell people what you're doing. Share a link with parents, the PTA, any organization you think may be willing to help. AND, don't forget to share it on social media! You never know who may be willing to help unless you ask.

Always Have a Project Listed for Funding Once you've started, don't stop. It's likely there will always be something your classroom and students need, so make sure you have a project online, ready for funding. You never know when a company or celebrity decides to make a donation that will fully fund your project. Think of how much of a bummer it would be to miss out on the generosity of those more fortunate simply because you didn't have a project posted.

Dealing with Helicopter Parents

“Get to the parents first,” she advises. “I communicate with them early, establish who I am—that I am an involved teacher and take my job seriously. I also let them know that I welcome and value their input.”

But count on it: Some parents still want face time and will come find you, armed with suggestions—some friendly and welcome, others not so much.

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“Tell them if you’re already taking such-and-such course,” cautions McCoy. “You can thank them for the suggestion and listen. Usually, parents get the message that you are on top of things, and they’ll back off.”

o teacher would deny that successful partnerships with parents are critical to student achievement, and are key in transforming public schools into true communities. For newer teachers especially, parents can be invaluable resources.

There’s a catch, of course. For all those rewarding relationships, it’s likely that among each year’s pool of parents are the few who are … well … too involved.

These are the parents who question your every move; who bombard your inbox or voicemail with complaints and questions; who don’t seem to realize that you have a classroom full of other kids who need your attention.

Their child is, you know, special.

“No doubt about it—one overbearing and unyielding parent,” says Kellie Hayden, a veteran middle school teacher, “can make your school year very, very difficult.”

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Get to the parents first. I communicate with them early, establish who I am— that I am an involved teacher and take my job seriously. I also let them know that I welcome and value their input. - Gracye McCoy, teacher All parents are different, so don’t look for a “one-sizefits-all” approach, says Jennie Levy, a second-year special education teacher. “But the work you do upfront to reach out to parents can go far in establishing trust.

It’s hard work, but there’s definitely a pay-off,” Levy says.

Gracye McCoy, now in her sixth-year teaching, also urges teachers to take the initiative.

Linda Robb, a veteran high school teacher, has seen a few younger teachers immediately dig in their heels at the first hint of parental interference, and cautions against it.

After all, who knows these kids better than Mom and Dad? If you keep the lines of communication open, parents can be valuable resources in the student’s learning and discipline. It’s also advisable, says Robb, to cut them a little slack if they begin to complain and interfere.

“Even if a parent is out of bounds a bit, it’s worth it to help them save face,” says Robb. “You can ease a potential standoff by letting them know that you empathize with their position and that you understand their frustration.”

Even if you’re able to diffuse some situations, you may not be able to avoid the nightmare scenario of the angry parent who has crossed the line and is determined to stay there, or who even becomes verbally abusive.

“Don’t duke it out,” cautions Kellie Hayden. “Follow the chain of command and bring in your mentors and principal. As hard as it might be, stay calm and polite.

Witnesses in the room can have a calming effect on an unduly angry parent.”

Even without an extreme situation, it’s not unusual for new teachers to feel a little intimidated in their initial encounters with parents. After all, you are new to the classroom, and every child and family are unique.

Still, Gracye McCoy suggests you can draw confidence from one indisputable truth: “Ultimately, you can’t let any parent take away the fact that you have trained to be in the classroom. Never forget that you are the professional.”

September 2018 • www.maineea.org 15

Advocacy

Educators Energized at NEA Representative Assembly

By: Tim Walker

“When educators, parents, communities, and students stand together, we are a formidable force and together we can fight and win.”

The 2018 National Education Association Representative Assembly (RA) convened less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck a blow against working people with its decision in Janus v.

AFSCME. (See Side Bar) How to thrive in post-Janus world was just one of the many pressing issues on the minds of the 6,200 delegates as they entered the Minneapolis Convention Center on July 2.

The challenges to educators and public schools are mounting, but by the closing gavel four days later, the delegates left Minneapolis ready to harness the energy of the burgeoning Red for Ed movement and meet them head on.

But there is a groundswell of energy and support for public education that is already having an enormous impact. The movement started in West Virginia in February and quickly spread to Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina.

“You spoke the powerful truth that we are fierce fighters who will stand up for ourselves and for our students and we will be heard!” EskelsenGarcia told the cheering delegation.

Educators have a powerful ally in students. Whether its demanding lawmakers properly fund our schools or take action to help keep students safe from gun violence, young people have taken up the call.

These are dark days, NEA President Lily Eskselsen-García told the gathered “You see them come together in a collective voice. You educators in her feel the power of their action – they’re not complaining. keynote address, They’re not waiting for permission,” Eskelsen-Garcia said, NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia addresses the 2018 NEA Representative because “billionaires before she yielded the stage to one of those student Assembly. (Photo/Scott Iskowitz) have placed leaders, David Hogg, survivor of the Parkland school themselves over the rest of us; they have no sense of shooting and outspoken advocate for common sense servant leadership; billionaires believe that they are our gun laws. rulers.”

16

Maine Educator • September 2018

Student activist David Hogg speaks at the NEA Representative Assembly. (Photo: Calvin Knight)

“We have been speaking up, mobilizing, and standing strong because our friends and family mean the world to us,” Hogg said. “We are young and that means we don’t have to accept the status quo. And we never will.

We intend to close the gap between the world as it is and what it should be.”

In a display of union solidarity, EskelsenGarcia brought to the stage Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, to address the delegation.

Building union strength and national coalitions was the focus of NEA Executive Director John Stocks’ speech.

“We can’t be in a movement by ourselves and for ourselves,” he said. “What the Red for Ed movement has shown us is that when members and non-members, parents, communities, and students stand together, we are a formidable force and together we can fight and win."

What is the NEA RA?

The National Education Association Representative Assembly–the RA–is the highest decision-making body within the over 3 million-member NEA. With over 8,000 delegates, the RA is also the world's largest democratic deliberative body.

Over the course of eight business sessions spanning four days, RA delegates debate the vital issues that impact American public education and set Association policy and activities for the year ahead.

JANUS RULING

Under the decision made by the Supreme Court, no state or school district or other public employer anywhere in the country can permit a union to charge non-members a fee for the costs of their representation. Such fees – often called fair share or agency fees – had previously been permitted in many states with public sector collective bargaining and allowed unions who represented a bargaining unit to spread the costs of representing that unit in bargaining across all employees in the unit. The Janus decision means that unions in the public sector can no longer charge non-members fair share or agency fees. The MEA has fewer than 200 members who pay fair share fees and are impacted by this decision.

"Attending the NEA Representative Assembly for the first JANUS FAQ time was an amazing My school district is saying that Janus experience! I was blown means the union needs to re-sign existing members; is that right? away by how it went and the discussion No, that is wrong. Janus only addresses whether by the delegates that involuntary fair share fee or agency fees are impacts our work. Lily, permitted, and holds that they are not. The Court’s opinion expressly states (at page 48) that it is only the NEA President, is so addressing payments collected from non-members cool, calm and collected. (feepayers) by stating as follows: “Neither an agency fee nor any other payment to the union may be I made several good deducted from a non-member’s wages, nor may any friends while I was other attempt be made to collect a payment, unless there and can't wait for the employee affirmatively consents to pay.” the next NEA RA!" Jen Perry, UMPSA September 2018 • www.maineea.org

17

Grants and Opportunities Digital Wish

NEA Foundation Grants

The NEA Foundation believes public education should stimulate students’ curiosity and excitement about learning and help them become successful 21stcentury global citizens.

Student Achievement Grants

Grant funds can be used for resource materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, technology, or scholars-in-residence. FMI: neafoundation.org

Digital Wish believes that every child deserves a technology-rich education that will provide them with the skills necessary to excel in the global economy.

Every day, Digital Wish develops new online tools and promotions that empower teachers and their supporters to get new technology for their classrooms and enhance learning for our children. With your help, we can provide the resources our schools need to thrive.

FMI: digitalwish.com

Learning and Leadership Grants

Committee Grants

The following applies to both grants: Two levels of funding are available: $2,000 and $5,000.

Grants fund activities for 12 months from the date of the award.

Deadline for Grants: December 14, 2018

Deadlines: There are three application deadlines: October 15, February 1 and June 1.

Student Essay Contest

MEA’s Human, Civil Rights and Cultural Affairs Learning & Leadership grants support the professional Grant development of MEA/NEA members by providing This MEA grant is to help local association members grants to: provide HCR leadership opportunities in their schools • Individuals to participate in high-quality and communities. professional development like summer institutes, conferences, seminars, travel abroad programs, or MEA’s Members are Leaders Grant action research This MEA grant is to help local association members • Groups to fund collegial study, including study provide professional and educational leadership in groups, action research, lesson plan development, their schools and communities. or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff.

Grant funds can be used for travel, room, meals, MEA’s Leroy Lambert Political Action Grant registration fees, materials, etc. for individual grants. For This MEA grant is to facilitate the development and group grants, funds can be used for educator stipends, implementation of a local association political action substitute fees, materials, travel, meals, etc. program

Information and applications: maineea.org

The MEA is pleased to join with the Portland Sea Dogs for its annual "My Hero Works at School" essay Funding preference is given to projects that contest. Students are encouraged to write a short incorporate STEM and/or global learning. The NEA essay, no more than 300 words, about their school Foundation also strongly encourages Education hero. Two winners will be selected and receive tickets Support Professionals to apply for funding in any area. to a 2019 Sea Dogs game for themselves, their family FMI: neafoundation.org and their school hero. Entries must include the name of the student, the school, the submitting educator's California Casualty Athletic name and email and the name of the school hero, if Grants different than the submitting educator. All public The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant school elementary and middle school students are was established to provide support to public middle encouraged to apply. Submit essays to Giovanna and high school sports programs.

Bechard via mail at 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME Deadline: January 15 FMI: calcas.com/web/ 04330 or email at contest@maineea.org calcasathleticsgrant Deadline: April 12, 2019 18

Maine Educator • September 2018

Your Association

KEEP CALM AND

START SMART 2018 FALL CONFERENCE OCT. 19 & 20 AT THE SAMOSET RESORT

MEA Pre-Retirement Seminar Sessions Wednesday sessions are from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday sessions are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Fall 2018

Wednesday, September 12 - Ellsworth Area Wednesday, September 19 - Lewiston/Auburn Area Wednesday, September 26 - Rockland Area Wednesday, October 3 - Kennebunk Area Wednesday, October 10 - Skowhegan Area Saturday, October 27 - Caribou Area Wednesday, Oct 24 - Make-Up Date if Needed

Spring 2019

Wednesday, March 6 - Waterville Area Wednesday, March 13 - Topsham Area Saturday, March 16 - Machias Area Wednesday, March 20 - South Portland Area Wednesday, March 27 - Bangor Area Wednesday, April 3 - Make-Up Date if Needed

Register Online at Maineea.org

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

19

Understanding the Conversations of Students in Poverty

FROM THE FACULTY

With input from: Robert Bruce Thompson, MA, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology - Human Development, University of Southern Maine

K

ids from a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have difficulty expressing themselves, what they need, and how they feel.

Learning how to interpret the behavior you've discovered will help guide teachers to find the best way to support a child. As a professor of Psychology, Dr. Bruce Thompson has studied parents of low SES—even on a grammar level. "Vastly more things said to a child are formed as a declarative fact. 'That’s the green one, that’s the blue one.' The language is more commanding—there are very few questions asked in low SES families," says Dr. Thompson.

Robert Bruce Thompson, MA, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology - Human Development, University of Southern Maine

Dr. Thompson says changing the narrative has a powerful impact on a child. "If asking questions is about a dialogue—where something is up for negotiation—something up for discussion— that is a very powerful socialization mechanism. When kids hear questions asked of them all the time, they get used to hearing language about inquiry. If you're saturated in inquisitive language, imagine how that changes dialogue in a classroom about conflict?

A child from a low SES tends to hear fewer questions, so they may say "hey, you pushed me over," in an accusatory tone instead of "why did you push me over?" which tempers down and deescalates the situation," added Thompson.

In Dr. Thompson's research and work he's found that often bullies do what they do because they have trouble reading social cues— things like a bump in the hall. Instead of asking "hey, what was that all about?" a bully who is developmentally delayed would not have the ability to stop and ask the question about what happened. To undersand the student in poverty, engagement at the most basic level is key, says Dr. Thompson.

"It is a simple thing as infusing language with as many questions as possible. It's a question style within learning and exploration and inquisitiveness."

"

"

Bullies do what they do because they have trouble reading social cues—things like a bump in the hall.

Instead of asking 'hey, what was that all about?' a bully who is developmentally delayed would not have the ability to stop and ask the question about what happened.

20

Maine Educator • September 2018

Read more student behavior articles in the Maine Educator Online.

Maine Education Association

Closer Look Inside MEA

Leading the Way to Great Public Schools for Every Maine Student

The MEA is the largest democratically-run organization in the state. It's also the largest union.

There are no real secrets to how the sausage is made, but there are a great group of dedicated educators who devote their time and energy to advocating for students and schools.

The MEA consists of a leadership team and a Board of Directors, all elected by the members. That's of course in addition to the staff who work at MEA every day. The leadership team meets with the Board of Directors, people just like you, regularly to discuss any and all issues that may impact the profession and your students. The MEA divides the state up into 16 MEA Board Districts, each with one representative. That representative is one of your point people to the Association. Have something happening in your district you feel the MEA needs to know about? Contact your MEA Board of Director.

Take a minute to learn who represents you!

Position

Name

Towns

A

Robert "Bo" Zabierek

Houlton to St. Agatha

B

Suzen-Polk Hoffses

Bar Harbor to Calais to Millinocket

C

Mallory Cook

Dixmont to Greenville to Millinocket

D

Cedena McAvoy

Bangor to Ellsworth to Searsmont

E

Ken Williams

Palermo to Northport to Windsor

F

Janice Murphy

Augusta to Rangeley to Jackman

G

Maryann White

China to Athens to Monroe

H

Jim Thornton

Livermore to Newry to Poland

I

Vacant

Gardiner to Windham

J

Terry Martin

Woolwich to Cumberland

K

Bob McCully

Portland to Scarborough

L

Janet Howe Kuech

Saco to Stoneham to Newfield

M

Donna Longley

Kittery to Sanford

O

Lisa Leduc

AFUM, Comm.

Colleges

P

Neil Greenberg

ACSUM, UMPSA, MPBN

R

Thomas Moore III

MEA-Retired

ESP

Gerry French

ESP Statewide

G

race is a Spanish teacher on leave from Greely High School in Cumberland. She lives in Raymond and has been teaching for more than 40 years, K-12 to higher ed and adult, in Grace Leavitt Maine, Massachusetts President and Spain, and is National Board certified. Grace is passionate about public education and will support students and educators across the state as the chief policy officer and official spokesperson for the MEA.

J

esse teaches American History, Government and Economics, advises the yearbook class, and serves as Social Studies department chair at Hermon High School. He lives in Thorndike with Jesse Hargrove his wife Ciara, a music Vice President educator and President of the Waterville Education Association. They have two elementary-age kids, Aden and Rylan who attend Mount View Elementary School.

B

Other Districts: O- AFUM and Comm. Colleges P- ACSUM, MPBC EA, UMPSA R- MEA-RETIRED

eth started teaching in 2002 and is a 3rd grade teacher at East Belfast School. Beth comes from a family of educators—her husband Gerry, her son Tim and his wife are all educators in Maine. Beth Beth French lives in Searsport with her Treasurer family, which also includes two school-aged children, Gabe, 14 and Elijah, 12. Beth is eager to share her vision of “Unionism For Today" as part of the MEA leadership team.

A Amanda Cooper NEA Director

manda has been an educator with the Gorham Public Schools since 2000, and teaches 8th grade English and social studies at Gorham Middle School. She lives in Buxton, with her husband Kevin who is also an educator and coach at Bonny Eagle High School, and their two sons Caden and Colby.

Her goal as the NEA Director is to bring the voice of Maine students and educators to DC. September 2018 • www.maineea.org

21

Your Association

MEA Contracts: Best of the Best

C

ollective bargaining gives educators a voice.

Through collective bargaining, MEA members negotiate for more than their own economic security.

They are also securing vital resources to help their students and the communities in which they live. Every organization, including schools and higher education institutions, can benefit from the ideas and expertise of its employees. Negotiations ensure that education employees have a respected voice in the workplace and are involved in both identifying and solving school and classroom issues, which in turn promotes student learning. Below are some of the most recent collective bargaining successes in contracts across the state of Maine.

Lewiston EA teachers saw the following gains in addition to pay: • Nurses were added onto the teacher pay scale (previously nurses were on a separate pay scale that topped out very low) • Created incentives to increase/equalize prep time for elementary school teachers with high/middle school teachers • The teachers also have “earned leave time” as opposed to sick/personal and the ability to use that time for family illness • Teachers can now use up to 12 weeks of earned leave time toward paid maternity/paternity leave • A voluntary sick leave bank for prolonged/ catastrophic illness • Increased the total leave time accrual cap so retiring teachers can take advantage of both a 60-day cash-in retirement benefit currently offered

by Lewiston School Department as well as the 90 days MainePERS converts to credible service and still have some sick time left over to use in their final year before retirement.

• Increased contractual protections for teachers administering medications to students • A half-time release President After eight years of turbulent bargaining, Seacoast EA ESP made significant headway settling a three-year contract just before expiration and then immediately returning to the table and settling another three-year agreement. Between the two contracts: 22

Maine Educator • September 2018

• Significant gains in wages (30% increase over the six years and elimination of “dead zones”) • Maintaining benefits (100% Single and 65% of the difference for dependent coverage on the date of hire – previously there was a 6-year waiting period for dependent coverage) • And improving working conditions, including a clothing allowances for “RSU 13 branded” clothing.

Van Buren EA, SAD 33 EA, Ashland TA and Central Aroostook TA teachers in Aroostook county all recently settled contracts with large salary improvements.

Aroostook County starting pay and career earnings have lagged behind most of the rest of the state. Van Buren, Ashland and Central Aroostook all achieved $37,000 starting pay for teachers, an increase of $7,000 for two and nearly $4,500 for the other. Central Aroostook increased career earnings by 12.2%, SAD 33 by 13.8%, Van Buren by 17.9% and Ashland by 20.8%.

Central Maine teachers have engaged in MEA’s negotiations training and utilized the skills learned to advocate for improved salary scales. Teachers focused on changing and correcting salary scales, including removing “dead zones,” to improve career earnings. In the last round of negotiations, Winslow EA increased career earnings by 13.8%, Waterville EA by 18.2%, Augusta EA by 18.9% and Vassalboro EA by 21.3%.

We Are MEA

Congratulations to Telstar EA member Tonya Prentice who received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching from the National Science Foundation.

Congratulations to Maggie Wachtl, a Cony High School teacher, who was named The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow from Maine! With a year of professional development and an international field study, her classroom is sure to be an exciting learning journey.

Congratulations to Dan Ryder, a high school teacher at Mt. Blue High School, on being selected as one of five 2019 California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence recipients.

We're proud to celebrate this Mt. Blue EA's outstanding work.

Congratulations to the MEA members at Maine Public on their collective five New England Emmy nominations. Pictured left to right: Robbie Feinberg, Brian Bechard, Nick Godfrey and Rebecca Conley. Not pictured, Dave Boardman.

MEA members proudly marched in Pride Parades in Portland and Bangor, celebrating their students and desire to accept all students.

Pictured left to right, Denise Simoneau and Valerie Mathews, both Bangor EA.

Congratulations to Marcus Legere from Sedgwick Elementary and Ethyn Sanipas from George Mitchell School who were the winners of this year's MEA/Sea Dogs "My Hero Works at School" essay contest. The student’s award-winning essays highlighted the great work of their school hero educators, Rose Kane (Sedgwick EA) and Walli Fitton. Everyone celebrated at a summer Sea Dogs baseball game! Interested in this year's contest? Learn more at maineea.org/contest September 2018 • www.maineea.org

23

Your Association

Ba c k to S c h o ol

2018-19

We Can Do It! Secrets to

Year-Long

Success

Pictured:

Zoe Lafrance-Armstrong

24 MaineEA Educator • September 2018 Massabesic

A

s you kick off this school year, whether it's your first or your 30th, it's always smart to start the year with a positive attitude. Maine Educator is here to help you along the way—and asked several members to share their best tips for a full year of happiness and success for your students.

The Secret(s) to Year Long Success 1. Talk! If you have had an especially tough day, find someone to talk to about it. A colleague, a friend, a partner, your dog. Anyone who will listen. Sometimes you just need to get stuff of your chest.

Jenny Stahl

Glenburn EA

2. Celebrate! Don’t forget to celebrate your successes, big and small. Celebrate with your students when someone finishes a book or grows a reading level.

Celebrate with your colleagues when that one challenging student has a good day. Celebrate with your family when you tried something new and it went well.

3. Have a hobby outside of school! Exercise, knit, read, do something that is just for you and not in any way related to school.

4. Try new things! My students loved when I called them my guinea pigs. I told them often that I was excited to try something new with them and they loved giving me feedback on what went well and how I could improve it for next time.

Trying new things keeps the “job” fresh for you and exciting for your students.

5. Read! If you haven’t read “Teach Like a Pirate”, I highly recommend it. Even if you just read the back sections, you’ll get new ideas that you can incorporate both short and long-term in your classroom.

6. Collaborate! Be an active part of your Professional Learning Network. Talk with other educators in your building or district to see what has worked on site.

Chat with educators across the country and the world on Twitter to see what other districts are doing, (find a hashtag on Twitter and follow it for best results!

Try #edchat, #edchatme, or even one that is specific for your grade level or content area). There’s something for everyone!

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! This may be the most important. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. When you have exhausted all of your ideas and your patience, reach out. You’ll be glad you did. Then you’ll be able to go back to number two and celebrate!

A

lways have a notebook to jot ideas in or use voice memo on my phone.

Always ask youself "How much time is this going to take? Really..."

Always remember that you need to save time for youself, and you need to get better at it, but make time to go to the gym, go out with friends, go for a walk, or just do nothing.

Always remember that good humor is contagious, laugh - a lot!

Shana Goodall

Orono EA

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

25

Zoe Lafrance-Armstrong Massabesic EA

T

he best part is the relationships with the students.

Make new connections everyday. I learn about my students' lives and they learn about me—it’s nice to build that trust. Always remember those connections, and if you’re having a tough day go find one of your favorite students and just chat with them to see how they’re doing. That’s what brightens my days.

Gordon Hartwell Upper Kennebec Valley EA

D

ay to day optimism, and keep your head down and go!

A

s a special services teacher, I find personal care essential in maintaining motivation. Yes, I still have moments where I doubt my career choices! But, taking time to play with my daughters, eat brunch with friends, walk our dogs (no matter how much schoolwork is piling up!) pulls me through the tough times and reminds me why I entered the teaching profession— to help people.

It took awhile, but I built boundaries between my personal and school lives. Without that definition it’s easy for school to take over and life becomes a revolving door of guilt from not getting through all of the standards, the crushing number of IEP meetings, grading…. I was terrible about bringing schoolwork home. Then I ended up with two crying kids at the dinner table because I was finishing paperwork while we ate. I learned to work smarter, not harder and to better accept help when people offered it. Sharing the load makes a huge difference when trying to remain buoyant Bethany Meehanin June! Teachers face many dark moments throughout the school year. We need to Poulin stop fretting over whether our bulletin boards are Pinterest worthy and remember Western Foothills EA that our work needs to come second to our health. The best motivation comes from a well-balanced soul!

I Sarah Carrigan

would define year-long success as students getting to June having taken some risks, produced some thoughts, and of course, learned some things (to put it simply.) I think core to each of these accomplishments is having a strong teacher/student relationship founded on mutual respect, trust, and caring. Even on days where I am feeling over-tired, student relationships always boost me up and make each day more fun and engaging. They are the reason I go to school each day, and why I remain energized in the classroom even as mid-June hits.

Yarmouth EA

26

Maine Educator • September 2018

Cyndi Fish Bangor EA

M

y secret to yearlong success is to always remember there is a solution to every problem, always find the good in every situation and let go of things you can't control.

Chris Healy

Hermon EA

C

liche as it may be, I am sustained throughout the school year by the progress made by my students. There's nothing better than student growth! I look forward to graduation day—the caps, the gowns, and the smiles—but I also enjoy the occasional times away from school gathering with friends and family.

When a doldrum creeps in and crankiness comes calling, I go to the movies.

Meghan Lewis

Lewiston EA or year-long success in the classroom I’ve found it incredibly important to foster a positive classroom environment at the beginning of the year. It’s important to take some time to develop connections with students and give students the opportunity to get to know each other so that they feel comfortable in class.

For personal year-long success, I’ve found meditation to be really helpful. As we all know, the school day is incredibly hectic. Finding some time to be still amidst all the chaos has helped me approach each day with a little more calm and clarity.

F

Maggie Nerney

Mt. Abram TA

I

love the backwards planning model. Giving myself a clear plan, per trimester, which outlines the standards I want to hit and maps out resources needed is the key to successful teaching and learning for me. Also, it helps to leave notes to myself in the units to guide revisions in the following year. Most importantly, embrace flexibility! Revise those plans to accommodate the unexpected changes in schedules, those inevitable snow days, etc. Learn to let things go for the sanity of yourself and your kids!

Association Success

D

irigo EA’s secret to year-long success is clear, frequent, detailed, and open communication between our association leadership and our members.

Our local executive board meets monthly at a set date, time and location, (currently the 1st Monday of the month), where we discuss local business and issues. We have started to implement monthly 10-minute meetings in each building, with the agendas set by the executive board at the monthly meetings, so the messaging is consistent. We also have a Google Group exclusively for membership where, as a local President, I am able to post updates regarding budgets, policy changes, forward relevant information from MEA, or other news specific to our local association. Our chief negotiator also uses the Google Group and can post updates about the state of current negotiations. Quality communication is critical.

Heidi Broomhall

Dirigo EA

September 2018 • www.maineea.org

27

Why being involved in the MEA helps Students and Schools Reflections from the National Education Association's Representative Assembly in Minneapolis, MN 2018

By Vickie Lailer and Vanessa Kilbreth

Lewiston EA members pictured with NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia Seen L-R: Allison Lytton, Vickie Lailer, NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia and Vanessa Kilbreth

A

s two newbies to the NEA Representative Assembly, we had an incredibly humbling and profound kickoff to the week of work to benefit our students by participating in the “Families Belong Together March.” Equality for our students and their families is a key issue for the Association and we were excited to participate in the March with so many other educators. While waiting for the March to begin, we had the opportunity to chat (and snap a selfie) with NEA President, Lily EskelsenGarcia.

The official opening of business was an example of President Eskelsen-Garcia’s grace as she yielded her keynote time to David Hogg, a former Stoneham Douglas High student. He surprised the Assembly by not speaking against the NRA or owners of guns but focused his attention on pleading with us to put our efforts into supporting measures for background checks.

Our days of discussion on the floor of the RA with the other 6,000 plus educators from around the country were full. We discussed many key education issues, and set the course for NEA's policies for the coming year. Several Maine delegates would have pre-caucus breakfast meetings to discuss the new business items of the day so that we were able to go to our State caucus meetings feeling informed and ready to speak on our positions. As new delegates, this was incredibly helpful and an example of the dedication of the members and the level of support provided by our mentors, Jesse Hargrove and Allison Lytton. With information gathered on the floor and diverse perspectives, our positions were changed on more than one occasion. It was powerful to be a witness of this democracy in action.

The Red for Ed day was inspiring to see the floor covered in red. To see so many educators gathered in one spot, during their summer vacation, volunteering their time for the greater good. We all showed up with the unified goal of trying to exercise democracy in order to improve the world our students are growing and learning in.

Each day, at the close of business, and the final closing of business for the week, were concluded with “hospitality,” a sharing of thoughts and reflections on the day. This was another invaluable time in which the veteran delegates shared their experience and collective wisdom with us.

We have returned to our students in Lewiston feeling unified, empowered, passionate, humbled, inspired, and more dedicated than ever! Watch out anyone who wants to get in the way of quality education for all students!

28

Maine Educator • September 2018

Fellows also have a rare opportunity to interact with local educators, students, administrators, and policymakers; make school visits; and hear from business and non-profit leaders.

Previous Fellowship classes have traveled to China, Brazil, and Peru. The anticipated field study destination for the 2018 and 2019 Global Learning Fellowship is South Africa.

This trip will take place in late July.

The World Is Your Classroom!

The NEA Foundation is committed to increasing educators' access to global training and experiences by providing global education professional development opportunities for K-12 public school educators.

Through the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship MEA members have the opportunity to open their classrooms up to the world!

About the Fellowship Through the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship, educators develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their daily classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Fellows transform their classrooms to give students a global perspective.

The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship offers educators 12 months of professional development.

The NEA Foundation staff, partners, and field experts support Global Learning Fellows as they participate in a field study overseas, online coursework, webinars, and peer learning communities, including a two-day professional development workshop in Washington, DC.

Patty Scully, Global Fellow, Class of 2016, Winslow EA "Being a global fellow allowed me to become invested in global competencies in my own classroom. It was both an honor and a Patty Scully, Global Learning Fellow, Class of 2016, Winslow EA privilege to visit with school children in Peru and bring that experience back to children in my own town. We live in such a connected world now and yet our own classrooms are so isolated at times. The work with NEA Foundation allowed me to access a huge number of resources to bring this work to life for the students in my town. It also connected me with global fellows all over this country and allowed us to share experiences, lesson plans and success. My wish is that every teacher in our state would take a chance and apply to become a global fellow so they can have this tremendous opportunity to share global connections in their own classrooms! You never know where this kind of learning will take you, but I can assure you that the experience will be one that you will never forget!"

How to Apply:

Summer International Field Study

Visit neafoundation.org

Fellows get the opportunity to apply their global professional development training through a handson international study experience. In their field-study country, they investigate the historical and cultural context while engaging in a service-learning project with local community organizations.

Applications open this Fall.

You are eligible to apply if you are both: • A current K-12 classroom teacher • An MEA member September 2018 • www.maineea.org

29

Calendar

September

29

NerdCampNNE

Day of Caring

NerdCamp is an "unconference" modeled after edcamp but the focus is on literacy. Attendees decide what the focuses will be and help lead sessions.

FMI: https://www.facebook.com/nerdcampnne/

MEA-Retired holds an annual Day of Caring to give back to the communities in which we live. Retired chapters of the MEA across the state, in each county, are looking for active MEA members to help in community service projects. The more hands involved, the more we can accomplish! Contact your local MEA-Retired County chapter for more information.

To find your chapter: mearetired.com

Multiple Dates

October

19-20

NBCT-Training Sessions

MEA Fall Conference

MEA hosts free workshops for members interested in becoming National Board Certified Teachers. These workshops are designed to give you the information and encouragement that you need to complete the National Board Certification process. Find out what is involved, the time commitments required and how to get assistance with fees.

FMI and to Register: http://www.maine.nea.org/home/1619. htm

Join other educators for a full day of professional development directly suited to your needs. Come the night before to network with other educators. Location: Samoset Resort, Rockport Registration: Coming soon in your email and posted on social media

March

12

Honor a Colleague

Would you like to honor a colleague that goes the extra mile for their students and fellow educators? Do you know someone that really helps support your school? Each year the Maine Education Association sponsors awards to recognize individuals, groups, and companies for their commitment to public education.

FMI: maineea.org/awards

We’re here for you Founded more than 70 years ago, Horace Mann is dedicated to helping you through a lifetime of changing needs.

We can help you protect what’s important today and prepare for a successful tomorrow.

• Retirement solutions

• College savings plans

• Auto and home insurance • Life insurance • Student Loan Solutions

Lisa Bussiere, Auburn . . . . . . . . . . .207-783-3660 David Case, Bangor . . . . . . . . . . . . .207-941-2121 Joe DeFranco, Ellsworth . . . . . . . . . 207-941-2121 Jeff Delisle, Augusta . . . . . . . . . . . .207-623-5004 Martha Frost, Falmouth . . . . . . . . . .207-797-3019 Horace Mann Insurance Company and its affiliates underwrite Horace Mann auto and homeowners insurance. Horace Mann life insurance is underwritten

by Horace Mann Life Insurance Company. College savings plans are offered by Horace Mann Investors, Inc. (HMII), member FINRA / SIPC, 1 Horace Mann Plaza, Springfield, IL 62715, 217-789-2500.

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AM­C04196 (Aug. 18) MEA

Maine Educator • September 2018

• Educational workshops

P.J. Kinney, Presque Isle . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-764-1283 Tony LaPrino, Rockland . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-941-1212 Dominic Vermette, Waterboro . . . . . . . . 207-247-0186 Troy True, Brunswick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-729-1975 Paul Yarnevich, South Portland . . . . . . . .207-510-6600

Member Deals

Click & Save This exclusive shopping service offers savings on brand name merchandise from hundreds of top retailers, online stores, and local merchants. Save on clothing, electronics, restaurants, jewelry, movie tickets and more!

Popular retailers include: L.L. Bean, Macy's, Kohl's, Best Buy and More!

Plus when you shop you earn WOW points-they’re just like cash (100 WOW Points = $1; plus, no blackout dates and no expiration)!

Magazines for Kids of All Ages- NEA Magazine Service Special deals for students and educators on the most popular magazines. More than 800 magazines to choose from at up to 85% off the cover price.

To view the complete list of titles and to place your order, please visit www.neamag.com .

Blue Man Group-Boston Save over 30% Regular Price:$98.15 MEA Member discount price:$68.50 Deal found through ticketsatwork.com

AT&T Save 15% on AT&T cell phone service for you and your family

The Advantages of

Membership

Where Educators and Community Unite

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Home Equity Loans

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Low Rate Auto Loans

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Free Checking

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Mobile Banking with Remote Check Deposit

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Instant Issue Debit Card with Rewards Points

Membership eligibility required

85 Civic Center Drive · Cony High School/CATC Campus www.connectedcreditunion.org · 1-800-464-3773 Federally Insured by NCUA

Connected 96983 Educator AD F.indd 1

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