Maine Educator Spring 2023

Spring 2023 | maineea.org

BEyond Burnout What Needs to Be Done to Tackle the Educator Shortage

ALSO FEATURED:

MEA Salary Guide 2023 See how your district ranks →

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

Editorial Staff Managing Editor Rachelle Bristol Editor Giovanna Bechard Layout Design Shawn Berry

CONTENTS | SPRING 2023 VOLUME 83, NUMBER 3

Leadership President Grace Leavitt Vice President Jesse Hargrove Treasurer Beth French NEA Director Rebecca Cole

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Board of Directors District A: Pamela Kinsey District B: Ally Loukas District C: Vacant District D: Cedena McAvoy District E: Thresa Mitchell District F: Janice Murphy District G: Nancy Mitchell District H: Dennis Boyd District I: Evelyn Atwood District J: Rick Beaule District K: Tom Walsh District L: Rebecca Manchester District M: Chris Jones District O: Lisa Leduc District P: Dina Goodwin District R: Gary McGrane District ESP: Jamie McAlpine Student: Kendrah Willey Maine Educator (ISSN #1069-1235) is published by: Maine Education Association 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330-8005 Phone: 207-622-5866 Fax: 207-888-2070 POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Maine Educator 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-8005

CONTENTS

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Shawn Berry 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 207-622-5866

President's Letter From MEA's Executive Director MEA Member of the Year Awards Cook's Corner - Transition Plans MEA Salary Guide 2023 Restorative Yoga Brings Balance to Teenagers Early Career Educators Conference - Lessons Learned Beyond Burnout Digital Media Class Congratulations National Board Teachers & Pre-Retirement Seminars PERSPECTIVES: The IMPACT of Tuition Waivers for Free Community College FOAA: The Right to Know and Your Rights Editor's Note: Bottom Feeding

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President's Letter - Spring 2023 Grace Leavitt

until I’m retired since I know I would neglect too many other things once I start one!) But sometimes, one of my older sisters thought it was amusing to hide a piece or two of the puzzle just so I couldn’t quite finish it. There would be this almost complete picture, but with something missing, causing more than a little frustration. (My relationship with my sister has improved since then!)

As educators, we want to offer all the potential puzzle pieces that we can for our students—whether it is a variety of strategies and materials to support their learning, an array of subjects and programs to explore, and yes, the world of information that we make available in our classroom and school libraries.

Holding back what any one child might need to become their complete self, to complete their ‘puzzle’, whatever shape, size, or color the piece may be, would only result in a child feeling like something is missing, that they are excluded.

Puzzles

S

pring is my absolute favorite time of year. The changes that happen outside—spring flowers poking through the thawed ground, robins reappearing, the freshness in the air each morning—it all brings a sense of much-needed renewed energy after what now seems like a short winter—though we know it was anything but short!

In schools and on campuses, annual celebrations begin—awards ceremonies, proms, graduations, and more. And for MEA, we have our annual Representative Assembly and awards banquet as work continues in the state house and in membership meetings—in person!— around the state.

This year, for too many educators, the renewal of energy that comes with the season is needed even more than in the past few years. Not only have the shortages continued to be a challenge for just about everybody, but also a small but loud group has continued spreading untruths and even targeting individual

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

educators for supporting all students.

While it may at times seem that the comments they make at school board meetings are the opinions of many, it is not so. Survey after survey as well as the numerous conversations educators have with their students’ parents and others clearly show that our communities do support us and the hard work that goes on in our schools and on our campuses. The great majority appreciate your ongoing dedication to our students as you help them learn about the world around them, about themselves, and support them as they discover their potential and meet with success.

Students are a bit like jigsaw puzzles. As they grow and expand their horizons, they are discovering different parts of themselves and how it all fits together to make a complete person. We educate and support them as they piece together their own individual and unique puzzle.

Our schools strive to offer them the opportunity to find each and every ‘puzzle piece’ that they seek as they complete the picture.

As a child, I loved doing jigsaw puzzles (I still do, but I’ll hold off on the hobby

Alright, maybe my use of a puzzle image here is not the perfect analogy, since we hope for our students--for us all, in fact--to be lifelong learners who continue to discover and grow. Regardless of my ability—or lack thereof-- with analogies, I do hope that as spring turns to summer, you all have a well-deserved break from the work you do each and every day for and with our students. If I could present each of you with an award in recognition of the invaluable work you do in striving to provide an array of ‘puzzle pieces’ for students, I would most certainly do so.

You deserve that and so much more!

Thank you for carrying on, even in the face of tough times. Your persistence, resilience, and dedication are appreciated by many—by your students, by your MEA colleagues, by your communities, and most of all, by me!

In Unity, Grace

Grace Leavitt MEA President 207-622-5866 x2200

From MEA's Executive Director Rach e lle Bris to l

egg on its end, it has nothing to do with the time of year or the position of the sun and moon.

Who was the first person to propose daylight savings?

Ben Franklin proposed daylight savings time in 1784. It was not fully implemented until the end of the World War II. There is currently a bill pending in Congress to make this permanent.

Light, Hope and Tulips Many of you know that I am prone to trivia. At MEA Board meetings, I often start my Executive Director’s report with a variety of trivia questions or fun facts about Maine or Maine-related topics. I must admit however that I am running out of Maine-related ideas.

(Did you know that the doughnut hole was invented here?) Not to be stymied in my pursuit of fun facts, I decided to turn my focus on spring which seems appropriate given the time of year. Spring is synonymous with hope and new beginnings and makes everything seem a little brighter.

So, here goes nothing…

When was the first day of spring?

March 20th was the first day of spring for 2023, which is the vernal equinox.

Vernal translates to “new” while equinox is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night). The vernal equinox is when the length of day and night become equal - give or take a few minutes.

Is spring fever real?

Not by scientific standards. I could find no real proof in my research to verify the science of spring fever. Webster’s dictionary defines it as "a lazy or restless feeling often associated with the onset of spring.” Educators who interact with students may disagree with this scientific analysis.

Can you balance an egg on its end on the vernal equinox?

Sadly, no. While this is a popular myth, all information I found debunked this myth. While it is possible to balance an

What season is consistently cited as the favorite in polls?

Not spring. Fall has consistently polled as American’s favorite season. Spring and summer follow almost equally with winter lagging far behind.

What country holds the record for the making the largest chocolate egg in the world?

Italy. In 2011. The egg measured a little over 34 feet tall and over 64 feet at its widest point. It weighed almost 16,000 pounds. Those of us who say that there can never be enough chocolate may think again.

Who authored the poem, “Daffodils”?

(The English teacher in me lives on…)

Williams Wordsworth authored the poem in 1804.

“When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

How many tulips bloom in the Netherlands each spring?

Over seven million. The Netherlands is also referred to as the Land of Tulips because it has the perfect combination of sandy-clay soil and has a maritime climate. I am always surprised when I see tulips at the grocery store in Maine in the winter!

Why is spring important to MEA and local associations?

Two reasons.

1. Early Enrollment. While any time of year is a member recruitment opportunity, spring kicks off the early enrollment period for MEA and local membership! Early enrollment is a program that allows potential members to join MEA (and NEA and their local association) beginning on April 1st. Early enrollees get many (almost all) of the benefits of membership without paying any dues until the next membership year which begins in September. It is like getting five bonus months of MEA supports and resources. If you have a colleague who has been on the fence about joining MEA, now is the time to recruit them into the union. The stronger our numbers, the stronger our power and influence. Sign-up forms and more information can be found on the MEA website.

2. Legislative Action. The legislature is in session and ramping up its work. MEA is collaborating with supportive legislators to propose numerous bills to raise the compensation ALL educators receive, to strengthen pensions, and to provide additional supports and protections in work locations. While we advocate on your behalf, it is so much more powerful when legislators hear from all of you who are on the frontlines of public education every day. MEA is sponsoring two Voices for Education Days – April 18th and April 20th at the statehouse in Augusta. Please consider joining us to make your voice heard.

As the days continue to lengthen and sunshine fills more hours of the day, I wish you a safe and healthy spring filled with hope, May flowers, and fun.

All my best, Rachelle

Rachelle Bristol Executive Director 207-622-5866 x 2227

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MEA Members

Of the Year Awards is always seeking out new learning opportunities to bring back to her students and fellow teachers. As a fellow educator, Allison has inspired me to learn more about computer science.”

2022 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year

The Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education recognized Jean Palmer-Smith as 2022's Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year.

Palmer-Smith has taught creative digital media at Brunswick's Region 10 Technical High School for 4 1/2 years.

“Having observed Jean’s teaching firsthand on many occasions and having seen the impact she’s had on both her program and our school community as a whole, it is without exaggeration that I say that she is among the most talented, dedicated, and extraordinary educators I’ve ever experienced in my many decades as an educator,” said Paul Perzanoski, former director and superintendent of Region 10 Technical High School.

2022 CSTA Teaching Excellence New England Award

The Maine chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) announced Allison Braley as the winner of the 2022 CSTA Teaching Excellence New England Award for her outstanding contribution to computer science education.

Allison’s colleagues describe her as someone who always advocates for kids.

“Allison is enthusiastic about teaching computer science to her students. She 6

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

ting h g i l h g i H es of s s e c c u S bers m e M A E M ate t S e h t s Acros

Maine's 2022 State History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute announced the 2022 State History Teachers of the Year from elementary, middle, and high schools, naming Geoffrey Wingard of Bangor High School Maine’s 2022 State History Teacher of the Year.

Wingard has been teaching in public schools for 21 years – all of which have been at Bangor High School where he is the head of the History Department.

“Finding my role as a high school teacher was a gift,” said Wingard. “I really enjoy the content that I get to teach, and I love helping my students become better citizens and scholars.”

Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Teachers of the Year

The Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (Maine AHPERD) recognized five Teachers of the Year (TOY). MAHPERD Honor Awards are presented to members in recognition of their excellence in their profession by demonstrating outstanding dedication to their students and profession.

Congratulations to the MEA members who received these awards. Pictured left to right:

TELL US ABOUT AN AWARD YOU WON! Have you or a colleague won an award?

Please let us know so that we may feature you in the next Maine Educator magazine!

SCAN HERE TO LET US KNOW!

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Emily Ellis, Oxford Hills EA Elementary Physical Education TOY Amy Wheaton, Down East EA High School Physical Education TOY Kristen Allen, Western Foothills EA High School Health Education TOY Kawika Thompson, Mt Abram TA Middle School Physical Education TOY Clairlynn Roundtree, Brunswick EA Middle School Health Education TOY

Cook's C O Transition Plans R Classroom Management Tips N to Make Your Lives Easier E R Cook's Corner is authored by Mallory Cook, MEA's Director of Training and Early Educator Engagement. Each issue in Cook's Corner you will find useful information that is intended to help you in your day-to-day work.

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Mallory Cook Director of Training and Early Educator Engagement mcook@maineea.org

ow many decisions do educators make each day?

With confidence, a room full of early career educators at MEA’s recent Spring Conference shouted thousands. Can I use the restroom? Can I sit next to Johnny?

Can I color on this sheet? The decisions are endless, and decision fatigue is a real issue for educators.

Research from the 80s and 90s told us that educators make around 1,500 decisions a day, but experts argue that number is much higher today. With new technology and a necessary focus on social and emotional learning, our educators spend much of their day making choices, and the choices we make have a profound impact on our learning environment and our rapport with students.

Knowing this, I wanted to share a resource that has the potential to improve classroom transitions and maybe, just maybe, take a few decisions off your plate.

Much like anything in education, it will take a bit of backwards planning and some frontloading, but in the end, I hope you find it useful.

The Transition Plan is a strategy that encourages you to select a transition that happens routinely in your classroom.

If you’re like me, you might choose one that tends to drive you mad – one that just doesn’t seem to be working. In my high school English classroom, I can say with confidence that bathroom requests

topped that list. There may have been days I made 1,500 decisions on bathroom requests alone. With a little reflection (and this transition plan), I quickly learned that I was contributing to the madness. I had not explicitly taught and reinforced my expectations.

See the example above.

While it might seem trivial to be so explicit in bathroom procedures with young adults, consider how many different classrooms they visit each day. When we assume our expectations are known, we can set ourselves up for disappointment... and so many decisions.

I’ve also found myself adapting this for my three-year-old, who loves to please us, but behaves like, well, a three-year-old.

Identifying the intended outcome, what is expected of him, what is expected of me, and how I will reinforce those behaviors or respond when we’ve forgotten the

expectation, makes our experience much more enjoyable.

Ready to give it a try? Consider a transition that has been a challenge this year or one that could be improved. Scan the QR code below to access an editable PDF copy of the chart.

SCAN HERE FOR TRANSITION PLAN TEMPLATE

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SCAN HERE FOR COMPLETE MEA SALARY GUIDE

MEA SALARY GUIDE 2022-23

MEA maintains a salary database to better help members understand how educators are paid across Maine. MEA encourages you to use this information as you advocate for wages and benefits in your district. The data on the following pages is based off of contracts submitted to MEA for the 2022-23 school year. Due to space limitations, the minimum salaries for Education Support Professionals will not appear in print, but you can find them online in the MEA salary guide. Scan the QR code or visit maineea.org/mea-salary-guide/

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*Maximum pay for ESP are printed on the following pages.

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY School District Auburn Lewiston RSU 04, Sabattus RSU 16, Poland RSU 52, Turner RSU 73, Jay-Livermore ANDROSCOGGIN AVERAGE AROOSTOOK COUNTY School District AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent Caswell Easton Limestone Madawaska RSU 29, Houlton RSU 32, Ashland RSU 33, St. Agatha RSU 39, Caribou RSU 42, Mars Hill RSU 45, Washburn RSU 50, Southern Aroostook RSU 70, Hodgdon RSU 79, Presque Isle RSU 86, Fort Fairfield RSU 88, Van Buren Southern Aroostook Region 2 Woodland AROOSTOOK AVERAGE CUMBERLAND COUNTY School District** Brunswick Cape Elizabeth Falmouth Gorham Portland RSU 05, Freeport RSU 14, Windham RSU 15, Gray RSU 51, Cumberland RSU 61, Bridgton Sebago South Portland Westbrook* Yarmouth CUMBERLAND AVERAGE FRANKLIN COUNTY School District Flagstaff RSU, Eustis RSU 09, Farmington RSU 58, Phillips RSU 78, Rangeley FRANKLIN AVERAGE HANCOCK COUNTY School District Blue Hill Brooklin Brooksville Castine Deer Isle-Stonington CSD Ellsworth Hancock Lamoine Mount Desert Island Penobscot RSU 24, Sullivan RSU 25, Bucksport Sedgwick Surry HANCOCK AVERAGE

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MIN $41,750 $40,000 $40,000 $40,151 $40,000 $40,000 $40,317 MIN $40,000 $40,780 $40,425 $41,000 $40,000 $41,646 $40,250 $40,000 $41,000 $40,800 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $41,000 $40,000 $41,000 $40,000 $40,439 MIN $44,000 $45,366 $45,433 $42,288 $43,617 $42,291 $42,771 $41,915 $48,230 $40,000 $40,103 $42,679 $36,853 $46,417 $42,950 MIN $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 MIN $42,106 $40,000 $41,000 $42,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $43,047 $44,676 $40,000 $41,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,265 $41,007

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $53,941 $51,455 $47,804 $47,608 $52,045 $49,469 $50,387 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $54,780 $48,780 $52,103 $57,200 $54,935 $52,046 $56,189 $47,307 $54,438 $55,488 $45,400 $54,400 $43,675 $51,463 $57,200 $56,767 $55,760 $43,556 $52,305 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $57,965 $62,787 $63,607 $60,556 $57,037 $57,514 $55,158 $53,115 $58,768 $55,051 $56,144 $61,885 $54,411 $67,305 $58,790 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $54,516 $52,191 $52,191 $49,955 $52,213 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $47,356 $46,750 $50,000 $49,560 $44,900 $46,350 $45,422 $48,726 $51,652 $46,800 $45,675 $46,850 $46,400 $47,574 $47,430

MAX $64,069 $65,980 $60,136 $65,553 $67,906 $65,748 $64,899

MIN $45,750 $42,209 $46,000 $41,928 $42,183 $41,500 $43,262

MAX $68,060 $48,780 $67,696 $69,800 $62,766 $70,246 $66,815 $63,076 $70,039 $70,176 $63,400 $62,400 $59,675 $68,331 $69,800 $75,397 $55,760 $57,858 $65,004

MIN $44,000 $42,780 $42,446 $43,500 $41,424 $43,646 $43,250 $44,000 $43,000 $43,760 $42,000 $43,000 $42,100 $41,500 $43,500 $42,000 $42,000 $41,600 $42,750

MAX $81,239 $79,165 $81,780 $75,526 $77,533 $71,472 $75,329 $71,115 $77,391 $57,017 $74,189 $72,555 $77,249 $83,086 $75,163

MIN $46,877 $50,810 $49,977 $46,622 $47,790 $46,942 $45,576 $44,415 $54,191 $43,254 $43,035 $46,947 $40,537 $51,059 $46,942

MAX $76,900 $66,114 $68,097 $63,946 $68,764

MIN $43,000 $42,500 $43,260 $43,500 $43,065

MAX $47,356 $54,250 $55,000 $53,760 $52,400 $60,500 $54,113 $61,804 $72,256 $46,800 $60,741 $62,600 $54,400 $59,048 $56,788

MIN $44,656 $42,000 $43,500 $45,000 $41,000 $42,500 $42,000 $46,895 $47,676 $41,600 $42,500 $42,436 $41,000 $41,530 $43,164

MASTER’S STEP 10 $59,160 $54,716 $54,974 $49,384 $55,039 $51,852 $54,188 MASTER’S STEP 10 $58,780 $50,780 $54,709 $59,700 $58,499 $54,046 $60,377 $51,307 $57,093 $59,514 $47,400 $57,400 $45,775 $54,036 $59,700 $60,151 $56,760 $45,156 $55,066 MASTER’S STEP 10 $60,842 $68,231 $68,150 $64,890 $58,585 $63,862 $59,006 $56,415 $66,031 $58,983 $59,076 $66,153 $58,095 $71,946 $63,206 MASTER’S STEP 10 $54,516 $52,191 $52,191 $49,955 $52,213 MASTER’S STEP 10 $51,406 $49,650 $52,500 $53,100 $46,800 $48,850 $48,644 $52,573 $54,652 $48,400 $47,250 $49,703 $47,400 $49,750 $50,048

MAX $70,301 $70,161 $69,156 $67,553 $71,813 $68,946 $69,655 MAX $72,060 $50,780 $71,081 $72,300 $67,099 $72,246 $71,795 $67,076 $73,455 $75,267 $65,400 $65,400 $61,775 $71,747 $72,300 $80,471 $56,760 $59,458 $68,137 MAX $84,116 $85,698 $88,595 $79,860 $79,080 $80,861 $79,177 $75,665 $86,956 $70,780 $77,121 $81,091 $80,934 $90,049 $81,608 MAX $82,668 $70,246 $73,648 $69,541 $74,026 MAX $56,656 $58,150 $57,500 $57,600 $57,800 $63,000 $57,872 $68,730 $75,256 $52,400 $63,177 $66,412 $55,400 $62,236 $60,871

Steps (BA/MA) 16 20 19 21 19 19 Steps (BA/MA) 18 11 19 19 15 24 16 21 18 19 36 15 26 19 17 20 10 22 Steps (BA/MA) 25 26 26 26 31 27 31 25 37 19 19 18 51 41 Steps (BA/MA) 20 18 19 20 Steps (BA/MA) 23 20 15 15 20 22 21 22 23 15 22 23 21 21

BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 110/92 98/94 139/104 102/115 79/81 100/109 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 76/77 170/172 81/84 63/71 117/117 55/73 94/82 115/118 60/60 58/45 114/127 123/127 142/147 73/83 63/71 27/26 158/164 152/156 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 5/9 10/7 3/4 26/27 -1 44/25 28/30 49/41 19/5 155/89 30/37 39/23 20/24 2/2 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 24/16 97/93 75/57 112/100 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 171/165 162/158 159/162 165/161 167/160 135/138 163/159 126/111 40/46 172/171 133/137 118/120 161/169 146/145

KENNEBEC COUNTY School District Fayette RSU 02, Hallowell RSU 11, Gardiner RSU 18, Oakland RSU 38, Maranacook RSU 49, Fairfield Vassalboro Waterville Winslow Winthrop* KENNEBEC AVERAGE KNOX COUNTY School District Appleton Five Town CSD Hope Knox Region 8 RSU 07, North Haven RSU 08, Vinalhaven RSU 13, Seacoast RSU 28, Camden St. George KNOX AVERAGE LINCOLN COUNTY School District AOS 93 - Bristol AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD AOS 93 - Jefferson AOS 93 - Nobleboro AOS 93 - South Bristol AOS 98 - Boothbay AOS 98 - Georgetown AOS 98 - Southport RSU 40, Waldoboro Wiscasset LINCOLN AVERAGE OXFORD COUNTY School District Fryeburg Academy RSU 10, Rumford RSU 17, Paris RSU 44, Bethel RSU 56, Dixfield RSU 72, Fryeburg OXFORD AVERAGE PENOBSCOT COUNTY School District AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee AOS 90 - Baileyville AOS 94 - SAD 46, Dexter East Millinocket Glenburn Hermon Medway Millinocket Orrington RSU 19, Newport RSU 22, Hampden RSU 26, Orono RSU 31, Howland RSU 34, Old Town RSU 63, Holden RSU 67, Lincoln RSU 87, Carmel RSU 89, Patten Southern Penobscot Region 4* Veazie PENOBSCOT AVERAGE PISCATAQUIS COUNTY School District Foxcroft Academy Greenville RSU 68, Dover-Foxcroft RSU 80, Guilford PISCATAQUIS AVERAGE SAGADAHOC COUNTY School District RSU 01, Bath RSU 75, Topsham West Bath SAGADAHOC AVERAGE

MIN $41,125 $40,541 $41,332 $40,000 $40,950 $40,000 $40,013 $41,000 $40,500 $39,500 $40,496 MIN $40,800 $43,836 $40,163 $40,513 $45,106 $44,500 $41,400 $43,836 $41,300 $42,384 MIN $40,836 $44,695 $40,250 $40,000 $40,862 $40,701 $40,008 $42,992 $41,284 $40,000 $41,163 MIN $44,500 $40,500 $42,887 $41,056 $40,000 $40,500 $41,574 MIN $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,400 $40,000 $40,000 $40,082 $40,195 $41,000 $40,000 $40,000 $41,702 $41,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $37,500 $40,000 $40,094 MIN $40,000 $40,630 $40,000 $40,000 $40,157 MIN $40,011 $42,553 $40,000 $40,855

BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $47,875 $47,052 $47,915 $43,900 $46,350 $47,137 $52,649 $50,399 $50,286 $46,817 $48,038 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $55,606 $57,957 $50,550 $50,472 $55,684 $58,828 $53,500 $57,957 $53,887 $54,938 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $55,656 $55,424 $51,308 $54,516 $53,226 $53,105 $54,385 $58,594 $51,552 $43,132 $53,090 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $47,500 $55,197 $51,889 $48,303 $53,110 $50,137 $51,023 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $44,900 $54,400 $46,629 $41,820 $49,200 $50,400 $45,046 $45,000 $48,231 $45,145 $50,307 $47,900 $54,753 $52,260 $48,200 $44,500 $49,000 $41,717 $46,927 $50,416 $47,838 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $52,191 $53,557 $46,660 $45,810 $49,555 BACHELOR’S STEP 10 $54,411 $59,787 $54,901 $56,366

MAX $61,375 $64,892 $66,832 $70,650 $67,950 $69,349 $70,198 $79,823 $77,522 $59,030 $68,762

MIN $42,625 $45,444 $42,336 $42,000 $43,950 $42,000 $42,013 $43,000 $42,525 $42,000 $42,789

MAX $63,809 $78,278 $67,042 $67,521 $69,790 $77,769 $71,075 $78,278 $73,826 $71,932

MIN $43,800 $47,672 $43,163 $44,013 $47,906 $46,000 $44,500 $47,672 $42,969 $45,299

MAX $68,415 $72,721 $66,512 $62,558 $67,719 $75,716 $77,004 $79,857 $72,828 $73,086 $71,642

MIN $42,887 $46,695 $43,750 $42,000 $42,877 $42,484 $42,118 $48,366 $43,799 $42,500 $43,748

MAX $62,500 $72,684 $65,394 $66,305 $68,331 $65,801 $66,836

MIN $47,500 $43,500 $45,270 $43,577 $43,000 $42,900 $44,291

MAX $58,900 $68,800 $70,500 $61,573 $67,025 $66,952 $54,911 $61,500 $58,306 $69,895 $70,144 $73,150 $67,501 $72,141 $53,800 $64,500 $60,000 $65,468 $60,192 $73,075 $64,917

MIN $42,000 $43,400 $43,750 $42,000 $42,000 $42,400 $41,600 $41,500 $44,745 $43,345 $43,500 $42,000 $42,000 $44,202 $43,000 $41,500 $41,700 $43,000 $37,500 $42,000 $42,357

MAX $68,800 $70,178 $65,142 $61,580 $66,425

MIN $42,800 $45,985 $42,500 $42,000 $43,321

MAX $81,123 $77,022 $79,984 $79,376

MIN $44,012 $47,053 $44,000 $45,022

MASTER’S STEP 10 $49,375 $52,742 $50,551 $45,900 $49,350 $50,409 $54,649 $52,858 $52,800 $49,769 $50,840 MASTER’S STEP 10 $58,606 $61,793 $53,550 $53,972 $58,485 $60,328 $58,400 $61,793 $56,064 $58,110 MASTER’S STEP 10 $58,451 $57,424 $54,808 $57,242 $56,648 $55,432 $56,581 $65,918 $54,691 $45,632 $56,283 MASTER’S STEP 10 $50,250 $59,286 $54,273 $51,255 $57,093 $53,108 $54,211 MASTER’S STEP 10 $46,900 $57,800 $50,379 $43,820 $51,200 $52,400 $46,646 $46,500 $52,011 $48,295 $52,807 $49,900 $56,753 $54,760 $50,200 $46,000 $50,700 $44,717 $48,896 $52,416 $50,155 MASTER’S STEP 10 $55,844 $58,913 $49,576 $47,810 $53,036 MASTER’S STEP 10 $58,412 $64,287 $58,750 $60,483

MAX $62,875 $72,740 $70,602 $72,650 $70,950 $73,588 $72,198 $84,088 $81,398 $62,526 $72,361 MAX $66,809 $82,114 $70,042 $71,021 $72,590 $79,269 $74,475 $82,114 $76,809 $75,027 MAX $71,851 $74,721 $71,000 $65,686 $72,072 $79,033 $79,200 $89,839 $77,263 $75,586 $75,625 MAX $65,500 $78,068 $67,777 $69,801 $73,455 $68,938 $70,590 MAX $60,900 $72,200 $74,250 $63,573 $69,025 $69,093 $56,111 $63,000 $62,990 $73,045 $72,902 $75,150 $69,501 $74,641 $55,800 $66,000 $61,700 $68,468 $63,819 $75,075 $67,362 MAX $73,616 $75,534 $69,213 $63,580 $70,486 MAX $85,311 $81,522 $84,114 $83,649

Steps (BA/MA) 22 23 23 29 28 27 26 34 31 21 Steps (BA/MA) 14 21 21 22 22 19 20 21 20 Steps (BA/MA) 16 21 21 14 19 22 21 19 24 29 Steps (BA/MA) 25 18 22 23 18 21 Steps (BA/MA) 30 19 29 27 21 22 20 41 21 25 24 25 16 21 17 31 21 26 20 19 Steps (BA/MA) 21 31 27 29 Steps (BA/MA) 21 19 21

BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 130/141 106/66 93/90 52/68 78/88 68/59 56/75 9/11 18/21 147/143 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 113/119 14/18 88/97 83/85 65/69 16/28 50/53 14/18 32/39 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 72/80 37/50 95/86 119/124 80/76 25/32 23/29 8/3 36/36 34/42 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 120/126 38/34 104/114 96/98 73/60 99/110 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 148/152 69/74 54/54 128/136 89/107 91/105 160/167 129/138 150/140 62/64 59/65 33/47 84/102 42/51 164/168 108/123 140/148 103/112 138/133 35/48 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 69/58 57/43 105/103 127/135 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 6/8 21/20 7/10

MAINEEA.ORG

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SOMERSET COUNTY BACHELOR’S School District MIN STEP 10 MAX AOS 94 - Harmony $40,000 $46,200 $60,400 RSU 53, Pittsfield $40,000 $47,187 $64,369 RSU 54, Skowhegan $40,000 $46,800 $70,800 RSU 59, Madison $40,702 $51,131 $64,532 RSU 74, Anson $40,000 $46,445 $56,637 RSU 82, Jackman $40,000 $51,200 $68,800 RSU 83, Bingham $40,000 $54,400 $64,000 SOMERSET AVERAGE $40,100 $49,052 $64,220 WALDO COUNTY BACHELOR’S School District MIN STEP 10 MAX Islesboro $42,506 $53,531 $67,006 Lincolnville $44,853 $57,030 $71,418 Northport $40,000 $54,178 $67,308 RSU 03, Unity $40,000 $47,950 $60,550 RSU 20, Searsport $40,000 $49,750 $63,000 RSU 71, Belfast $40,000 $50,584 $67,320 Waldo Region 7 $41,738 $50,584 $57,027 WALDO AVERAGE $41,300 $51,944 $64,804 WASHINGTON COUNTY BACHELOR’S School District MIN STEP 10 MAX AOS 77 - Alexander $40,000 $54,400 $60,800 AOS 77 - Charlotte $40,000 $52,600 $59,600 AOS 77 - Eastport $40,000 $54,400 $57,600 AOS 77 - Lubec $40,000 $54,400 $62,400 AOS 77 - Pembroke $40,200 $54,150 $60,350 AOS 77 - Perry $40,350 $52,950 $59,950 AOS 90 - Princeton $40,000 $52,600 $58,200 AOS 96 - Cutler $40,000 $44,050 $50,800 Calais $40,000 $45,496 $62,442 Cherryfield $40,000 $47,200 $59,200 East Range CSD $40,000 $50,800 $59,200 AOS 96 - Machiasport $40,000 $44,500 $52,500 Moosabec CSD $40,085 $47,285 $55,985 RSU 37, Harrington $41,000 $47,400 $61,000 RSU 84, Danforth $40,000 $43,000 $50,500 Washington Academy $40,000 $53,500 $62,500 WASHINGTON AVERAGE $40,102 $49,921 $58,314 YORK COUNTY BACHELOR’S School District MIN STEP 10 MAX Acton $41,480 $54,080 $69,480 Biddeford* $39,317 $57,010 $66,839 Dayton $40,362 $53,164 $67,695 Kittery $46,139 $58,964 $69,996 RSU 06, Buxton $41,130 $49,500 $68,000 RSU 21, Kennebunk $45,009 $57,849 $78,410 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach* $38,550 $53,816 $65,689 RSU 35, Eliot $45,683 $57,228 $73,963 RSU 57, Alfred $44,705 $53,350 $69,705 RSU 60, Berwick $40,130 $50,630 $67,130 Saco $40,260 $54,030 $70,536 Sanford $41,143 $53,357 $71,140 Wells-Ogunquit CSD $53,677 $67,680 $85,418 York $50,511 $63,772 $78,506 YORK AVERAGE $43,435 $56,031 $71,608 STATEWIDE AVERAGE $41,023 $51,807 $67,466 *BA min/MA min brought up to the state starting pay for teachers of $40,000. **Reg 3 and Region 10 do not have actual salary scales

MIN $40,600 $42,736 $43,200 $43,708 $40,000 $43,200 $44,944 $42,627 MIN $46,045 $48,353 $42,468 $43,500 $42,000 $42,200 $43,933 $44,071 MIN $42,000 $42,000 $42,200 $42,000 $42,200 $41,850 $42,800 $41,575 $41,000 $41,100 $44,500 $41,000 $41,185 $42,100 $44,919 $42,000 $42,152 MIN $44,468 $43,249 $42,648 $49,529 $44,130 $48,751 $41,942 $50,251 $48,091 $43,130 $43,320 $44,234 $58,345 $55,561 $46,975 $43,865

MASTER’S STEP 10 $53,400 $51,082 $50,000 $54,131 $48,620 $54,400 $61,124 $53,251 MASTER’S STEP 10 $57,070 $60,530 $56,923 $51,450 $52,000 $52,784 $52,779 $54,791 MASTER’S STEP 10 $56,400 $54,600 $56,600 $56,400 $56,150 $54,450 $55,400 $46,075 $48,633 $48,300 $55,300 $46,625 $48,385 $48,500 $47,919 $55,500 $52,202 MASTER’S STEP 10 $57,068 $60,941 $55,482 $62,356 $52,500 $60,886 $57,208 $62,951 $56,736 $53,630 $57,331 $56,450 $72,348 $70,147 $59,717 $54,862

MAX $73,330 $68,984 $74,000 $67,532 $68,050 $72,000 $71,910 $70,829 MAX $70,545 $74,918 $70,053 $64,050 $65,250 $69,520 $59,243 $67,654 MAX $62,800 $61,600 $59,800 $64,400 $62,350 $61,450 $61,000 $53,575 $65,564 $60,300 $63,700 $56,625 $57,085 $62,100 $59,919 $64,500 $61,048 MAX $72,468 $72,736 $69,743 $75,995 $71,000 $83,468 $69,082 $81,359 $73,091 $70,130 $73,838 $74,557 $90,084 $86,354 $75,993 $71,558

Steps (BA/MA) 32 26 34 32 26 21 16 Steps (BA/MA) 21 18 16 22 17 16 16 Steps (BA/MA) 14 15 12 15 14 15 14 25 36 25 17 31 20 27 31 16 Steps (BA/MA) 21 16 20 16 26 31 17 17 24 20 20 20 24 20

BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 136/62 109/108 51/55 107/116 156/113 69/78 111/79 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 90/91 46/49 86/96 134/132 116/129 85/101 154/157 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 132/142 143/149 153/155 123/131 137/144 141/150 151/151 168/170 122/125 144/153 144/134 166/166 157/163 131/146 169/154 120/130 BA MAX/MA MAX (OUT OF 172) 67/70 92/67 82/99 61/40 77/86 13/12 101/106 31/22 66/63 87/95 53/56 48/52 1/1 12/6

The following are the maximums for the job classifications submitted by the local associations. To see the minimums, please visit maineea.org/mea-salary-guide Bus Driver Rank School District 1 RSU 59, Madison 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

10

RSU 06, Buxton Wiscasset Gorham RSU 74, Anson RSU 12, Windsor Saco Brunswick Cape Elizabeth RSU 51, Cumberland RSU 21, Kennebunk

Maximum $27.00 $26.66 $26.24 $26.15 $26.00 $25.97 $25.49 $25.42 $25.11 $25.06 $24.99

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Portland RSU 05, Freeport Biddeford RSU 14, Windham Falmouth Blue Hill Athens St. George AOS 98 - Boothbay RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach Moosabec CSD RSU 75, Topsham RSU 24, Sullivan Scarborough Ellsworth

$24.79 $24.73 $24.65 $24.45 $24.39 $24.30 $24.23 $24.07 $24.07 $24.01 $23.81 $23.80 $23.75 $23.67 $23.67

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

RSU 28, Camden AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD Dayton South Portland RSU 15, Gray Lisbon RSU 13, Seacoast Auburn Fayette AOS 98 - Edgecomb RSU 71, Belfast RSU 38, Maranacook RSU 02, Hallowell RSU 73, Jay-Livermore RSU 80, Guilford

$23.59 $23.54 $23.27 $23.25 $23.22 $23.19 $23.15 $23.00 $22.87 $22.54 $22.44 $22.29 $22.15 $22.05 $22.00

42 Westbrook 43 RSU 61, Bridgton 44 RSU 04, Sabattus 45 RSU 52, Turner 46 RSU 09, Farmington 47 RSU 89, Patten 48 RSU 18, Oakland 49 RSU 78, Rangeley 50 RSU 50, Southern Aroostook 51 RSU 11, Gardiner 52 AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee 53 RSU 19, Newport 54 Woodland 55 AOS 77 - Pembroke 56 RSU 03, Unity 57 AOS 94 - Harmony 58 Madawaska 59 RSU 31, Howland 60 RSU 17, Paris 61 RSU 10, Rumford 62 AOS 93 - Jefferson 63 RSU 56 - Dixfield, 64 RSU 67, Lincoln 65 Southern Aroostook Region 2 66 Caswell 67 RSU 83, Bingham 68 AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent 69 RSU 58, Phillips 70 AOS 77 - Eastport 71 AOS 96 - Cutler BUS DRIVER AVERAGE Cook-Foodworker Rank School District 1 Acton 2 York 3 Gorham 4 Athens 5 Yarmouth 6 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 7 RSU 14, Windham 8 Northport 9 Greenville 10 Brooklin 11 Scarborough 12 Sanford 13 Sedgwick 14 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach 15 RSU 51, Cumberland 16 RSU 38, Maranacook 17 Five Town CSD 18 RSU 28, Camden 19 Cape Elizabeth 20 Wiscasset 21 RSU 75, Topsham 22 AOS 93 - Jefferson 23 Westbrook 24 AOS 98 25 RSU 15, Gray 26 RSU 12, Windsor 27 RSU 13, Seacoast 28 South Portland 29 Deer Isle-Stonington CSD 30 RSU 89, Patten 31 Appleton 32 RSU 22, Hampden 33 Blue Hill 34 Lisbon 35 RSU 61, Bridgton 36 RSU 71, Belfast 37 RSU 73, Jay-Livermore 38 RSU 29, Houlton 39 AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec

$21.61 $21.59 $21.57 $21.34 $21.33 $21.26 $20.90 $20.79 $20.70 $20.62 $20.57 $20.50 $20.43 $20.40 $20.40 $20.12 $20.11 $20.09 $19.98 $19.96 $19.90 $19.77 $19.75 $19.57 $19.50 $19.47 $19.25 $19.24 $19.20 $17.00 $22.48 Maximum $23.83 $23.82 $23.34 $23.16 $22.74 $21.53 $21.35 $21.32 $21.28 $21.20 $20.96 $20.73 $20.65 $20.52 $20.49 $20.29 $20.16 $20.16 $20.00 $19.87 $19.78 $19.75 $19.65 $19.41 $19.29 $19.21 $19.15 $19.14 $19.08 $19.05 $19.02 $19.00 $19.00 $18.97 $18.96 $18.90 $18.85 $18.75 $18.75

40 Winslow 41 RSU 67, Lincoln 42 RSU 17, Paris 43 St. George 44 RSU 50, Southern Aroostook 45 Portland 46 Augusta 47 RSU 60, Berwick 48 RSU 74, Anson 49 RSU 16, Poland 50 RSU 83, Bingham 51 Glenburn 52 RSU 80, Guilford 53 AOS 77 - Pembroke 54 AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD 55 Woodland 56 Caswell 57 Milford 58 RSU 02, Hallowell 59 RSU 05, Freeport 60 Madawaska 61 RSU 04, Sabattus 62 RSU 03, Unity 63 RSU 11, Gardiner 64 RSU 31, Howland 65 RSU 19, Newport 66 AOS 96 - Cutler 67 RSU 18, Oakland 68 Moosabec CSD 69 Veazie 70 RSU 26, Orono 71 RSU 52, Turner 72 RSU 78, Rangeley 73 Millinocket 74 RSU 34, Old Town 75 East Millinocket 76 Auburn COOK-FOODWORKER AVERAGE Custodian Rank School District 1 Acton 2 York 3 Yarmouth 4 Saco 5 Gorham 6 Greenville 7 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 8 RSU 21, Kennebunk 9 RSU 05, Freeport 10 Athens 11 Cape Elizabeth 12 Northport 13 RSU 75, Topsham 14 RSU 28, Camden 15 Five Town CSD 16 Scarborough 17 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach 18 RSU 73, Jay-Livermore 19 Kittery 20 Falmouth 21 RSU 22, Hampden 22 RSU 51, Cumberland 23 South Portland 24 Brooklin 25 RSU 34, Old Town 26 RSU 15, Gray 27 RSU 19, Newport 28 Augusta 29 Dayton 30 RSU 06, Buxton 31 RSU 71, Belfast 32 RSU 83, Bingham

$18.62 $18.59 $18.58 $18.52 $18.43 $18.41 $18.35 $18.25 $18.18 $18.12 $18.11 $18.02 $18.00 $17.85 $17.85 $17.76 $17.75 $17.72 $17.61 $17.60 $17.55 $17.47 $17.30 $17.26 $17.12 $17.07 $17.00 $16.97 $16.93 $16.73 $16.47 $16.34 $15.65 $15.00 $14.50 $13.94 $13.46 $18.82 Maximum $26.01 $24.99 $24.95 $24.45 $24.45 $23.90 $23.61 $23.60 $23.25 $23.20 $22.49 $22.47 $22.43 $22.42 $22.42 $22.41 $22.20 $22.05 $21.94 $21.73 $21.40 $21.29 $21.21 $21.20 $21.19 $21.18 $21.14 $21.09 $21.03 $20.98 $20.95 $20.94

33 RSU 61, Bridgton 34 AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD 35 Millinocket 36 Bangor 37 RSU 52, Turner 38 RSU 13, Seacoast 39 RSU 38, Maranacook 40 AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee 41 Blue Hill 42 RSU 04, Sabattus 43 Westbrook 44 RSU 89, Patten 45 East Millinocket 46 RSU 02, Hallowell 47 Auburn 48 Sanford 49 RSU 16, Poland 50 AOS 98 - Boothbay 51 RSU 25, Bucksport 52 RSU 18, Oakland 53 AOS 77 - Pembroke 54 RSU 59, Madison 55 RSU 12, Windsor 56 AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec 57 RSU 17, Paris 58 Waldo Region 7 59 RSU 50, Southern Aroostook 60 RSU 80, Guilford 61 Woodland 62 RSU 24, Sullivan 63 AOS 77 - Alexander 64 RSU 67, Lincoln 65 RSU 31, Howland 66 Deer Isle-Stonington CSD 67 RSU 11, Gardiner 68 RSU 58, Phillips 69 AOS 77 - Eastport 70 RSU 10, Rumford 71 RSU 56, Dixfield 72 AOS 96 - Machiasport 73 RSU 03, Unity 74 Ellsworth 75 RSU 78, Rangeley 76 AOS 96 - Cutler 77 AOS 94 - Harmony CUSTODIAN AVERAGE Ed Tech 1 Rank School District 1 Southern Aroostook Region 2 2 York 3 Acton 4 Portland 5 RSU 14, Windham 6 Athens 7 Cape Elizabeth 8 Bangor 9 West Bath 10 RSU 05, Freeport 11 Scarborough 12 Gorham 13 RSU 21, Kennebunk 14 AOS 77 - Eastport 15 Yarmouth 16 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 17 Madawaska 18 RSU 01, Bath 19 RSU 60, Berwick 20 RSU 75, Topsham 21 RSU 71, Belfast 22 Waldo Region 7 23 RSU 06, Buxton

$20.79 $20.75 $20.50 $20.31 $20.25 $20.15 $19.98 $19.96 $19.95 $19.86 $19.77 $19.66 $19.66 $19.57 $19.54 $19.54 $19.43 $19.41 $19.40 $19.30 $19.25 $19.21 $19.21 $19.20 $19.14 $19.08 $19.04 $19.00 $19.00 $18.80 $18.70 $18.59 $18.41 $18.35 $18.18 $18.13 $17.90 $17.67 $17.50 $17.50 $17.30 $17.06 $16.94 $16.00 $15.94 $20.41 Maximum $26.36 $24.50 $23.83 $23.59 $23.55 $23.16 $23.09 $22.72 $22.52 $22.27 $22.00 $22.00 $21.90 $21.70 $21.56 $21.53 $21.42 $21.41 $21.25 $21.15 $21.01 $20.86 $20.77

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24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94

12

RSU 11, Gardiner Brooklin Saco RSU 50, Southern Aroostook Westbrook RSU 22, Hampden Lisbon AOS 98 - Edgecomb Ellsworth Kittery RSU 19, Newport Auburn Wiscasset RSU 02, Hallowell RSU 15, Gray RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach RSU 24, Sullivan South Portland AOS 98 - Boothbay Greenville RSU 17, Paris RSU 12, Windsor RSU 35, Eliot Dayton RSU 74, Anson RSU 53, Pittsfield Appleton AOS 93 - South Bristol RSU 73, Jay-Livermore Winslow Sedgwick AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee RSU 61, Bridgton RSU 57, Alfred RSU 52, Turner RSU 44, Bethel RSU 59, Madison Fayette AOS 77 - Alexander Deer Isle-Stonington CSD Five Town CSD RSU 28, Camden Woodland Blue Hill RSU 13, Seacoast RSU 83, Bingham RSU 89, Patten Glenburn RSU 80, Guilford AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec RSU 38, Maranacook Milford RSU 04, Sabattus AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD RSU 39, Caribou RSU 10, Rumford Lamoine Hancock RSU 18, Oakland AOS 96 - Machiasport RSU 25, Bucksport AOS 77 - Charlotte AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent RSU 54, Skowhegan Winthrop RSU 03, Unity Foxcroft Academy RSU 56, Dixfield St. George Moosabec CSD RSU 34, Old Town

$20.44 $20.44 $20.40 $20.39 $20.39 $20.30 $20.18 $20.12 $20.07 $20.03 $19.95 $19.91 $19.87 $19.83 $19.74 $19.56 $19.50 $19.50 $19.41 $19.34 $19.29 $19.21 $19.15 $19.15 $19.09 $19.09 $19.02 $18.97 $18.92 $18.90 $18.90 $18.80 $18.67 $18.66 $18.60 $18.60 $18.50 $18.43 $18.36 $18.35 $18.31 $18.31 $18.29 $18.25 $18.15 $18.11 $18.03 $18.02 $18.00 $17.95 $17.83 $17.72 $17.70 $17.68 $17.65 $17.63 $17.60 $17.60 $17.58 $17.50 $17.50 $17.50 $17.45 $17.44 $17.41 $17.25 $17.23 $17.17 $17.12 $17.00 $16.90

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

95 RSU 31, Howland 96 Hermon 97 RSU 09, Farmington 98 Millinocket 99 Sanford 100 AOS 94 - SAD 46, Dexter 101 Veazie 102 RSU 87, Carmel 103 RSU 26, Orono 104 RSU 67, Lincoln 105 AOS 77 - Pembroke 106 Medway 107 RSU 58, Phillips 108 AOS 96 - Cutler 109 RSU 78, Rangeley 110 RSU 45, Washburn 111 RSU 29, Houlton 112 Limestone 113 East Millinocket ED TECH I AVERAGE Ed Tech II Rank School District 1 RSU 17, Paris 2 Southern Aroostook Region 2 3 Acton 4 York 5 South Portland 6 Portland 7 Augusta 8 RSU 01, Bath 9 West Bath 10 Brunswick 11 RSU 14, Windham 12 Saco 13 RSU 75, Topsham 14 Cape Elizabeth 15 RSU 02, Hallowell 16 Yarmouth 17 Athens 18 Waldo Region 7 19 RSU 21, Kennebunk 20 Falmouth 21 Gorham 22 Scarborough 23 Westbrook 24 RSU 06, Buxton 25 Biddeford 26 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 27 Madawaska 28 RSU 71, Belfast 29 Bangor 30 AOS 77 - Eastport 31 RSU 15, Gray 32 RSU 73, Jay-Livermore 33 RSU 05, Freeport 34 RSU 12, Windsor 35 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach 36 RSU 22, Hampden 37 RSU 60, Berwick 38 RSU 11, Gardiner 39 Wiscasset 40 Kittery 41 RSU 19, Newport 42 Auburn 43 Winslow 44 Greenville 45 Brooklin 46 RSU 44, Bethel 47 AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee 48 Ellsworth 49 Five Town CSD 50 RSU 28, Camden

$16.87 $16.85 $16.83 $16.80 $16.79 $16.75 $16.73 $16.61 $16.47 $16.38 $16.28 $16.18 $16.10 $16.00 $15.88 $15.80 $15.38 $14.75 $14.09 $18.99 Maximum $27.60 $27.49 $26.01 $25.73 $25.38 $25.14 $25.05 $24.67 $24.56 $24.52 $24.45 $23.90 $23.80 $23.78 $23.73 $23.47 $23.36 $23.36 $23.30 $23.21 $23.20 $23.11 $23.08 $23.02 $23.00 $22.98 $22.82 $22.81 $22.72 $22.60 $22.53 $22.47 $22.27 $22.17 $22.00 $21.91 $21.85 $21.81 $21.57 $21.53 $21.48 $21.43 $21.30 $21.28 $21.20 $21.20 $21.12 $21.11 $21.08 $21.08

51 RSU 89, Patten 52 RSU 74, Anson 53 Dayton 54 Lisbon 55 AOS 98 - Edgecomb 56 RSU 53, Pittsfield 57 AOS 93 - South Bristol 58 St. George 59 AOS 93 - Jefferson 60 RSU 50, Southern Aroostook 61 Appleton 62 Glenburn 63 RSU 24, Sullivan 64 RSU 54, Skowhegan 65 RSU 16, Poland 66 RSU 13, Seacoast 67 RSU 61, Bridgton 68 RSU 35, Eliot 69 AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD 70 RSU 10, Rumford 71 RSU 56, Dixfield 72 AOS 98 - Boothbay 73 RSU 18, Oakland 74 Sanford 75 RSU 59, Madison 76 Winthrop 77 RSU 38, Maranacook 78 Woodland 79 RSU 83, Bingham 80 RSU 57, Alfred 81 AOS 94 - Harmony 82 Blue Hill 83 RSU 80, Guilford 84 Sedgwick 85 AOS 77 - Alexander 86 Fayette 87 AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec 88 Hermon 89 Milford 90 RSU 67, Lincoln 91 RSU 34, Old Town 92 Deer Isle-Stonington CSD 93 RSU 04, Sabattus 94 RSU 87, Carmel 95 RSU 52, Turner 96 RSU 03, Unity 97 RSU 39, Caribou 98 RSU 70, Hodgdon 99 Hancock 100 Lamoine 101 AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent 102 Foxcroft Academy 103 AOS 96 - Machiasport 104 RSU 25, Bucksport 105 AOS 94 - SAD 46, Dexter 106 RSU 29, Houlton 107 Millinocket 108 Veaz 109 RSU 26, Orono 110 AOS 77 - Pembroke 111 AOS 77 - Charlotte 112 RSU 09, Farmington 113 RSU 78, Rangeley 114 RSU 31, Howland 115 Moosabec CSD 116 Limestone 117 Medway 118 AOS 96 - Cutler 119 RSU 58, Phillips 120 RSU 45, Washburn 121 East Millinocket ED TECH II AVERAGE

$20.95 $20.82 $20.77 $20.76 $20.74 $20.66 $20.48 $20.42 $20.40 $20.39 $20.29 $20.27 $20.25 $20.22 $20.21 $20.15 $20.11 $20.11 $20.05 $20.05 $20.05 $20.01 $19.97 $19.92 $19.77 $19.76 $19.66 $19.65 $19.57 $19.57 $19.54 $19.50 $19.50 $19.46 $19.44 $19.43 $19.35 $19.35 $19.28 $19.26 $19.12 $19.08 $19.03 $18.99 $18.97 $18.90 $18.87 $18.78 $18.75 $18.75 $18.69 $18.64 $18.56 $18.25 $18.10 $18.07 $18.00 $17.92 $17.83 $17.76 $17.75 $17.71 $17.69 $17.62 $17.61 $17.25 $16.88 $16.78 $16.75 $15.90 $14.92 $20.76

Ed Tech III Rank School District 1 Acton 2 West Bath 3 RSU 01, Bath 4 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 5 Southern Aroostook Region 2 6 RSU 17, Paris 7 Portland 8 York 9 RSU 21, Kennebunk 10 Waldo Region 7 11 Cape Elizabeth 12 Brunswick 13 Augusta 14 RSU 14, Windham 15 Saco 16 RSU 02, Hallowell 17 Falmouth 18 RSU 71, Belfast 19 South Portland 20 Athens 21 Scarborough 22 AOS 77 - Eastport 23 RSU 75, Topsham 24 Appleton 25 Yarmouth 26 RSU 06, Buxton 27 RSU 44, Bethel 28 RSU 73, Jay-Livermore 29 RSU 12, Windsor 30 Bangor 31 RSU 89, Patten 32 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach 33 RSU 74, Anson 34 Madawaska 35 RSU 54, Skowhegan 36 RSU 60, Berwick 37 Westbrook 38 Gorham 39 Lisbon 40 RSU 19, Newport 41 RSU 15, Gray 42 RSU 50, Southern Aroostook 43 RSU 22, Hampden 44 RSU 05, Freeport 45 Kittery 46 Greenville 47 RSU 11, Gardiner 48 Dayton 49 Wiscasset 50 Winslow 51 Auburn 52 St. George 53 Ellsworth 54 Fayette 55 RSU 28, Camden 56 Five Town CSD 57 RSU 67, Lincoln 58 Glenburn 59 AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee 60 RSU 13, Seacoast 61 RSU 38, Maranacook 62 RSU 56, Dixfield 63 RSU 10, Rumford 64 Winthrop 65 Sanford 66 RSU 53, Pittsfield 67 RSU 29, Houlton 68 Woodland 69 RSU 61, Bridgton 70 RSU 18, Oakland

Maximum $30.36 $29.31 $29.25 $29.24 $28.61 $28.20 $27.56 $27.08 $26.40 $26.29 $26.13 $25.86 $25.75 $25.69 $25.65 $25.65 $25.61 $25.51 $25.38 $24.99 $24.62 $24.52 $24.50 $24.46 $24.44 $24.33 $24.30 $24.21 $24.21 $24.02 $24.01 $23.99 $23.96 $23.94 $23.91 $23.85 $23.80 $23.74 $23.69 $23.59 $23.57 $23.56 $23.52 $23.43 $23.26 $23.21 $23.17 $23.07 $23.01 $23.00 $22.95 $22.91 $22.80 $22.79 $22.75 $22.75 $22.56 $22.52 $22.21 $22.15 $22.14 $22.13 $22.12 $21.99 $21.90 $21.79 $21.56 $21.48 $21.47 $21.42

71 RSU 83, Bingham 72 RSU 52, Turner 73 RSU 03, Unity 74 RSU 09, Farmington 75 Blue Hill 76 AOS 93 - South Bristol 77 Brooklin 78 RSU 16, Poland 79 AOS 98 - Edgecomb 80 RSU 57, Alfred 81 RSU 35, Eliot 82 RSU 59, Madison 83 RSU 80, Guilford 84 AOS 93 - Jefferson 85 RSU 24, Sullivan 86 Milford 87 RSU 04, Sabattus 88 AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec 89 AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD 90 AOS 94 - Harmony 91 AOS 77 - Alexander 92 Hancock 93 Lamoine 94 RSU 87, Carmel 95 AOS 98 - Boothbay 96 RSU 39, Caribou 97 RSU 34, Old Town 98 RSU 78, Rangeley 99 Sedgwick 100 AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent 101 Hermon 102 Deer Isle-Stonington CSD 103 East Millinocket 104 AOS 96 - Machiasport 105 RSU 70, Hodgdon 106 AOS 94 - SAD 46, Dexter 107 Foxcroft Academy 108 AOS 77 - Pembroke 109 Medway 110 RSU 26, Orono 111 Veazie 112 AOS 77 - Charlotte 113 Millinocket 114 RSU 31, Howland 115 RSU 25, Bucksport 116 Limestone 117 Moosabec CSD 118 RSU 58, Phillips 119 AOS 96 - Cutler 120 RSU 45, Washburn ED TECH III AVERAGE Secretary Rank School District 1 York 2 Veazie 3 RSU 01, Bath 4 Acton 5 Falmouth 6 Appleton 7 Waldo Region 7 8 Wells-Ogunquit CSD 9 RSU 61, Bridgton 10 Brunswick 11 Athens 12 RSU 44, Bethel 13 Gorham 14 RSU 38, Maranacook 15 RSU 05, Freeport 16 RSU 23, Old Orchard Beach 17 Winslow 18 West Bath 19 RSU 24, Sullivan

$21.41 $21.41 $21.40 $21.33 $21.25 $21.24 $21.20 $21.19 $21.16 $21.14 $21.12 $21.04 $21.00 $21.00 $21.00 $20.81 $20.78 $20.75 $20.75 $20.67 $20.52 $20.51 $20.51 $20.37 $20.32 $20.26 $20.00 $19.98 $19.95 $19.92 $19.85 $19.81 $19.80 $19.75 $19.55 $19.40 $19.33 $19.24 $19.24 $19.20 $19.11 $19.00 $19.00 $18.91 $18.85 $18.75 $18.21 $18.02 $17.93 $16.11 $22.51 Maximum $29.83 $26.90 $26.51 $26.01 $25.08 $24.84 $24.42 $24.32 $23.95 $23.88 $23.67 $23.62 $23.27 $23.19 $23.05 $22.52 $22.30 $22.30 $22.24

20 RSU 13, Seacoast 21 RSU 15, Gray 22 Augusta 23 RSU 67, Lincoln 24 Greenville 25 RSU 18, Oakland 26 RSU 17, Paris 27 RSU 22, Hampden 28 RSU 29, Houlton 29 Five Town CSD 30 RSU 73, Jay-Livermore 31 Millinocket 32 RSU 12, Windsor 33 Lisbon 34 RSU 39, Caribou 35 RSU 34, Old Town 36 Wiscasset 37 RSU 78, Rangeley 38 RSU 09, Farmington 39 Sanford 40 AOS 98 - Boothbay 41 RSU 19, Newport 42 AOS 90 - SAD 30, Lee 43 Auburn 44 RSU 10, Rumford 45 RSU 31, Howland 46 RSU 60, Berwick 47 Blue Hill 48 RSU 25, Bucksport 49 AOS 77 - Eastport 50 RSU 71, Belfast 51 AOS 77 - Pembroke 52 AOS 77 - RSU 85, Lubec 53 AOS 95 - SAD 27, Fort Kent 54 Saco 55 RSU 83, Bingham 56 RSU 26, Orono 57 AOS 94 - SAD 46, Dexter 58 AOS 93 - South Bristol 59 RSU 03, Unity 60 RSU 28, Camden 61 AOS 93 - Great Salt Bay CSD 62 RSU 04, Sabattus 63 AOS 77 - Alexander 64 Waterville 65 AOS 77 - Charlotte 66 RSU 16, Poland 67 AOS 96 - Machiasport 68 Limestone 69 AOS 94 - Harmony 70 RSU 80, Guilford 71 AOS 96 - Cutler SECRETARY AVERAGE

$22.15 $21.81 $21.67 $21.56 $21.34 $21.29 $21.20 $21.19 $21.08 $21.08 $21.01 $21.00 $20.84 $20.76 $20.61 $20.44 $20.37 $20.20 $20.12 $20.02 $20.01 $20.00 $19.96 $19.91 $19.89 $19.79 $19.56 $19.50 $19.50 $19.45 $19.26 $19.25 $19.20 $19.08 $19.00 $18.87 $18.75 $18.70 $18.59 $18.50 $18.31 $18.30 $18.19 $18.09 $17.92 $17.75 $17.70 $17.50 $17.25 $17.21 $16.87 $16.00 $20.84

SCAN HERE FOR COMPLETE MEA SALARY GUIDE

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MAINEEA.ORG

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majority of its membership, vote to seat the delegate.

RATIONALE: Language was in elections handbook (section IV, part C-3) but there was no corresponding language in Bylaws or other governance docs. Removed from election handbook of this year.

SUBMITTED BY: Tina Fox, on behalf of Structure & Bylaws Committee STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass

Each year, the MEA holds its Representative Assembly (RA), the democratic body of the Union. At the 95th annual RA members will discuss the following proposals seen on the next several pages.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. Officers The officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. All candidates for the office of President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall have been active or active education support members of the Maine Education Association for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election. All officers shall maintain membership in the Association.

RATIONALE: This is to make it clear that officers of the MEA must be members and must have been members for at least two years in order to be candidates for office.

SUBMITTED BY: Grace Leavitt STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass PROPOSED CHANGES TO BYLAWS ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY Section 2. Terms of Delegates and Alternates D. In multi-delegate governance affiliates, the alternate delegate with the longest term, as determined by the local governance affiliate president, shall be designated the first alternate delegate. The alternate delegate with the next longest term shall be designated the second alternate delegate, and so forth, until all seats are filled.

D. E. The delegates who represent the governance affiliate shall be seated in the Maine Education Association Representative Assembly at the annual meeting only if the governance affiliate has transmitted sixty (60%) percent of the dues receivable by May 1. Any delegate from a governance affiliate who is denied a seat at the Representative Assembly due to the application of this paragraph may appeal the matter to the full Representative Assembly which may, by 14

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 2. Duties B. Members of the Board of Directors shall: 1. attend meetings and the annual Board of Directors Retreat, and be encouraged to attend ACT, District Bargaining Council UniServ District wide meetings and Governance meetings within their district, all MEA-sponsored conferences, the MEA Representative Assembly, and national governance meetings and training sessions as approved by the MEA President; RATIONALE: Update language per updated policy in 2022.

SUBMITTED BY: Tina Fox, on behalf of Structure & Bylaws Committee STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 4. Vacancies A. A seat on the Board of Directors shall automatically become vacant when such member holding such position leaves the profession, resigns, is impeached, is no longer employed in that governance district from which elected, or whose change in membership category makes such member no longer eligible to represent that governance district. Vacancies in all seats shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors present at a regular or special meeting according to procedures outlined in the Elections Policy Handbook. Such appointment shall be effective until the next July 15.

RATIONALE: Appointments to the Board is found in the Policy Handbook- Not the Election Handbook.

SUBMITTED BY: Julie Gomez, on behalf of Structure & Bylaws Committee STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass PROPOSED CHANGES TO STANDING RULES RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES Section 1. Elections Conducted at the MEA Representative Assembly D. Candidate Speaking Order If there is more than one (1) candidate for any vacancy elected by the Representative Assembly, each candidate shall be allowed five (5) minutes to speak at the time of official nominations. A question and answer period of not more than ten (10) minutes for each contested

office shall be allowed. The time may be extended at the discretion of the Representative Assembly delegates.

During the question and answer period, each candidate shall be allowed one (1) minute to answer each question.

The candidate speaking order shall be determined by the order of nominations as stated in this Standing Rule. The candidate speaking order within each vacancy shall be determined by the order of names during an election year (alphabetical or reverse alphabetical).

Subsequent responses shall be in a rotating order (the first to respond to the second question shall be the second candidate in the order of appearance on the ballot and so on until the end of the question and answer period).

RATIONALE: Clarification of speaking order.

SUBMITTED BY: Terry Martin, on behalf of Structure & Bylaws Committee STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES Section 6. Balloting/Voting B. In elections conducted by MEA prior to the Representative Assembly, ballots shall be distributed to active, active education support, student, and retired members as of January 15th of the current year. Ballots shall be distributed on or prior to a date selected by the Elections Committee at least forty-five (45) days prior to the first day of the Representative Assembly and shall be returned no later than the date established by the Elections Committee.

RATIONALE: To clarify who will receive ballots.

SUBMITTED BY: Grace Leavitt STRUCTURE & BYLAWS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Ought to Pass 2023 PROPOSED NEW BUSINESS ITEMS 1.

RESOLVED: the MEA will develop plans to implement professional development that offers opportunities for practice, reflection, and personalized coaching delivered in a series of sessions. This will include investigating compensating members for offering such professional development to fellow members.

RATIONALE: Research consistently shows professional development is more effective when opportunities to practice, reflect, and get feedback over time are offered.

MEA Quality of Learning Goal, Objective #2: #2. Ensure all schools have fully qualified educators committed to students and their learning.

Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee, Doug Hodum, Committee Chair Estimated budgetary impact: Unknown 2.

RESOLVED: the MEA will investigate improving accessibility

to all MEA sponsored professional development conferences, such as the Summer and Winter conferences.

This will include but not be limited to mileage reimbursement, video conferencing, and/or shared lodging for commutes of 90 miles or more away.

RATIONALE: Financial, geographic, and time barriers prevent many members from attending in-person conferences.

MEA Quality of Learning Goal, Objective #2: #2. Ensure all schools have fully qualified educators committed to students and their learning.

Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee, Doug Hodum, Committee Chair Estimated budgetary impact: Unknown 2023 PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS New, Amendments, and Deletions 1 - New A RESOLVED: the MEA believes it is critical for our government officials to take further actions towards preventing acts of violence, both in our places of education as well as in our communities. Such measures to prevent acts of violence, however, must be consistent with a welcoming and caring climate that our students need and deserve in order to be successful.

Any measures such as the installation of metal detectors, arming educators, and the like would create unsafe and harmful conditions for both students and educators.

Rationale: It is essential that our students and educators have safe and supportive environments in which to learn, teach, and work. (The MEA Board of Directors took this position; this should be in our Resolutions.)

Submitted by: Individual Grace Leavitt, MSAD 51 EA/MEA 2 – New B RESOLVED: the MEA believes that in order for students to become informed citizens, to develop critical thinking skills, and to be prepared for the complex world in which we live, they need access to books and materials that include representation of all people and their identities. Educators are trained professionals who have the expertise and knowledge to select age-appropriate materials that help support a welcoming learning environment for all students. Parental/ guardian involvement and support in their student’s learning are essential elements of a student’s success.

Parents/guardians have man ways to communicate with their child’s teachers and are encouraged to discuss with them any questions they have regarding materials. However, the concerns of an individual should be addressed through a clear, established district

policy that includes teachers and staff in a fair, objective process.

Rationale: The MEA Board of Directors took this position in response to the ongoing calls by a few members of the public to ban certain books and materials that provide a diverse representation of our students. This position should now be included in our Resolutions. Submitted by: Individual Grace Leavitt, MSAD 51 EA/MEA 3 - New B RESOLVED: the practice of rating books in school and public libraries should be discouraged.

Rationale: Restricting student access to books in school, classroom, and public libraries is detrimental to the education of students and has a negative impact on the welcoming, supportive learning environment our students need and deserve. A parent or guardian may determine what their own child reads, but may not determine that for others. (The MEA Board of Directors took this position; it should be in our Resolutions.)

Submitted by: Individual Grace Leavitt, MSAD 51 EA/MEA 4 - New B RESOLVED: the MEA believes professional development that offers opportunities for practice, reflection, and personalized coaching delivered in a series of sessions is superior to “one and done” and “one size fits all” approaches to professional development.

Rationale: Research consistently shows professional development is more effective when opportunities to practice, reflect, and get feedback over time are offered.

Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee Doug Hodom, Chair 5 – Amendment to B2.

B2.RESOLVED: That the MEA supports a maximum class size/teacher ratio of 15:1 for Kindergarten, 18:1 for grades 1-6, and 18:1 for grades 7-12 per instructional classroom. The MEA believes that during a state health crisis, a maximum class size/ teacher ratio should reflect the guidelines provided by the Maine State CDC. (Adopted 1987; Amended 2013; Amended 2015)Rationale: An NBI passed at a previous Representative Assembly instructed the IPD committee to review this issue.

Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee Doug Hodom, Chair 6 – Amendment to B14.

B14. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports the strengthening of Maine’s certification process. Thisshall includethestatewide integrated alternateroute intocertification forsecond career purposesand theprovisional certification period for new teachers.

Alternaterouteteacherswill begranted aone-year conditional certificate, leading totheprovisional certificate:

•

alternate route is available to candidates in all endorsement areas who have a bachelors degree, have passed a pedagogical assessment, and have passed Praxis 1, 2, and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) • supports and resources shall be available and will include assistance from trained mentors who are provided compensation and release time to carry out their responsibilities • the state should provide mandatory, regional, year-long professional development programs of not fewer than 90 hours with follow-up classroom practice • activities shall be documented in a professional development portfolio assessed against state standards A two-year standard term for provisionally certified new teachers shall be maintained, with the exception of fast-track options for experienced teachers from other states. The two-year standard term must continue to have a third-year extension option. The assessment process and standards shall be the same for provisionally certified and alternate route teachers and shall be administered by an autonomous standards board.

Restoration of permanent full state funding to local certification support systems must be guaranteed.

That the MEA believes that all routes to educator certification should provide equitable access to the profession, offer the needed supports, and be competency-based. (Adopted 2001; Amended 2008; Amended 2009) Rationale: The current language in the resolution does not reflect current statutory requirements. However, the IPD committee feels it is clearer and simpler to just have a statement of beliefs that will not need to be updated in the future simply to accommodate future changes to certification requirements.

Submitted by: Instruction and Professional Development Committee Doug Hodum, Chair 7 - New C RESOLVED: the MEA believes that mentors assigned to teachers with conditional or emergency certification should be compensated in accordance with the increased responsibility and time needed to provide the necessary support and guidance that is above and beyond what is needed to mentor teachers who have a professional certificate.

Rationale: More teachers are being hired with conditional or emergency certification and it takes more time and expertise to properly support them. Such mentors should be fairly compensated for this additional time and work.Submitted by: Individual Grace Leavitt, MSAD 51 EA/MEA 8 – Amendment to section E Title E Title: HUMAN/CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE MAINEEA.ORG

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Rationale: This title change is more inclusive of the goals of the E. Resolutions listed.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs

(Adopted 1996; Amended 2020) Rationale: Access to MaineCare needs to be protected as well.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs

9 - New E RESOLVED: the MEA believes that educators who experience physical, verbal, cyber, and/or emotional abuse and/or harassment, related to employment, should be provided with time off, counseling, medical care, and other supports they deem necessary.

Rationale: Protect and support educators.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs

14 – Amendment to E13.

E13. RESOLVED: That the MEA believes the definition of family includes an individual’s child/stepchild child(ren), spouse or significant other, parent/stepparent parent(s), step-relationship(s), sibling(s), grandparent(s), grandchild(ren), in-law(s), custodial child(ren), and others with a familial bond; significant other is defined as a sole domestic partner who has lived with the educator for the 12 months, not related by blood, not covered by another domestic partner or legal spouse relationship for the last 12 months, and who is jointly responsible for the educator’s welfare as evidenced through a joint deed, joint mortgage, joint lease, joint credit card, joint bank account, and/or powers of attorney authorizing each domestic partner to act on behalf of the other. (Adopted 1997; Amended 2002; Amended 2014; Amended 2020) Rationale: More inclusive familial language.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs

10 - New E RESOLVED: the MEA believes all district employees, including administration, should have the necessary training to do their job effectively in order to treat all employees with respect and dignity.

Rationale: Supporting educators and students.Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs 11 – Amendment to E2.

E2. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports the fact that all of its members to retain personal freedom as individuals, parents and , and school board members.

(Adopted 1990; Amended 2005; Amended 2014) Rationale: This amendment ensures that MEA members feel supported in discussing legal matters and acting in an elected capacity.

Submitted by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Nesrene Griffin, Chair 12 – Amendment to E5.

E5.

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes in affirms the importance of education regarding women’s and minorities’ historically marginalized issues; furthermore, the MEA believes that women and minorities historically marginalized groups should be encouraged to take on leadership roles. (Adopted 1993; Amended 1996; Amended 2015) Rationale: This amendment ensures that individuals within historically marginalized groups are provided with pathways to leadership to ensure that our association well represents its membership.

Submitted by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Nesrene Griffin, Chair 13 – Amendment to E9.

E9.RESOLVED: That the MEA opposes cuts in the Medicare and, Social Security systems, and the State of Maine’s Medicaid program known as MaineCare system.

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

15 – Amendment to E15.

E15. RESOLVED: That the MEA supports recommended levels of necessary services for eligible elderly residents living at home who need assistance. (Adopted 1997; Amended 2012; Amended 2020 Rationale: Removing arbitrary language of interpretation.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs 16 – Amendment to E21.

E21. RESOLVED: That the MEA believes in the equality of all individuals, and that human dignity is of supreme importance in the educational process and is enhanced by:

• • • • •

programs which reinforce the individual member’s contractual, statutory, and constitutional rights elimination of discriminatory practices in employment, promotion, and compensation elimination of racist and , sexist, and xenophobic stereotyping in curriculum materials and teaching practices inclusion of affirming curriculum that allows students, staff, and communities to see themselves and their peers as positive members of society encourage all members of the educational community to examine assumptions and prejudices, including, but not limited to racism, xenophobia, sexism, transphobia and , homophobia, ableism, and religious discrimination in curriculum

materials and practices that might limit the opportunities and growth of students and educational employees • recognition of and respect for the richness of the multicultural heritage of the students and educational employees of the State of Maine that works to eliminate xenophobia in our schools and communities • promotion of a safe and inclusive environment for all (Adopted 2004; Amended 2015; Amended 2017) Rationale: Public education is an inherent right for ALL yet minoritized educators and students have been historically marginalized. The proposed amendments reinforce the importance of MEA to affirm its stance in creating positive spaces in Maine school communities by uplifting the voices of minoritized educators and students.

The shifting climate in education in the state of Maine warrants our school communities to respond to the uptick in public challenges to equitable identity-informed curricula and school culture development.

Submitted by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Nesrene Griffin, Chair 17 – Amendment to E22.

E22.

RESOLVED: That the MEA supports adequate tools and appropriate staffing for identification of all students so they all receive believes that public schools should have the necessary resources and properly trained staff in order to ensure all students receive culturally competent and trauma-informed services offered by the Response to Intervention (RTI) process. (Adopted 2010) Rationale: In order for the RTI process to be successful schools need to have the resources and properly trained staff to ensure that students’ needs are met and the process is successful. Our students need more than just the bare minimum.

Submitted by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Nesrene Griffin, Chair 18 – Amendment to E24.

E24.

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that all students should be able to use the bathroom or locker room of the gender with which they identify, including gender neutral (non-binary) students. The MEA supports the goal of creating gender neutral (non-binary) public restrooms in all Maine educational institutions. (Adopted 2018; Amended 2021) Rationale: Updated language from gender neutral to non-binary.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs 19 – Amendment to E26.

E26.

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes in the importance of Social and Racial Justice for all people.

•

advocates for respect, fairness and dignity in our society;

•

opposes supports the opposition of hate-based bias, racial profiling, religious intolerance, socio-economic stereotyping, and bullying; • advocates for a culture free from hate and racism; • supports the opposition of systems that reinforce white supremacy culture; • condemns supports the condemnation of a culture that disrupts the mental, emotional, and cognitive needs of our students and educators by means of oppression; • supports the eradication of institutional racism and the school-to-prison pipeline; • supports restorative practices; • promotes awareness of and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity.

• amplifies minoritized voices within schools and communities; • supports the formation and facilitation of affinity groups.

(Adopted 2019) Rationale: Public education is an inher-

ent right for ALL yet minoritized educators and students have been historically marginalized. The proposed amendments reinforce the importance of MEA to affirm its stance on creating positive spaces in Maine school communities by uplifting the voices of minoritized educators and students.

The shifting climate in education in the state of Maine warrants our school communities to respond to the uptick in public challenges to equitable identity-informed curricula and school culture development.

Submitted by: Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Nesrene Griffin, Chair 20 – Amendment to E30.

E30.

RESOLVED: That the MEA believes and advocates that all students should be able to play and participate in school sports teams, clubs, and activities that match their gender identity best, including gender neutral students. non-binary students. (Adopted 2021 Rationale: Updated inclusive language.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights &

Social Justice Committee & Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committee Olivia Brown, Co-Chair of HCRSJ 21 – Amendment to E31.

E31.

RESOLVED: that the MEA believes that each student’s choice of moniker consistent with, inclusive of their self identity, and that their moniker should be respected and extended to all student approved instances that are not legal documents including but not limited to: email, yearbook, lunch card, marquee, educational software such as attendance systems, and public announcements.

(Adopted 2022) Rationale: Inclusive and protective of the rights of the student.

Submitted by: Human, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Emily Albee & Olivia Brown, Co-Chairs

2023 MEA Election Results UNCONTESTED ELECTIONS Board of Directors Pamela Kinsey District A Evelyn Atwood District I Richard Beaule District J Tom Walsh District K Rebecca Manchester District L Dina Goodwin District P NEA RA District Delegates Renee Doucette District 21 Kerrie Dowdy District 22 Richard Beaule District 24 Olivia Brown District 26 David McKechnie District 27 Hal Perry District 28 MEA-Retired Delegates/Alternates to NEA RA Belinda Micucci Delegate Robert "Bo" Zabierek Delegate Ben Paradis Alternate MEA RA Cluster District Delegates Tamber Craig Cluster District 18 MEA-Retired Delegates/Alternates to MEA RA Ben Paradis Delegate Kay Grindall Delegate Julie Gomez Delegate Belinda Micucci Delegate Barbara Bricker Delegate Philip Gonyar Alternate Roger Roy Alternate CONTESTED ELECTIONS Board of Directors Kay Grindall District R NEA RA At-Large Delegates Tom Walsh Bobbie Thibodeau William Loveridge James Ford Rebecca Cole Evelyn Atwood MEA RA Cluster District Delegates Ken Williams Cluster District 5

3 Year Term 3 Year Term 2 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 1 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year Term 3 Year term 3 Year Term 2 Year Term 2 Year Term 2 Year Term 2 Year Term 2 Year Term 2 Year Term 3 Year Term MAINEEA.ORG

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RESTORATIVE YOGA ELECTIVE BRINGS BALANCE TO TEENAGERS Johnna Stanton Teacher Morse High School

A

s both educators and students work to prioritize mental health to make schools places where people feel ready to work and learn, one teacher in Bath turned to yoga for herself and her students.

Johnna Stanton teaches AP Language and Composition, 9th grade English, Yearbook, and now Yoga at Morse High School in Bath.

“As soon as I started doing yoga, and I felt so good, I thought does this make sense with teenagers? And immediately I said, ‘Yes’,” said Stanton.

Stanton, who used to coach field hockey and lacrosse, made herself available after school and weekends for students interested in trying yoga. At first mostly athletes would try yoga to improve their game, but then word spread on yoga’s other benefits, and now for the first time ever, Yoga is an elective at Morse at a time when it appears students need it most.

“They ask for restorative poses more. You hold the poses longer so that there are stretches around the muscle, and you’re more likely to have better long-term effects. It’s for people who feel out of balance, and they need to literally be restored,” added Stanton.

Out of balance is how student Emma describes how she felt prior to joining the class.

“I have anxiety and during parts of the day, when I’m more tense, yoga helps me not be so tense and anxious; it really brought my panic attacks down,” said the high school senior.

The elective now has a wait list for entry with both boys and girls enrolled who recognize the release yoga provides.

“It helped me feel more balanced in my day-to-day life. I noticed as I began to focus on my breathing, I’ve slowed down my mind, and I owe that to yoga,” said Hazel a senior.

Stanton believes so much in the benefits of yoga and its benefits for herself and her students she is now offering professional development for other teachers to help educate them on the benefits of yoga to help increase yoga’s presence in schools, not just as a quick break, but as a course worth credit.

“Kids are looking for anything to make them feel better,” said Stanton.

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

Y O G A

O G A

INTEGRATE YOGA INTO YOUR YOUTH COMMUNITY A one-day conference for educators.

Earn 5 Contact Hours.

DATE: Wednesday, May 17th 8a.m.-2p.m.

COST: $50.00 LOCATION: Morse High School, Bath SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER!

AGENDA 7:30-8:00.................Light breakfast & coffee 8:00-8:30...................Intros & context: What brought us here?

8:30-9:30......................Yoga and Mental Health Prioritizing and organizing mental health to make sense for our schools & students. Resources in your community Resources in the yoga community 9:30-10:00............................Yoga-sample class 10:00-10:15..............................Break 10:15-11:15...................................Curriculum 11:15-12:00....................................Lunch catered by Morse Culinary Arts 12:00-1:00.........................................Fundamentals of yoga for ...................................................................Self Awareness, Self Control, Anxiety, Observing and Letting Go 1:00-1:15....................................................Walking Meditation 1:15-1:45.......................................................Student Testimonials & Q&A 1:45-2:00.......................................................Share resources & Evaluation

SCAN ME

Y O G MAINEEA.ORG

19

Lessons Learned MEA’s Early Career Conference supports educators in the first five years on the job MEA hosted its annual day of professional development for our members who are newer to the profession. Our Early Career Conference, On Course to Lead, helped those in the first five years not only learn about the Union and their contract, but also provided genuine professional development on key topics like classroom management, preparing an IEP, creating an inclusive classroom and more. Here are some of the lessons learned from the conference. Missed this opportunity? Don't worry-MEA has another great event coming up this summer---check out the details---

Summer Conference

What did you learn from MEA’s most recent professional development conference?

SAVE THE DATE WHEN: July 31- August 1 WHERE: Portland, ME

Maineea.org/events

I learned what steps to take if the administration does not adhere to your employment contract.

It was great to leave the conference with classroom management strategies I could implement on Monday!

The sessions/content were super engaging and provided tangible help for an early career educator that can be used in the immediate term and for longer-term planning.

I really enjoyed the seminar about contracts...it was great to hear about what I should be looking for in my contract!

I learned about what rights I have under the collective bargaining agreement.

What was your favorite part of the day?

What value did you find in the Union after attending the conference?

Being a teacher can feel very negative and demoralizing these days but being a part of the MEA community is a nice reminder that there’s wonderful things about being a teacher! These reminders are important.

Being part of the union is like being part of a big family who will have your back.

There are a million valuable reasons to belong to the union, but the conference highlighted how it can be a nexus of solidarity across schools/districts/grades/etc. I met and genuinely connected with so many new people!

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

The conference confirmed my need for support of being covered by the union to protect myself as an educator.

I appreciated how interactive all the sessions were. Sometimes lecture-style presentations are interesting, but the format of this conference fostered communication and collaboration, and it made me feel like I walked away with ideas that I can immediately apply to my practice.

Being able to connect with different colleagues from across the state and realizing how alike my issues in the classroom have been.

I really enjoyed the cross-sectional education experience within the groups and seeing things from different perspectives. The value shown for all educators and their unique roles in support for our students. Looking beyond academics and peering into the whole student experience was valuable.

“”

“I felt seen and heard and for the first time in a while, I was filled with hope! We have elected some good people in our community and state.”

Jen Belanger, Aspire Gorham, Jobs for Maine's Graduates seen with Maine’s Education Commissioner, Pender Makin

-Gorham Educator

Student for a Day

Elected Leaders Get Much-Needed Lesson

F

rom inside her 6th grade classroom at Gorham Middle School, teacher Theresa Arsenault, shared the importance of exercise as part of her daily lesson. The difference on this day, House Majority Leader Maureen Terry looked on as part of the school’s Legislator for a Day program. The day sent elected leaders, both state and local, into the school to get a firsthand look at teaching and learning in action with the goal of better understanding the needs of those in our public schools.

“It was wonderful to be able to share successes and concerns with decision makers that listened with sincerity and are fully invested in creating solutions that will strengthen public education,” said a Gorham Middle School teacher.

Heather Whitaker, the 2020 Teacher of the Year (TOY) and Gorham educator, helped make the day possible at the school both to help her colleagues, and to honor a former TOY, Kevin Grover-a Falmouth educator who died suddenly on Thanksgiving Day in 2012. It was Grover’s mission to “open” classrooms to

the public so people would have a better understanding of what happens in our schools. The day, in honor of Grover, accomplished both goals.

“I recall Kevin saying that “more than likely, many legislators who are making policy decisions, haven’t been in a classroom since they were students themselves, so let’s change that!” said Dolly Sullivan, the State Coordinator for the Teacher of the Year Program.

Bringing both school board, local city council members, state lawmakers, and the Maine Commissioner of Education to the school is part of a bigger plan to bring this type of program to as many schools around the state as possible.

Educator Terri Dawson shows elected leaders students’ work from the technology classroom at Gorham Middle.

“I felt seen and heard and for the first time in a while, I was filled with hope!

We have elected some good people in our community and state,” said a Gorham educator.

“Really the only way to fix all the problems is to have open discussion directly with the people that are knee deep in it. I’m sure we can get more done when we meet like we did today,” said House Majority Leader Maureen Terry.

And that was exactly what Kevin Grover would have wanted.

House Majority Leader Maureen “Mo” Terry and State Senator Stacy Brenner

Kevin Grover pictured with President of the United States Joe Biden.

MAINEEA.ORG

21

BEyond Burnout What Needs to Be Done to Tackle the Educator Shortage

The root cause of educator dissatisfaction and frustration is a lack of staff, support and respect, and not a perceived inability to manage stress. To prevent an exodus from the profession, MEA believes district and elected leaders need to act now.

Key Takeaways 1. According to a recent MEA member survey, a staggering 64 PERCENT of educators say they are thinking about leaving the profession earlier than planned.

2. While fallout from the pandemic could be the breaking point, the educator shortage and dissatisfaction with working conditions are root causes of the problem.

3. To address the crisis, MEA is working on solutions to help educators now, and the profession in the future.

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

Jeans Friday and extra coffee and donuts are not the answer to decrease stress among educators, according to those working in schools. Instead, acknowledging what’s causing the stress is the answer, and educators across the nation, and right here in Maine have no

problem sharing the real issues facing the profession.

While a recent MEA member survey revealed higher pay is needed, and is a top priority, other issues are also now likely to cause educators to leave

the profession. A lack of support, staff shortages, student mental health, and being part of a profession that is routinely undervalued have more citing a desire to exit education sooner than expected.

Top Concerns: Stress, Burnout, and Shortages Very Serious

Somewhat Serious

Teachers/staff facing stress and burnout

82

97

77

Staff shortages

97

67

Student mental health

96

Salaries too low

62

93

Too many teachers/staff are leaving

61

92

Educators are not respected

56

89

Not enough funding

52

89

58

Student discipline/behavior Seven in ten MEA members say they’re dissatisfied with their working conditions, with 97% saying stress is a concern. Perhaps even worse, a staggering 64% of members surveyed

87

say they’re more likely to leave the profession or retire early. That’s nine percent higher than a recent NEA national survey asking the same question. Making the numbers perhaps

more concerning, Maine already has an older teaching population who are set to retire due to age within the next five years.

Two thirds say they are more likely to retire/leave education earlier than planned

Much more likely to leave Somewhat more likely to leave

Much more likely to retire/leave early

64

37

30

37

34

41

35

40

32

32

Other Professional Staff

Support Staff

23

6 More likely to retire/leave early

Work in education longer

No effect

Age 18-34 Age 35-44 Age 45-54 Age 55-64

Teacher

Higher Ed

MAINEEA.ORG

23

BEyond Burnout Erin Castillo Teacher Photo Credit: Kim White

Erin Castillo, now in her ninth year of teaching, is fed up with the undue pressure that she and her colleagues are facing. What she isn’t suffering from, however, is “burnout”— an overused phrase that she believes amounts to a form of gaslighting.

“What many of us are feeling is beyond burnout,” said Castillo. “This isn’t on the individual. We’re being set up to fail at this point. When the system does not allow for success, we are being demoralized.”

“The burnout narrative comes down to, ‘Sorry, you blew it!

You couldn’t hack it, you didn’t preserve yourself,’” she explains.

“With burnout, there’s nothing left, no possibility for regeneration.

If you are demoralized, however, you are not done.”

- Erin Castillo

Educators can and have certainly burned out, says Doris Santoro, professor of education at Bowdoin College but demoralization may be a more accurate term to understand the roots of educator dissatisfaction and exhaustion.

24

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

“The burnout narrative comes down to, ‘Sorry, you blew it! You couldn’t hack it, you didn’t preserve yourself,’” she explains.

“With burnout, there’s nothing left, no possibility for regeneration. If you are demoralized, however, you are not done.”

Before the recent staff shortages, educators were already dealing with less time for planning and collaboration, high stakes testing, and the silencing of educator voices. These and other trends have eroded what Santoro calls the “moral rewards” of teaching.

And while it’s critical to address the current staffing crisis, that success could be short-lived without systemic changes.

“Schools should be asking educators: What are the systems that we can put in place so you can do the work that you think matters most? It comes down to support, resources, and autonomy,” Santoro adds.

Doris Santoro Professor of Education, Bowdoin College

Addressing Staff Shortages, Stress & Pay Attracting educators to the profession is crucial to help reduce the stressors associated with teaching and learning.

MEA is working with lawmakers in Augusta to create solutions that maintain the integrity of teacher certification while also removing bureaucratic barriers that keep qualified educators out of the classroom.

“There are so many open positions in our schools across the state- ed techs, teachers, bus drivers, and more. The Maine Education Association is focused on working with lawmakers who create the rules around who is not only allowed to apply for these jobs, but who is qualified. MEA believes we must maintain

Who's in Augusta? the integrity of our great profession, but we must also create reasonable solutions and pathways for qualified applicants to earn the opportunity to work in our schools,” said Grace Leavitt, President of the MEA. With that thought, MEA is working with several lawmakers to push for changes to help support our schools, staff and our students. Among the top priorities: increasing the starting teacher salary to $50,000, lifting the minimum wage to help recruit more support staff, and expanding educator pipelines. “By broadening the pool to recruit people to the profession we can help fill shortages in our schools. MEA believes the creation of a Teacher Residency program, and one similar for ed techs will allow aspiring teachers throughout Maine to get paid while they continue to take classes to earn their degree and certification,” added Leavitt.

Currently, the University of Southern Maine runs a Teacher Residency program where almost 40 students are enrolled, and 70 more expected next fall. The program, which is open to education students throughout the UMaine System, and students from other colleges allows school districts to hire the education students to work as ed techs or long-term subs. In turn, the hiring schools provide mentors and pay students a regular salary.

“The new program fills a much-needed gap in our schools while allowing our aspiring educators to gain the experience needed to become full-time teachers one day. Finding a funding solution, at the state level, to expand the new residency program at USM can help keep our current education students enrolled in their pre-service teaching classes and graduate ready to work in our schools,” added Leavitt.

Back in the Classroom When Castillo thinks back on her first days in the classroom, she remembers her enthusiasm, dedication, and

eagerness to do everything that was asked of her at any hour of the day or night. She is still passionate about teaching and dedicated to her students. But she says she has learned to set boundaries and has a clearer understanding about the root causes of educator exhaustion and how to address it.

Here is the overview of the current Maine Legislature

State Senate 22 Democrats 13 Republicans

“I think about my own children. I want their teachers to be treated with respect, so they can walk into the classroom and give my children and my children’s friends a great public education,” she reflects. “What keeps me here is that, as a union member, I still have a voice, and it’s stronger inside the classroom than outside of it. I know what changes need to be made.” *Some information in this article appeared in NEA Today

Get Involved You can share your thoughts on these issues with those making the policy decisions that impact your life and work. Lawmakers in Augusta have a major impact on all these issues, and they need to hear from you. Now is the time to share your story. Tell lawmakers about what it’s like to work in our public schools. Tell them why pay needs to be increased. Share why you need more support, and a way to help reduce staff shortages. Scan this code to find out which lawmakers represent your area and introduce yourself. Lawmakers want to hear from our educators, and this is your chance to make that connection!

State House 81 Democrats 67 Republicans 2 Independents 1 Vacancy

SCAN ME

SCAN HERE TO FIND OUT WHICH LAWMAKERS REPRESENT YOU!

Senate President Troy Jackson

Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross MAINEEA.ORG

25

Video Production.

Animation & Game Design.

Media Literacy.

Computer Science.

Graphic Design.

Coding.

If it can happen on a computer or digitally or with a camera of some sort, Julie York at South Portland High School has likely taught it. Her classes are an outlet for many kids in the school who she says might have otherwise been “lost.”

Julie York South Portland High School

“I try to give them things they’ll find success in but I try and make it so kids will find success- that's why I teach so many different classes and new things,” said York.

As part of York’s teaching process, she says she reminds herself that she’s not good at certain things and can’t do others so she is reminded of what it is like to be a student.

“I find it important to give them a variety of

26

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

experiences because if they didn’t like coding they might like animation. I want them to find something they love,” added York.

That variety in course work is a proven recipe for success at South Portland High, where York say administrators are very willing to let her experiment, especially since the state of Maine does not have a technology graduation requirement despite an increase in interest and jobs that are tech based.

“I have a lot of friends that work in the industry; I hear a lot about their jobs and stay on top of current employment trends for tech and video. I hear a lot of ‘we need people who problem solve, who know how to think.’ So, I try to gear my students to think broadly. I can teach anyone to code, but I try to make them learn how to do something that’s bigger, so they try

and learn. Anybody can copy-paste but I’m teaching them to think,” added York.

On this day, students planned how to market the video game they designed and tested out virtual reality headsets to learn how to create a game in an alternate universe. The class not only shared the technological aspect of the game design but also the real-world principles to bring a game to market, further exposing students to the skills needed to obtain certain jobs. The college and career-ready aspect of York’s classes helps keep kids enrolled and engaged.

“I remind myself you should do things that are hard to remember what it’s like to be a student. I find it important to give them a variety of experiences because if they didn’t like coding, they might like animation I want them to find something they love,” said York.

“I remind myself you should do things that are hard to remember what it’s like to be a student. I find it important to give them a variety of experiences because if they didn’t like coding, they might like animation I want them to find something they love.”

MAINEEA.ORG

27

Pre-Retirement Seminars 2023-24 Session Schedule MEA-Retired and MEA sponsor retirement sessions for individuals considering retirement this year or within five years.

Congratulations to MEA Members who received National Board Certification!

All meetings are held through Zoom, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. on two consecutive evenings.

Registration opens two weeks in advance of the sessions.

Materials used in each presentation and the Zoom link are sent to MEA members in advance. Members should be prepared to attend both evening sessions.

Fall Sessions

Julie Bradstreet, RSU 18 EA Larissa Costello, Sagadahoc EA Dawn Dickey, Madison Area EA Beth French, RSU 71 EA Nesrene Griffin, Lewiston EA Jennifer Howes, Lewiston EA Sarah Latzke, Lewiston EA

Kimberly Mitchell, EA 22 Amber Richard, Portland EA Stephanie Robinson, Yarmouth EA Robin Seeker, Falmouth EA Amanda Van Tine, Ellsworth EA Sarah Wishart-Rogers, SAD 49 TA Haley Wotton, Seacoast EA

Session

Date

Presenters

1

Tues., Oct. 17, 23 Wed., Oct. 18, 23

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS

2

Tues., Oct. 24, 23 Wed., Oct. 25, 23

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS Spring Sessions

3

Tues., Jan. 9, 24 Wed., Jan. 10, 24

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS

4

Tues., Jan. 16, 24 Wed., Jan. 17, 24

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS

5

Tues., Feb. 6, 24 Wed., Feb. 7, 24

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS

6

Tues., March 5, 24 Wed., March 6, 24

MEABT & WEP/GPO MEA-RETIRED & MainePERS

Is your retirement plan on target?

Ask yourself these important questions How much

retirement income will I need?

What sources

of income will I have after I retire?

What do I need

to do today to reach my retirement goals?

Visit horacemann.com or contact your Horace Mann representative to get help answering these questions.

Horace Mann Service Corporation and certain of its affiliates (Horace Mann) enter into agreements with educational associations where Horace Mann pays the association to provide services aimed at familiarizing association members with the Horace Mann brand, products or services. For more information, email your inquiry to association.relations@horacemann.com.

IM-007438MEA (2­23)

28

Maine Educator | Spring 2023

2. We must create clear pathways for

PERSPECTIVES

The IMPACT of Tuition Waivers for FREE Community College

3.

By Paul Johnson, Professor, University of Southern Maine and Jackie Edmondson, Professor, University of Southern Maine

25,000

5.

Opposing Enrollment Trends

30,000 22,669

20,004

20,000 15,000 10,000

0

G

16,791

16,662 UMaine

5,000 2018

2019

Maine Community College

2020

2021

2022

Source: University of Maine System and Community College System

overnor Mills announced last September that students who had graduated from high school over the previous two years would be eligible to attend any of the State’s Community Colleges for free. The “Free College Scholarship” is aimed at re-engaging people whose high school experience was severely disrupted by COVID. The Free College Scholarship was funded with a one-time $20 million State allocation, and its continuation is included in Governor Mills’ proposed budget for FY 24. The expansion of short-term training programs was funded through the Maine Jobs Recovery Plan and a grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation.

The outcome was that Fall enrollment at Maine Community Colleges was up 12 percent: Southern Maine Community College enrollments rose 11% and York Community College’s rose 18%. Maine educators universally applaud the state’s support for higher education.

We are now seeing that this support had unintended consequences, including continued decreased enrollments in the University of Maine System. According to the University of Southern Maine Office

4.

of Analysis, Application, and Institutional Research, this year USM undergraduate enrollment was down 5.7% from Fall 2022.

USM currently has strong transfer agreements with community colleges in Maine, which means students can seamlessly follow curricular pathways from the community college to the University. We will continue to develop additional transfer agreements.

However, it is also time to consider how we support higher education throughout the state.

1. Over the last 20 years, student tuition

has become the major source of income for the University of Maine System. This is not sustainable. The University of Maine System needs more financial appropriations from the Legislature, private philanthropy, endowments, and grants. The Legislature has increased state appropriations to the University of Maine System by 3% over the past two years, but State appropriations for the UMS has increased annually on average by just 0.9% of the last 15 years. Maine ranks 42nd in the nation for State support for higher education.

students to move seamlessly from the Community College System into a four-year degree program at one of the UMS campuses.

Additionally, we must create more four/one programs whereby a student can complete their undergraduate degree in four years and with a fifth year can complete their master’s degree.

If students make a commitment to remain in Maine after graduating, we should consider waiving a portion of their tuition.

Agencies could offer students a stipend whose degree programs require an internship or placement with the understanding students will remain with the program when they graduate. Then if the students remain at the agency or program for at least two years, waive their tuition.

In her inaugural address, Janet Mills asserted she would stay focused on the issues she campaigned on: Strengthening Maine’s economy and addressing the State’s workforce shortage. Implementing some of the aforementioned ideas would address these two questions and better support our system of higher education.

However, if we continue to impose debt on our students, make it more difficult to attend university, continue to see fouryear graduation rates of approximately 30%, and six-year graduation rates of about 40%, the outlook is bleak.

We can take a bold stance, as was done at the beginning of this current academic year when the Governor and Legislature agreed they needed to think differently on how to get high school students on track for higher education. We can do this in partnership with our Community College system and with support from our State elected officials. The potential is there.

Paul Johnson

Jackie Edmondson MAINEEA.ORG

29

The Right to Know

and Your Rights The Maine Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) gives anyone in Maine the broad right to access public records, including informationabout public schools.

The following information is provided to members from MEA's General Counsel, Ben Grant.

FOAA is based off the principle that transparency and open decision-making are essential for the public to continue to have trust and confidence in our government, including our public schools.

Recently, FOAA has been increasingly used to access information from school districts and educators regarding everything from lesson plans to a complete catalogue of all books on the shelves of individual classrooms.

“FOAA has morphed from guaranteed access to high government actions to a near-forensic examination of every thought produced by every public employee,” said Ben Grant, Legal Counsel for the Maine Education Association.

A recent example of FOAA request included the following information and actions:

1. Request made for all known email

2.

3.

accounts, texts, IMs, handwritten notes…relating to “any of the work [the Educator] is doing within the district.”

Response includes disclosure of Educator emails to Administrator relating to gender preference of a student.

Requestor uses this information to attack Educator online.

While requesting this type of information may not have been what the law intended, it is how some are using the law to gain information about routine actions inside our schools, and for this reason Grant says it’s crucial educators fully understand this law and their rights.

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Maine Educator | Spring 2023

Who the FOAA Law Covers and What Can Be Accessed

What Documents Can Be Requested?

FOAA is broad and deep. It covers nearly all public employees-including anyone who works in a public school. Requests for documents and information can be made in any form and for any reason without the need for the requestor to specify their request. FOAA grants access to virtually all communications related to “the transaction of public business” and can often reveal embarrassing, extraneous communications. The law also contains almost no specific procedures for any steps in the request and distribution of materials process. The law does have some guardrails that make certain documents exempt from public disclosure, including:

The short answer is everything pertaining to your job as a public employee, whether it is a note, a lesson plan, a list of materials you use to teach, or something else may be subject to FOAA and can be made public. It is important to note that FOAA pertains to information, not the origin or form of the information. This means that if you take notes on your personal computer or your personal cell phone about something related to school and those notes are subject of a FOAA request, that information must be turned over as part of the request. It does not matter that the information was on your personal device(s) - it’s the information, not the source of the information, that is relevant to the law.

• • • • •

Health Care information Attorney-client privilege Juvenile proceedings Information gathered by a school counselor during a “counseling session” Student assessment data

What to do if YOU are Part of a FOAA Request If you find yourself involved in a FOAA request the first thing you need to do is contact your MEA representative immediately. Your Union is here to support you, and this is not a process that you should undertake alone. According to the law, you have FIVE days to acknowledge the request.

There is no specified time in law, only a “reasonable” amount of time is required to fulfill the request. MEA advises, even if you are the subject of a FOAA, that you work with your MEA representative before any response is made or documents are turned over.

What about Union activity?

Union activity is both the subject of a specific exemption, and it is private business. It is not subject to FOAA disclosure. That said, as a matter of best-practices, MEA urges all members to refrain from conducting any Union activity on government-issued devices.

Practical Advice for ALL Educators It is crucial all educators remember they are public employees, even in their private time. Whether you like it or not, many aspects of public employees' liveseven when they’re not working-are still public. Using common sense when you’re putting anything in writing, whether it’s on paper, a text message, an email or even a social media post is crucial.

Your social media pages are not your own, and privacy settings should be on at all times. Never delete, erase, burn or shred any documents, and never ignore or provide incomplete information. For any questions regarding your rights, and requirements as they pertain to FOAA contact your MEA UniServ Director.

EDI TOR'S NOT E | SPRING 2023

Bottom Feeding look back at what brought you to that feeling, it was you and your unwillingness to believe others can help or want to help.

I get it. I do it every day. HOWEVER, when it comes to Union work, we NEED help (lots of it,) and you would be surprised how many are willing to step up if you simply asked.

My husband with the 153 lb. halibut he caught while we lived in Alaska.

M

y favorite color is yellow.

I love how it’s so bright and sunny. Which is odd because yellow DOES NOT match my disposition. Perhaps that’s why I am drawn to it. I’m salty, sarcastic, from Jersey, and believe in living like a halibut, a bottom feeder, so you are less likely to be disappointed because you have nowhere to go but up.

This is not at all an approach I would recommend in life, nor do I raise my children in this way, but here we are.

I’m 45 and I roll with what I've got. This mentality has some major drawbacks.

I don’t ask for help, mostly because I believe others will not do it “right.” How many of you complain your partner or child doesn’t do the dishes, and when they do help you complain they did it wrong, leading to you always doing the dishes?

It’s a vicious cycle that ends with you feeling overwhelmed because you’re the one doing everything. However, if you

I witnessed this firsthand recently at an MEA membership meeting. An MEA staff member was standing in front of the room looking for volunteers. As expected, no one jumped right up. Then that same staff member called out three names of people in the audience and asked them all to stand up. Immediately, all three members stood right up. The difference-he simply asked a specific person a specific task instead of putting out an open-ended request without any definitive action.

The small change in process made a big difference in the result. Instead of hoping three people volunteered for something union related, we now had three people who were on hand to help, simply because they were asked.

Getting people to do anything that isn’t required is difficult. People need a reason why. Why is it important? Why do you need help? Why should I care?

And perhaps the biggest question-what's in it for me? I say this not in a negative way, but in a realistic way-we're all tired, we’re all busy, we all could come up with something better to do (even if it’s sitting watching Love in Blind). It’s totally natural.

However, it’s crucial we ALL understand the greater purpose of the union. The answer lives in the word itself-UNION. We are a collective, and only as effective as the sum of our parts. Without each other, we are not truly a union. Being a member is great, but I urge you to ask your local

leaders how you can help and engage in the work of the union. I promise you they’re doing more work than you know, and they’re also working their day jobs, just like you are, and have the same stressors you do, AND THEN they also have their union work.

Supporting all members in a local is not an easy task, even if you think your local is running smoothly and you have “no big issues,” there is always something going on. Membership is a year-round job, and we’re in the early enrollment phase where non-members can join for free from now until August 31. Getting new members during this time period is key to help grow the union, and in turn increase our effectiveness. Have you asked a non-member to join? Do you know if your local is running an early enrollment campaign? Have you thought about helping? See, told you there is ALWAYS something going on, and we need everyone to pitch in so we don’t fall into my trap of living like a halibutbecause trust me-the bottom of the ocean can be a dark, lonely place no one really wants to visit; so, come up for air and start swimming with the school.

Giovanna Bechard Editor editor@maineea.org MAINEEA.ORG

31

Maine Education Association 35 Community Drive Augusta, ME 04330

NON PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 275