United Voices, Vol. 6, No. 2

UNITED VOICES VOL. 6 NO. 2

2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Sara Medalen Page 6

5

Public Service Perspectives

12

ESP of the Year: Alexis Mathias

20

Common Sense Economics

22

Band Aid

PU

B L I C EDUC

AT

I

N

GR

T A

O

E

DECEMBER 2019

G

EA T

E

®

R

PUB

On behalf of the entire staff at North Dakota United, I wanted to wish everyone a joyous holiday season!

Four times per year, United Voices magazine is put together by a dedicated group of NDU staff, including Tom Gerhardt, our director of public affairs; Sarah Keiser Johnson, our special projects coordinator; and myself.

Additionally, each issue is designed by Kelli Metzger and managed through the printing and mailing process by Mike Upgren, at Image Printing, a union print shop in Bismarck. But the real reason for the magazine-ing are each and every one of YOU! The work you all do, for students and for families in our state, as public

E LIC S

RV

IC

educators and public employees is the inspiration to everything written in these pages. It’s why our entire staff works so hard in service to all of you, the members of North Dakota United.

Because we see how hard all of you work on behalf of the great people in our state each day, we hope to give you every bit of that effort back.

Thank you for reading United Voices in 2019, and we hope to see all of you back here again in 2020!

Kelly Hagen, United Voices Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 President’s Post

10 TOY Finalist: Sue McPherson

5 Public Service Perspectives

12

4 Education Perspectives 6 Teacher of the Year: Sara Medalen

9 TOY Finalist: Jessica Brandt

11 TOY Finalist: Sara Thompson 14 18 20

22 Band Aid

24 Scholarship ESP of the Year: Alexis Mathias Applications 26 Upcoming NDU Delegate Assembly Professional At the Peake of Her Profession Development Courses Common Sense Economics 31 NDU-Retired

United Voices is the official publication of North Dakota United, 301 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 Contact Us: 701.223.0450 | comments@ndunited.org Postmaster, send address changes to: North Dakota United, 301 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 Kelly Hagen Director of Communications kelly.hagen@ndunited.org

2

|

Tom Gerhardt Director of Public Affairs tom.gerhardt@ndunited.org

ND United Voices

Sarah Keiser Johnson Special Projects Coordinator sarah.johnson@ndunited.org

Image Printing Design/Publisher

President’s Post

United for the Holidays

There are many causes for optimism this season Greetings! I hope that as you read this column, you are warm and in the company of those you love.

It’s the holiday season, and that realization, as it does every year, has caused me to pause and consider the many blessings in my life. Here are a few of them: • I’m thankful for my family. It gives me joy, makes me laugh and offers everything from life lessons to book reviews. By the by, my beautiful bride recommends This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger.

• I am thankful for my work. Protecting and advocating the interests of public employees, no matter their job title, is hard but immeasurably satisfying work.

• I am grateful for our North Dakota United members’ commitment to providing the vital public services that North Dakotans have come to expect and that they richly deserve.

Their commitment to their students, professions and the public is nothing short of remarkable. The work of our members adds quality to the lives of all North Dakotans.

• I am thankful for the partnerships ND United has with the ND AFL-CIO and with education stakeholder groups across the state and nation. I was happy to share the importance of these partnerships recently at a convening of the Council of Chief State School Officers in Atlanta. What we have

By Nick Archuleta NDU President

in ND relative to collaboration and cooperation is something that other states are keen to replicate.

• I am grateful for the outstanding people with whom I work at ND United. These women and men are singularly focused on wrapping their work around the three guiding principles adopted by the NDU Board of Directors: growing membership, increasing the activation of our members and increasing the size of our government-relations footprint.

These folks go the extra mile and are consummate professionals.

• Speaking of the NDU Board of Directors, I am very thankful for each member. These folks receive no pay for doing the important work of our union. They sacrifice many weekends and time with their families in order to ensure that our union grows and remains the effective voice of public employees across North Dakota.

• I am grateful for all our members who have stepped up to serve as leaders in their workspaces. Building reps, member organizers and local officers provide the necessary infrastructure for strong locals and chapters. Their work has led to a substantial increase in our membership this year. They understand that membership is yearround, and that helping to build a stronger union is every member’s responsibility.

Happy holidays from all of us at North Dakota United! ndunited.org

|

3

Education Perspectives

Fargo Teachers Stand Tall

Court case is important to promoting

By David Marquardt collective-bargaining rights for all NDU Vice President of Education As I am writing this, we are all knee deep into the school year and also in the snow. Our first few months are over, and hopefully we all have had many conversations with students, parents, community members, and North Dakota United members and non-members.

Contract negotiations have concluded for all our K-12 public school teachers in communities across the state.

Everywhere except for one. Fargo is still negotiating.

This has been an important negotiation session for the whole state on the impasse process. Fargo Education Association sued the Fargo School Board to come back to the table to continue negotiating after the school board called impasse while still negotiating and without having deadlocked on all issues.

The case was heard at District Court, and the judge stated Fargo EA did not exhaust all their administrative remedies, meaning to go to meditation and/or the state Fact Finding Commission. Fargo EA feels the two sides are not at impasse and want to negotiate.

4

|

ND United Voices

The recent mediation report came back with recommendations to go back to the table and negotiate. We know this court case is so important because we do not want school boards across the state to start calling impasse without first bargaining in good faith and then imposing contracts. Fargo EA is hoping the board comes back to the table and negotiates a contract that is good for the staff and ultimately the students of Fargo, whom we all care for each day in our schools.

Many times, money is the issue. This time, though, it is so much more than that. It is about the erosion of time that helps the teachers directly support student learning, using leave when injured by students, work year and teachers voice and respect. I know you can all relate to these important issues in our schools today.

On a positive note, Fargo EA has organized around the negotiations process, the #RedForEd movement and the need to provide meals for our families in critical needs. These efforts are all tied to community engagement and building public awareness.

Together, we are Standing United for a strong North Dakota United and stronger public-school system!

Public Service Perspectives

Help Set Our Course

By Gary Feist NDU Vice President of Public Employees

Delegate Assembly is where public employees will make important choices

On April 18, 2020, North Dakota United will hold its Delegate Assembly at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence. The Delegate Assembly is a great time for union members to get together to celebrate our prior-year accomplishments, set the course for the upcoming year, and discuss polices and programs that will be impacting our members and potential members.

One of the issues affecting state employees in 2020 will be the implementation of the simplified classification and grade format approved by the State Personnel Board. The simplification will reduce the number of classifications by grouping classifications into broader job families and reducing the salary-grade structure from 22 to 10. The change will not impact an individual employee’s salary or job duties but will provide an agency flexibility in salary administration within the new broader salary ranges.

We, the members of NDU, will continue to monitor the implementation of the classification system within each agency to make sure employees are treated fairly and rewarded for the quality work they provide every day to the citizens of North Dakota.

Many public employees say they don’t like politics, but politics directly affects us and the jobs we do every day. Election season is upon us as candidates are

announcing their intentions, and that means the legislative session will be here before we know it. Delegates will have the opportunity to express support for candidates and provide valuable insight into determining NDU’s political program and developing the 2021 Legislative Session agenda for NDU. You will help shape the focus of our union leading up to and through the legislative session on issues including: state-employee compensation; healthcare benefits; retirement issues; safety in the workplace; funding for K-12, state agencies and universities and colleges; behavioral health; and other issues for which you believe we should all be advocating.

Delegates will vote on at least one bylaw change. The by-laws approved at merger state that at the fifth Delegate Assembly the delegates shall vote on the question, “Shall the officers and directors of NDU be limited to three three-year terms?” Delegates and their locals can also introduce new business items that will advise and guide the NDU Board of Directors in setting the course of the union for the next year.

Save the date and contact your local president to become a delegate at the 2020 NDU Delegate Assembly in Bismarck. You are the Union, and your voice needs to be heard. See you in Bismarck on April 18. ndunited.org

|

5

2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Makes Everybody Feel Like Somebody Sara Medalen of Minot says she shares honor with all students, educators

By Kelly Hagen NDU Communications

The sum of the total amount of inspiration that Sara Medalen has instilled into thousands of students during her 27 years as a teacher is difficult to calculate or to put into words. She is a reading and math interventionist for grades K-5 at Sunnyside Elementary School in Minot, and on Wednesday, Oct. 16, she was officially named as the 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in the state Capitol.

In attendance were Gov. Doug Burgum, Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota United President Nick Archuleta, and a group of 6

|

ND United Voices

fourth graders from Sunnyside, and all the speakers talked about how vital every teacher is in our society to the future of our population by educating, protecting and nourishing young minds.

“Fourth graders, you are my purpose,” Medalen said. “I can’t wait to see you every day. I’m so excited to go to school every day to see you. I believe in you.

You guys are awesome. I wish you the courage you need to climb mountains. I wish you kindness to help others climb mountains. I wish you confidence to learn and grow.”

Governor Burgum started the ceremony by paying tribute to the innovative

nature of Medalen and all North Dakota teachers. “The growth mindset speaks to people that, if they’re challenged, they think that’s a good thing, not a bad thing,” he said. “They have to try something new. They welcome it versus resist it. They know that and believe in themselves that, if something new is put in front of them, that they can rise to the challenge and that they can grow and learn from that. It would be impossible to be a Teacher of the Year and not have a growth mindset, and certainly our award winner today encompasses that great quality.”

“The best teachers challenge their students to be lifelong learners, not just about their interests or their subject area, but about their communities and themselves,” President Archuleta said.

“They teach them to never give up, and they teach them to never give in. I know that happens in classrooms across North Dakota, because I’ve been there and I’ve seen it. But it especially happens in the classrooms of these individuals that we’re here to honor today.”

Department of Public Instruction to encourage more candidates from across the state to either apply themselves or be nominated for the state Teacher of the Year award.

Check out our newsfeed at ndunited.org/articles to watch video of this story.

“North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year is selected because they are a strong representative of our teaching continued on page 8

“So, on behalf of the 11,500 members of North Dakota United,” he continued, “I am extremely proud to congratulate the 2020 Teacher of the Year finalists: Jessica Brandt, Dr. Karyn Chiapella, Susan McPherson, Sarah Thompson and the Teacher of the Year for 2020, Sara Medalen. Remember, as the superintendent said, no one gets to have their profession until they come through your profession. Thank you very much for choosing education, not as your occupation, but as your passion. And thank you for sharing that passion with the next generation of North Dakotans.”

Superintendent Baesler mentioned in her comments the efforts of the ND ndunited.org

|

7

“We are grateful that Mrs. Medalen has been named North Dakota Teacher of the Year, because she cares about everybody and puts everybody first.” profession,” Baesler said. “The Teacher of the Year is a spokesperson for the values that we have in education. She is an advocate for our students, families and our state. Sara Medalen actually herself put it best when she was told that she was the 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Sara said that she doesn’t consider the Teacher of the Year to be an award. She considers it a job, and she wants to do the best job that she can for all educators, students, families and communities in North Dakota.”

The ceremony closed with four incredible students of Medalen’s, standing tall in front of an assembled audience of teachers, leaders and advocates of public education, and fellow students from Sunnyside. In turn, they listed off all that their teacher has done to help them find their place in this world.

“We are grateful that Mrs. Medalen has been named North Dakota Teacher of the Year, because she cares about

8

|

ND United Voices

everybody and puts everybody first,” said Makenzie.

“We have been part of Mrs. Medalen’s Girl Power project for over two years, and it inspires us to follow our dreams to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others,” Zoe said. She also said their group had raised over $5,000 by selling t-shirts and were using the money to send eight girls to school in Haiti.

“I used to not like reading at all until I started getting help from intervention and reading at Books & Braids,” Makenzie also said. “Now I love reading.

Mrs. Medalen makes learning fun and she teaches us tricks to help us learn math. Oh, and she loves having dance parties.”

Makenzie wrapped up the ceremony perfectly with these words: “Like Kid President says, she makes everybody feel like somebody.” Thank you to Mrs. Medalen, her fellow four finalists and every teacher and educator in our state for making all of our people feel like somebody.

‘C’ is for Caring Central Cass reading instructor was finalist for 2020 Teacher of the Year

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Check out our newsfeed at ndunited.org/articles to watch video of this story.

Inside Room 202 at Central Cass, 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist Jessica Brandt sums up everything you need to know about her philosophy.

“Well, these kids are everything to me,” Brandt said.

Brandt is known for going the extra mile—attending concerts and games and opening her classroom at lunch for visits.

Brandt has always wanted to be a teacher. Her mom’s best friend was her first-grade teacher — her inspiration for being in the classroom. And for a short time her parents both worked at her small-town school.

One student, in particular, stands out.

“So I could bring home all these supplies and extra desks, and I had an entire classroom setup in my basement where I was able to practice my passion before I actually was able to do it in real life,” Brandt said.

A Title 1 reading teacher working with fourth through sixth grade students, Brandt helps raise students’ reading levels and develop a love of language.

“I think the most important thing is that they learn to believe in themselves and have confidence because a lot of their issues are just — they have no confidence and they haven’t been successful and they’re trying to read books that are just above their level,” Brandt said. “So to find them interesting, good-fit books at their level and see that enjoyment and that growth begin.”

She has worked at Central Cass since 2007, learning that relationships are the foundation for growth and success in the classroom.

“After I kind of started building that relationship, I could get her to work, which was not happening in other classrooms,” Brandt said. “I fed her breakfast most mornings because she usually didn’t have food, and even if she did have food. If that’s what it took to get her to work, it’s not going to hurt me to give her a little breakfast. And so we just built that relationship, and she made these huge strides and huge gains because she felt that relationship with me. And everyday when she would leave me, she would give me a hug, and she’d say, ‘I love you Mrs. Brandt.’”

Connection is one of Miss Brandt’s three C’s, including collaboration and change, that set the foundation for a successful learning environment.

“It’s amazing what kids can do when you really give them a challenge. And I guess I just live my dream through teaching every day. It’s what I do and I love,” Brandt said. ndunited.org

|

9

Every Day is a Gift

ND Teacher of the Year finalist from Northern Cass has overcome a lot

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Check out our newsfeed at ndunited.org/articles to watch video of this story.

It’s a Wednesday, on a September morning at Northern Cass School, and the scene is a crowded school gymnasium. The large room is filled by an even larger sound, one that educators deserve to hear much more often: applause.

said my car’s here early in the morning or late at night. But I like being home. And I really like being here.”

Joining the past with the present is part of her teaching philosophy. Her godmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse.

Look closely and you’ll see 23-year teacher and 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist Sue McPherson wiping away tears.

“And she was telling me how she would pick kids up in the back of her truck on her way to school, and she would have the older learners helping the younger ones,” McPherson said. “And everything that she was saying… we’re kind of doing that now. We’re calling it personalized learning… Like, yesterday my seventh and eighth graders were in the kindergarten room, and it’s not so different than the one-room schoolhouse.”

These tears come with smiles.

“I was born a farm girl,” McPherson said. “You know, we have to be tough, and so things like today are hard on you.

You’re showing your emotions like, ‘I’m tough! I got this.’ (But) I really don’t.“ McPherson teaches middle school language arts and AVID at Northern Cass.

“My generation, you get up (and) you work hard. You don’t want or expect any accolades. So when you do, it’s humbling because there are so many fantastic people here,” McPherson said. “We are a family, too.”

Sharing the recognition with her Northern Cass family hit this selfproclaimed farm girl right in the heart.

“I’ve gone through a lot,” she admits, “By losing my mom or (having) cancer.

And they’ve always been right there. This is where I go… There’s people that have 10

|

ND United Voices

McPherson says she teaches like she lives — respecting everyone, working hard and showing up. Combined with an emphasis on building relationships with her students, Sue says one thing makes it all worthwhile.

“Well, if I can get one learner out there that’s contemplating going into education, and they’re really good with people,” she said. “If I could get one or two or whatever to even think education is a great profession where (they) could actually make a difference and help people, then this experience would be worth it.”

Lifting Up the Lifters

Instructional coach improves students’ outcomes by teaching their teachers

By Kelly Hagen, NDU Communications

Teachers, quite literally, change lives every day in their classrooms.

They improve outcomes for students, identify children at risk and lift up the mental, physical and emotional capacities of entire communities.

That’s a whole lot of work.

In a small office, tucked away behind the principal’s office at Sweetwater Elementary School in Devils Lake, Sara Thompson performs her own miracles.

Her job is to lift up the lifters. She is an instructional coach for teachers in her school. And she is good at her job.

So good, she was recognized as a finalist for the 2020 North Dakota Teacher of the Year award.

“She’s a mentor, but she’s also like a mother,” said Dr. Deb Follman, Sweetwater principal. “She wants them to do well, but she wants only the best for them. She wants them to shine all the time, and she’s got that experience so she can help them.”

Thompson grew up in Devils Lake. She said she was led into her path toward becoming an educator by the maternal figures in her life.

“My mom was a teacher at the community college here in town, and my grandma was a teacher at a one-room schoolhouse,” Thompson said. “They were major influencers and showed me Center-Stanton Dino-mite Month

Check out our newsfeed at ndunited.org/articles to watch video of this story.

just what a wonderful job it is.”

She began her career in education by student teaching in Arlington, Texas.

She then taught one year in Wichita, Kan., before moving back to Arlington to be a second-grade teacher.

She made it her goal to become a specialist, though, and found that niche in Reading Recovery at a job fair. “I was lucky enough to get paired up with a really good principal and the Reading Recovery lead teacher for the district.

We had a really good conversation, and I jokingly said, ‘Well, if you have any openings in reading recovery, I’d love to look into that.’ I was hired a couple of weeks later.”

Twelve years ago, she and her husband moved back home to Devils Lake, and she began her current job as reading specialist and instructional coach at Sweetwater Elementary. She travels from classroom to classroom, mentoring educators such as second-grade teacher Andrea Pesek, who is in her first year of teaching.

“There’s never a dumb question with Sara,” Pesek said. “I started here, and I didn’t even know her. And the moment I met her, I thought, oh, this is going to be someone that I look up to. This is going to be someone that is going to help me out.” ndunited.org

|

11

Fargo Para Awarded ESP of the Year

Mathias ‘goes in’ to soothe students and calm behaviors

By Kelly Hagen, NDU Communications

Public educators have big jobs to do and equally large expectations of their students.

Teachers and education support professionals (ESPs) work together to give kids every opportunity they need to succeed in life by providing a supportive and nurturing environment in which they can learn. Nothing can disrupt this process more than behaviors, and both educators and students are negatively affected by these harmful interruptions.

Alexis Mathias, a paraprofessional for Clara Barton Elementary School in Fargo, is a shining example of the professionals at work in schools all across our state, dedicated to working 12

|

ND United Voices

directly with students who are dealing with the harshest traumas in their personal lives. She is a behavior technician for students, and in the words of her sister, Jennifer Mastrud, vice president of Fargo Education Association, Alexis “goes in when others want to walk out.”

“She impacts student success in her school by creating a safe space for them to release and to relearn how to deal

with life and what they have been dealt by no fault of their own,” Mastrud said. “She is calm for many students to remain centered and ready to learn again. She is teaching these kids the methods to be successful young adults.”

On Monday, Nov. 25, at Clara Barton School, Mathias was working with a group of her students in the back of the school gym at a schoolwide assembly that principal Becky Folden had announced for that day under the guise of unveiling the new name for the school’s mascot, Coco Blue Husky. After their costumed mascot helped get all of the students in attendance hyped up and in the proper mood for celebration, North Dakota United President Nick Archuleta was brought into the room to surprise Mathias with the 2019-20 NDU ESP of the Year award.

“I was totally shocked and had no idea this was coming,” Mathias told President Archuleta in comments after the presentation. She said she was especially appreciative of her colleagues, who worked together to make Mathias’ day extra special the same way they collaborate each and every day to take special care of every student in their school. “I have a really good relationship with all my colleagues,” she said, “and I am very lucky to have them as my colleagues. They’re awesome!”

One of those colleagues, Julie Hetland, nominated Mathias for this award, and the two of them worked together to raise the ESP membership rate in NDU to 66% of school support staff at Clara Barton, the highest rate of any building in Fargo Public Schools.

“Alexis does so many great things,” Hetland said. “She is always looking for

new ways to help all kids; her newest undertakings are sensory paths for our school. She is on the Safety Committee for Fargo Public Schools, the Executive Board for FEA and the Clara Barton Hawthorne Social Committee. … I am very grateful to be able to work with Alexis and call her a friend.”

Mastrud additionally nominated Mathias for the state honor and copresented the award at the school ceremony. “Her work with our atrisk students dealing with trauma has been at the root of many statewide conversations,” Mastrud said. “For her to be highlighted shows the importance of getting more of these roles in the schools.”

Mathias will now go onto the National Education Association’s yearly ESP Conference in New Orleans this coming March as our state’s nominee for the national ESP of the Year award. She will be bringing back everything she learns at the national level to North Dakota, and will be sharing those lessons at the NDU ESP Conference, scheduled for April 25 in Jamestown. Save the date, and plan to join with your fellow members of NDU in congratulating Alexis and learning with her on how we can all work together to provide a safe learning environment for every student in our state. ndunited.org

|

13

ND United Delegate Assembly Bi

s

ar

20

Saturday, April 18, 2020 m

ck,

N D - A pril 18

,2

0

at the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence

United for YOU

Save the date for 2020 NDU Delegate Assembly North Dakota United is YOU. As a member of our union, you have a voice, you have power and you have the collective strength of 11,500 members, UNITED for YOU. North Dakota United is YOU. As a member of our union, you have a voice, you have power and you have the collective strength of 11,500 members, UNITED for YOU. Every other year, the members of ND United gather for our Delegate Assembly. This is the place and time in which all of the important decisions are

14

|

ND United Voices

made about the direction our union is going and the vision for our future as an association of public educators and employees. We thank each and every one of you reading this magazine for being participating members of ND United, and now invite you to join with representatives from all of our affiliated locals and chapters across the state at the 2020 Delegate Assembly!

This year’s Delegate Assembly will be held at the National Energy Center of Excellence, on the campus of Bismarck State College, on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Save the date now and be part of the governing process for our state’s largest and most influential organization

of professionals. Our program will include the NDU Business Meeting, an election of delegates to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly and the American Federation of Teachers Convention, and the awarding of the NDU Friend of Education and Friend of Public Employees awards.

of the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment shall be acted on at the first Delegate Assembly following its first reading.

Section 2: Amendments to this constitution may be adopted by a twothirds vote of the Delegate Assembly and take effect immediately upon their adoption.

Delegates to the NDU Delegate Assembly shall be allocated to each local based on the ratio of one delegate for each 50 active members or major fraction thereof, with a minimum of one delegate for each local. The number of delegates to which a local is entitled will be based on its membership on file with NDU as of Aug. 31 prior to the Delegate Assembly. Local presidents will receive an e-mail with directions and a form to submit their delegates to NDU in early February.

BYLAWS—ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS _____________________________ Amendments to the bylaws may be made at any meeting of the Delegate Assembly by a majority vote of the members present, provided such amendment has been proposed to the delegates of the Delegate Assembly at least 24 hours before the vote is taken.

This year’s delegate assembly is the fifth delegate assembly since merger.

Article III, Section 3 of the bylaws of the governing documents adopted at the time of merger says: At the fifth Assembly after the merger, the delegates shall vote on the question: “Shall the officers and directors of NDU be limited to three three-year terms?”

For your information, here are the timelines to submit amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws: CONSTITUTION—ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS _____________________________ Section 1: Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by any local or by the board at least 90 days prior to the Delegate Assembly.

Proposed amendments shall be published in an official publication of NDU, which shall serve as a first reading

Amendments to the Constitution and/or Bylaws should be submitted to President Nick Archuleta, nick.archuleta@ndunited.org.

Amendments should be submitted with time to meet the deadlines stated above. Follow up should be made by phone (701-223-0450) to ensure the e-mail has been received.

NDU RESOLUTIONS: _____________________________ A form for submitting a new Resolution or amending a current Resolution is sent to all delegates attending the NDU Delegate Assembly. This form may be submitted to the Resolutions Chair, Deb Beeler, prior to the Delegate Assembly by e-mail: deb.beeler@yahoo.com or submitted in person, by noon at the Delegate Assembly.

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY: _____________________________ Six state-funded delegate slots are open for the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly (RA) which will be held continued on page 16

ndunited.org

|

15

July 1 (travel day) through – July 7, 2020 (travel day) in Atlanta. Petitions for the state-funded slots can be found at ndunited.org. Members running for a delegate position must obtain 50 signatures from active members of NDU. Active members are: Teacher, ESP, County, State and Higher Ed members. The student and retired positions are elected by their constituencies. Completed petitions with the 50 signatures, along with a short bio and head shot, must be returned to ND United, 301 N 4th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501, by 5 p.m.

CST, Feb. 18, 2020.

LOCAL ASSOCIATION NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY DELEGATE ELECTIONS: _____________________________ Presidents of locals of 76 or more members will receive an e-mail from NEA in late January with the allocated number of delegates for their local for the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly.

Local associations are allocated one delegate for each 150 active and educational support NEA members or major fraction thereof. Locals with fewer than 76 members may cluster to form delegate units.

16

|

ND United Voices

SAVE THE DATE 2020 North Dakota United Delegate Assembly Saturday, April 18, 2020 Bismarck State College, National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) NDU’S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN: _____________________________ NDU’s affirmative action plan commits the Association to elect two minority delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly each year. Ethnic minorities may be nominated for state delegate positions in the same manner as others: by submitting a petition signed by 50 active members to ND United, 301 N 4th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501 by 5:00 p.m. CST, Feb. 18, 2020.

If you have any questions regarding the NDU Delegate Assembly or the NEA Representative Assembly please contact NDU Administrative Services Manager Ellie Sharbono at ellie.sharbono@ndunited.org or 701-223-0450.

The North Dakota United Foundation is excited to

participate in Giving Hearts Day, an annual 24-hour online

fundraising event. By donating to the Foundation on Giving Hearts Day, you promote excellence in education and public service through nine grants and scholarships.

Supporting the members of North Dakota United, their

dependents and students preparing to teach, the North Dakota United Foundation has awarded more than

$300,000 in scholarships and grants since it gave its first $500 scholarship in 1991. In 2019, the NDU Foundation awarded nearly $24,000 in scholarships and grants to a

wide range of deserving individuals, to be used in pursuit of secondary and post-secondary degrees, or for professional development.

Mark you calendar and be sure to donate on February 13th at GivingHeartsDay.org!

ndunited.org

|

17

To watch this video story and more, visit www.ndunited.org/articles or www.youtube.com/ nodakunited.

At the Peake of Her Profession

49-year teacher in Grand Forks still enjoys her days spent in classroom

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

It’s a voice that is so familiar to Valley Middle School in Grand Forks, you can hear it through the walls and the halls of the school.

“I just always wanted to be a teacher,” Vicki Peake said.

Vicki Peake is in her 49th year teaching literature — all at Valley.

“At the heart of it, they’re still kids,” Peake said. “They need someone who really wants to teach middle school.

They need someone who really cares about them, and I do and I love it.”

A lot has changed in the years since 18

|

ND United Voices

Peake entered her first classroom in 1971. Some of it has been good, some bad, but always colorful.

“When I started teaching, we did not have computers in the classroom. We type things on a typewriter, and then we ran them off on the Xerox machine so that they have that purple ink. And it smelled, so kids would go home at the end of the day with purple on their noses because they’d all get up so they can smell it,” Peake said.

And she’s done just about every extracurricular job imaginable.

“I coached the hurdles for about two months, and then I went and I told the coach, ‘I’m doing these kids (an)

inservice. I can time … I’ll be willing to do anything else, but really the hurdles,” Peake said. “I was even asked to be the wrestling coach, and I drew the line and I said, ‘Are you nuts?’ I said you have to be able to get down on that mat and go around like that.

And I said, ‘No, I won’t do that.”

That’s about the only time you’ll hear a ‘no’ from Peake — who devotes herself to her students — in and out of the classroom.

“And she can tell you immediately stories of kids that she had, and remembers names and remembers parents and remembers situations, that is really just incredible,” principal Todd Selk said. “And I think it really just tells us that these are meaningful times for her, but she has no idea of the impression or the meaningful experiences she’s providing for literally thousands of students in her 49 years.”

Just ask her former student turned teacher, and coach and friend, Ryan Kasowski.

“You know, she would never take credit for the things she’s done, but she has changed thousands of people’s lives with her passion and commitment to make a difference in everyone’s world. So, she’s the best,” Kasowski said.

Recent students feel the same way.

“She’s amazing. She’s such a great teacher. She’s so fun — she made class really fun — and she was always there for her students,” Emma Stevenson said.

Peake hopes to be “there” for a 50th year next fall, drawn by what she calls a caring staff and, of course, her students.

“Valley is the best, in my eyes,” Peake said. “And I want my kids to be proud of this school. You know, I tell them you need to be proud of the school.

You are what makes the school what it is.” ndunited.org

|

19

North Dakota United, ND AFL-CIO partner to offer training in Bismarck & Fargo Compiled by Sarah Keiser Johnson, NDU Communications

More than 15 years ago, the AFL-CIO introduced a mass economics education program that was received with great enthusiasm by members who craved a deeper understanding of the political nature of the U.S. economy. Since that time, we’ve seen the largest redistribution of wealth in our

20

|

ND United Voices

nation’s history and a Great Recession that paralyzed communities, families and workers. Still, many believe the economy is a force of nature and not created by people in power.

Common Sense Economics is a tool for getting people involved in campaigns in their communities and states to make the economy work for all of us, and not

just for big corporations. North Dakota United partnered with the North Dakota AFL-CIO this past October to offer Common Sense Economics trainings in Bismarck and Fargo.

Common Sense Economics leads union members in taking a look at how our economy has changed and why it’s not working for working people. The corporate agenda rigs the rules of the economy to benefit corporations and the wealthiest 1% of the population.

Therefore, working people must come together to take action to rewrite the rules for an economy for shared prosperity.

The solution is to change the rules to create an economy that works for everyone: 1

2 3

4

5

6

Create new rules for the economy, such as ending tax breaks for hedge fund managers and CEO salaries.

Raise wages.

Value women, families, and time through the establishment of equal pay, affordable healthcare, fair schedules, and paid sick days and family leave.

Enhance economic security through the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance.

Invest in things that matter to communities such as infrastructure and public schools.

Protect and strengthen our democracy.

We know we can change the rules of the economy. By working together, by organizing, we can rewrite the rules to create an economy that works for all of us. Working people have fought and won better wages, but there is still work to be done to ensure all working people, regardless of race or gender, have the freedom to a fair return on their work.

We can also demand more time to take care of ourselves and our families. We can fight against attempts to undermine our freedoms. We can work to put our society on a better path.

Common Sense Economics addresses the freedoms we, as union members, value: the freedom to have a collective voice in the workplace; our freedom to join together to negotiate a fair return on our work to provide for our families; our freedom to collectively fight for affordable health care, good schools, and Social Security, and; the freedom to spend time with our families and be involved in our communities.

North Dakota United, along with the North Dakota AFL-CIO, have offered both a Common Sense Economics 101 training, as well as one that specifically looks at student lunch debt in our schools (story on the next page).

While there are no future trainings currently set, the North Dakota AFLCIO is happy to schedule them in any communities that are interested. To join the discussion, please contact Andrew Bushaw at abushaw@ndaflcio.org.

ndunited.org

|

21

To watch this video story and more, visit www.ndunited.org/articles or www.youtube.com/ nodakunited.

Band Aid

NDU member part of effort to pay down debt for school lunches

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Bassist Jason Boynton is usually near the back of the stage. But on this day, the North Dakota State University professor and North Dakota United member took center stage at a fundraiser for children and families in Fargo.

Earlier this summer, a post on his Facebook feed showed Fargo Public Schools had $26,000 in school lunch debt. Accounts were going to be turned over to collections.

22

|

ND United Voices

“I thought, that sounds terrible … where can I donate? So, I posted this story to my wall asking where I could donate,” Boynton said. “Russell Pfaff said we should do a benefit. Great idea, I’ve done benefits before. I mean, all the musicians are really into that sort of thing, so I tagged a few people, I tagged Pat Lennertz and Diane Miller, and they tagged some people, Russell tagged some people. Before you know it, we’ve got 10 bands signed up and we’re ready to go, and then Kari Lugo joined in and then that changed it from maybe we’ll raise a couple of dollars to a

serious fundraiser. And then the unions got on board and then took it to the street and even more money came in, so it’s really been like a slow-moving, slow-growing mass of people doing good stuff.”

North Dakota United, the Fargo Education Association, the North Dakota AFL-CIO, and affiliates of the Northern Plains Labor Council joined forces to contribute over $3,200, and

we don’t have to. I’m really pleasantly surprised.”

And like Boynton says, the power of music is massive.

“I mean music has moved things along.

Music makes progress. This seems like a fitting way to do this benefit …,” Boynton said.

more importantly, call attention to a critical issue affecting children and families in Fargo and across North Dakota.

What started with tagging a few friends on Facebook grew so quickly that the combined efforts of all involved caught Boynton off guard.

“I’m totally surprised,” Boynton said.

“This is way bigger than I thought it would ever be. I’m totally surprised by it. Pleasantly. Everyone has been so great. Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation, they’re handling all the money. They’ve been a big part of just collecting the money so that’s important. That makes it so

_________________________________ To donate: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=XKmJFc Unions involved: North Dakota United, Fargo Education Association, the Northern Plains Labor Council, Communication Workers of America Local 7304, United Steelworkers 560, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 1426, and the Red River Valley Building, Construction and Trades Council. ndunited.org

|

23

Scholarship Applications Open January 1st Supporting the members of North Dakota United, their dependents and students preparing to teach, the North Dakota United Foundation has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships and grants since it gave its first $500 scholarship in 1991.

In 2019, the NDU Foundation awarded nearly $24,000 in scholarships and grants to 17 different individuals. These scholarships and grants are awarded to a wide range of deserving individuals, to be used in pursuit of secondary and post-secondary degrees, or for professional development.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships are available to North Dakota United members, including Student NDU and NDU-Retired members, as well as the dependents of all members. All scholarship applications will open on Jan. 1 and are due March 1. Application information can be found at NDUnited.org by clicking on Who We Are and NDU Foundation.

24

|

ND United Voices

• North Dakota United Education Scholarship Available to a student who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education.

• North Dakota United Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship Awarded annually to a minority student preparing to teach. The Foundation will give special consideration to a student attending a tribal college.

• North Dakota United Member/ Dependent Scholarship Available to an active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing postsecondary education in any field of study including vocational, associate or bachelor degree program.

• Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship The purpose is to assist individual English, math or science instructors to improve their qualifications by attending summer school or engaging in graduate level courses during the regular academic year, online courses or extension courses that are part of a graduate program.

• Mary Cripps Special Education Scholarship Available to either an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing initial or advanced training in special education.

• Halstenson Family Music Scholarship Fund Available to a NDU member who possesses a current license to teach music in a North Dakota public school and is pursuing a graduate degree in music. While the individual is pursuing a graduate degree, the award may be used to participate in credit or noncredit educational opportunities to improve his/her K-12 music content knowledge and teaching skills. These opportunities are not required to be part of the master’s degree course content, but an experience that would certainly enhance the teacher’s skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Individuals must have at least one year of full-time teaching experience and indicate a desire to continue teaching music in North Dakota to be considered for this scholarship.

• Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship This program has been established to assist individual NDU members improve their qualifications by attending summer school or engaging in graduate level course during the regular academic year, online courses or extension courses that are part of a graduate program.

• Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship Available to an outstanding

undergraduate student who is preparing for a career in special education.

• Cindy & Gary Rath Education Scholarship Available to an NDU student member or a North Dakota resident who is a student NEA/ AFT member in another state, pursuing an undergraduate degree in education. A preference will be given to a student attending Dickinson State University or Valley City State University.

GRANTS: The NDU Foundation is proud to present special awards and grants to our members each year, for the continued development of their professional skills and knowledge.

Application information can be found at NDUnited.org by clicking on Who We Are and NDU Foundation.

• Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award Given each year in recognition of Joe Westby’s 45 years of leadership in education, including 32 years within our union. Westby recognized the need to encourage members and staff to pursue leadership training. The Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award has a rolling application process and may be submitted at any time.

• NDU Workplace Innovation Grant Available for an individual member or a group of members to implement service delivery innovation to improve public education or public service in North Dakota.

ndunited.org

|

25

Upcoming NDU Professional Development Courses North Dakota United is proud to announce the following Professional Development opportunities. For specific information and to register, please visit pd.ndunited.org.

MINI-COURSES Mini-courses are short duration trainings, typically less than 3 hours in length. Mini-courses will be offered every Wednesday night from 7:00-9:00 p.m. via an online webinar. After each webinar, a short reflective paper will be required.

Participants register and pay an initial fee for access to the course and then can participate in any session. For credit, participants must participate in at least three of five live sessions, the remaining can be completed by watching the recordings. Five mini-courses equals ONE credit.

There are six categories of mini-courses:

• Child Trauma • Classroom Management • Leadership • Personal Wellness/Self-Help • Student Behavioral Health • General

26

|

ND United Voices

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Do I have to be online/“live” during all the webinars?

A: No. You need only be online/“live” for three of the five webinars you are participating in for credit. Discussion that happens during the online webinar is important.

Q: How do I access the mini-course webinars?

A: Once you register for the minicourses, you will receive an email with a link that allows you to participate in all 31 webinars. All you need is computer access with camera and microphone capabilities.

Q: Can I get credit for the minicourses?

A: Yes. Five mini-courses equal ONE credit, with the potential of six credits. Credit is available through the University of North Dakota. Credit information will not be shared until the end of the mini-courses in May 2020.

Q: What are the requirements to obtain credit for the mini-courses?

A: Participate in five mini-course sessions (three of them must be live).

Two mini-courses can be accessed via playback. Complete a short reflective paper (form is provided at time of registration).

Q: Do all mini-courses need to be taken from one strand or can I mix and match them?

A: Either. You may not use a minicourse for more than one credit though.

Q: How much does it cost to take the mini-courses?

A: Upon payment of the $50 registration fee to North Dakota United, you have access to all minicourses. There is a separate $50 fee that is paid to UND for credit.

ELEVATING THE PROFESSION THROUGH EDUCATOR ETHICS Elevating the Profession through Educator Ethics reviews ethics as defined by the North Dakota Educational Standards and Practices Board. Participants will examine ethical situations, relationships with students, parents and colleagues, along with decision-making methodologies.

Elevating the Profession through Educator Ethics is a blended course with the option of 1 or 2 credits available through UND. Course dates: Grand Forks: February 8, 2020 Minot: April 25, 2020 Williston: March 28, 2020

ONLINE BOOK STUDIES (BY CATEGORY)

All book studies have the option of 1 graduate credit through UND. Classroom Management/General Education • Engage the Brain Jan. 20 – March 2

•

•

The Collapse of Parenting Feb. 10 – March 23 High Expectations Teaching Feb. 24 – April 6

Innovative Schools • Dream Team Feb. 17 – March 30 • Creative Schools May 11 – June 22 Self-Help • Engage the Brain Jan. 20 – March 2 • Deliberate Optimism March 16 – April 27 • Happier April 13 – May 25 Social-Emotional Learning • A Mindset for Learning March 23 – May 4 • All Learning is Social and Emotional April 6 – May 18 • Combination Book Study (2 Books Required): It Happens in the Hallway and Collective Efficacy April 20 – June 1 Student Behavioral Health/Child Trauma • Lost at School Jan. 13 – Feb. 24 • Fostering Resilient Learners Jan. 27 – March 9 • No Such Thing as a Bad Kid March 9 – April 20 • The Explosive Child May 4 – June 15

ndunited.org

|

27

North Dakota United 2020 Professional Growth Institute Social-Emotional Learning Save the Date!

June 9-10, 2020 Mandan Middle School North Dakota United’s Professional Growth Institute is an opportunity for all public educators and employees to enhance their skills and to network with others. More information will be shared on pd.ndunited.org as soon as it is available.

Submit a RFP NDU recognizes that our members have a large knowledge and experience base in which to share with other NDU members. Therefore, we cordially invite you to submit a proposal to present at the 2020 PGI. Proposals need to link with the theme Social-Emotional Learning.

We would love to hear from you!

Information on how to submit a proposal can be found at pd.ndunited.org. Proposals are due by February 1.

28

|

ND United Voices

Helping educators today and tomorrow Founded by Educators for Educators®, Horace Mann is dedicated to helping educators and their families protect what’s important today and prepare for a successful tomorrow.

Products and services especially designed with educators in mind • Auto, home and life insurance and retirement solutions with personalized service for all school employees • Educator rates and discounts on auto insurance and special educator rates for life insurance • Special auto and home insurance benefits and features just for educators • Convenient payroll deduction available to pay auto and life insurance premiums

Solutions to the challenges educators face • Student Loan Solutions Workshop • DonorsChoose.org Workshop and Funding • Financial Success Workshop • State Teachers’ Retirement System Workshop (not available in Utah)

For more information or to request a no-cost workshop at your school, contact your local Horace Mann representative.

Morgan Engbrecht Morgan Engbrecht Agency Mandan 701-663-1707

Shawn Rehm Shawn Rehm Agency Fargo 701-232-7353

Jason Rohrer Jason L Rohrer Agency Minot 701-839-4669

Lance Rustand Rustand Agency Dickinson 701-483-5789

Bob Tiller Bob Tiller Agency Grand Forks 701-787-8754

Educators look out for their students’ futures. They deserve someone to look out for theirs.

AM-C04259 (3-18)

ndunited.org

|

29

HELPING MEMBERS

DO MORE, SPEND LESS, LIVE BETTER.

Tap into a world of resources.

Get tips on stretching your paycheck, member discounts, travel ideas and more for every type of member. Download yours now.

Check out ways to succeed in and out of the classroom — tailored for K–12 Teachers

text K12 to 73915

Explore a variety of budget-friendly solutions made for Education Support Professionals

text ESP to 73915

Take advantage of member-only benefits made to give Retired Educators peace of mind

text Retired to 73915

Choose from practical home and career ideas designed for Higher Education Professionals

text HigherEd to 73915

Make the most of proven strategies to help launch the careers of Future Educators

text Student to 73915

© 2019 NEA’s Member Benefits Corp. NEA, NEA Member Benefits and the NEA Member Benefits logo are registered service marks of NEA’s Member Benefits Corporation.

30

|

ND United Voices

CO370919

Learn More About NDU-Retired

NDU-Retired

We want to profile our members and showcase their unique talents It’s winter, and the school year and sports seasons are going strong. For those of us retired from teaching, it brings back many memories of how much work it was to begin the school year but how exciting it was to meet our new class(es) and plan an exciting year of learning. Oh, those were the days.

I am sure that teachers and retirees have heard that Fay Kopp is retiring from Teachers Fund for Retirement (TFFR).

Her leadership and service to teachers has been outstanding. She has led a team of dedicated people to make sure the TFFR system is fiduciarily sound. She has worked with our Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) to make sure that fund and program is just as sound.

Thank you so much, Fay, for all you have done and will continue to do for NDU members and their families.

By Nancy Peterson NDU-Retired President

It has been my goal to look at our membership and try and highlight what our members do for themselves. One such member is Linda Maize. Keep an eye on the North Dakota United website, ndunited.org, and the next issue of our NDU-Retired newsletter for a feature profile written about Linda and her many artistic talents. If you know of someone who has a unique skill that we should recognize, please call NDU at 701-223-0450 and leave a message for Sarah Keiser-Johnson.

This April we will be electing new people to the Board. Open positions will be the president, NE member, NW member, SE member, and Public Employee member. Please consider running for one of these positions. Please notify NDU by Feb. 1 if you are interested.

✠YES, SIGN ME UP NOW IN NDU/NEA/AFT-RETIRED

Complete and mail with your check today to NDU-Retired, 301 N 4th St, Bismarck, ND 58501-4020 Name:_____________________________________ Social Security Number:_______________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:_____________________ Zip:_________________ Phone: _________________________________________ E-mail:_______________________________ Local Association: _______________________ Signature: _____________________________________ Date: _______________________ _______ I wish to join as Annual Retired and pay $61 per year. Mail this form and your check to: NDU, 301 N 4th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501-4020. (NDU membership year is from

September 1 to August 31.) _______ I wish to pay a one-time payment of $516 for Lifetime Retired.

Expected Date of Retirement ___________ (month/year) _______ I wish to pay one payment of $64.50 and have 7 (seven) electronic transfers of $64.50 from my

bank account for Lifetime Retired. Enclosed is my initial check for $64.50.

PU

B LI C E D U C

AT

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

I

PAID

G

N

RE

T

O

A

®

R

E

IC

E

G A

T

ER PU BLIC S

V

North Dakota United 301 N 4th St Bismarck, ND 58501-4020

32

|

ND United Voices

PERMIT NO. 433 BISMARCK, ND