United Voices, Vol. 8 No. 1

UNITED VOICES VOL. 8 NO 1

United Voices Official organ of North Dakota United. Published four times per year.

Editorial and Business offices at 301 N Fourth St., Bismarck, N. D. KELLY HAGEN, Editor kelly.hagen@ndunited.org

VOL. VIII

SARAH KEISER, Managing Editor sarah.keiser@ndunited.org

SEPTEMBER, 2021

Officers of North Dakota United for 2021-22 President NICK ARCHULETA - - - - - - nick.archuleta@ndunited.org Vice President of Education ALICIA BATA - - - - - - - - - - -aliciab@polarcomm.com Vice President of Public Employees GARY FEIST - - - - - - - - - - - gary.feist@ndunited.org

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IN THIS ISSUE President’s Post................................................................ 3 A Century of Service.......................................................... 4 The Benefits of Being ND United........................................ 6 A United Understanding of Critical Race Theory................... 8 K-12 Teacher Negotiations Roundup..................................10 Education Support Professional of the Year........................ 13 Warwick ESP Celebrates Education Milestone.....................14 Central Cass Treehouse.....................................................16 Meet You in Medora.........................................................18

NEA Director BRENDA SEEHAFER - - - - - brendaseehafer@yahoo.com

Ways to Get Involved....................................................... 20

Executive Director CHAD OBAN - - - - - - - - - - chad.oban@ndunited.org

Scholarships and Grants Awarded..................................... 22 Upcoming Events............................................................ 26

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Public Education Perspectives.......................................... 28

The payment of membership dues to North Dakota United entitles a member to attend all the meetings of the Association, to vote for delegates to the state Delegate Assembly and national Representative Assembly, and to receive United Voices. $15 of your yearly dues goes toward the costs of public relations and member communications.

United Voices is published in the interest of public education and public services.

Educators and public employees will always find its columns open to discussions and questions of vital concern to them. Advertisers will find it one of the best mediums in the country. Rates are low and will be furnished upon application. *** Communications should be addressed to comments@ ndunited.org or by calling our office at 701-223-0450.

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Member Handbook...........................................................21

Delegate Assembly Information........................................ 29

The Editor Says: It began, as many things do, with an apology.

“This, the first issue of the “ASSOCIATED TEACHER”, is the result of a very hurried collection of some material besides the program of the state convention. It is the result entirely of the cooperation of the school people in the state. With such splendid cooperation for the first issue and promises for succeeding issues, we feel sure that from now on we will have a publication of which you can feel justly proud. Because no effort was made toward such a publication until a very short time ago, really a few days, there are many errors and things to be criticized in its formulation which we ask you to overlook.”

In November of 1921, the North Dakota State Teachers Association released Vol. I, No. I of its inaugural publication, The Associated Teacher of North Dakota. This issue of United Voices marks the 100-year anniversary of that milestone.

Much has changed since then, inside and outside of the pages of subsequent periodicals of the North Dakota Education Association, the North Dakota Public Employees Association, and North Dakota United, the union formed by the merger of those associations.

One thing that remains the same is our commitment to keeping you, our members, informed, educated on the important issues that affect you and your profession, and inspired by the incredible stories of your fellow members. Thank you for 100 years of uniting your voices, and for overlooking any “errors and things to be criticized” you might find.

President’s Post

By Nick Archuleta, NDU President

You Make Us

Strong

Thank you for your membership in ND United I am writing today regarding the importance of your membership in North Dakota United. ND United is the largest professional organization in the state with over 11,500 members in communities from Fortuna to Fairmont, Bowman to Bathgate and all communities in between. Our members are K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, and other public employees that provide the services that North Dakotans deserve and depend on every day. As President of ND United, I want to thank you for your membership in our union, as well as for your outstanding work that makes North Dakota among the very best places to live and work.

At North Dakota United, we continue to center our work around three guiding principles: growing our membership, activating our membership, and increasing the size of our government relations footprint. > Membership growth is essential for a membership-based organization. More members translate into more influence where it matters most and makes our collective voice harder to ignore. I am happy to report that ND United was one of just eight NEA state affiliates that grew its active membership in the last year. In fact, NDU’s growth was

bested by just five other state affiliates! > Member activation is a key component in articulating our message to the decision makers who need to hear our take on the important issues facing our members and the institutions in which we serve.

Even now, during the interim, we are working with policy makers to write administrative rules for legislation passed last session, ensuring that laws are implemented in a way that honors the work of our members. > If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times: every decision that affects the worklives of our members is a political decision made in Washington, D.C., Bismarck, N.D., or by local political subdivisions. By growing our membership, and increasing our member activity opportunities, we will increase our ability to influence legislation that affects lives at the local, state and national levels.

Our union is strong, and we are committed to making it stronger.

Your membership, your activism and your voice are essential to our growth. On behalf of your NDU Board of Directors, THANK YOU for your membership and for your excellent work in service to others. ndunited.org

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A Century of Service Looking back at 100 years of member communications

By Kelly Hagen, NDU Communications

A century ago, the North Dakota State Teachers Association mailed a copy of its first-ever periodical, The Associated Teacher, to every teacher in the state.

The association’s first executive secretary, R.L. Brown, had begun work as field secretary for the Teachers Welfare Committee on Jan. 1, 1921, concentrating on membership drives and planning for district and state conventions.

By November, he added “editor” to his list of job duties.

“A monthly bulletin was started a year ago last month,” he wrote in a report to the Executive Committee in late 1922. “The purpose of this experiment was primarily to bring to the teachers of the state and the members of our Association the information we wanted them to have. I feel the experiment has proven this to be a fundamental necessity if we are to do the work we should.”

One hundred years later, a lot has changed. For one, the Association would change its name to the North Dakota Education Association, and it would grow 4

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to represent all educators in our public schools, including K-12 teachers, administrators, education support professionals, and even faculty and staff at our public universities. Membership would steadily grow, especially in the first half of the 1920s.

Enrollment in 1922 stood at 3,628 annual members, and that number grew to 4,488 by the end of the decade. Membership numbers fluctuated across the years, until seeing its largestever enrollment after 2013, when a Representative Assembly of members of the NDEA and the North Dakota Public Employees Association voted to merge and form North Dakota United. This new organization, the state’s union for public educators and employees, currently represents approximately 11,500 preK-12 teachers, ESPs, higher education faculty and staff, city, county and state employees, retired workers and college students of education.

What hasn’t changed is the importance of joining your union.

In 2021, the united efforts of our members toward advocacy for high standards of excellence, qualification and compensation is our union’s top priority, as it was in 1921. As the years went by, NDEA was essential in establishing a pension system for educators, raising the licensing standards for teachers, increasing learning opportunities for students in the state’s cities and rural areas, organizing our public education system, gaining collective bargaining rights for K-12 teachers and elevating public sentiment toward public education and educators. NDPEA was similarly crucial to starting a pension fund for public employees, a quality health insurance plan, and in raising goodwill, morale and appreciation for public employees.

While collective action is the primary benefit of membership in ND United, many more rewards have come to be included in the past 100 years.

Current members of NDU can read about all of these benefits and rewards in great detail in the 2021-22 NDU Member Handbook, which is available in print and electronically on our website, www.ndunited.org.

We’ve included a short summary of these benefits in the following pages of United Voices.

On the opening page of the November 1921 edition of The Associated Teacher, President G.W. Hanna wrote: “The Association

derives its financial and moral life and power and punch from memberships and participants.

Every teacher is reaping manifold benefits from the association, tho (sp) membership and participation are necessary to get the greatest good and make the Association really great in what it has to give.”

In the 2021 Member Handbook, President Nick Archuleta wrote: “As we emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic, we anticipate that all public employees will experience challenges in their workspaces. … Still, I am confident that if we continue to grow, to mobilize, and to make our voices heard, we will become the transformational organization that we need to be.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same. As it was a century ago, it is our members, and your combined efforts, united voices and unified spirit, that make us all great. Here’s to 100 years of participation in this noble experiment, and many more.

Source: (The Associated Teacher, Vol. 1, No. 1 – November 1921). Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. ndunited.org

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The Benefits of Being ND United

t’s in a h ?

W r me o f t i

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of North Dakota United, you have the right to participate in decision-making regarding contract negotiations and other aspects of the association’s agenda and advocacy. Utilize your voice, get involved, and help shape your local association and what it does.

When we work together, our collective actions and voice lift us all.

EXPERT ASSISTANCE

Most workplace issues should be brought to the local association first. Advocacy almost always begins at the local level, since the negotiated agreement and board policies will need to be checked as a primary step in the process.

These issues may include: contract enforcement, negotiations, the grievance process, improvement plans, evaluations, and workplace bullying/harassment. Your local association will get the ball rolling and loop in staff/resources from ND United as needed.

While not an inclusive list, some events such as: notice of reductionin-force, discharge, negotiations impasse, social service complaint, and/or other severe disciplinary actions require you to contact your ND United Field Consultant or the ND United Help Center (701-223-0450).

LOCAL LEADERS ACADEMY

North Dakota United has received feedback from local leadership teams that training, networking, and professional development would be beneficial to your team, yourself, and your members. Therefore, NDU has developed a training series to develop your knowledge of the negotiations process, utilize our communication tools effectively, and provide real time training on organizing back to school events.

The full course of Local Leaders Academy runs January-December. A new series will be set in the fall for 2022. For more information, go to www.ndunited.org/for-members/local-leaders-academy.

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North Dakota United is dedicated to providing research-based, member-driven, relevant, highquality programs to advance skills, while providing

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a network for shared communication and leadership opportunities.

North Dakota United delivers professional development with a focus on customized learning, based upon your individual wants and needs. This format allows participants to choose from multiple topics and themes, form an individually tailored plan, and access the professional development wherever and whenever works best for you.

For a complete listing of available professional development courses and to register, please visit www.ndunited.org/events.

For more information on NDU professional development, go to pd.ndunited.org.

NDU FOUNDATION

The purpose of the North Dakota United Foundation is to promote educational excellence and quality public service in North Dakota. The Foundation’s goal is to aid educators, public servants, and students in achieving greater educational success.

To that end, the Foundation currently offers nine specifically designed and administered scholarships and grants to North Dakota United members, including Student NDU and NDU-Retired members, as well as the dependents of all members.

For more information on all of the scholarships and grants available to members, visit our website at www.ndunited.org/who-we-are/ ndu-foundation.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

North Dakota United provides $1 million of liability insurance protection for its members for any covered claim arising during the course of the insured’s employment activities. The coverage is provided through the National Education Association for education-related employees and the American Federation of Teachers for other members.

Contact the NDU Help Center at 701-223-0450 or helpcenter@ndunited.org with any questions on your coverage.

MEMBER BENEFITS & DISCOUNTS

Members of North Dakota United are eligible to receive a wide variety of benefits to make your lives easier from both of our national affiliates, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. Benefit categories include: Banking & Lending; Investing & Retirement; Insurance; Everyday Savings; Home & Auto, and Travel.

Visit neamb.com for more information on NEA Member Benefits. To learn more about the benefits available to you as a member of AFT, go to www.aft.org/member-benefits.

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A United Understanding of

Critical Race Theory

Schools in America have once again become a primary battleground, this time around the phrase “critical race theory.” As North Dakota United has fielded a number of calls and emails about this topic in recent months, this article is intended to help us all have a conversation, together, about what exactly Critical Race Theory is, as well as what it isn’t.

What is Critical Race Theory?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) is an academic concept that emerged out of a framework for legal analysis in the late 1970s. In current form, it is a body of legal scholarship that critically examines the intersection of race and United States law. CRT is taught in law school and other graduate school programs, solely to adults.

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Critical Race Theory is a legal theory that examines the understanding that who we are, the laws we have in place, the histories that have been handed down to us, have been shaped by race.

The basic tenets theorize that racism and disparate racial outcomes are the result of complex, changing, and often subtle social and institutional dynamics, rather than explicit and intentional prejudices in individuals.

Like any other theory, CRT can be misunderstood and misapplied. Over the last few months, it has been constantly distorted and attacked. And it continues to change and evolve, as every theory should.

Critical Race Theory is a legal theory debated by adults in institutions of higher education and is not a curriculum used in K-12 education in the United States.

Is Critical Race Theory taught within K-12 curriculum in North Dakota?

No. Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not taught in any K-12 school in North Dakota, nor is it a part of North Dakota’s K-12 Education Content Standards, as set forth in the North Dakota Century Code 15.1-21.

As you know, North Dakota’s phenomenal educators must follow the K-12 Education Content Standards developed

by North Dakota teachers for North Dakota students, ultimately approved by locally elected school boards.

It bears repeating – Critical Race Theory is a legal theory debated by adults in institutions of higher

education and is not a curriculum used in K-12 education in the North Dakota.

For a complete version of the official North Dakota Content Standards, please visit: www. nd.gov/dpi/districtsschools/ k-12-education-contentstandards.

What is North Dakota United’s position?

North Dakota United President Nick Archuleta summarizes our position by stating, “At North Dakota United, we believe in teaching the truth. Period. Among the things that define American Exceptionalism is our ability to look at our nation and celebrate those things that make us the envy of the world in so many ways.

“Another factor that makes our nation exceptional,” Archuleta continued, “is our ability to also acknowledge that as a nation, we have not been perfect. America is great because we do not shy away from our past, we learn from it, mistakes and all. We are in constant pursuit of forming a more perfect union, and that fact is something I am very proud of as an American.”

Sources:

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

“A Lesson on Critical Race Theory”, The American Bar Association

“Why are states banning critical race theory?” The Brookings Institution

“What is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack?”, Education Week ndunited.org

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Working Together for Students

K-12 teachers, school boards complete another season of contract negotiations

By Kelly Hagen, NDU Communications

Another negotiations season for K-12 teachers in North Dakota has wrapped up with relatively few dust-ups.

With approximately 179 local associations recognized as affiliates of North Dakota United, there were only two locals that went to impasse on a contract. Most locals came to a tentative agreement in fairly short order.

Not all negotiations have to be contentious. All stakeholders in public education – including teachers, education support professionals, administrators and school board members – are on the same side: our students!

In West Fargo, negotiators work collaboratively. “We don’t do a true, hard and fast collaborative bargain,” Lisa Dullum, chief negotiator for the West Fargo Education Association, said.

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we’ve developed.” Dullum has been part of the negotiations team for West Fargo the last 10 years and estimates they’ve used their collaborative approach for 12-14 years. “I think the benefit of it is that we both have to have that mutual interest, that we have shared goals in mind. One of the board’s goals is always to recruit and retain, and something like maternity leave definitely checks that box.”

West Fargo negotiators had first begun to discuss expanded maternity leave during negotiations for the contract previous to this year’s, and was the brainchild of WFEA President Jordan Willgohs.

“Someone had sent me some language from a school district in Arizona that was using a bank of leave time,” Willgohs said. “From that language, I worked with Robin Hill,

who was our head of HR, and we worked on making that language consistent with our district language and whatever coverage we needed. And then, unfortunately, we got that insurance bomb that everybody got, which was like a 15 percent increase on insurance, and so that became undoable for the last session.”

Willgohs’ idea – or “his baby,” as Dullum lightheartedly refers to the maternity bank concept – was brought up again for consideration this year. Both sides signed off on the concept of establishing a maternity leave bank for the district, and then worked together to negotiate a fair compromise on what that idea would look like.

By the end of negotiations, they had jointly formed a concept that the board and WFEA members voted to ratify. This bank will allow for teachers to request up to five additional days of paid leave from a bank of donated days, which is capped at 130 days and $30,000 annual budgetary cost.

“I can’t remember the exact quote, but my friend said, when I started negotiating and became president, his ultimate goal when negotiating was always to have a contract that was fair to the taxpayers,” Dullum said, about the agreement. “One that was fair to teachers, and that rewarded hard work and their education.

And ultimately what was best for students. He gave me that advice, and I think we’ve really stuck to that pretty well.”

Lisa Dullum, chief negotiator for the West Fargo Education Association

In Elgin/New Leipzig, one of only two school districts where negotiations ended in impasse, the story was decidedly different.

When an impasse is declared by both sides, the state’s Education Fact Finding Commission is called in to host an impasse hearing in that school district.

The commission’s three members – consisting of an appointee of the Governor, one of the Attorney General and one of the Superintendent of Public Instruction – hear from both sides and provide non-binding recommendations to reach an agreement.

The Fact Finders held an impasse hearing on June 15, 2021, for the Elgin/New Leipzig ndunited.org

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School District and made a recommendation that the two sides split the difference between their salary proposals.

The school board proposed adding $500 to the base salary for teachers, and the Elgin-New Leipzig Education Association was asking for a $1,250 increase. Their base salary, or starting pay rate, had been $38,000 per year. The difference between each side’s proposal was calculated at being $19,019.92 apart.

The recommendation from Fact Finding was to add $750 to the base, to which the teachers agreed. The school board did not, and voted to reject that recommendation. According to state law, when a contract dispute is not resolved by the Fact Finding Commission, a school board can impose a contract on teachers, however that imposed contract cannot run longer than one year.

The school board voted to issue unilateral contracts with the $500 increase and struck a blow to employee morale throughout the school district.

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NDU field consultants are uniquely qualified and knowledgeable to assist any and all of our locals with the process of collective bargaining and negotiations. From helping to petition the school board to negotiate, counseling your negotiators on process and tactics, and assisting with research and comparisons with similar-sized districts in the state, we are always here for you!

This past year, our NDU field consultants estimated that 130 of our locals actively negotiated a new contract this year. All seven of our NDU field staff worked diligently to contact all of our locals and offer assistance. Contact our office anytime at 701-223-0450 or helpcenter@ndunited.org to request any assistance you might need. Local presidents should encourage their negotiations team members to sign up for our Local Leaders Academy trainings on our website at www.ndunited.org/ for-members/local-leadersacademy.

Education Support Professional of the Year

Nominations Now Open!

Education support professionals (ESPs) make huge differences in young lives every day in North Dakota.

The North Dakota United ESP of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of these outstanding ESPs. NDU’s ESP of the Year award winner is automatically nominated as a nominee for the national ESP of the Year, sponsored by the National Education Association.

Call for nominations: The NDU ESP of the Year Award is your opportunity to nominate someone you know and work with to be recognized for his or her exceptional work. Every year, the NDU ESP Advisory Board seeks a member who reflects the importance, value and quality of the work performed by our paraprofessionals, education assistance, secretarial,

custodial, food service, maintenance and trades, transportation, groundskeepers, security, technology services, health services and other members, who serve not only in their schools but in their community.

Deadline for nominations: The deadline for submissions for the 2022 NDU ESP of the Year will be November 1, 2021.

Nominate an ESP today by visiting ndunited.org/for-members/esp-of-the-year-award! ndunited.org

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50 Years & Counting Education support professional Deb Bertsch celebrates a half-century on the job

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Deb Bertsch grew up in Warwick, graduated from high school there and eventually landed a job as an education support professional there, too.

This year, she’s celebrating a milestone.

Let’s just say when she started as an ESP, gas was around 40 cents per gallon, and the average cost of a new home was just over $25,000.

“I find it hard to believe it’s been 50 years because my heart and my mind tell me I’m young and, of course, it’s the body in the mirror that will tell you different,” Bertsch said.

You read that correctly: Fifty years. Deb Bertsch has spent her entire career at Warwick School as an ESP and is a longtime member of the Warwick Education Association and North Dakota United.

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Former student Eric Rogness graduated from Warwick 30 years ago. Today, Rogness is also an educator. He teaches Social Sciences at Cankdeska Cikana Community College at Fort Totten.

“I got to thinking about that,” he said. “She was here 20-some years before I started seventh grade. I was thinking that’s pretty amazing.”

Today the two are walking the halls reminiscing.

They come across Deb’s photo — class of ’69. “We keep in close contact, (the) class of ’69,” Bertsch said. “We do a lot of things; our friendship is just a treasure.”

In the hall they find Eric’s mom’s class photo from ’71.

And his senior class — he points out his mullet is making a comeback.

They walk back to Deb’s desk in the library. In it, you’ll find drawers full of candy and snacks.

And history. Diaries from each of her 50 years. She’s even kept her first pay stubs. And photos – including one of the old Warwick school. There are lots of memories, and many still to be made.

“But you know what it all boils down to is the students,” Bertsch said. “And the co-workers.

Anything you do, you do for the students.”

Bertsch says she has worked with 13 superintendents during her 50 years. She even helped teach her grandson — who graduated from Warwick in 2018.

As for the question on everyone’s mind? Deb doesn’t have an exact answer. “As long as I still enjoy it and I still feel like I’m making a difference, that I’m doing my job and I’m not burnt out, I’m going to continue,” Bertsch said.

“All I can say is congratulations to Mrs. Bertsch, and thank you for being at it and being an educator these past five decades,” Rogness said. “Thank you.

That’s something that should be treasured.”

Fifty years and counting. All as an ESP. All at Warwick School.

Once a Warrior, always a Warrior.

Orange and Black forever.

TOP: Deb Bertsch.

MIDDLE: Eric Rogness.

BOTTOM: Deb’s pay stubs from 1973-74.

Scan this code on your phone or tablet to watch this story as a video. ndunited.org

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Central Cass TreeHouse Technology is helping Central Cass Public Schools meet the basic needs of its students. Through an app, students can confidentially request food, clothes and mental health services. The idea is to reduce the stigma of asking for help while aiding students and families in need.

By Tom Gerhardt, NDU Communications

Outlined by historic trees and prairie blue sky, Central Cass Public School in Casselton is picture perfect.

But like any community or school, there’s more than meets the eye.

That’s why what’s behind this door is so important.

This room houses the Central Cass TreeHouse – an on campus pantry with a 21st Century twist.

“We started the Central Cass TreeHouse, which is an on-campus pantry as well as a technology app which empowers our middle school and high school to tell us about any physical, mental or social need. And we’ve done a number of other specialty services that we provide to students; we do haircutting, we provide free feminine hygiene products in every middle school and high school girls bathroom. We do athletic totes to provide food for food insecurity for our athletes, all sorts of things we contribute to the school so teachers and administrators can meet the basic needs of students without using their own personal finances,” said Central Cass TreeHouse founder 16

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Heidi Domier.

The app allows students to confidentially request items like food, clothing and hygiene products.

In addition, they’ve connected with Cass Hope – a youth mental health and suicide prevention group in Casselton.

“Students from the app can also tell us about a mental health emergency, tell us if they’re worried about a friend, they can schedule time with a school counselor, they can talk and text with FirstLink. We really want to take a lot of the amazing work other organizations are doing and build upon it and put it in a single-source solution for our students,” said Domier.

Besides the TreeHouse, in-school pop-up shops like this allow students to confidentially shop for items they need.

The Central Cass TreeHouse has been up and running for about a year and a half, and educators say it’s making a difference in the lives of students.

“We had a student who, their shoes had holes in their shoes, and we brought the child down to the TreeHouse, and I got to see how excited they were

when they got to pick out their own shoes and they were very proud of that and that is – as someone who’s been in education for 19 years – that is probably one of the coolest feelings that you can have – to see a kid take that pride in something like a new pair of shoes or getting a pair of jeans or whatever the case is,” said Central Cass Education Association member Dana Stansbery.

The Central Cass TreeHouse has also been helpful for students who move into the district to more quickly feel like they’re part of the school and community.

“So as our kids enter our school or come here for the first time, we want them to feel welcome

in many ways. This has just been another way that our teachers take advantage of when we get a new student in class, we might bring them or just go and pick out a Central Cass Squirrel gear for them just to make them feel welcome, to make them feel part of the family and just to get them involved in whatever way that want to be involved in the school,” said Central Cass Education Association member Jessica Brandt.

Domier, who works for Microsoft, says the TreeHouse continues to open doors to new ideas to help students. She says it a mix of emotions knowing the school has so much need.

But she said that’s balanced out by knowing all involved are significantly impacting the lives of students.

Scan this code on your phone or tablet to watch this story as a video. ndunited.org

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Meet You in Medora

NDU members ‘head west’ for appreciation event in the Badlands As a member of North Dakota United, the state’s premiere organization of 11,500 public educators and employees dedicated to providing great public education and services to North Dakota students and communities, you have access to numerous benefits. One benefit of membership that we have been fortunate enough

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to offer to members in recent years are special Member Appreciation Days at events across the state.

In 2019, NDU members received free admission to the State Fair in Minot, and we shared exclusive giveaways of backpacks and books with attendees. Then in 2020, we had planned to offer free

admission to the Medora musical and discounted hotel rates to our members. Those plans were put on hold after the COVID-19 outbreak, but with the availability of vaccines and face masks, we were able to offer this Member Appreciation Day in Medora on June 13, 2021.

NDU members were eligible to receive paid admission to the musical for themselves and a guest to the world-famous Medora Musical on a Sunday night, when kids receive free admission. Additionally, an ice cream social was held from 3-5 p.m. that day for members.

NDU members were welcomed to the event from the stage by both President Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by actor Joe Wiegand) and ND United President Nick Archuleta.

Both of them paid tribute to all of the public educators and employees in the audience and thanked them for their service to students and communities in our state.

“To say that the women and men who provide the vital public services to our citizens across the state have had an extraordinary year would be an equally extraordinary understatement,” President Archuleta said. “The pandemic forced these hard-working and creative ND United members to pivot on a dime and implement new practices and protocols that allowed them to do their work safely and with minimal inconvenience to the public that

TOP: President Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by actor Joe Wiegand), ND United President Nick Archuleta and Mary Pat Archuleta, NDU-Retired member.

BOTTOM: An ice cream social was held from 3-5 p.m. that day for members. depends upon them. At North Dakota United, we wanted to do show them that we knew their challenges and are proud of the way they overcame them and continued to serve the public professionally and tirelessly.” ndunited.org

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WAYS TO GET

INVOLVED Be a North Dakota United Activist!

We need leaders who will stand up for educators, public employees, and make investments in our kids. We need leaders who will say no to attacks on working families and stand up to anti-public education zealots.

We all have the collective ability to contact policy makers and let them know what we think about the issues that matter most to us. We can be the difference-maker on whether

good legislation passes and bad legislation fails!

Commit now to do your part to help elect friends of public education and services to office, and to do everything in our collective power to provide the best outcomes for every student and every citizen in our state, whom we serve each and every day.

Join us today at: www.ndunited.org/issues-action/be-an-nd-united-activist

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2021-2022 North Dakota United Member Handbooks Available

North Dakota United is proud to have created the 2021-2022 NDU Member Handbook. The Handbook includes a wide variety of information, including ways to get involved, member benefits, a calendar of events, and much more!

The NDU Member Handbooks are being distributed this fall through your local. If you have not yet received one, please contact Sarah Keiser at 701-223-0450 or sarah.keiser@ndunited.org. ndunited.org

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Investment in the

Future

NDU Foundation announces recipients of 2020-21 scholarships and grants In May of 2021, the NDU Foundation announced that 22 North Dakota United members and dependents of members had been selected to receive more than $20,000 total in scholarships and grants.

funds will be an investment into the future, not only for those who are receiving a scholarship or grant, but for our entire state, and our system of public education and public services.”

“In the midst of a terrible pandemic, the NDU Foundation received a record number of applications for financial assistance from our members,” said Foundation chair Lisa Wolf, of Minot. “Our foundation board responded by awarding 22 worthy individuals with the help they need to further their professional career aspirations and follow their dreams. These

The NDU Foundation offers nine scholarship and grant programs currently, specially designed for NDU members and students.

For more information about each of these programs, due dates and how to apply, visit our website at www.ndunited. org/who-we-are/ndufoundation. You can also make a tax-deductible donation to the NDU Foundation at that link.

Here is the complete list of scholarship and grant recipients from the NDU Foundation for 2020-21: AMBER AUGUSTADT, of Bismarck, has been awarded the Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021.

Augustadt works as a field consultant for North Dakota United and is pursuing a Master of Legal Studies degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

PARKER BELGARDE, of Horace, ND, was honored with the Ethnic Minority Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Belgarde is currently an undergraduate student at United Tribes Technical College, pursuing a degree in education.

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JADE BOOTE, of Binford, was given an Education Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Boote is an undergraduate student at Dickinson State University and pursuing a degree in business education.

CANDACE BRANNAN, of Bismarck, received the Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Brannan has been a teacher for 21 years and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Arts degree in English Pedagogy from Murray State University.

CAROLYN CARROLL, of Dickinson, has been given a Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship. Carroll has worked as a paraprofessional and just finished her first year teaching in Dickinson, and is pursuing her master’s degree in special education, specific learning disabilities, from Minot State University.

GRETCHEN DUNGAN, of Cavalier, was awarded an Education Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Dungan is a freshman student at Mayville State University and working toward a degree in elementary education.

LAUREN FEIST, of Bismarck, received an NDU Member Dependent Scholarship. Feist is in her first year at North Dakota State University and is pursuing a degree in nursing.

CHANEL FJELDAHL, of Ray, was awarded with a Ron and Ann Anstrom Scholarship. Fjeldahl teaches grades 7-9 math in Ray and is on her way toward receiving a graduate degree in education with a concentration in mathematics from Minot State University.

SAIGE FORSETH, of Hillsboro, was selected to receive the Cindy and Gary Rath Education Scholarship from the NDU Foundation. Forseth is a sophomore at Valley City State University in pursuit of a degree in elementary education.

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Investment in the Future

Continued from previous page.

GAGE GEHRING, of Garrison, was given an Education Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Gehring is a freshman student at Minot State University and is pursuing a degree in elementary education.

ANNA GOFFE, of Fargo, has received an Education Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Goffe is double majoring in human development and family science at North Dakota State University and elementary education at Valley City State University.

OLIVIA GRONOS, of Watford City, was selected as the recipient of a Mary Cripps Special Education Scholarship. Gronos is a junior and is double majoring in elementary education and special education at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

JAZMINE HILL, of Wahpeton, has been awarded a Cindy and Gary Rath Education Scholarship. Hill plans to major in elementary education at Valley City State University.

NATALIE HUNTER, of Cavalier, received an NDU Member Dependent Scholarship. Hunter will use this scholarship in pursuit of a degree in business administration at North Dakota State University.

GRANT KRAFT, of Fargo, has been awarded a Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship. Kraft is a middle-school teacher in Fargo and plans to achieve a master’s degree in youth development leadership from Clemson University.

KELSEY KREIDT, of Mandan, was honored with this year’s Oban Special Education Scholarship from the NDU Foundation. Kreidt is a paraprofessional at Mandan Middle School currently and is pursuing a degree in special education from Bismarck State College.

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MADALYN LAVALLIE, of Rolla, was chosen to receive an Ethnic Minority Scholarship from the NDU Foundation.

LaVallie is attending Minnesota State University-Moorhead and wants to get a degree in early childhood education.

BRAYLEE MALATERRE, of Belcourt, was selected to receive a Horace Mann ND Agents Graduate Education Scholarship. Malaterre is an elementary teacher in her second year and is enrolled in the master’s program at Minot State University to become a strategist.

CASSANDRA MCWHORTER, of Dickinson, was chosen to receive this year’s Les Snavely Memorial Education Scholarship. McWhorter has worked as a paraprofessional in North Dakota, Wyoming and Texas, and is pursuing her degree in elementary education from Dickinson State University.

SARAH PEETERS, of Moorhead, Minn., has been awarded the Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021.

Peeters is a math teacher at Fargo South High School and intends to receive a math endorsement from North Dakota State University.

TANA SCHAFER, of Flasher, has been awarded the Ron & Ann Anstrom Scholarship from the North Dakota United Foundation for 2021. Schafer works as the 7-12 science teacher in Flasher and is pursuing a master’s degree in secondary biological science from Western Governors University.

PAT ROSE WALKING EAGLE, of Fort Totten, was selected to receive a Workplace Innovation Grant from the NDU Foundation for her proposal to provide school supplies and transportation vouchers to students in need. “The COVID-19 pandemic created many hardships on students in rural areas,” Walking Eagle said in her application. “The most needy were students who were eligible for the McKinney-Vento program through the Title I program. This is students who were and are homeless. … How can the students be successful when they do not have what they need to be independent and thrive? Helping them is key.”

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UPCOMING NDU EVENTS For specific information and to register, please visit pd.ndunited.org.

Online Book Studies (By Category) Book studies are typically one credit courses that last approximately six weeks. One credit equates to 15 hours of study. Expectations include reading the book, answering discussion questions, responding to others’ responses, and a reflection paper/action plan.

Anxiety/Trauma/Addiction > The Vulnerable Heart of Literacy: Centering Trauma as Powerful Pedagogy – October 25, 2021

Cost: Members $50; ESP $25; Student members $0; Non-Members $100 The cost associated with this registration is for course participation only. These courses are eligible for 1 graduate credit through UND at an additional cost of $50 per credit paid directly to UND.

Behavior/Management/Success > The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students – October 18, 2021 > Teaching When the World is On Fire – November 1, 2021 > Classroom Management Matters: The Social Emotional Learning Approach Children Deserve – November 15, 2021 > Motive the Unmotivated: A Step-by-Step System You Can Use to Raise Motivation in Your Classroom Tomorrow – December 13, 2021

Innovation/Success > Learner Centered Innovation: Spark Curiosity, Ignite Passion, and Unleash Genius – December 6, 2021

Leadership > Leading Schools in Disruptive Times: How to Survive Hyper-Change – October 11, 2021

Literacy > Reading Instruction That Works: The Case for Balanced Teaching – November 8, 2021 > Writing Strategies Book: Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Writers – November 22, 2021 > Write Like This: Teaching Real World Writing through Modeling and Mentor Texts (High School) – December 6, 2021

Mindset > Poor Students, Rich Teaching: 7 High Impact Mindsets for Students from Poverty – November 29, 2021 26

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Relationships/Bullying > Connections Over Compliance: Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline – October 4, 2021

SEL for Students > Teaching with the Heart in Mind: A Complete Educator’s Guide to SEL – November 22, 2021

Self-Care for Educators > Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones – December 13, 2021

Social/Racial Justice > Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race – October 25, 2021

Student Success > The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math, and Just About Everything Else – October 4, 2021

Mini-Courses: Mini-Courses are short duration trainings that consist of a two-hour webinar presentation/discussion plus a short reflective paper. FIVE mini-course sessions plus reflection papers equal ONE credit. Earn up to FOUR credits through UND. Mini-Courses will be offered weekly from 7-9 pm via Zoom.

Cost: Members $50; ESP $25; Student members $0; Non-Members $100 The cost associated with this registration is for course participation only. These courses are eligible for 1 graduate credit through UND at an additional cost of $50 per credit paid directly to UND.

Reading Basics Part 1: (1 credit) These mini-course sessions will discuss different aspects of The Science of Reading. Ideas and tips on how to teach different areas of Reading will be given.

September 29, October 6, October 13, October 20, October 27

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia and How they Affect Learning: (1 credit) These mini-course sessions offer a look at what dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia are and how they affect how students learn. Information about what to look for and teaching tips will be given. The facilitator is an Orton-Gillingham certified instructor.

November 3, November 10, November 17, December 1, December 8

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Public Education Perspectives

By Alicia Bata, NDU Vice President of Education

A Sense of

Belonging

Joining the union has given many practical and spiritual benefits Through the years, people have often asked me why I belong to the union and what I get from my membership. When answering, I usually list the many tangible benefits of being part of this association has granted me. I tell them about the professional training, legal advice, help with negotiations, insurance discounts, and other material things.

But as I look back, after 35 years of teaching, as an active member from day one and having been part of the Board of Directors and endless committees, I realize that being a member holds a much deeper meaning for me. How would my life have been different without the life-long relationships that NDEA, NDU, NEA and AFT have offered me?

I have had the opportunity to experience the feeling of being part of a team, with acceptance and respect. I have also experienced the satisfaction of working with others to accomplish a common goal, the rewarding feeling of contributing to the greater 28

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good, and so much more. I consider myself one of those fortunate people who has found a connection and a sense of purpose in what I do.

As a realist, I understand the value of standing on the shoulders of giants: past officers and colleagues who set the foundation for this important work and gave direction to our organization.

As author Geoffrey Bellman said, “Meaningful work can support a meaningful life.”

Most of us volunteer in different capacities and for various causes. I knew as I started volunteering for the union, that I had found my niche. So, next time somebody asks me why I ‘belong’, I might get teary-eyed as I enumerate all the practical reasons, because behind all those, great experiences fill my mind.

Even though I joined this union as a professional for all the practical benefits, as a human being, it holds a special place in my heart: a sense of belonging that I cannot imagine my life without.

NDU Election

2022

The NDU offices of President, Vice President of Education, Vice President of Public Employees and NEA Director are up for election in 2022. The elections will be held at the 2022 NDU Delegate Assembly in Bismarck next April.

Nick Archuleta, NDU President; Alicia Bata, VP of Education; Gary Feist, VP of Public Employees; and NEA Director Brenda Seehafer are all eligible to run for another three-year term. Archuleta, Bata, Feist, and Seehafer have requested petitions for re-election.

NEA RA delegates will also be elected at the 2022 Delegate Assembly. The 2022 NEA RA will be held in Dallas, TX, July 2-6.

North Dakota is allowed 15 delegates, but current Board members are eligible to attend and those attending will be subtracted from the 15 prior to the election. The number of delegate positions open will be announced in January.

If you are interested in running for any of these positions, you must file a nominating petition signed by 50 active members in good standing

by February 15, 2022.

Active members include all NDU membership categories except K-12 substitute members, Retired and Aspiring Educator (student) members. The retired and student officers are elected by their constituencies.

Request a petition for office or RA Delegate by contacting Ellie Sharbono at ellie.sharbono@ndunited.org.

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We’re so excited about this back-to-school season!

As you jump into a new school year, we just want to say thank you for all you do. Your dedication to your students’ futures has a lasting impact far beyond when they leave your classroom.

Horace Mann is a long-time NDU supporter, and we want to help make sure you put that same amount of dedication into your own future. Contact our local Horace Mann representative or visit horaceman.com/locator to set up some time to review your insurance needs and retirement plans to make sure you’re on the right track.

Thank you for making a difference every single day.

AM-C04580 (8-21)

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YOU DESERVE MORE Like a car with A/C that you didn’t inherit from your aunt

SCAN & GO

You deserve savings on coverage for a new ride. Before you head out to a dealership, reroute to savings at NEA Member Benefits. It’s the first stop for educators to get insurance discounts, tips to buy and sell a car, and more. In other words, members can find auto-related savings at every turn.

Find the resources you deserve at neamb.com/your-car

 800-637-4636

YOUR CAR CO370921

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ndunited.org /ndunited /ndunited /nodakunited

ONLINE

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