United Voices, Vol. 10 No. 2

UNITED VOICES VOL. 10 NO. 2

2024 Teacher of the Year Sheila Peterson

United Voices

December 2023 – Vol. 10, No. 2 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.

For more information about North Dakota United, visit our website at www.ndunited.org.

PRESIDENT Nick Archuleta VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION Alicia Bata

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NEA DIRECTOR Brenda Seehafer

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EDITORIAL STAFF Kelly Hagen – Communications Director Sarah Keiser – Special Projects Coordinator

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President’s Post

NEA VP Visits ‘Heart’ of ND

Scholarship & Grant Applications Open

Public Education Perspectives

News & Notes

2023 FLAND Teacher of the Year

Songs of Solidarity

NDU Board of Directors Election

2024 ND Teacher of the Year

NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship

Grading our Lawmakers

Giving Hearts Day

All Together for ND Students

New Scholarships and Grants Available

Model 2 Partial Teachers Fund for Retirement (TFFR) plan

Professional Development Opportunities

To update your membership record, change your mailing address or end duplicate mailings, contact NDU Membership at 701-223-0450 or comments@ndunited.org.

VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES Gary Feist

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Chad Oban

ADDRESS North Dakota United 301 N Fourth St Bismarck, ND 58501

To inquire about advertising in United Voices or to share your concerns, questions or news tips, contact UV editor Kelly Hagen by e-mail at kelly.hagen@ ndunited.org or call 701-557-0206.

United Voices is the official member publication of North Dakota United (NDU), an affiliate of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. It is published four times per year, with publishing dates in September, December, March and June. Postmaster: Send address changes by mail to North Dakota United, 301 N Fourth St, Bismarck, ND 58501.

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President’s Post

By Nick Archuleta, nick.archuleta@ndunited.org

Eliminating Property Taxes is Wrong Move Hello, North Dakota United!

I hope this note finds each of you well and looking forward to a welldeserved holiday break. Before we break, however, I want to alert you to a potentially pernicious endeavor that, if successful, will make the work you do more difficult while simultaneously usurping the local control that North Dakotans recognize as essential to the health of the communities they serve and call home.

Failed gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidate, Rick Becker, has launched a campaign to collect signatures for a ballot initiative that would eliminate the ability of cities, counties, park districts, townships, and school boards from levying property taxes.

The $1.5 billion that are currently raised by political subdivisions to provide essential services for local communities would overnight become the responsibility of the state government. That means that the state Legislature would essentially become your local school board, city commission, county commission, park board, and township board.

Every two years, communities would have to come hat in hand to the Legislature to make the case for investments in their local communities. Local control will become a thing of the past should this effort succeed.

At first blush, you might think that if the money is coming from the state, why should I care? The short answer to that question is that the devil is

in the details. Becker’s proposal only guarantees the state’s obligation at whatever the dollar amount is when the voters approve this measure.

That means that if it passes in 2024, and the total property tax collected is $1.5B, the state is not obligated to appropriate more than that amount.

That also means that if inflation occurs – and it always occurs – local governments may not have the necessary resources to maintain, let alone enhance, vital public services like fire protection, police protection, or public education.

While Becker’s proposal would outlaw property taxes, he surmises that local governments will make up for any shortfalls with local sales taxes, fees, or other schemes. While many larger communities may be able to absorb higher sales taxes and user fees, this would be disastrous for many smaller rural school districts where sales taxes would not be enough to make up for any shortfalls in revenue.

Many of those districts would be forced to consolidate.

No other state has eliminated property taxes because they know what we know: Property taxes provide a stable and direct revenue source for funding essential public services like public education and infrastructure. Are there areas for savings? Definitely, and they should be pursued. But throwing out what works, eviscerating local control, and jeopardizing safe, vibrant communities by ditching the property tax is not the way to go. ndunited.org

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News Teacher retention task force announced

Notes

Teacher retention has long been a major issue in the state of North Dakota, but the topic has received renewed interest in the wake of the Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) request this fall to temporarily allow student teachers to serve as “teachers of record” in the classrooms in which they are supposed to be collaborating with veteran teachers serving as mentors. Gov. Doug Burgum approved the request while also issuing an executive order to create a 15-member Task Force for Teacher Retention and Recruitment.

On Oct. 31, the Governor’s office announced the members of that task force. They will include Burgum and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, or their designees, and these 13 individuals, who were appointed by the Governor: ■ Patti Stedman, West Fargo School Board member and member of the Education Standards and Practices Board ■ Bret Dockter, Harvey Public Schools teacher ■ Ashley Seykora, Rugby Public Schools instructional coach ■ Abby DuBord, Bismarck Public Schools teacher ■ Luke Schaefer, CEO of the Central Regional Education Association ■ Robert Lech, Jamestown Public Schools superintendent ■ John Porter, director of the South Valley and Rural Cass Special Education Units ■ James Green, high school principal at McKenzie County Public Schools ■ Sherry Tandeski, elementary school principal at St. John Public Schools 4

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■ Jenny Bladow, director of teacher education, College of Education & Human Development, University of North Dakota, and member of ESPB ■ Erin Jacobson, coordinator of the Teacher Support System ■ State Sen. Dean Rummel, Dickinson ■ State Rep. Steve Swiontek, Fargo The task force will conduct stakeholder meetings and roundtable discussions to gather feedback from pertinent stakeholder groups across the state.

Members will make recommendations in several areas, including increasing recruitment to the teaching profession, improving teacher preparation programs, teacher licensure, teacher evaluation, working conditions and supports, as well as reviewing compensation and contracts.

California Casualty being phased out in ND

California Casualty, the NEA Auto & Home Insurance carrier since 2000, is embarking on a new business model, refocusing as a smaller regional insurer. As a result, they will be discontinuing their services in all states except Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon and Wyoming. There will be no disruption for NEA members who have current policies residing in these states.

NEA Member Benefits conducted an extensive search to find a replacement carrier with a nationwide footprint to continue to offer reliable insurance, competitive rates, a member discount along with great coverage and services for NEA members. Travelers Insurance emerged as the standout choice for NEA members.

If you are an NEA Auto & Home Insurance Program participant through California Casualty, please visit the

Transition Center page on the NEA Member Benefits website at www. neamb.com or by scanning the QR code below. If you haven’t yet set up a login to the NEA Member Benefits site, you will need to provide your Member ID, which is printed on the mailing label for this issue of United Voices.

Scan to learn more about transition to Travelers Insurance from California Casualty: Bit.ly/41k1CsV

Fargo teachers, school board ratify negotiated agreement

This year’s cycle of contract negotiations for North Dakota teachers came to a close at the beginning of November as the lone school district in the state to go to impasse, Fargo Public Schools and the Fargo Education Association, voted to ratify an agreement.

Under the new contract, base pay for a first-year teacher was raised from $43,493 per year to $47,393, which is an increase of 8.97%. The top cell of the salary schedule, which includes teachers with 20+ years of experience, a master’s degree and other requirements, was moved up by 5.2%, from $86,949 annually to $91,468.

Salary increases were paid retroactively, as the school year started without a new contract in place.

School Board member Jim Johnson took umbrage with this part of the agreement, calling it “a gift from the

board to our teachers.” FEA President Grant Kraft responded to Johnson’s comment at a board meeting on Nov. 14, saying: “The bottom line on the facts is that the FEA does not bear the full responsibility of the delay.

And it’s wrong to publicly shame FEA leadership … as if the date of our petition is what led to starting the year without a contract in place.”

NDU Foundation continuing Month of Money raffle fundraiser

The North Dakota United Foundation is hosting its December Month of Money Raffle Fundraiser for a second year, currently. This annual fundraising event is a continuation of a tradition from the North Dakota Public Employees Association, and the proceeds that are raised from this raffle will go toward funding our scholarship for ND United members and their dependents in pursuing a post-secondary education in any field of study.

Every day during the month of December, a name is randomly drawn to receive $125. Tickets drawn on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will net those days’ winners a $500 prize. All our Month of Money winners are being announced each day on our NDU X (formerly known as Twitter) account, at www.X.com/ndunited.

The full list of winners will be posted on our website at www.ndunited.org/ foundation.

NDU in the News

Members of North Dakota United are frequently in the news, both locally and statewide, and sometimes even nationally. We will be featuring some of their quotes in each edition of United Voices.

— Sheila Peterson, 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year, in a story by KFYRTV about her plans to share the traveling trophy with all her colleagues at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck. This story, “ND Teacher of the Year shares her success with coworkers,” was published on www.kfyrtv.com Oct. 16, 2023.

“It felt ridiculous to have this just sit in an office somewhere or sit in the trophy case. Every teacher in our building could have easily won this. I just thought, ‘I cannot just keep this.

We need to have fun with this.’” ndunited.org

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‘Great Educators Truly Do Change Lives’ Bismarck physical education instructor Sheila Peterson named 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year.

By Joel Crane, joel.crane@ndunited.org

When the time came for Superintendent Kirsten Baesler to announce the 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year at a public ceremony in the Memorial Hall of the state Capitol on Thursday, Sept. 28, she said she didn’t have an envelope to open, like at the Oscar’s.

“I want to tell you a little bit about Mrs. Peterson,” Baesler said. “She has 21 years of teaching experience and is a former Teacher of the Year at Wachter. Along with being a physical education teacher, she coaches girls basketball and volleyball, and boys track.”

“It’s evident that Mrs. (Trisha) Schaefer, Mrs. (Andee) Mattson, Mrs. (Sheila) Peterson, and Mrs. (Megan) Wasness are respected and beloved by their students for the job that they are doing as outstanding teachers,” Baesler said. “The 2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year is Sheila Peterson of Bismarck, North Dakota.”

Baesler also noted that she switched majors in college, from business administration to teaching, despite her grandfather’s advice that schoolteachers are not paid enough. And she added that Peterson’s goal from the beginning was to teach middle school because she remembered those years in her schooling as feeling the most uncomfortable, and so she wanted to help instill confidence and courage into young people at their most vulnerable age.

The assembled crowd in Memorial Hall stood and applauded Sheila, as well as her three co-finalists for North Dakota’s top honor in education.

Before she took the stage to accept her award, Baesler listed a few of the highlights from Peterson’s resume and application.

“She makes people feel important,” Baesler said. “She acknowledges them and finds any

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way she can to make them feel seen, heard, valued and validated.

She says thank you to her students, to her colleagues, the custodian, the office staff, and the parents who are willing to work with her to find a solution.

She feeds people, I mean, literally feeds people. Mrs. Peterson says you’ll be surprised at the acts of service that a teenager will do if he or she is given a Starbucks card as a surprise. Thank you for that work.”

Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller spoke on behalf of Gov. Doug Burgum at the ceremony, and she said that one word stood out in Peterson’s application materials: “I love that one of the words that she hopes to hear when students describe her

classroom is weird because weird usually means interesting,” Miller said. “And Mrs. Peterson’s classes certainly fit that category.”

North Dakota United President Nick Archuleta then spoke about the incredible work that all our state’s educators do, not just in their respective classrooms but for the communities in which they live. “Like all teachers, they play a pivotal role in shaping not just individuals, but societies,” he said. “They shape our democracy. They play a pivotal role in everything that we do in our lives.”

When it was time for this year’s state Teacher of the Year to give Continued on next page.

NDU President Nick Archuleta with 2024 Teacher of the Year finalists Megan Wasness, Sheila Peterson (winner), Trisha Schaefer and Andee Mattson. ndunited.org

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her remarks, she was effusive with praise for everyone in attendance that day, and all the people who had supported her every step of the way on her path to that moment.

“Thank you, Superintendent Baesler. Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller. Thank you, Nick, for all the things that you guys have done to promote education,” Peterson said.

“To my colleagues, I’m embarrassed to be up here.

It really could have been any of us. I don’t know how you guys felt researching each other, but I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ My husband’s like, ‘Quit looking at that stuff,’ because I’m like, ‘Those ladies are really good.’

“When I told my daughter I was a finalist, I was pretty surprised, and she looked at me and she’s like, ‘Mom, it’s not that big of a deal.’ God bless your little soul,” she said.

“I shouldn’t be here,” Peterson continued. “I can’t help but reflect on the caring and selfless teachers and adults in my life who have completely transformed my world. They saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself, and their unwavering support and guidance allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

I wasn’t the best student. We didn’t have a lot of money. There was some dysfunction at times, but I do know that I was loved.

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2024 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Sheila Peterson, center, shares a high-five with Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, left, and Lieutenant Governor Tammy Miller. in spite of difficulties, whether it be financial, personal, or a terminal cancer diagnosis. She never allowed us to take a second to feel sorry for ourselves. She taught me that my life difficulties would be the reason that I would succeed if I could survive these tough times. I could accomplish anything if I was willing to work for it.”

In conclusion to her remarks, Peterson shared one of her favorite quotes on the importance of being a leader in education.

“Leadership really is a privilege to impact the lives of others,” she said. “As teacher leaders, we hold a unique power to shape not just one life, but the futures of countless individuals. It’s a responsibility I carry with pride, and I’m determined to contribute to the betterment of my community, my state, and most importantly, our future, our students. Great educators truly do change lives. Thank you.”

All Together

for ND Students Finalists for Teacher of the Year kick off ‘All Together’ campaign with their stories on the importance of collaboration.

By Kelly Hagen, kelly.hagen@ndunited.org

In recent years, we have seen a rising effort by some in our state and across the U.S. to drive wedges between parents and educators. These false narratives couldn’t be further from the truth when it comes to the efforts of all the stakeholders in our system of public education. In fact, our educators and the parents and caretakers of school-aged children have historically been on the same side and share the same goals. We all want our students to feel safe, supported, and secure in the knowledge that all the adults in their lives have their backs and will help them to dream big and achieve even bigger!

With this spirit in mind, we are proud to announce a new effort to shine a spotlight on the stories of our members and all the amazing, life-changing things all of you are doing every day by working together with your colleagues, friends and family in public education.

This campaign, called “All Together,” is a collection of candid testimonial videos, featuring comments on the importance of collaboration from the four finalists for North Dakota Teacher of the Year: Sheila Peterson, a physical education teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck; Andee Mattson, a music teacher at Ely Elementary in Rugby; Trisha Schaefer, a sixth-grade math teacher at Ramstad Middle School in Minot; and Megan Wasness, an English teacher at Central Middle School in Devils Lake.

These videos and more information about our All Together campaign can be found online at www. ndunited.org/all-together. In addition to their stories, we hope you will share your own stories with us of times you worked shoulder-to-shoulder with another stakeholder in public education. Visit our website and fill out the simple form to tell us about your own “All Together” story, as an educator or parent.

Peterson Mattson Schaefer Wasness

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NEA VP Visits

‘Heart’ of ND

Princess Moss joined NDU President Archuleta in tour of state to learn more about challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous students and schools.

By Joel Crane, joel.crane@ndunited.org The first week of September marked a historic week for North Dakota United, as we hosted Princess Moss, Vice President of the National Education Association.

Standing Rock Reservation, where a drum circle welcomed them, and Moss was honored with a star quilt and personally greeted by every student.

“Just to see, you know, what the challenges are, what the opportunities are, and where might we, as a union, be able to make a difference,” Moss said.

“I was just so touched. It really, really left a big impression on my heart,” Moss said.

Particularly the challenges and opportunities for Native American students and teachers.

“We were happy to host her and introduce her to people who are actually practicing education in native schools across the state,” said Nick Archuleta, President of North Dakota United.

The trip began with Dorothy Moses and Wachter Middle School in Bismarck.

“We started in Bismarck because Bismarck Public Schools educate the largest number of native students in North Dakota, second only to Belcourt on the Turtle Mountain Reservation,” Archuleta said.

At Wachter Middle School, they met Teacher of the Year finalist Sheila Peterson. Then they visited Theodore Jamerson Elementary School on the United Tribes Technical College campus. Next was Cannon Ball Elementary on the 10

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Next, they visited Solen High School.

“I was really, really impressed with the quality of the conversations we had, particularly with the students and the staff, who give their all every day,” Archuleta said.

They visited Ely Elementary School in Rugby to congratulate Teacher of the Year finalist and elementary music teacher, Andee Mattson.

Later, they traveled to Belcourt to tour Turtle Mountain Community College and Turtle Mountain Community High School, where they spoke with teachers, students, and administrators about efforts to incorporate Indian culture into teaching and learning.

“The first four days of school, they didn’t go to history class, they didn’t go to science class,” Archuleta said. “They immersed themselves in the traditional practices of the tribes, addressing everything from discipline to tardiness with traditional tribal processes. This builds camaraderie among students of all grade levels.”

“What we all know about public education is that our students bring their experiences and cultures into the classrooms. To meet them where they are, we have to address their culture and ensure they feel respected and valued,” Moss added.

They also held a listening session with Rolla Education Association members at Mt. Pleasant School.

The following day, they visited Minot High School to discuss the upcoming school year and met with New Town Superintendent Marc Bluestone. They concluded their trip with a visit to White Shield, where Vice President Moss was honored with another star quilt, and where a student approached Moss for a hug.

“It was just an amazing moment, And I’m not sure what was going through that young lady’s mind, but I can imagine maybe it was seeing someone who looked like her in that space, and saying, you know, whether verbally or just because I was there, that you are important, ‘you are important and you can be anything that you want to be,’” Moss said.

Throughout the trip, Archuleta inquired about teacher demographics, there was a lower percentage of Native American teachers compared to students at each stop. This is a disparity he hopes will one day change.

Top: Drum circle at Cannon Ball Elementary

“The statistics tell us that when young people see educators who look like them, they tend to engage more, respond better to instruction, and discipline when necessary. It’s important to have a diverse teaching workforce,” Archuleta said.

Bottom: Listening session at Mt. Pleasant School

Middle: Princess Moss classroom visit at Cannon Ball Elementary

As for Princess Moss’s impression of North Dakota?

“There’s a lot of great stuff going on here in North Dakota.

You know, it’s a small state with a very big heart,” she said.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

LANGUAGE Spanish instructor from Bismarck credits positive attitude and human connections to her success as an educator.

By Kelly Hagen, kelly.hagen@ndunited.org Learning a second language can seem formidable to any human being, especially when they’re still in high school and likely still working on mastering their first language. The rewards of these efforts, though, outweigh the challenges, according to Laine Martinez, a Spanish language instructor at Bismarck High School and the 2023 Foreign Language Association of North Dakota (FLAND) Teacher of the Year.

“Because Spanish is a language,” Martinez said. “It’s about communication. … I want students to understand that their culture and their identity is important, but also that they’re just a very small piece of this world. In my experience, when I meet somebody that speaks Spanish and not a whole lot of English, that person is so grateful that you have given just a little bit of effort to try to connect and to try to help in their native language.”

She graduated from Century High School in Bismarck, then went to college at Minnesota State University-Moorhead to become a history teacher originally 12

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but was talked out of it by her instructor. After studying abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico, through an exchange program at MSUM, she made the decision to become a Spanish instructor.

She says that her students regularly tell her what a great attitude she brings to her classroom, which she credits in part to her time studying abroad in Mexico. “One of the things I noticed with the Hispanic culture is how inviting and how warm people were,” Martinez said. “That’s one thing I try to have in my classroom as well, that feeling of everybody’s invited. I’m happy you’re here. One of the things students say about me most is how positive I always am, no matter what. That’s what I want them to feel, that they’re invited and that I have this positive vibe going out to them because I want them to know that I’m happy they’re here.”

Her reputation as a positive person also played a role in her recent recognition as the 2023 Graciela Wilborn North Dakota Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. Additionally, it helped the

members of FLAND to keep the news of her selection a secret until she was announced at the winner during their Summer Conference.

“I received a text message from one of the board members, and she said, ‘Are you planning on coming to the conference?’”

Martinez said. “It was in Bismarck, and I said no, I can’t make it because of work schedule. My husband has shift work, and so I wasn’t going to be able to. … And she said, ‘Well, do you think you could just make dinner?’ And I thought, yeah, I can make that happen with his schedule, so I said, ‘Yeah, I'll come for dinner.’ And then I thought to myself, they must really like me! Like, they want to hang out with me. That’s sweet.

And then I showed up at the event, and I kind of saw some whispering going on for a couple of minutes, and I thought, OK, what's going on here? And then to my surprise, I received the award.”

Martinez said her participation in FLAND has been a driving force in keeping her engaged and excited about the work she does each day in the classroom. “We have two conferences a year, and after each of those conferences that I have attended, I’ve been more excited to come back and teach with the new ideas that I’ve learned,” she said. “Being able to collaborate with people who share the same passion as you is something special, and I hope everybody has the chance to experience that through conferences or events or collaborating with colleagues or organizations.”

In this submitted photo, Laine Martinez is receiving the 2023 Graciela Wilborn North Dakota Foreign Language Teacher of the Year award at the FLAND Summer Conference.

That same spirit of connection is what keeps Martinez feeling so positive about the person she is and the work she does in education. “My biggest ‘why’ of teaching, which I’ve discovered through the years, is being able to connect with the students and show them that they matter and they’re important, and that no matter the content that they’re learning, no matter if it’s a core subject, no matter if it’s an elective, we’re here to help you,” she said. “We’re here to help you learn. We’re here to support you.

We just care that you leave being good human beings and that you can be successful in the classroom and outside of the classroom.”

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Taking a

Global View of Education

2023 NEA Foundation Fellowship recipient recounts experience in South Africa Inxiweni Primary School

By Sara Medalen, 2023 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow

As a young girl growing up in a small, rural North Dakotan town, I would often find myself enchanted by the glossy pages of my family’s encyclopedias.

I dreamed of exploring new landscapes, experiencing other cultures, and meeting the diverse people on those pages. Encyclopedias were, to me, what Rudine Sims Bishop eloquently describes as books serving as “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” for readers. They acted as windows, allowing me to peer into the lives of others; mirrors, reflecting my own experiences; and sliding-glass doors, calling me to step inside the pages and immerse myself in the worlds created by authors.

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Becoming a 2023 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow was like watching my dreams come to life. The encyclopedia pages transformed into living stories as I had the opportunity to take part in a transformative journey with educators from across the United States, culminating with a field study in South Africa.

The NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship offers educators the opportunity, through professional development, to cultivate the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for global competency and empower students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Fellows collaborated in

mentor groups to create lessons incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals to empower students to think globally.

The theme for my group was the global impact of mirrors, windows, and doors, and our projects were designed to help students see the importance of diversity and finding the beauty in our similarities and differences. These lesson plans will be made available on the NEA Foundation page as our contribution to the field of global learning.

Selecting a highlight from the trip to South Africa is impossible, but the school visits will forever hold a special place in my heart. The instant we walked into the schools and connected with the teachers and students, it felt as if we had found a home away from

home. The rich culture and diversity of the country were evident as we experienced daily school routines along with singing, dancing, and joy. While apartheid has ended, however, the effects of it are apparent in the South African school system. The education system faces challenges including racial segregation and equal access to quality education.

South Africa’s very own Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Visiting Nelson Mandela’s home was a profound experience. Walking through the rooms where a great leader once lived brought history to life. Mandela’s legacy, felt throughout the home, Continued on next page.

District Six Museum ndunited.org

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emphasized the crucial role education plays in shaping a better future. Meeting with community groups and education leaders, and learning about their efforts to provide equal access to quality education for all provided hope for the future.

Going on safari in the Kruger National Park Safari exceeded all expectations. As we embarked on our safari, the thrill of searching for the Big Five — lions, elephants, water buffaloes, leopards, and rhinoceros — was our mission.

We were able to spot a lion, leopards, elephants, and water buffaloes but were unsuccessful in spotting the elusive rhinoceros. Watching the elephants and giraffes during our safari was a mesmerizing experience, as their sheer size and graceful movements along the African landscape showcased the beauty of nature.

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I didn’t anticipate the deep connections and friendships I’ve made with global fellows from my cohort. Bonding with like-minded educators has led to networking opportunities that have enriched my life both personally and professionally.

Our shared experiences laid the foundation for future collaborations, fostering a global community of educators.

South Africa is a culturally rich country that is still navigating racial landscapes postapartheid. The experiences this fellowship provide, including hearing firsthand accounts of South Africa’s tumultuous past left an indelible mark on me.

The harsh realities of apartheid highlight the importance of teaching tolerance and understanding in classrooms.

According to the NEA Foundation, the top requirement for this program is caring about the world and sharing that passion with

Boulders Beach

Mandela House Soweto your students. If you fit that description, consider applying for the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship. The NEA Foundation will begin accepting

Kruger National Park

applications for the 2025 Global Learning Fellowship on Dec. 1, 2023. For more information, go to neafoundation.org.

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New Scholarships and Grants Available through the NDU Foundation The North Dakota United Foundation is thrilled to announce four new scholarship and grant opportunities available to further enhance public education and public service in North Dakota. All scholarship and grant applications are currently open and are due March 31st, 2024. Application information can be found at NDUnited.org/Foundation. $ Fern Pokorny Education Scholarship – Available to a student pursuing ●

an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Dickinson State University. The student must be a graduate of a North Dakota high school.

$ Harris & Arlyce Widmer Family Business Education Scholarship – ●

Available to an active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate education, or professional development opportunities in business education.

$ Holland Family Experiential Learning Grant – Available to assist ●

members engaged in developing and/or presenting experiential learning to improve public service or public education in North Dakota.

Preference will be given to experiential learning involving North Dakota studies.

$ NDU Fine Arts Grant – Available for an individual member or a group ●

of members to enhance arts at the elementary or secondary level, support professional development, and/or support student activities in the arts including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, cinema, music, and theater.

These fantastic opportunities for aspiring educators, members, and their dependents were created through NDU Foundation endowments, which are easy to establish and designed to last forever. By making a onetime gift of $5,000 or more you can create an endowment that carries on your legacy for generations. Together with NDU Foundation staff you determine the purpose of the endowment and how the proceeds will be used. Currently, the first $5,000 of any annual gift will be matched

by NDU, making an original principle of $10,000. Your gift is tax deductible and may qualify for a ND Income Tax Credit. Establishing an endowment provides an opportunity for others to support your legacy.

Your children and grandchildren will see your legacy supporting the future of North Dakota. Contact the NDU Foundation today at 701-223-0450 or foundation@ndunited.org for more information.

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NDU Foundation Scholarship & Grant Applications Open December 1 – March 31!

North Dakota United Scholarships and Grants 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 are currently open and are due March 31, 2024. Application information can be found at NDUnited.org/Foundation.

In 2023, the NDU Foundation announced that 40 North Dakota United members and dependents had been selected to receive more than $60,000 total in scholarships and grants.

Undergraduate Scholarships – Any field of study: $ North Dakota United Member/Dependent Scholarship – Available to an ● active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing post-secondary education in any field of study including vocational, associate or bachelor degree program.

$ North Dakota United Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship – ●

Awarded to a minority student in any post-secondary trade, vocational, or undergraduate degree program. The Foundation will give special consideration to a student attending a tribal college.

Undergraduate Scholvarships – Education degree: $ North Dakota United Education Scholarship – Available to a student ● who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in education.

$ Mary Cripps Special Education Scholarship – Available to either an ●

undergraduate or graduate student pursuing initial or advanced training in special education.

$ Howard Loftesnes Memorial Education Scholarship – Awarded to a ●

student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education as a reading literacy specialist or a similar field of study. Preference shall be given to applicants who attended or are employed at Simle Middle School in Bismarck.

$ Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship – Available to an outstanding ● undergraduate or graduate student who is preparing for a career in special education.

Continued on next page. ndunited.org

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Continued from previous page.

$ Fern Pokorny Education Scholarship – Available to a student pursuing ●

an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Dickinson State University. The student must be a graduate of a North Dakota high school.

$ 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.

$ Les Snavely Memorial Education Scholarship – Available to a student ● at Dickinson State University who has been accepted to the teacher education program at DSU and is pursuing a degree from DSU that qualifies the student to become a certified teacher.

$ Harris & Arlyce Widmer Family Business Education Scholarship – ●

Available to an active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate education, or professional development opportunities in business education.

Graduate Scholarships: $ 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 an 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.

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.

APPLY TODAY AT NDUNITED.ORG/FOUNDATION! Or scan this code to apply for scholarships and grants.

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$ 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.

$ Howard Loftesnes Memorial Education Scholarship – Awarded to a ●

student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education as a reading literacy specialist or a similar field of study. Preference shall be given to applicants who attended or are employed at Simle Middle School in Bismarck.

$ Bill Oban Special Education Scholarship – Available to an outstanding ● undergraduate or graduate student who is preparing for a career in special education.

$ Harris & Arlyce Widmer Family Business Education Scholarship – ●

Available to an active NDU member or dependent of an active member who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate education, or professional development opportunities in business education.

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.

$ NDU Fine Arts Grant – Available for an individual member or a group ●

of members to enhance arts at the elementary or secondary level, support professional development, and/or support student activities in the arts including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, cinema, music, and theater.

$ Holland Family Experiential Learning Grant – Available to assist ●

members engaged in developing and/or presenting experiential learning to improve public service or public education in North Dakota.

Preference will be given to experiential learning involving North Dakota studies.

$ 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

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Songs of

Solidarity ND AFL-CIO members attend gathering with punk band Dropkick Murphys before Fargo show

By Kelly Hagen, kelly.hagen@ndunited.org On Saturday, Oct. 14, the North Dakota AFL-CIO held a special, first-of-its-kind event at the Labor Hall in Fargo. Union members, including those from North Dakota United, were invited to a meet & greet with the Dropkick Murphys, a Celtic punk band from Massachusetts that headlined a show at the Scheels Arena later that night.

“As someone who was in a labor union, Laborers Local #1421, when

I was starting the band, and just (having been) raised in union families, it’s always been what the band was about,” said Ken Casey, lead singer and original member of the Dropkick Murphys. “It’s only been in the last few years that people started to take the time of saying, let’s have these gatherings, so people can meet and … we can just talk. It’s been very organic … and it’s kind of just picked up steam.”

Scan this code for the full story of how the event came together, quotes from our members who went to the show, video and bonus photos from the meet & greet and concert or check out the News and Media Center at our website, www.ndunited.org/news-media-center.

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Grading

Our Lawmakers

Did your district’s legislators vote to support public education and policies that help students and our communities thrive? Scan this code to see your legislator’s grade.

By Joel Crane, joel.crane@ndunited.org In early October 2023, North Dakota United introduced its new Legislator Report Card, offering an easy way for members to track lawmaker votes on bills relating to public education and public service in the North Dakota Legislature.

The Report Card can be found online at www.reportcard.ndunited.org.

“Much like the report cards our members in education work hard on producing for students to take home to their parents and caregivers, we wanted to produce a resource for voters on how their legislators are performing on the subjects of quality public education and public services for all North Dakotans,” said Nick Archuleta, ND United President. “Our belief is that, by sharing this information with the public, we can help all voters to make informed choices when selecting candidates for office. If public education and public services are among the top issues you consider at the ballot box, our NDU Report Card is an indispensable resource.”

The idea to develop this new, interactive tool online was spurred by feedback our union received from the grassroots level. Comprehensive information about each legislative session is available on the Legislature’s website, but it’s not always easy to navigate. Which had some NDU members asking, how did my lawmaker vote?

“It was really hard to find that information in a fast and easy way,” said Amber Haskell, special education teacher at the Therapeutic Learning Center in Grand Forks and active member of the Grand Forks Education Association and ND United.

To address this, NDU’s legislative organizing team developed the Legislator Report Card. It assigns lawmakers a grade from 0%-100% based on how closely their votes aligned with the best interests of public employees and educators.

“Now we have a tool that can demonstrate, ‘hey, do you actually, as a legislator, support public workers, public education, and higher education?’” said Andy Winter, organizer for North Dakota United.

“We have the pages for the legislators and how they voted,” said Ali Hoffman, legislative campaign organizer for ND United. “We also have individual pages for each of the bills that we are talking about. So, you can go to that page, see what the bill is about, and it’ll include, as well, whether the bill passed or failed and where we stood on it. And then, you can see just below how every single member voted on that bill in particular, too.”

“That’s how we’re going to be able to make a difference in who we get in office and how we can rally around different things that we’re supporting in order to motivate our members to get involved,” Haskell said.

The tool is set to be updated for future legislative sessions. ndunited.org

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Rights & Responsibilities

Model 2 Partial TFFR Moving to Full Percentages in 2025 We wanted to be sure to draw our education members’ and union negotiators’ attention to upcoming changes to the Model 2 Partial Teachers Fund for Retirement (TFFR) plan. Fortythree school districts use Model 2 Partial, and of those, 26 will need to make the changes outlined below in the latest newsletter from TFFR to employers: “Model 2 Partial will move to full percentages only. Over the past year, the TFFR board of trustees has conducted a review of its policies and procedures seeking to become more efficient and streamlined in order to make program

administration and participation more manageable. Among the policies adopted is a change to the Model 2 Partial percentages an employer may pay in member contributions. Beginning July 1, 2025, member contributions paid by the employer must be in full percentages (e.g., an employer may contribute 1% or 2% of the member contributions for an employee).

They can no longer make partial contributions (e.g., an employer cannot contribute 1.5%). As long as contributions are in a full percentage increment, employers can continue to make member contributions for employees.”

Retirement & Investment

Breakdown of Schools with Model 2 Partial Model 2 @ 2% 4

Model 2 @ 2.25% 1

Model 2 @ 2.5% 1

Model 2 @ 3% 2

Model 2 @ 3.25% 1

Model 2 @ 3.5% 2

Model 2 @ 4% 5

Model 2 @ 4.25% 1

Model 2 @ 4.5% 1

Model 2 @ 5% 2

Model 2 @ 5.25% Model 2 @ 5.875% 2 1

Model 2 @ 6% 2

Model 2 @ 6.25% Model 2 @ 6.75% 1 1

Model 2 @ 7.75% 9

Model 2 @ 8% 1

Model 2 @ 9.75% Model 2 @ 10.75% 1 1 24

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Model 2 @ 8.25% 2

Model 2 @ 7.5% 1 Model 2 @ 9% 1

Public Education Perspectives

By Alicia Bata, NDU Vice President of Education

Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences “Looking forward to parent-teacher conferences?

You must be nuts!”

I am one of those veteran educators who looks forward to meeting with parents/guardians at least twice a year at parent-teacher conferences.

I actually get excited at the prospect of getting to know more about my students’ families and home environments, exchanging ideas with parents/guardians, and designing a common plan of action for student success.

Throughout my 38 years of teaching, I have learned a few things about making connections with parents and family members. Here are some tips to make parent-teacher conferences successful as a bridge that connects school and home: ❱ Do your homework beforehand: Find out the student’s family background, who the student lives with, and any information that may lead to a smooth communicative meeting. ❱ Be open to parent suggestions: Ask how you can help the child succeed and achieve his/her best in school. ❱ Listen to their concerns without becoming defensive (difficult to do, I know): This is necessary to keep communication channels open and productive. ❱ Be prepared: Have examples of activities, quizzes, projects, and grades ready to share. ❱ Limit your conversation to that particular student’s performance:

Stay away from making comparisons between specific students. ❱ If necessary, propose a continuance: If the conversation gets heated, propose a continuance at a future date with an administrator and/or a counselor present. ❱ Be cognizant of past experiences: Some parents may not have associated school with good experiences in their past. It is crucial to make them feel comfortable and welcomed in the educational setting. ❱ Learn about the cultural background of the student: If the parents speak a different language, try to arrange for a translator to be available, and invite the child to attend with them. If possible, you could even arrange a building tour so that parents who may be new to the district can become familiar with the school areas their child has to navigate on a daily basis.

As educators, we must advocate for the success of all students. We need to acknowledge and examine our own expectations to ensure that we treat students fairly and equitably.

Remember, parents and educators have common goals in mind: They care about children, and they want them to succeed and feel that they are a valuable component of their school and community. ndunited.org

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NDU Board of Directors Twelve positions are up for election on the NDU Board of Directors in April 2024.

The positions open on the NDU Board of Directors are: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Region Directors; K-12 District (less than 600 students) and K-12 District (more than 600 students); Public Employee; Education Support Professional; Higher Education Support Professional; Higher Education (2-year institution), Higher Education (4-year institution); and Ethnic Minority Director. The student and retired positions are elected by their respective groups. All new board members take office July 15, 2024 and the term is for three years.

Petitions for these positions must be filed by Feb. 15, 2024, with 50 signatures from active members in good standing. The student and retired positions are elected by their constituencies. However, all positions will be voted on at the 2024 Delegate Assembly to be held April 20, 2024, at ND Gateway to Science, Bismarck.

Please contact Ellie Sharbono at ellie.sharbono@ndunited.org to request petitions.

Election for President, the Vice Presidents of Education and Public Employees, and NEA Director will be held at the Delegate Assembly in 2025.

Election of Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly State delegate positions are open for the 2024 NEA Representative Assembly (RA), which is currently scheduled for July 3-7 (plus travel days) in Philadelphia, PA. 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.

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Election Members running for a state-paid delegate position must obtain 50 signatures from active members of NDU. Student and retired positions are elected by their constituencies.

Please contact Ellie Sharbono at ellie.sharbono@ndunited.org to request petitions.

Completed petitions with the 50 signatures, along with a short bio and headshot, must be returned to ND United, 301 N 4th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501, by Feb. 15, 2024.

Delegates will be elected at the NDU Delegate Assembly in April.

Local Association Delegate Elections Presidents of locals of 76 or more members will receive an email from NEA in late January with the allocated number of delegates for their local for the 2024 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.

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 Feb. 15, 2024.

To request a petition, or if you have any election-related questions, please contact Ellie Sharbono at ellie.sharbono@ ndunited.org or 701-223-0450.

ndunited.org

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All NDU professional development courses are FREE to North Dakota United members through July 31, 2024.

NDU Professional Development Opportunities

Participants are responsible for the cost of the book and the $50 credit fee to UND to have your credit recorded onto your transcript. The fee to participate in an NDU professional development course for non-members is $100, plus the cost of the book and the credit fee to UND.

Early Career Educator Cohort - January 2024: North Dakota United is continuing to sponsor early career educator cohorts, with one beginning in January 2024. The cohort will last approximately fourteen months and will include 30 early career educators (service years 1-7). The educators will complete six courses for six credits that can be used for relicensure and lane changes, at no cost to the educators. That’s right – FREE! The six book studies/courses in the Early Career Educator

Cohorts are: Poor Students, Rich Teaching: Seven HighImpact Mindsets for Students from Poverty; Hacking School Discipline; Classroom Management Matters; Educator Ethics; Differently Wired, and Troublemakers.

North Dakota United is currently accepting educators for the January 2024 cohort. If you are interested, please contact Professional Development Director Amy Flicek at amy. flicek@ndunited.org.

Book Studies – Winter 2024: All NDU professional development courses are FREE to North Dakota United members through July 31, 2024.

Participants are responsible for the cost of the book and the $50 credit fee to UND to have your credit recorded onto your transcript. The fee to participate in an NDU professional 28

Ӏ ND United Voices

development course for nonmembers is $100, plus the cost of the book and the credit fee to UND. 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/Mindset > Why Smart Kids Worry: And What Parents Can Do to Help (15 Tools for Parenting Your Anxious Child) – January 8 Behavior > The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind – February 5 > Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School – February 19 > The Classroom Behavior Manual: How to Build Relationships with Students, Share Control, and Teach Positive Behavior – March 4 Classroom Management > The Classroom Management Secret: And 45 Other Keys to a Well-Behaved Class – February 19 Engagement > Hacking Engagement Again: 50 Teacher Tools That Will Make Students Love Your Class – March 4 Inclusivity/Equity > Your Students, My Students, Our Students: Rethinking Equitable and Inclusive Classrooms – January 15 Innovation > The Interactive Class Using Tech to Make Learning More Relevant and Engaging in the Elementary Classroom (K-6) – January 22

Instruction/Strategies > Why Are We Still Doing That? Positive Alternatives to Problematic Teaching Practices – January 29 > The Joy of Reading – February 12 > Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms – February 26 > Choosing to See: A Framework for Equity in Math Classrooms – March 25 Leadership > Trusting Teachers with School Success – March 18 Poverty > The Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival and Hope in an American City – January 15 Relationships > I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids – March 11 Self-Care/Mindset > Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Success in Our AllAbout-Me World – February 5 > Well-Being in Schools: Three Forces That Will Uplift Your Students in a Volatile World – March 11 Student Behavior > If You Can’t Manage Them, You Can’t Teach Them – February 12

To register please visit: courses.ndunited.org. ndunited.org

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Horace Mann is your partner in financial wellness Financial wellness, one of the biggest challenges for many, is defined as, “being confident in your financial situation, able to withstand unexpected expenses and enjoy a financially secure future.”1 You have many financial needs — meeting everyday expenses, paying off debt, saving for emergencies, paying for healthcare and saving for retirement — but there’s only so much money to go around.

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LIMRA, “A Measure of Financial Wellness” 2020

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The information provided here is for general informational purposes only, and should not be considered a recommendation or investment, tax or legal advice. DonorsChoose is not an affiliate of Horace Mann. Horace Mann Life Insurance Company underwrites Horace Mann life insurance products.

Horace Mann is not affiliated with state teachers’ retirement systems, and the content of its workshops has not been endorsed or approved by state teachers’ retirement systems.

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

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Ӏ ND United Voices

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