OHS Future Educators and WSU Chapter of FEA Read for the Record

On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, the OHS chapter of the Future Educators Association will be assisting the nation wide effort to break the Guiness Book of World Records. Our local goal is to read to 1500 children that day. The local chapter of the UEA purchased the books for us to read to the children. We will be reading at Polk Elementary, Horace Mann, Discovery Playhouse Daycare, Headstart and other preschool and daycares in Ogden. Jumpstart's Read for the Record wants to bring national attention to early education programs and the need for books in the homes of our children. This year we will be reading Corduroy from Penguin Young Readers.

Read for the Record

Suzy Davis, FEA advisor at Ogden High, has organized a "Read for the Record" event for October 2. Students will be reading the book "Corduroy" to hopefully 1000 children as part of the Future Educators Association worldwide event to bread the Guiness Book of Record. We purchased 20 books and helped with the event through the use of a NEA grant.

Membership Campaign in Full Swing

Ogden hired almost 120 new teachers and Weber has hired over 180 new teachers this year. We had 40 or 50 members retire last year and many others leave the district. We have signed up over 60 new members in Ogden and over 70 new members in Weber. Each one of you can help say positive things about membership to the new teachers. Thanks for your help in maintaining our strong membership.

Special Session of Utah State Legislature Meets Today

A special session of the Utah State Legislature is meeting today and Friday, Sept. 26 to hammer out some budget cuts because of the revenue shortfall of $272 million reported this month. Legislative leaders have promised to "hold harmless" public education, but cuts in human services and higher ed could be tough.

OEA Spotlight on Sherrie Dame

Sherrie Dame is a great fifth grade teacher at Polk Elementary. She also serves on the OEA Executive Board, Negotiations Team and Membership Committee. Sherrie is an expert on New York City since her boy lives there and is involved in the theatre business. She can tell you where the best places to see and stay. We love Sherrie for her willingness to stand up for the association and support the teaching profession.

Association Rep Spotlight: JOAN HEAP

Our spotlight today shines brightly on our Building Rep at North Ogden Junior High, Joan Heap.
Joan teaches English and was chosen as our Utah Teacher of the Year a couple of years ago. She also starred in many of the anti-voucher tv commercials that help us win that battle. She is an excellent role model of a professional educator and we thank her for her service to the association and to students in North Ogden. Thanks Joan

Utahns for Public Schools Asks for Ethics Pledge

Utahns for Public Schools, the coalition that successfully defeated vouchers, has challenged Utah legislators and candidates to sign an ethics pledge. Utah has some of the weakest reporting laws (in the nation) for campaign donations. Go to www.utahnsforpublicschools.org for more information.

Praxis II Test Training

Marlene Irons, WEA President, led 28 prospective Praxis II test takers through a training Tuesday night. They learned some techniques to make the test a less stressful experience. We will hold another Praxis II training November 13. Sean Mabey, NEA Member Benefits specialist, will present. The training will start at 4:30 and we will meet at the UniServ office at 939 25th St. in Ogden. RSVP to Tina at 399-3746.

The Anatomy of a Pay Raise

Two years ago one of our extra curricular advisors in the Weber District came to the WEA with a concern over pay for extra duties. We took the concern to negotiations and agreed to form a committee to research coaching and advisor pay in the district. The committee found that Weber was below the other districts around us. The committee revamped the salary schedule for coaches and advisors and the WEA negotiated a 23% increase in pay for this year. The advisor who first came to WEA, the leadership of Mary Johnston at the district, the work of the committee and WEA leadership made this happen. Yes, you do get value for your association dues dollars. Thanks for all you do. We are now working in both Ogden and Weber on increasing the Elementary Preparation time in each school. With your help we will do it.

What does OEA/WEA do for me?

We asked the question at our Rep Meeting, "What do I get for my membership dues" and compiled this list in about 5 minutes: BARGAINING-YOUR LEAVE, SALARY, AND BENEFITS
CLARIFYING CONTRACTUAL QUESTIONS- PROTECT TEACHERS FROM ATTACKS-WORK FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS-ANSWER HEALTH INSURANCE QUESTIONS-FOLLOW THROUGH ON CONCERNS- COMMUNICATE TO OUR MEMBERS-SUPPORT TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM-SAVINGS WITH THE ACCESS CARD-POLITICAL ACTION-LOBBY THE LEGISLATURE-HELP NEW TEACHERS PASS PRAXIS-AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

Dinosaur Park Party Huge Success

Thank you again, for all those who attended our annual Membership Dinosaur Park Party. We fed over 460 hamburgers. It was a beautiful night and the smiles on the faces let us know it was a success. The face painting and balloon makers were very popular. The weather cooperated and the prizes were fun. Thanks to all OEA and WEA members, leaders and families. We appreciate you.

Future Educators Association and Teachers of Tomorrow

Utah has a teacher shortage...wow that is surprise. Weber State University, Ogden School District, Weber School District and Davis School District are doing something to help. It is called Teachers of Tomorrow and Future Educators Association. Davis, Weber and soon Ogden will offer Ed 1010, Intro to Education, as a concurrent enrollment class of students interested in being teachers. Joan Iverson, a master teacher, is leading the Weber class at West Haven Elementary. I visited her class and saw 16 fantastic students and future educators. Joan does a great job at Bonneville High where she teaches in the Special Education Dept. . Suzy Davis at Ogden High has been an amazing advisor to our Future Educators and works closely with Stephanie Heath, WSU College of Ed recruiter to organize activities and programs for the future teachers. Troy Wakely, a counselor at Ben Lomond, is helping with the BLHS FEA chapter.We look forward to these programs growing and recruiting more of our students into the career we love so much.

Praxis II Test Training

Marlene Irons, Weber Education Association, will be presenting tips on passing the Praxis II PLT test Sept. 16. This session is full, but we plan to hold another this year. We will get the word out to those interested.

See you at the Dinosaur Park Party Friday night at 6pm. Don't forget to fill out your Horace Mann card for entrance. Thanks Rick

New Educators' Workshop

We invite all educators in their early years of teaching to our annual "NEW EDUCATORS' WORKSHOP" at the UEA Convention, Friday, October 17. Our location for the UEA Convention this year is the Southtown Exposition Center. Go now to www.utea.org and sign up before October 8 or call 1-800-594-8996 Ext. 120 to register. Alfie Kohn, noted author, will keynote and look for our brochure in your school detailing the other exciting sessions. Sign up today.
Hope to see you soon and don't forget our Dinosaur Park Party, Sept. 12 at 6 pm.

ACCESS CARD SAVINGS

Go the UEA website @ www.utea.org for savings using your membership card. Click on the membership card icon to go to the ACCESS SAVINGS. Some of the examples are: 20.00 off at PepBoys Auto, .99 large pizza at Papa Johns, 1 week free at Gold's Gym, rent 2 get one free at Blockbuster, 10 to 20 % off of many hotels and many more. Check it out.

Visit our website at www.ogdenweber.org

Hi visit our UniServ website for more information. www.ogdenweber.org

Dinosaur Park Party Friday, Sept. 12 6-8pm

We invite all of our new teachers and members and families to join us for a fun night at the Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park. Our sponsors, Horace Mann Insurance and Value Builders, have made it possible for your free entrance to the park and dinner for you and your family. Just fill out the Horace Mann Card and bring it with you Friday, Sept. 12 from 6-8 pm. See you there. We will have balloon makers and face painting for the kids.

"I Love Teaching" Award Presented

Sharon Hall, Adult Finance teacher at Weber High, was awarded the "I Love Teaching" award at the Weber School Board Meeting last Wednesday, Sept 3. Linda Carver lavished great praise on Sharon's great dedication to the students of WHS. We also found out that Linda and Sharon were sorority sisters back in the day. We applaud Sharon and her find example to the profession.