Sleeping in Dallas

I survived a good ole Texas Thunder Bumper last night and live to post this a.m.. Go to http://www.utea.org/ and click on the UEA Action site to see two of our favorite OEA Building Reps from Dee Elementary. Stephanie McGaughey and Elizabeth Carlin are two of the teachers spotlighted in the article about "Educators on the Hill". They are shown chastising, I mean discussing professinally education funding with Legislative leader, Brad Dee from Washington Terrace. Other good articles in the upcoming Action include an explanation of the "Transformation Team" program (which I luckily attend) and the goals to "transform" UEA.

Thanks for reading. Rick

Provisional Educator Law Unfair

It is wrong that a principal can end the career of a teacher in their first three years of teaching without any reason. Many principals give new teachers support and are fair in evaluating and remediating teachers. Some, though, misuse the law to get rid of someone who is "not a good fit'. I ams sick of that excuse. Do your job, hire good teachers, check references, do your evaluations and then follow the contract and give them support. I keep hearing that the districts want their teachers to succeed, but in some cases principals and districts get rid of teachers because of personality conflicts. UEA needs to change the law that basically gives provisional teachers zero due process rights. Even criminals get that... Rick (upset in Dallas)

May I Have a Tardy Slip?

Sorry for the short message today...and so late...I will be traveling to Dallas, TX for UniServ training next week. I hope to post each day I am gone. If you have questions or problems please contact Mary Courney (OEA) or Marlene Irons (WEA) our fearless leaders.
Thanks Rick

Congratulations to Ms. Norton at Dee Elementary for winning the State Farm/Jazz/UEA 200.00 check for supplies in her classroom.

What is a UniServ Director?

Here are some of the activities that I do as your UniServ Director:

• I attend all meetings of the OEA, WEA, UniServ and UEA (when needed)
• I visited the Legislature at least once a week.
• I work with our partnership at WSU College of ED (teach, present, meet with leaders)
• I help teachers with corrective discipline concerns.
• I work with teachers on questions of transfers and non renewals.
• I present to faculties on professionalism.
• I help negotiate contracts and agreements with the districts.
• I attend school board meetings.
• I help mediate problems between teachers and staff, administrators etc.
• I manage the UniServ office, staff (two secretaries) and budget.
• I attend all UniServ committee meetings.
• I help coordinate the Political Action Committee.
• I promote membership and visit potential and new members in schools.
• I help plan meetings and trainings for the association.
• I work with the UEA Attorney and assist in representation during termination hearings and UPPAC Hearings.

It is a great job and never boring. Thanks Rick

To enter the BLOG contest again for March please email me with the words "UniServ Director" in the message. rick@ogdenweber.org

Good News from Arizona

Vouchers were ruled unconstitutional in Arizona by a unanimous State Supreme Court decision. Kim Campbell said " Good news from Arizona! Just remember the privatization agenda has not gone away. It is a battle we have to keep fighting until we can get policymakers focused on meaningful change for public schools, not creating a parallel system that only serves a few."

Georgia might also have problems funding their Special Needs Voucher program next year.

Pray for good (golf) weather...thanks Rick

Deseret News: Economy Dents Home Schooling

Go to www.deseretnews.com to read the entire article on the affects of the economy on home schooling.

Some parents are having to give up home schooling to work in this downturned economy. Children are doing more jobs around the house and making money to help the families.

Nationally the 2007 data showed about 1.5 million home schools, an increase of 8% over the previous year. Some home school experts think that actually more home schools will appear during the recession.

Thanks Rick

News You Can Use

It is finally spring...how can you tell? It snowed two inches last night. With spring brings our Early Enrollment Program to sign up new members to the association. Representatives will coming around to our potential member friends and giving them the opportunity to sign up for membership in NEA/UEA/OEA/WEA. You can help by talking to your colleagues and letting them know the work we are doing for teachers.

OEA has 553 members (80% of licensed educators) and signed up 74 new members this year.
WEA has 1062 members (63% of licensed educators) and signed up 107 new members this year.

As you can see, we have some work to do. We can do so much more with the solidarity of strong membership. We are starting negotiations soon and we will be battling to preserve steps and lanes, class size, and fund insurance increases. We need everyone with us.

Thanks Again for reading. Rick