These late winter snows aren’t fooling me—they can’t prevent spring from arriving in Maine! In fact, today is the first day of meteorological spring–according to meteorologists at least!
Likewise, in our schools and on our campuses, even some ongoing challenges by a few cannot deter the efforts of our dedicated educators in Maine to continue to support students on their paths to success! Read on for a number of opportunities to support and provide resources and opportunities for our educators!
THIS MONTH
Tomorrow many across the nation will host celebrations of diverse readers and stories. For resources and recommendations to promote and support our readers year round go to: Read Across America | NEA Thank you to our colleagues in the Maine Association of School Libraries and the Maine Council for English Language Arts for all they do to support literacy and intellectual freedom.
In March we also celebrate Youth Art Month and Music in Our Schools Month. Many students will be exhibiting their work and performing in festivals. MEA is proud to host a reception for students whose artwork will be on display at MEA Headquarters in Augusta. We are grateful to the members of the Maine Art Education Association and of the Maine Music Educators Association for all they do to support students in developing their creativity and making our world more beautiful.
We also celebrate Women’s History Month! For resources: Women’s History Month for the Classroom | NEA
IMPORTANT!
March 4th is the deadline for:
- Nominations for the many MEA Awards and the chance to recognize deserving members and organizations across our state! https://maineea.org/award-grants/
- Submissions for amendments to the MEA Constitution/Bylaws/Standing Rules and to MEA Resolutions and input on the 2023-2024 MEA Strategic Budget for consideration at the 2023 MEA Representative Assembly! https://maineea.org/ra/
Certificates of elections for local association delegates to the MEA Representative Assembly are due to MEA by March 10th https://maineea.org/mea-elections/ to avoid a late filing.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FROM MEA and NEA:
For those of you in your first five years as an educator, don’t miss the MEA Early Career Educators Conference on March 11th. Register now before it’s full!
For Ed Techs: looking to become a certified teacher? Then this is for you: Maine Teacher Residency program
NEA just released a stack of micro-credentials centered on Native Education. These are especially timely, given the recent report on Wabanaki studies in Maine.
Also of interest may be the Teacher’s Guide to The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous Settler Relations which was developed by a team of educators sponsored by the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association.
Submissions for two MEA Contests for our students: My Hero Works at School and What I Love About Maine are due April 24th.
As a wise colleague has often said, sooner or later we will all be retirees. You can join NEA Retired now as a ‘pre-retired member’ for a one-time fee so you will be sure to stay connected to NEA and all its benefits.
ADVOCACY
NEA Director Rebecca Cole and I were in D.C. for NEA Superweek last month. We met with staff in the offices of our Congressional delegation and spoke on efforts to raise the debt ceiling, police reform, and support for community schools, and, as always, repeal of the Government Pension Offsets and Windfall Elimination Provision. The NEA Political Action Committee, comprised of all the state association presidents and other representatives, met and MEA Vice President Jesse Hargrove and MEA Treasurer Beth French attended trainings with other state officers. All four of us participated in a Racial and Social Justice training centered on ‘calling in’. The week ended with the NEA Board of Directors meeting. The report of the February NEA Board of Directors meeting is available here: https://www.smore.com/1cpn4
The Maine legislative session is picking up speed—keep up with what is happening in Augusta! Read the Under the Dome newsletter with updates and take action to support progress for educators and public education! Visit our Take Action page to sign up today!
OF INTEREST
Two of our academic affiliates have conferences this month:
- March 17th—Maine Council for English Language Arts Annual Conference
- March 18th—Educators for a Multilingual Maine (formerly Foreign Language Association of Maine)
Another academic affiliate is hosting a webinar on Teaching Women’s History:
- March 8th—Maine Council for the Social Studies
REMEMBER!
March 4th: the deadline for Nominations for MEA Awards and Submission for amendments to MEA Governance documents and Resolutions, and input to the MEA Strategic Budget.
Be sure your local is represented at the 2023 MEA Representative Assembly.
I hope to see some of you at the various MEA membership meetings this month.
Meanwhile, enjoy reading and the arts, and reach out any time!
Happy Spring!
In Unity,
Grace Leavitt, President
Maine Education Association
