“The Power of We”
I was heading home, much later than usual. My wife and kids had long been finished with school and were into evening activities – music boosters, Rocket League, taunting the cats, maybe a little homework. But the sun….it was still out, bright, and optimistic.
Suddenly, my tardiness seemed less pronounced. Spring in Maine is a roller coaster ride, hence “spring fever” and “March Madness.” We can feel the warmth of longer days, yet fully expect a surprise snowstorm, and mud. College basketball upsets have mystified us, and Arizona State University’s March Mammal Madness causes hallway debates over animal prowess and random acts of nature. Spring is volatile with change. However, it brings the promise of vitamin D, returning colors, and outdoor activities.
While some March mammals may lose out to winter hibernation, the MEA has been a flurry of activity. The Together as One winter conferences in Presque Isle and Bangor were a huge success engaging members in critical workshops and professional development.
Our NEA Director Rebecca Cole and I had successful meetings with Maine Congressional Delegation at the U.S. Capitol. This included an extensive conversation with Senator Collins celebrating her work on the Social Security Fairness Act to repeal the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision while sharing concerns for a restructured U.S. Department of Education and the programs that support Maine students. This was the first in person meeting with Senator Collins in eight years, an important step in securing Maine educator voice in the federal landscape.
While in D.C., we celebrated Chris Coleman (Damariscotta Area TA), Maine’s 2024 Award for Teaching Excellence at the NEA Foundation Gala. We’ll also be celebrating Jennifer Cooper (Portland EA) at the NEA Education Support Professional Conference. Jennifer was Maine’s 2024 Joan McGovern ESP Award recipient. Now is a good time to start thinking of colleagues you would like to nominate for these awards, and many more, for the 2025-2026 school year. See the MEA Awards/Grants page for more information.
Our Government Relations Committee has been busy working with our Government Relations Director to expand our advocacy capacity. They recently formed the Legislative Organizing Committee, which meets biweekly, to stay informed about what is happening at the Maine State House and how we can ensure educators’ voices are heard by legislators.
Over February Break, we trained a group of members on advocating for your students and colleagues at the State House. As a result, we had over a dozen members show up to the State House, or submit written testimony, sharing with legislators the importance of passing LD 34,which would raise the minimum teacher salary in Maine.
Many more members across the state and bargaining units have been testifying on your MEA priorities to alleviate workplace shortages. In addition to an increase in teacher salary, members have been advocating for mental health supports, a robust mentoring program. Members have also been paid student teaching experiences, and meeting with their legislators through a series of “back home meetings.” This effort was modeled after our Higher Education members’ Fund Maine’s Future campaign which has engaged members across the University of Maine System to push for an increase in funding to our public universities. When we unlock the power of “we” with collective efforts, we get stuff done.
The Power of We will be the theme for our 2025 MEA Representative Assembly. This is our union’s legislative body, where members set the business, budget, and priorities of the union for the upcoming year. The MEA RA isn’t all business, we also have fun celebrating our Clyde Russell Scholarship and MEA award winners. MEA RA Delegates are invited to be part of the Screening and Endorsement Committee that decides which candidates the union will endorse in upcoming state elections. If you are not a delegate for 2025, consider running for a seat from your local for 2026 so you can help shape education policy in the 2026 legislative and gubernatorial elections.
I hope you all made it deep into your respective brackets and maybe hit on a sleeper or two. Enjoy longer days, and thank you for another great school year.
