Tomorrow’s forecast says it will be partly cloudy—so maybe Punxsutawney Phil will call for an early spring? All due respect for those who love the snow and cold, but likely others could use a lift in outlook that a shorter winter might bring!
Another lift up for educators will be the advocacy work MEA and many members will be doing at the legislative hearings that are underway! MEA is back in the halls of the State House working on legislation that will have a positive impact on you and our students. Thank you to those members who served on the panel for the webinars MEA held for legislators—our elected representatives really appreciate hearing directly from you. Your perspectives are invaluable in keeping them informed to make the best decisions on the issues that will affect public education! MEA is here to help you contact legislators and present or submit testimony–just let us know.
And be sure to keep up with what is happening in Augusta by signing up for our Government Relations Director’s newsletter, “Under the Dome”! Email rwells@maineea.org to subscribe.
THIS MONTH:
IMPORTANT! MEA Elections: ballots are being distributed now for various elections conducted by MEA. Please be sure to follow the directions that are included and meet the deadline for turning in ballots!
Local associations will also be conducting elections for their delegates to the MEA Representative Assembly. And local presidents have received information from NEA about their allocation of delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly. Funding for local NEA RA delegates is up to the local, though MEA can help a bit.
Information about elections and the Representative Assemblies is on the respective websites: MEA Elections and NEA Representative Assembly And of course, reach out to us with any questions!
ALSO: your input on the MEA 2023-2024 Strategic Budget, proposals to MEA Resolutions (our positions), and any changes the MEA Constitution/Bylaws/Standing Rules are due to be debated by March 4th. Information and forms are here: Representative Assembly – Maine Education Association (maineea.org)
Nominations for MEA Awards are also due by March 4th! Please take time to nominate deserving members and organizations for the many awards available! Descriptions, criteria, and nominating forms are here: Awards Grants – Maine Education Association (maineea.org)
AND February is Black History Month—there are lots of lesson plans and other resources from NEA here: Black History Month Lessons & Resources | NEA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FROM MEA and NEA:
NEA’s Leaders for Just Schools—We are seeking applicants for a new cohort! NEA has been training members to form a network of educators to advance equitable outcomes for our students. If you are interested, fill out and return the LJS application by Feb. 26th to be considered for this. While this entails a significant time commitment for training (most virtual, some in-person), it is extremely worthwhile (please see the application for details). You can read more about LJS here: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/leadership-development/leaders-just-schools If you would like to speak with one of MEA’s current Leaders for Just Schools, let me know and I will connect you!
NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Social Justice & Leadership Conference, April 21-23, in Las Vegas. MEA will fund two members to attend this! If you are interested in being considered for this, fill out and return the LGBTQ+ conference application no later than Feb. 8th. Information about the conference can be found here: https://www.nea-lgbtqc.org/conference.html
For ESP members-Workshop on Peer Mentoring: There is an opportunity for a 3-member team to attend an NEA workshop May 27-28 in Salt Lake City, fully funded by NEA, to develop a pilot peer mentoring program. If interested in being considered for this, please see what this entails here: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/professional-learning/resources/esps-supporting-our-own-through-peer-mentoring-workshop All members of the team must complete the NEA ESP mentoring learning path course ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring | NEA before submitting the checklist esp-mentoring-pilot-program-checklist.docx (live.com) and the application 2023 ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring WORKSHOP (office.com) to NEA. These must be submitted no later than March 1st. If you and two other members in your local are interested in this, please let me know by Feb. 8th. I would be glad to help answer any questions you may have and assist if needed.
NEA Microcredentials—free to members! Check out this one and many others: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy The impact of traumatic experiences is so significant that it can hinder the brain’s normal development. These micro-credentials will teach you about trauma in the brain, the social emotional impacts of trauma, and how to protect yourself from secondary trauma, to build a healing-centered learning environment for all of your students.
NEA School ME Podcasts—the latest: Social and Emotional Learning 101 What is social and emotional learning (SEL) and how can educators use its practices to help students feel welcome, safe, and even learn better? Find out here: Social and Emotional Learning 101 | School Me (simplecast.com)
Early Career Educators (MEA members in the first five years of their careers): watch your email for information about the MEA conference on March 11th, designed for you!
Looking for a grant? Check out these from the NEA Foundation: https://www.neafoundation.org/educator-grants-and-fellowships/Read about the capstone projects and resources by the 2022 Global Learning Fellowship recipients: Capstone Projects – NEA Foundation
ADVOCACY:
ESP Community Conversations: Professional Development for ESPs: To ensure a great public education for every student, education support professionals (ESPs) want and deserve access to high-quality professional development and support at every stage of their careers. Join us on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM for a 1.5-hour virtual networking session where you’ll connect with fellow NEA ESP members across the country to discuss your professional development experiences and the resources and support you need for professional growth. Register here for this ESP Community Conversation
ESP Learning Network Webinar: Pensions 101 for Advocates– Thursday, February 23, 2023, 7-8 p.m. ET.This webinar will give you a working knowledge of pensions and access to additional resources so that you can be an effective advocate for pensions and protect our members’ futures. Register here for the ESP Learning Network Webinar
The latest student debt cancellation tools from NEA: updated website to share more information on PSLF, the White House Cancelation Plan, and more.Visit nea.org/mystudentdebt.
Share your story to help advocate for a better system: NEA is gathering stories from educators who have successfully received student debt cancelation. These stories help continue the work towards a future where every educator is free of student debt. Share your story!
NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Rainbow Series on February 16, 2023: Get to the Heart of Banned Books
Meet two librarians who are on the front lines protecting and defending the rights of our LGBTQ+ students and their stories to be included in libraries and schools. Both of these women work in states where the language and legislation are decidedly anti-LGBTQ+. They have faced harassment, name calling, and threats, yet they fight the LGBTQ+ Book Banning Agenda. To register: Rainbow Series – Webinar (wufoo.com)
OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST:
The deadline to submit a nomination for one of the many NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards has been extended to Feb. 20th. Information is here: Human and Civil Rights Awards | NEA
Have you planned your Read Across America Day celebration yet? Here is information to help: Read Across America | NEA
The documentary “Truth Tellers” will air on Maine Public television on Feb. 23rd at 9:00 p.m. If you haven’t yet seen this film about artist Robert Shetterly’s work and the activists who have been fighting for racial and social justice and indigenous rights, be sure to tune in!
The Maine Science Festival is March 22-26. Information here: https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/
The Winter newsletter of the Civil Rights Team Project is out: Torch Newsletter Winter 2022-2023? (mailchi.mp) Read about the great projects of the Civil Rights Teams in many of our schools.
There are a few chapters of Students Against Destructive Decisions in Maine schools. If you are interested in adding to that, contact Hillari Morgan at HMorgan@SADD.org For more information on SADD: https://www.sadd.org/
In closing, here’s to some productive hearings in Augusta that make great progress for our members and students—and to (maybe?) an early arrival of spring!
And remember to submit nominations for MEA Awards! Awards Grants – Maine Education Association (maineea.org)
Stay strong, stay well, stay warm, and stay in touch!
In Unity,
Grace Leavitt, President
Maine Education Association
