MEA President’s Message – May 2019

“Happy May Day!” It is appropriate that this month’s message is arriving on May 1^st, International Workers’ Day, since MEA has been working hard on legislation to make improvements for members regarding collective bargaining, namely LD 240 (ed policy), LD 900 (right to strike) and LD 1177 (binding arbitration).

Our MEA #RedforEd event over April break was great!  Thanks to the many members who turned out and gave testimony on the key issues we are promoting in this legislative session!  For some great photos and a recap of the event, go to the MEA website: https://maineea.org/red-for-ed/

But our work is not done!
We are still working on a lot of important bills!  Keep up to date on the issues by signing up for the weekly “Under the Dome” Newsletter here:https://maineea.org/mea-under-the-dome/

And keep talking with, calling, e-mailing, submitting video testimony to your state senators and representatives!  Your messages and stories have a huge impact!  We need you to help make good things happen for our students and for our members!

HAPPENING NOW:

You may receive an online NEA Survey on issues of race and identity.

2020 is getting closer!  Want to ask a question of candidates?  Design a poster? Keep up with pro-public education events in your area? Check out the newly launched NEA 2020 election site.

The first full week of May is Teacher Appreciation Week!  Along with events your local PTOs or PTAs may be planning, let’s be sure we are appreciating our colleagues, too!  For some ideas go to http://www.nea.org/grants/teacherday.html

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

Registration is open for the NEA Racial and Social Justice Conference, July 1 and 2 in Houston.  For more information go to: http://www.nea.org/grants/JointConference.html

Sign up to attend the ECET2-“Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching”-York County event on August 7^th.

Get a team together and participate in the Powered by Maine Teach to Lead Summit, August 16 at UMF.  For more information, go to:  http://tinyurl.com/poweredbymaine

Watch for information about the following opportunities:

Treasurer trainings/Local Presidents meetings: 

• South Portland – July 15^th;
• Auburn – July 16^th;
• Augusta – July 18^th;
• Bangor – August 5^th;
• Presque Isle – August 6^th

OF INTEREST:

NEA Blended Learning Program—Applications due May 10^th.

NEA Early Career Learning Labs—Applications due May 18^th.

NEA Leaders for Just Schools, August 2-6

2019 Count ME In Student Poster Contest now open!

Are your students interested in agriculture and natural resources?  Do they know about Maine FFA?  For more information go to:  https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/ffa

For pamphlets of interest to anyone working with LGBTQ/SOGI students and/or parents, go to: apa.org

For resources on school climate from the US Department of Education, go to:

• https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/essaguidetoschoolclimate041019.pdf
• https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/

Also from the US DOE, Substance Use Prevention:  A Resource Guide for School Staff.  Go to:  whitehouse.gov

Interested in learning more about community schools?  The ME Community Schools Coalition has been meeting to discuss how to expand this model in Maine.  For more information go to:

• Community School Model Graphic
• http://www.communityschools.org/

REMINDERS:

Is your local association going to be represented at the MEA Representative Assembly, May 18-19 in South Portland?  There is still time to elect delegates and have them attend! 

And if you are already a delegate to the MEA RA, remember to register!  Go to: 
www.regonline.com/meara19

If you are a delegate but you missed the PROM (Pre-RA Overview Meeting), you can watch a recording of the Augusta meeting.  Look for an e-mail coming to you soon with the link.

Will you be retiring at the end of the school year? Are any of your colleagues retiring?  

Be sure to check out NEA Complimentary Life Insurance and register your beneficiary!  For more information go to neamb.com  (And check out all the other great NEA Member Benefits while you’re at it!)

MEA Committee Updates-Final Committee Day is May 11^th! Interested in being involved?

Delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly—remember to attend the pre-NEA RA meeting May 11^th at 2:00 in Augusta!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST—if your first graders have not yet received the book “Lizards” that MEA has been delivering, please let me know!  And a big Komodo dragon-sized “Thank you!” to the many members and MEA staff who have helped so much with this effort!


Enjoy this busy month and some May sunshine!