Here we are in March already—not sure how that happened—and I imagine at least some of you have your sights on June, even after the recent school break, right? Hopefully those of you who had a break were able to find time to recharge. We know the challenges have not yet come to an end, though we can be hopeful we are at least, and at last, moving in a direction where we might see the light at the end of this way-too-long pandemic tunnel. We expect there will be changes soon in what the Maine CDC recommends, given the reduction in COVID cases in our state and recent changes from the US CDC; we will as always keep you updated!
Rest assured, MEA is also continuing to work on ways to move forward—we have been busy in the legislature, conducting a listening tour of our Educational Support Professionals, meeting with staff in our Congressional offices (and yes, we always discuss GPO/WEP! In fact, it was one of the topics all states were asked to discuss during NEA Superweek), engaging with coalitions doing work that affects our members and our students, making preparations for the MEA Representative Assembly, and of course working with our fellow state affiliates and NEA to continue to find ways to support educators and our public schools and institutions.
Below you will find a variety of items that I hope will be of interest, as well as some reminders.
But first, these important items need to be at the top of this message (though of course I hope you read through to the end regardless!)
MEA-Retired members! The Appropriations Committee needs to hear from you asap! Our MEA Government Relations Director and MEA GR Assistant have been working with MEA-Retired leaders to solicit members to step up and testify TOMORROW (Thursday, March 3rd). We are advocating that the 2.4% COLA increase that Governor Mills proposed in her supplemental budget is not just one-time for this year only, but that it instead will be cumulative. The difference impacts retirees on into the future. (Remember that changes made in 2011 under the past administration negatively impacted those in the MePERS system!) Please sign up now to speak at the Appropriations Committee tomorrow to tell your story and what this means to you! I will present testimony from MEA, but we need members’ voices, too! (Active members, of course you can weigh in also!) Here is information that will help: https://maineea.org/news/public-testimony-needed/ (You will have to log in as the information is ‘members-only’).
Deadlines this Saturday, March 5th:
MEA Awards–Nominations for the many MEA Awards are due March 5th! Please take time to recognize our educators and community members for all they do. Information and forms are here.
Also due this Saturday: any new, or amendments to, MEA Resolutions, amendments to the MEA Constitution/Bylaws/Standing Rules, or input to the 2022-2023 MEA Strategic Budget. Information and forms are here.
Your Career
If you have not yet seen the films “Bounty” and “Dawnland” you can view these for free on March 9th at 7:00 pm. Registration for the viewing in celebration of International Women’s Day is here, along with other resources: https://upstanderproject.org/
If you haven’t checked out NEA resources recently, take a few moments to do so—lots here!
Interested in learning more about racial justice? You can sign up soon for this program with NEA: Transformational Journey for Racial Justice Co-Conspirators | NEA
The NEA Foundation has extended the deadline to apply for the Global Learning Fellowship program until April 1, 2022. Visit www.neafoundation.org for additional information and links to the applications.
Your Association
Please be sure your local is represented on May 21-22 at the highest governing body of the MEA, the MEA Representative Assembly! Information and necessary forms for elections of local delegates are here: https://maineea.org/mea-elections/ Reach out with any questions!
NEA has a new online Action Center with information on the issues at the federal level. You can subscribe to the weekly email for updates.
In fact, you can sign up for other communications from NEA if you aren’t already receiving some of these and wish to do so: https://www.nea.org/signup
Your Support
The remaining MEA support sessions for National Board Candidates this year are March 12 and April 30. to register go to: https://maineea.org/national-board-certification/ My apologies to those who may have had difficulty registering for these, and best wishes for your success in obtaining this distinguished certification! And of course, many thanks to our members who are leading these sessions!
Of Interest
March is National Women’s History Month. The theme for the 2022 annual observance is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” March is also National Nutrition Month and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
For retirees or others you know who may be interested, you can help address the shortage of substitutes our schools are experiencing. Check out this website created by the Maine DOE and Educate Maine to assist with the process: https://www.maine.gov/doe/substitute
Members in their first ten years of teaching will be getting a message from me this week about a survey a member is conducting as part of graduate work. While this is not something we typically do, since MEA and NEA are engaged in work to address educator workforce shortages, the MEA Board felt the information that would be shared with us as a result could be helpful. Recently Vice President Jesse Hargrove and I participated in an NEA Educator Voice Academy on the topic and then met with a group of MEA members. We of course welcome your thoughts on ways to promote and attract people to our professions as we move forward.
The Maine Curriculum Leaders Association is looking for ten secondary teachers who might be interested in working on a project to develop a resource for Wabanaki studies. MCLA has received a grant to provide a stipend for the work. If interested, information is here: The Gatherings Project – MAINE CURRICULUM LEADERS ASSOCIATION (mainecla.org)
If you are familiar with the author Heather McGhee and her book “The Sum of Us”, you may be interested in listening to this interview: Podcast: Bestselling ‘Sum of Us’ author Heather McGhee comes to Maine | Beacon (mainebeacon.com)
Also, MEA Vice President Jesse Hargrove and MEA Board of Director Chris Jones were recently on Main Public’s program “Maine Calling”. If you missed it, you can hear the program here: https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2022-02-07/how-maine-schools-teach-black-history-and-efforts-to-expand-the-curriculum
Reminders
Remember to have your students participate in these MEA contests—“My Hero Works at School” and “What I Love about Maine”—deadlines are April 29th. Details are here: https://maineea.org/award-grants/
And of course the new Read Across Maine reading program and contest just announced yesterday!
Have you downloaded the MEA App yet? When you do, you will have the latest information and communications at your fingertips! For information on how to download the MEA App, go to: https://maineea.org/mea-app/
Once again, many thanks to you ALL for ALL you do! You are so very important not only to our students, but to all of our communities across the state!
Reach out any time—I appreciate hearing from you and I’m glad to meet or call any time!
