| I hope this month’s message finds ALL of our educators, in all roles in our schools and on our campuses, knowing that they are appreciated during this National Teacher Appreciation Week—because you are! It was Eleanor Roosevelt who first got Congress to proclaim a National Teachers Day in 1953. While it used to be a day in March, later the National PTA established the first full week in May as the time to be sure students, parents, and communities expressed just how important educators are. And this year more than ever all that you have continued to do is nothing less than amazing! Thank you! By now I hope you’ve seen the start of MEA’s new media campaign, thanking all our educators for their work this year. We are asking the public—and us all!–to nominate an educator, in all roles, that we would like to thank for their work. The nominations will be part of a contest with some great prizes so please help those nominations to come in! Nominate someone here. The MEA is working hard to help the public understand the work you’re doing and to respect you as much as we do. Check out the landing page for the campaign, and get your free lawn sign!: https://thankyou.maineea.org/ Again, thank you for all you’re doing-we can’t wait to see the stories! |
| Your Career MEA is continuing our work on social and racial justice. I recently viewed the short film, “Dear Georgina”. If you areinterested, there is another opportunity along with a showing ofthe film “Dawnland” tomorrow evening, Thursday,May 6 at 7:00pm. Register now Another showing of “Dawnland” will be Thursday, May 20 at 6:30pmRegister now May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. For lots of resources, go to: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021 (asianpacificheritage.gov) NEA is offering a number of webinars of interest this month: For Aspiring Educators: Mental Health Roundtable with Educators and Allies. Friday, May 7, 8:00pm. Register Now! For ESP: Bargaining and Advocacy in the Face of Crisis. Thursday, May 13, 7:00pm Register Now! On Climate Action: Building for the Future: Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation in Schools. Thursday, May 13, 7:00pm Register Now! For Early Career Educators: Racial Justice in the Classroom. Wednesday, May 19, 7:00pm. Register Now! |
| Your Support This month local districts will be looking at how to use the funds they will receive from the American Rescue Plan Act—be sure your local association is part of these conversations—it is time to raise your voice! What do educators and students need as we move forward and get back to a better ‘normal’? Supports for students and staff? Programs and resources to fill unmet needs? What facility needs are there? More information from NEA can be found here. NEA is seeking stories about school facilities that are in need of modernization, renovation, or have other infrastructure needs. Let MEA know and we’ll get the information to NEA. |
| Your Association Just a reminder that Early enrollment is underway and going great! Be sure to talk to your colleagues who have yet to join MEA. Now is the time to do it—it’s a great deal! Just have them go to https://maineea.org/early-enrollment/ The 2021 MEA Representative Assembly is nearly here! If your local association has not yet elected their delegates, there is still a little time—but just a little!–for presidents to send in the certificate of election, although any delegates will now be late filers and will need to meet with the MEA Structure & Bylaws Committee (virtually). The RA is on May 22-23 (also virtual). Details are on the MEA website (https://maineea.org/mea-elections/ ) Contact MEA if you have any questions. If you are a delegate, but missed one of the Pre-Representative Assembly Overview Meetings (PROMs), let me know and I can send you a link to a recording of one of the meetings. Viewing this will help all go smoothly at the RA. Reach out with any questions! And don’t forget to donate an item to our online auction for the MEA Fund in Support of Public Education! You don’t have to be a delegate to donate to the auction. Contact your nearest MEA Office at (MEA Headquarters Augusta 622-5866, Auburn 784-4006, Bangor 942-0052, Caribou 888-3856, South Portland 774-6133) to find out when to drop your item off. Don’t have anything for the auction? You can also donate to PAC here: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/the-mea-fund-in-support-of-public-education Are you interested in stepping up and adding your voice to the work the MEA does? A great way to contribute is by joining an MEA Committee for the coming year! Just let me know of your area of interest. Assignments for MEA Committees for 2021-22 will be made over the coming months. You can find a description of the committees here: https://maineea.org/mea-committees/ Many local associations are working on updating their constitution and bylaws. If you have done so, please be sure to send MEA the revised document. Any questions, please reach out to us. RemindersBiweekly conversations for MEA members of color are continuing. Each time new participants are joining in—why not be one of them? Upcoming dates are May 13th and 27th—watch for the invitation to register! The next MEA President’s Virtual Office Hours for local association presidents and vice presidents is next Tuesday, May 11th at 7:00. The next ones are planned for May 31st and June 15th. Join whenever you have time! Legislators in Augusta are continuing to hold hearings and work sessions. It is not too late to contact legislators as important bills affecting you and our students work their way through the legislature. Get the latest by signing up to receive “Under the Dome” Please reach out any time. I will gladly attend your local meetings and or talk on the phone or via zoom—just let me know! Lastly, we are all looking forward to returning to something closer to ‘normal’. With vaccines being so readily available now and more of us reaching ‘fully vaccinated’ status, we can begin to feel hopeful. That being said, the six safety requirements are still in place–please take care and stay well. Know that you can reach out any time. I will gladly attend your local meetings or talk on the phone or via zoom—just let me know! |
| In Unity, Grace Leavitt, President Maine Education Association |
