NSEA Voice February 2010

The

Voice The Nebraska State Education Association ď ś February 2010

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 1

On the Cover: Dwight D. Eisenhower was president when a 19-year-old from Kansas started his teaching career in Shickley. Fifty years later, Don Rytych is still there.

For his story, see

Page 8.

THE

VOICE Nebraska State Education Association 605 S. 14th Street, Suite 200 Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 · www.nsea.org (402) 475-7611 · (800) 742-0047

Volume 63, No. 6 ISSN Number: 1085-0783 USPS Number: 000-369 Executive Director Assoc. Executive Director Director of Public Affairs Assistant Comm. Director

Craig R. Christiansen Neal Clayburn Karen Kilgarin Al Koontz

NSEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jess Wolf, Hartington Vice President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia NEA Director Mark Shively, Omaha NEA Director Leann Widhalm, Norfolk

Official publication of the Nebraska State Education Association, Suite 200, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to NSEA Voice, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.

Published 10 times yearly according to this schedule: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May and August.

Payment of annual NSEA membership dues entitles Nebraska educators to receive The Voice. Total cost of producing 10 monthly issues of The Voice each year is about $4.84 per member.

Advertising rates of The Voice are available from the assistant communications director. All advertisements and advertisers are screened prior to publication.

Appearance of an advertisement in The Voice does not necessarily imply NSEA endorsement of either the product being advertised or the views being expressed.

Great Public Schools For Every Child Page 2 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

In the Race

State Submits ‘Race to the Top’ Application; NSEA Involved in Proposal Development Nebraska is officially in the race.

State officials on Jan. 19 hand-delivered Nebraska’s 224-page application for $122.6 million in federal ‘Race to the Top’ (RTTT) funds to the U.S. Department of Education.

RTTT funding offers a share of $4.3 billion in stimulus dollars to states that sign on to President Barack Obama’s education proposals. The goal is to create a culture of innovation and excellence in public schools, as well as student opportunity. Closing the achievement gap, especially for black and Latino students, is among priorities.

Gov. Dave Heineman has led the push for the RTTT application. He hopes to use the funds, at least in part, to finance the development of a Nebraska Virtual High School he unveiled in his State of the State address. Heineman led the steering committee of policymakers in developing the RTTT application.

On the committee were NSEA President Jess Wolf and NSEA Director of Instructional Advocacy Jay Sears.

The state’s goals under RTTT are: n To increase student achievement in reading/language arts and mathematics, as reported by the NAEP and the assessments required under the ESEA; n To decrease achievement gaps between subgroups in reading/language arts and mathematics, as reported by the NAEP and the assessments required under the ESEA; n Raise high school graduation rates; n To increase college enrollment and the number of students who complete, within two years of enrollment

in an institution of higher education, at least a year’s worth of college credit that is applicable to a degree.

What is not included in the RTTT application, said Sears, is a plan for merit pay. The Nebraska plan involves local school districts and local education associations in the development of the guidelines and any contract issues that affect education employees.

“It adds elements to the evaluation process for our teachers, but our teachers will not lose any rights,” he said.

Contracts will still be bargained at the local level, and any of the requirements listed in the RTTT grants will be developed with the input of local teachers.

“We know that Nebraska teachers need to be involved in the development of assessments, evaluations and programs that directly affect students and teachers,” said Sears. “That’s why you’ll see that teachers will be involved in any of the work if Nebraska gets a grant.”

Also absent from the Nebraska application: charter schools. Instead, Nebraska’s application explained the state’s strong open enrollment policy.

“Our application also pointed out that there are many options for students to choose different programs in the school districts where they live,” said Sears.

“The application also explains how the new Omaha-area Learning Community is providing open enrollment.”

To see the application, go to: www.nsea.org Questions about the grant? E-mail Sears at: jay.sears@nsea.org

Do you recycle in your classroom? Does your curriculum include a trip to the city landfill?

Do you turn out the lights when your class exits the room?

As the April 22 date for Earth Day approaches,The Voice is looking for the “green” tips, ideas and projects that teachers use in their classroom in the spirit of that annual observance.

We’re interested in anything you do that classifies as green. Being green in the classroom makes sense for the environment. It

sets a good example for our children and it can save your school district and district patrons tax money.

We hope to share some of the stories with the statewide audience of The Voice, but we need your input. Please send us details about what you’ve done and we’ll share it in a future edition. To tell us your story, go to the NSEA Web site, and click on the ‘Green in the Classroom’ link. NSEA’s site is at: www.nsea.org

How Green Are You?

From the President

Every Penny’s Worth

NSEA President Jess Wolf ‘Most educators put in substantially longer days than what is required under their contracts, and their commitment to the job also extends over weekends, through evenings and on ‘vacation’ days.’

During the course of every year, several stories on the pages of The Voice extol the virtues of the NSEA Children’s Fund.

The Children’s Fund is truly a remarkable charity which assists our members in providing much-needed medical supplies, clothing, eye and dental care, and more to Nebraska students in need. Most of the money used for this fund is donated by members, and I commend all who have contributed.

After the January edition of The Voice hit the mailboxes, I received an e-mail with tonguein-cheek praise for educators for providing the fund. I say ‘tongue-in-cheek’ because the person who had seen the recent article said it was good that educators were using their ‘ample’ salaries and ‘excessive’ days off for good purpose. He simply wished all teachers worked as hard as he does to earn those ‘generous’ paychecks.

Hard to Ignore At first, I simply ignored the note as another diatribe by someone who doesn’t understand the daily tasks and miracles that educators perform. Then I thought it odd that he held such a view. Although a few media and legislative folks get complimentary copies, The Voice for the most part goes only to NSEA members.

How could he be the spouse of a hard-working Nebraska educator and still hold such a low opinion of teachers?

So I’ve re-evaluated my initial decision not to reply, and have decided to respond here.

Dear Disgruntled, Thank you for recognizing the value of the NSEA Children’s Fund and for praising the educators who provide the cash donations that allow the fund to exist.

While I do appreciate your comments concerning the Children’s Fund, calling Nebraska educators ‘overpaid complainers’ is a blatant mis-characterization. Nebraska’s teachers do frequently draw attention to the fact that teaching salaries in this state are low. In a no-strike state, making our case for higher salaries is a valid option. And why should we do that? Because we are not overpaid! Nebraska salaries for K-12 teachers are 42nd among the 50 states.

This is pretty dismal ranking, coming as it does from a state that produces students who rank in the top 10 in nearly every statistical measure of

academic achievement.

College faculty salaries are also low for the region, which is comparably low for the nation.

Many of our education support professionals do not make a living wage and barely get by from paycheck to paycheck. It makes the generosity of those NSEA members who give to the Children’s Fund all the more impressive.

Consider, too, the time and finances these educators have committed to become professionals. Many enter the profession with an enormous college loan debt load – $20,000 to $50,000 is not uncommon. If these individuals were to spend every penny of their beginning salaries for their first five years in the profession to pay those loans (impossible, of course), they still would not pay off the debt.

The Calendar Issue With such low salaries, is it hard to understand why 50 percent of those we train to become educators in Nebraska go elsewhere to teach, or never join the profession in the first place? On the other side of the coin, can we blame them for leaving a profession that pays them 20 percent less than their college classmates, with similar four-year degrees?

And your characterization of a teacher’s work schedule shows the lack of insight one might expect from someone who has not done their homework.

First, teachers do not determine the school calendar; boards of education perform that task. Second, while I’m sensitive to discussions concerning the length of the school year and the scheduling of breaks, I disagree that educators do not put in full time work. Most educators put in substantially longer days than what is required under their contracts, and their commitment to the job also extends over weekends, through evenings and on ‘vacation’ days. Drive by any ‘closed’ school building and you’ll see the cars of dedicated employees in the parking lot.

While I can appreciate your commitment to your job, I suggest you visit a school classroom, college campus, or ride a school bus to see the equally strong and dedicated work ethic exhibited by Nebraska’s educators every day. You’ll soon discover that Nebraskans are getting more than every penny’s worth of value for their education dollar from their educational employees.

– Jess

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 3

Page 4 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

Meet, greet, share:Teachers from across the state arrived in Lincoln on Monday, Jan. 11, to have dinner with their state senators. The dinner gave educators a chance to talk with legislators about education issues, and to hear NEA Chief Economist Dr. Richard Sims talk about education’s role in the marketplace (see story, page 7). Pictured, from left, are Deb Borgelt, Speaker of the Legislature Sen. Mike Flood, and Nebraska NEA Director Leann Widhalm, all of Norfolk.

Pocketbook Power NSEA is Watching Bills That Will Affect Teacher Pay, Retirement Contributions and Retirement Income

Two bills that would have a direct effect on the pocketbooks of teachers have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature.

LB899 would preserve a state source of funding that has helped retired teachers maintain their purchasing power for more than 15 years. LB1071 would ensure Nebraska’s 10-month-old tuition reimbursement program would continue by providing the State Board of Education the authority to designate eligible coursework.

They are among nearly 100 bills before state senators that, if enacted, would affect the students, teachers and support personnel, as well as the operations, of K-12 public schools, colleges and universities. Some of those bills, like LB899 and LB1071, would forward the mission of teachers and public schools. Others are not so friendly to the cause of public education. All are under close watch by NSEA’s Government Relations staff.

“We want to make sure that those bills that advance the cause of children and public education get fair hearings and a chance at passage,” said NSEA President Jess Wolf. “We’ll work to defeat those that hinder public schools.”

Also high on the NSEA watch list are bills that would: n Provide a dedicated state fund to improve teacher compensation (LB1014). n Require teachers who know that a child has been absent for five days in a semester to report such absences, causing school officials to make personal contacts with the parent of the truant child (LB800). n Assign each school a performance score (LB1007).

n Provide for charter schools (LB1028). n Require an employer to give a written reason for termination of an at-will employee (LB107). n Increase the teacher contribution rate to the retirement system (LB366).

Retirement Dollars Since 1996, the state has funneled nearly $7 million a year into the state’s public employee retirement fund. The money supports cost of living increases for four categories of retired public employees: judges, state patrol, Omaha teachers, and teachers from the rest of the state.

Omaha teachers are in a separate retirement system, formed years before the statewide plan was enacted.

However, with the exception of the share that goes to the Omaha plan, the $7 million annual contribution is set to expire in June 2011. Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist introduced LB899, which would continue the funding indefinitely.

“We believe that the annual contribution needs to continue in order to help preserve the integrity of the fund,” said Karen Kilgarin, NSEA’s director of Government Relations.

Also on the retirement front is LB927, which could take a bite out of the salaries of teachers and education personnel. Introduced by the Legislature’s Retirement Committee, LB927 is a ‘place holder’ bill that could increase the teacher contribution rate to the retirement system.

The contribution rate was just raised one percent, from February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 5

7.28 percent to 8.28 percent, on Sept. 1, 2009. NSEA, along with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the Nebraska Association of School Boards, has supported a request for an actuarial analysis of the retirement system to determine the potential unfunded liability. The analysis will be complete before mid-March.

Tuition Reimbursement During the 2009 session of the Legislature, senators approved the Enhancing Excellence in Teaching Program, which uses $1 million in lottery proceeds to reimburse qualifying Nebraska teachers for the cost of some post-graduate hours.

Unfortunately, the program’s funding was limited, and there was enough cash for only 268 of the nearly 400 teachers who applied.

As the program grows in fame and stature, more teachers are expected to seek the reimbursement dollars. LB1071 would allow the Department of Education to clarify the application process and make other updates to the program.

“This has quickly become an essential program for Nebraska teachers,” said Wolf. “It will enhance the knowledge base and skills of our teaching force. It will only make our schools better.”

Below is a list of other bills that NSEA is watching.

Teacher Compensation LB1014 would create the Teacher Performance Pay Fund. Sen. Ken Haar’s bill would provide a stream of revenue to be exclusively used for additional pay for public school teachers. The revenue would come from solar and wind leases on the state’s school lands. NSEA supports LB1014.

Truancy Effort Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford’s LB800 would require teachers who know that a child has been absent for five days in a semester to report such absences. That report would then cause the school’s social worker, or other person designated by the school administration, to make personal contacts with the parent of the truant child. NSEA will work with Ashford to ensure such responsibilities are not dropped in the lap of classroom teachers. NSEA is watching LB800 closely.

Performance Score LB1007, offered by Sen. Greg Adams of York, requires the Department of Education to give each school a perPage 6 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

State of the State Address Stresses Education

Governor Ties Economic Growth to Education Clearly, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman understands the value of a quality education.

When he delivered his State of the State address to the Nebraska Legislature on Jan. 14, he noted three priorities: growing the state’s economy by focusing on job creation; strengthening the state’s system of education; and making state government more efficient through greater use of technology.

Heineman said a key element to spurring the state’s economic growth is a quality education for Nebraska children. He called on lawmakers and policymakers to “transform our education system from pre-school all the way through college.” That reform has started with the restructuring of the Nebraska P-16 Initiative.

An initial P-16 goal was to update high school graduation requirements with a core curriculum of four years of English and Heineman three years each of math, science and social studies. The State Board of Education has adopted those requirements, and Heineman signed off on the requirements on the day of the address. He said every child needs a good education.

“The road out of poverty into a good job is a good education, and a good education starts with parents and early learning activities at home. It continues with outstanding early childhood programs, and as our children enter one of Nebraska’s 253 school districts, the focus must be on learning,” he said.

Heineman said Nebraska’s schools are good, they must be better in the future.

“Increasing student achievement means Nebraska needs a high-quality teacher in every classroom, a high-quality principal in every school, and a high-quality superintendent leading every school district,” he said.

Reform of the school day and the 100-year-old school calendar is also on Heineman’s list. He called on school districts to re-examine that scheduling with a focus on increased learning opportunities for students.

He also touted Nebraska’s Race to the Top effort (see Page 2). That application features plans to work with the University of Nebraska on a virtual high school that will offer K-12 districts rigorous academic programs.

“For rural and urban school districts, it will provide access to a wider range of rigorous academic subjects, such as foreign languages and advanced math and science classes,” said Heineman.

He called on the state’s two- and four-year colleges to re-examine their educational processes. “Students need a clear path to degree completion in four years, not six years,” he said. formance score based on a number of criteria, including graduation rates and student assessment. It also provides for intervention teams to work with ‘priority schools’ – those schools receiving poor scores. Such schools would be required to submit progress plans to the State Board. The Nebraska Department of Education would be tasked with creating school performance measures.

Charter Schools LB1028, offered by Ellsworth Sen. Leroy Louden, would allow three or more people, or a Nebraska nonprofit, to form a school and get public funding. Such schools would have to have at

least five students and be at least seven miles from another school. The schools would be funded by the local school district, but under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Education, rather than the local board.

Due Process LB107, introduced last year by Sen. Ken Haar of Malcom, was carried over from the 2009 session. A fairness bill, it would require an employer to give an atwill employee written reason for termination. The bill would affect thousands of public school non-certified staff.

LB107 has advanced to General File.

NSEA supports the bill.

Case Made: Education Vital to the Economy Economist: Increased Education Leads to Increased Tax Revenue The Great Recession has taken a heavy toll on the nation’s economy, and chances are fair that the economic downslide will continue.

Investment in education, however, will lead to recovery and long term prosperity, according to Dr. Richard Sims, the chief economist for the National Education Association.

Sims spoke at a dinner for state policymakers held in early January. In attendance were Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, 36 of Nebraska’s 49 state senators, policy analysts and legislative aides.

Sims said seven million jobs have been lost since the recession began in December 2007.

“If the job recovery is at the same rate of recovery as in past recessions, it will be December 2016 before we’re back at the same level – that’s a 10-year recovery period,” said Sims.

But, he noted, financial recessions tend to recover at slower rates than do normal recessions. And he said there is a 30 to 40 percent chance that our economy will slide back into a second recession.

At this point, estimates indicate that by 2016, joblessness will have cost local, state and federal governments more than $700 billion in revenues, with $140 billion of that loss occurring in 2010 alone.

Education is a vital factor in the recovery of Nebraska’s economy, he said.

Consider that, in 1940, only four percent of Nebraskans had college degrees, and high school diplomas were an exception.

Thirty-five years later, by 1975, college diplomas were held by 25 percent of Nebraskans, and high school diplomas were held by 80 to 85 percent of Nebraskans.

Since 1980, however, those numbers have stagnated. The sure-fire way to replicate the post-war economic boom is through increased educational attainment, he said.

“If you think that increased education leads to increases in productivity, wealth and tax revenue, you’re right,” said Sims.

Sims also had these thoughts: On job creation: “The only option that seems to work in an economy with a lack of demand is to increase demand. The only way to increase demand is for the government to step in and do it itself.”

Hometown senator: Kearney teacher Jean Anderson met with Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney during the NSEAsponsored dinner for state senators.

On China: “The way you compete with a country like China is to stay ahead of them educationally. We’re still miles ahead of China, India and Pakistan – but they are catching up.”

On Business tax incentives: “Over the past 10 years, the states with the ‘best’ business climate rankings had the slowest economic growth. The states with the ‘worst’ business incentives had the most robust growth. None of those rankings take quality of work force into account. None take quality of education into account. They all leave the human capital out of the equation.”

Sims is former policy director for the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy in Washington, D.C. He has been chief economist for the Arkansas Legislature, and director of the Office of Economic Analysis for the Kentucky Legislature. For two years, he was the senior advisor to the parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

It’s Easy to Track the Legislature!

State lawmakers are meeting in Lincoln, right now, making decisions that will affect your job, how you do it and how much you’ll earn to do it. So why not keep up with the latest legislative developments? Here’s how:  E-Updates: Add your name to NSEA’s e-mail list to receive regular legislative updates. You can also become one of NSEA’s cyber-lobbyists, communicating your thoughts on legislation to state senators. To participate, e-mail Cathy Schapmann at: cathy.schapmann@nsea.org  NSEA text message alerts: NSEA has created three text messaging groups. Sign up for one, two or all three options. The all member group will receive messages on general NSEA activities. The legislative group will receive texts pertaining to state

and federal lawmaking. The SEAN group will focus on events and issues for that NSEA affiliate. To sign up for the text messaging service, provide the requested information at this Web site: http://www.nsea.org/text.htm You can also sign up by e-mailing your first and last name and a cell number to: kristi.capek@nsea.org  On the Web: The NSEA Web site is updated regularly with news of legislative progress. Check NSEA’s site at: http://www.nsea.org  And more on the Web: Follow the progress of bills on the Nebraska Legislature’s Web site at: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/ February2010 2010nnThe TheNSEA NSEAVoice VoicennPage Page77 February

Keyboarding skills: Don Rytych gives instruction to a student in his fifth grade classroom at Shickley. Closing in on 50 years with the school district, Rytych has no immediate plans to retire.

Fabulous Fifty!

Shickley’s Don Rytych is Nearing a Career Milestone Few Teachers Have Reached

Long hours and low pay often combine to push teachers out of the profession in the first five years of their career.

Don’t tell that to Shickley’s Don Rytych. When the end of this school year rolls around in May, he will have completed 50 years at the head of a classroom. Remarkable as that is, it’s even more notable that every one of those 50 years will have been logged at Shickley.

“The community has treated me well – they’ve not run me out of town yet,” jokes Rytych.

Seven different superintendents have come and gone during Rytych’s tenure. He has outlasted scores of colleagues and seen hundreds of students come and go. The Shickley school colors have turned from orange and black to green and white, and, if he sticks around another year, Rytych will see them turn to maroon, silver and black as Shickley enters a sports cooperative with Bruning-Davenport.

He started his teaching career with a two-year college degree at age 19 – and at that age was too young to legally contribute to the state’s teacher retirement plan. So at the end of the year, he’ll have 50 years teaching, but 49 years of retirement system contributions.

Page 8 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

While Rytych may not be the most experienced teacher in the state in terms of years taught, he is almost certainly the teacher with the longest tenure at a single school. A check of Nebraska Department of Education records by NSEA turned up at least three other teachers with 47 or more years in one district (see sidebar), but none that matched the 49-plus years Rytych has under his belt at Shickley.

‘Flat-Out Scared’ Ironically, but for a change in teacher certification rules in his native Kansas, Rytych might have spent his career in the Sunflower state.

Rytych attended the now-closed Fairbury Junior College. In 1959, the year before he graduated, Kansas officials changed the rules: teachers would henceforth need a four-year degree to enter the profession in that state. Fortunately for Rytych, it would not be until the mid-1960s that Nebraska would adopt a similar rule.

Rytych says the college had a connection with Shickley administrators.

“The college had a funnel to Shickley,” he said. “They

hired a lot of Fairbury grads to work here.”

In the summer of 1960 – Dwight D. Eisenhower was still president – Rytych was one of them. By the end of August, he was in Shickley, contemplating the first day in his sixth grade classroom. Rytych admits he was “flatout scared,” and wondered: “What am I doing here?”

Today, he is easily the veteran of the staff. His wife Shirley’s 36 years as the foreign language teacher ranks second in terms of tenure at the school.

The character of his students has barely changed, he says. There may be a few more discipline problems than there were years ago, but little of a serious nature. Fewer families are engaged in farming. Where most mothers stayed at home years ago, most now work to bolster the family income. Although parents are busier than in years past, one thing hasn’t changed, he said.

“Shickley parents are still concerned about their kids. They want them to have a good education, to learn to do what’s right,” said Rytych. “We have good support from parents here.”

Teaching Changes There have been significant changes in the classroom, he says.

“Teachers have more resources to tap into. The Internet offers a large array of materials and help for the teacher,” he said.

While teachers in the past largely worked alone, today there is more of a team approach to the job. Teachers with specialized areas of expertise are available to work alongside classroom teachers, better serving students who are having difficulty. Teachers in neighboring schools network to discuss what works and what doesn’t work.

On the other hand, teachers seem to be more dedicated to their classes and their school system than they were years ago, he said. They are better educated. Rytych is one of an estimated 42 percent of Nebraska teachers who hold master’s degrees.

“Teaching is getting somewhat closer to being a profession,” he said.

Today, Rytych completely enjoys his students. Enough so that he’s not yet ready to follow 50 years of the ‘Three R’s’ with another ‘R’ – retirement.

“I’m physically fit and I still feel I need to do something,” he said. “The kids keep me young, keep me active.

And I really enjoy what I’m doing.”

First Grade is Best!

Three Other NSEA Members Near 50 Years At least four Nebraska teachers had completed 46 or more years of teaching with the same school district at the end of the 2008-09 school year. That’s according to NSEA’s unofficial review of the annual Nebraska Education Directory, published by the Nebraska Department of Education.

And none of them are ready to retire yet – all four are back in the classroom again this year. In addition to Don Rytych closing in on 50 years, they are Karen Clark, a counselor at Omaha South High School, now in her 49th year; Carol Schmidt, a first grade teacher at Lincoln’s Brownell Elementary School, also in her 49th year; and Antoinette ‘Tony’ Turnquist, a program supervisor for the Omaha Public Schools, in her 47th year.

Clark spent two years at Omaha’s Lewis and Clark Middle School before joining the South High School staff. Today, she counsels students hoping to get into college or some other level of advanced education. Clark’s reason for working is simple.

“It’s because I like to work with kids,” she said. “I hope I make a difference in their lives.”

Clark likes the daily variety of the job, and says helping inner city students pursue higher education goals is rewarding.

She knows that she could have retired years ago.

“It’s all in what’s best for you as an individual. I could have retired, and I thought about it,” she said.“But I didn’t want to Clark retire at the time, and it was the right decision for me.”

Schmidt is also in her 49th year of teaching – all but one semester at Brownell, and nearly all of it with first graders.

“I love it! First graders are the best!” she said.

Schmidt says she’s the kind of person who needs something interesting to do every day, and teaching answers that need. It’s also challenging because teaching has changed so much since her first classroom in 1960.

“We taught a lot of consonants and ending sounds. But with full-day kindergarten, a lot of them have those skills by first grade,” she said. “And spelling we didn’t do at all, but again, all-day kindergarten has changed that. We expect a lot Schmidt more of kids today.”

Her kids also come from much different home situations than did the children in her first classroom. “Each one must be handled differently, and it’s hard sometimes to put yourself in their shoes,” she said.

And retirement? “As of right now, no plans,” said Schmidt.

Turnquist is a program supervisor in the Business Services Department for the Omaha Public Schools. In that role, she is responsible for purchasing, warehousing, supplies and distribution for the district.

But for 39 years, she taught. Her first classrooms were at Monroe and then McMillian Junior High Schools. She then spent 36 years at Omaha South High School teaching art, art history and women’s studies. She chaired the art and foreign language departments, as well as the ROTC and English as a second language programs for a time.

And she admits that she never wanted to be a teacher. She Turnquist took education classes as an insurance policy, and planned to go to grad school. Then she went through her student teaching semester.

“I fell in love with the kids, education and the process,” she said.

“I’m now doing it for 49,000 kids,” she said. “It’s not the same as a small classroom, but I like making a difference for teachers, students and administrators. That’s why we’re all here.”

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 9

Nebraska Teacher Salary Update

State’s Average Salary Moves Up Slightly; Yet Much Ground Has Been Lost Since ‘04-‘05

Progress has been made in efforts to raise the salaries of Nebraska’s teachers, but there is much work to be done.

That’s one conclusion to be made from the latest Rankings & Estimates report by the National Education Association, released last month.

The report shows that the average salary of Nebraska teachers moved from 45th in 2007-08 to 42nd in 200809.

It also shows that the state’s average salary figure for 2008-09, $44,957, kept pace with national gains, breaking a long trend of losing ground to the national average salary. A year ago, Nebraska teachers trailed the national average by $9,423; in the new report, Nebraska trails the national figure ($54,333) by $9,376, marking a slight gain of $47 on the national average.

Yet there is much more to be gained — or perhaps regained. Six years ago, Nebraska’s average salary was just $8,475 behind the national average. Even more recently, in 200405, Nebraska was 38th in the national rankings.

And, although Nebraska passed Missouri in the average salary rankings this past year, four contiguous states still rank well ahead of Nebraska’s 42nd place position (see box).

Salary Improvements Neighboring states, notably Wyoming, have made big strides in salary improvement in recent years.

According to Rankings & Estimates, Wyoming is far and away the leader in the percentage change in instructional staff salaries, using constant dollars, over the 10-year period ending in 2008-09. Teachers in that state saw salaries grow by 26.3 percent during that period, nearly 24 points higher than the national average, and nearly 11 points ahead of second-place LouiPage Page10 10nnThe TheNSEA NSEAVoice VoicennFebruary February2010 2010

2008-09 Regional Average Salary Rankings

State

Salary

Nat. Rank

Wyoming..........$54, 602...............16th Iowa...................$48,638................26th Colorado..........$48,487................28th Kansas...............$46,401................37th Nebraska......$44,957.......... 42nd Missouri............$44,712................44th S. Dakota..........$35,070................51st siana.

Starting salaries in Wyoming now rival Nebraska’s average salary, with most of Wyoming’s 49 school districts

starting teachers at more than $40,000.

And as has been frequently noted, most Wyoming districts pay both the employer and employee retirement contributions, with some also picking up health insurance premium costs.

Nebraska teacher salaries, using constant dollars, lost 5.2 percent in salary value during that 10-year span, 46th best in the country.

Iowa, too, has gained considerable ground on other states. In 2007-08, Iowa ranked 31st in the nation, but at $48,638, moved to 26th place last year.

And in constant dollars over the

STARTING SALARIES Bottom 25 Wheeler Central $24,900 Lynch $24,950 Loup Co $25,200 Elba $25,250 Spalding $25,300 Arcadia $25,500 Sandhills-Dunning $25,550 Maywood $25,600 Anselmo-Merna $25,950 Giltner $26,000 Hyannis $26,000 Mullen $26,000 Sargent $26,000 ESU 17-Ainsworth $26,050 Cedar Rapids $26,100 Homer $26,100 Brady $26,175 Litchfield $26,400 Sioux County $26,400 Sutherland $26,400 Callaway $26,450 Leigh $26,500 ESU 07-Columbus $26,550 Ansley $26,575 Greeley-Wolbach $26,600

Top 25 Lincoln Millard Omaha Blair Walthill Elkhorn Norris Winnebago Bennington Westside ESU 02-Fremont Norfolk North Platte Columbus Lexington Umonhon Nation Raymond Central Ashland-Greenwood Gering Pierce Grand Island Gretna Waverly Harvard ESU 03-Omaha

MA $34,908 $32,734 $32,282 $31,865 $31,798 $31,714 $31,660 $31,640 $31,590 $31,500 $31,388 $31,195 $31,140 $31,125 $31,000 $31,000 $30,900 $30,780 $30,723 $30,672 $30,605 $30,550 $30,535 $30,424 $30,381

Bottom 2 Lynch Elba Spalding Stuart Sioux County Cedar Rapids Giltner Prague Homer Arcadia Litchfield Amherst Pleasanton North Loup-Scotia Leigh Greeley-Wolbach McCool Junction St. Edward Harvard Wheeler Central Wynot Brady Niobrara Red Cloud Newcastle

past 10 years, Iowa teachers have seen their salaries grow by 7 percent, 14th best in the country.

Nebraska average salary also ranks behind Colorado (28th) and Kansas (37th).

Finally, in 2008-09, Nebraska remained at 42nd in terms of state funding for public schools. Only 38.5 percent of public school funding in Nebraska comes from the state (53.6 percent came from local sources). Neighboring states, meanwhile, did much better with state funding. In Kansas, public schools received 58.4 percent of their funding from state sources. In Wyoming, it was 52.8 percent; Iowa, 48.5 percent; Colorado, 42.8 percent.

Rankings & Estimates is compiled by NEA’s Research Department, and has been published annually since the 1960s. To download a copy, go to: http://www.nea.org/home/IssuesAndAction.html

MASTER’S DEGREE – MAX Bottom 25

g

ounty Rapids

a ld st nton Loup-Scotia

y-Wolbach l Junction ard d er Central

ra oud stle

$37,924 $39,390 $39,468 $41,040 $41,184 $41,238 $41,600 $41,730 $41,760 $41,820 $42,240 $42,276 $42,276 $42,344 $42,400 $42,560 $42,588 $42,818 $42,818 $42,828 $42,880 $42,927 $43,016 $43,056 $43,200

Top 25 Lincoln Omaha Papillion-Lavista Tekamah-Herman Bayard Ralston ESU #13-Scottsbluff Fremont ESU #11-Holdrege Bellevue Omaha Nation Kearney Hastings Raymond Central Gering Grand Island York North Platte Sarpy Dist. #46 Elkhorn Bridgeport Pierce Norfolk Plattsmouth Beatrice

About These Salary Charts The information on these charts comes from the NSEA Bargaining and Research Department and represent figures for the 2008-09 school year.

The charts serve two purposes: they provide factual information to NSEA members and negotiators; and they allow negotiators and individuals to make fact-based decisions as they begin the negotiations process.

The numbers also provide benchmarks, and allow negotiators, in particular, to set goals based on competitive — and not just comparable or average — measurements.

The charts represent information from 262 school districts, each represented by an NSEA bargaining unit.

Questions? Contact NSEA’s Karen Hunt at: karen.hunt@nsea.org

SALARY SCHEDULE – MAX $65,701 $63,721 $58,551 $54,766 $53,675 $53,138 $53,085 $53,083 $52,920 $52,800 $52,080 $51,942 $51,926 $51,912 $51,891 $51,817 $51,765 $51,692 $51,686 $51,682 $51,626 $51,404 $51,316 $51,256 $51,170

Bottom 25 Lynch $39,920 Spalding $41,745 Arcadia $41,820 Stuart $42,120 Wheeler Central $42,828 Elba $42,925 Cedar Rapids $43,457 Giltner $43,680 Prague $43,870 West Boyd Unified $44,444 Anselmo-Merna $44,634 Arthur Co. HS $44,690 Greeley-Wolbach $44,954 Wynot $45,024 St. Edward $45,122 Niobrara $45,280 Leigh $45,580 Kenesaw $45,696 Minatare $45,799 Ansley $45,975 Newman Grove $46,053 Maywood $46,336 Sumner-Eddyville-Miller $46,354 Wilcox-Hildreth $46,440 Amherst $46,612

Top 25 Millard Lincoln Omaha Papillion-Lavista Fremont North Platte Norfolk Columbus Norris Bellevue Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Grand Island ESU #01-Wakefield Gering ESU #09-Hastings Ralston Plattsmouth York ESU #11-Holdrege So. Sioux City Elkhorn Kearney Hastings Crete Bridgeport

$71,357 $70,138 $68,041 $67,582 $66,136 $65,705 $64,574 $64,438 $63,637 $63,600 $63,580 $62,836 $62,573 $62,475 $61,504 $61,313 $61,090 $61,045 $60,480 $60,451 $59,905 $59,888 $59,870 $59,700 $59,524

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 11

P NPO NT NG Base: Teachers: Students:

Torrington, WY $41,000 203 1,813

Scottsbluff $29,950 234 2,840

Base: Teachers: Students:

Lusk, WY $38,500 46 376

Chadron $29,500 95 977

Base: Teachers: Students:

Base: Teachers: Students:

Pine Bluffs, WY $40,700 121 879

Kimball $28,800 57 566 Base: Teachers: Students:

Holyoke, CO $31,000 49 575

Imperial $29,600 55 552

Ba

Teache

Studen

Tri-Center $31,825* 59 782

B

Teach

Stude Base: Teachers: Students:

Brush, CO $30,250 112 1,490

Base: Teachers: Students:

Sidney $30,725 111 1,259

Oberlin, KS $32,100 36 372

McCook $30,043 120 1,442 Base:

Statistics from out-of-state schools obtained from those schools. Nebraska salary numbers are from contract settlement forms submitted by local associations to NSEA. Nebraska teacher numbers obtained from settlement forms or via telephone contact with school. Student numbers obtained from Nebraska Department of Education 2008-09 enrollment ďŹ gures.

Page 12 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

Teachers: Students:

Belleville, KS $33,223 44 472

NG THE SSUE Yankton, S. D. $34,400 Base: 192 Teachers: 2,779 Students:

Norfolk $32,000 326 4,005

Base: Teachers: Students:

Tekamah-Herman $28,575 55 566

Center 1,825* 59 782

Base: Teachers: Students:

elleville, KS $33,223 44 472

Council Bluffs, IA $37,336* 702 9,476

LeMars, IA $35,145* 152 2,171

Shenandoah, IA Nebraska City $30,825 $33,650* Base: 113 88 Teachers: 1,337 1,027 Students:

Omaha $32,485 3,951 49,191

Des Moines, IA $36,804* Base: 2,803 Teachers: 31,924 Students:

Base: Teachers: Students:

Thayer Central $28,400 34 410

South Sioux City $30,950 326 3,823

Base: Teachers: Students:

Hiawatha, KS $32,000 83 880

Falls City $29,750 77 880

Liberty, MO $33,668 724 10,680

Lincoln $34,908 2,725 34,001

Bellevue $30,890 754 9,774

* Includes up to $4,400 per teacher of state money Map Š Rand McNally from the 2004 Road February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 13 Atlas, R.L.09-S-08

What it’s all about: Pat Timm, State Board of Education member from Beatrice, was one of several State Board members who took time last year to read to students at Saratoga Elementary School in Lincoln in observance of last year’s Read Across America.

Are You Ready to Read Across?

In May 1997, a small reading task force at NEA came up with the idea to create a day to celebrate reading.

Their ‘Read Across America’ plan has become the largest reading celebration in the country. The purpose, of course, is to motivate children to read, an important factor in student achievement and a step toward creating successful lifelong readers.

Not only did the Read Across America idea originate with NEA, but NEA provides ample supporting material to make your March 2 observance a rousing success.

The NEA Read Across America Web site includes a ‘how to’ guide

Gear Up, Get Ready!

Gear up for Read Across America! SmileMakers, an NEA Member Benefits partner, will offer a five percent discount to NSEA members. As you ramp up for Read Across America, this is a key opportunity to order Dr. Seuss merchandise, incentive items, classroom aids and other SmileMakers products. As always, shipping is free regardless of the size of the order. Be sure use promo code “NEAMB” to get the five percent discount when ordering. Search for ‘SmileMakers’ in the search engine of the upper right hand corner of the NEA Member Benefits home page at: www.neamb.com

to creating a reading

event; activity ideas; a downloadable resource calendar; certificates of achievement and appreciation; bookmarks; a reader’s oath; a proclamation for your city council to use in proclaiming March 2 as a day to celebrate reading; and more.

The Web site offers sample media advisories; sample letters for your local newspaper; editorials to submit to your local newspaper, and more.

Help build a nation of readers.

Use NEA’s resources to celebrate Read Across America. Look under ‘Grants and Events’ on the NEA Web site at: www.nea.org

Accountability, Achievement is Reading Conference Goal The 37th Nebraska State Reading Association Conference will feature a strong line-up to help teachers find solutions, demonstrate accountability, and work together to improve student achievement in their districts.

The conference is Feb. 25-27 at the Kearney Ramada Inn. Nationally known speakers and authors presenting include Avi; Janet Allen; Greg Tang; Maryann Manning; Becky Bone; and Suse MacDonald.

Page 14 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

Thursday’s workshops offer half day in-service on Creating Better Writers; Developing Vocabulary; Strategies for Middle and Secondary Level; Nonfiction Readers and Writers; Multiple Intelligences; and Differentiated Instruction. The Thursday evening general session features Kathryn Au on ‘Real Schools, Real Success: A Road Map for Change.’

Friday and Saturday lineups continue with more workshops and breakouts

covering the Hot Topics in Literacy; an RTI Forum; Reading Inquiry; Poetry; Intervention Strategies; and Best Literacy Block, among others.

There will also be a reading exposition, with displays of the latest and best educational products. Save on registration fees by joining NSRA and your local council.

Register today by going to the NSRA Web site at: www.nereads.org/

Papillion-LaVista Members Benefit from PLEA Scholarship South Sioux, Lincoln Members Take Action Two teachers are the beneficiaries of $500 scholarships from their very own Papillion-LaVista Education Association.

Megan Peetz, a foreign language teacher at Papillion-LaVista South High School, and Kelli Roehrig, a teacher at Golden Hills Elementary School, were selected as winners of the scholarships.

Association Treasurer Andy Isaacson said the association had accumulated money in savings and certificates of deposits, and membership hoped to find a way of giving back to the members.

“Nothing like this had been done in the district, and it took many meetings and discussions to decide who would receive it, how many scholarships we would give out, and how we would award them,” said Isaacson.

Working with PLEA President Linda Floro, the association board finalized the process, received 11 applications, and selected Peetz and Roehrig as the first recipients.

Isaacson said plans call for another

round of scholarships again next year.

The Lincoln Education Association was able to use the generosity of a state senator to benefit the LEA Foundation and get in some face time with state senators.

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln donated a lunch with state senators to the annual LEA Foundation fundraising project. Lincoln teacher Linda Freye purchased the luncheon. Along with LEA President Jenni Absalon and NSEA Board Member Marcia Benner, Freye enjoyed the company of Sen. Conradt, Sen. Tony Fulton and Sen. Colby Coash, all of Lincoln.

The South Sioux City Education Association has turned lemons into lemonade.

Two years ago, the Nebraska State Patrol was notified after the association’s new treasurer found irregularities in the SSCEA’s accounts. NSEA staff worked with the SSCEA and the State Patrol, and two former members

Cash for kids: NSEA President Jess Wolf accepts a check for the Children’s Fund from South Sioux City President Tracia Blom.

were prosecuted for theft.

A portion of the lost monies was repaid, and in a show of financial stability, members of SSCEA voted to donate $2,000 to the NSEA Children’s Fund. President Tracia Blom presented NSEA President Jess Wolf with a check for that amount.

“We’re in a better position to protect ourselves moving forward and we thought this gesture would make a positive statement for our membership, as well as benefiting students across Nebraska who are in need of the NSEA Children’s Fund,” said Blom.

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 15

Resources You Can Use Environmental Literacy Plan Meetings Scheduled The Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environment Education is hosting three more stakeholder meetings for those interested in providing input on the development of the Nebraska Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP).

The Nebraska Environmental Literacy Plan will create a framework for Nebraska educators to use when teaching about the environment. It will help Nebraska’s students be knowledgeable and proactive in dealing with conservation and environmental issues that will face them in the future. The plan is being developed in order to place Nebraska in the forefront to receive expected federal funding for quality outdoor learning activities and environmental education programs across the state.

The meetings will be held in Omaha on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Papio/ Missouri River NRD; in Norfolk on Monday, Feb. 15, at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College at 601 E. Benjamin Ave.; and in Valentine on Monday, March 22, at Mid-Plains Community College, 113 N. Hall St. Meetings open at 6:30 p.m. If interested in attending, please RSVP to: hheafer@lincoln.ne.gov A draft copy of the ELP may be downloaded at: www.nacee.org

Black History Month Materials Offered Through NEA NEA has joined American I Am and Tavis Smiley to offer educators an historically relevant, culturally diverse, curriculum for use in classrooms across the country as part of Black History Month observances. America I Am lesson plans, activity sheets and other learning materials are available free of charge for the length of the exhibition’s four-year run.

The materials are tailored by grade level, covering grades five through 12, and can be used as a stand-alone history unit, or linked to other curricula including social studies, economics, math and literature. To access the material, go to: www.AmericaIAM.org Page 16 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

Helping Haiti Teachers across the country have been asking how they can help with the crisis facing Haiti as a result of last month’s massive earthquake.

The National Education Association is participating in the Education International Solidarity Fund, which channels support directly to its Haitian affiliate, Confédération Nationale des Éducateurs d’Haïti (CNEH).The funds are managed by Education International; disbursements will be made first to secure lives and second to support the resumption of education. This is a safe way to ensure that relief funds go directly to teachers and positively support children.

Checks can be made out to the National Education Association.They will be forwarded directly to Education International for humanitarian assistance to CNEH. These can be sent to: Haiti Earthquake Recovery National Education Association 1201 16th Street NW, Suite 614 Washington, D.C. 20036

For more details, or for resources on tips on how to help students understand and cope with the magnitude of the disaster, go to: www.nsea.org

New NEA Resource Prevents, Addresses Violent Behavior All educators want students to learn and be successful academically, behaviorally and socially in school. Educators know that students learn more when they feel safe, and educators also want to work in a safe environment.

The NEA Health Information Network (HIN) School Crisis Guide Web site has a new resource to help educators prevent violent behavior. The guide, Preventing and Addressing Violent Behavior: Taking Proactive Steps

to School Safety, focuses on a proactive approach to making the work and learning environment safe and violence free.

The guide offers an overview of effective classroom management strategies, describes evidence-based whole school approaches; provides guidance on what to do when an educator is assaulted; and offers resources to learn more about preventive strategies.

The guide was developed by the NEA and HIN, consulting with the National Association of School Psychologists and American Psychological Association.

The guide is available at: http://www.neahin.org/crisisguide/ before/index.html

Re-elect Leann Widhalm, NEA Director

Representing You as Your Local Link to the NEA: A Capital Idea!

Anderson Headed Back Into Orbit Nebraska Native Will Launch in March

Clayton Anderson is headed back into space.

The Ashland native and NASA astronaut will be a mission specialist on the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery, scheduled to launch on March 18. The shuttle will dock with the International Space Station, where it will spend 10 to 12 days attached to the space station.

The shuttle mission is to deliver a multi-purpose logistics module filled with science racks to the space station laboratories.

Anderson Anderson will be one of five mission specialists on the crew. Along with Mission Specialist Rick Mastracchio, he will conduct three six-hour spacewalks, during which they will replace an ammonia tank assembly; retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station’s exterior; and switch out a gyro assembly on a space station struss.

Officially designated STS-131, it is the 33rd shuttle mission to the International Space Station. It is Anderson’s second trip into space. In 2007, he spent 152 days aboard the space station.

To follow Anderson’s space adventure, check out this Web site: http://www.1011now.com/spaceblog

Bargaining Date Set Teleconference to Offer Vital Details for ‘10-‘11 Talks Three sites have been locked down, and details on three more are nearly worked out as NSEA prepares for a March 20 teleconference open to negotiators across the state, The teleconference will include sharing of statewide bargaining goals for the 2010-11 school year. Locals sharing common arrays will have the opportunity to develop their own bargaining goals and strategies. Also on the agenda will be an update on the state aid situation and health insurance premiums, among other issues.

Sites selected so far include the University of Nebraska at Kearney Campus; Educational Service Unit 16 in North Platte; and Educational Service Unit No. 13 in Scottsbluff.

Sites are also being secured in Lincoln, Omaha and Fremont.

Local association negotiators are urged to save the date in order to participate. The program will start at 9:30 a.m. and will close by 2:30 p.m.

For more details, call NSEA at 1-800-742-0047; watch The Voice; or check the NSEA Web site at: www.nsea.org

Supplies Sought for Annual SEAN Benefit The Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) is looking for donated classroom items for a silent auction to be held at the Spring Conference at Hastings College on Feb. 26-27.

Donated items can be anything a teacher could use, such as new or gently used bulletin board items, books, lesson plans, activity projects, etc. Proceeds will benefit the SEAN undergraduate scholarship, which helps send a SEAN member to a national conference.

If you have items to donate, please call NSEA’s Tamra Mick at 1-800-7420047, or e-mail her at: tamra.mick@nsea.org February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 17

Are You ‘New Leader’ Material?

Expense-Paid NSEA Training Develops Leadership Skills

Does honing your leadership skills interest you? Would you like to learn more about your Association before accepting or seeking a leadership post?

In both cases, the dates of June 13-16 are of the utmost importance. That’s when NSEA’s 24th New Leader Institute will be held in Lincoln.

Every year, 30 NSEA members spend four expense-paid days in Lincoln at the New Leader Institute. The Institute is an annual training for members who are on the verge of taking leadership positions; those who anticipate seeking leadership positions in the near future; or those who may have been leaders at one time and are interested in renewing involvement.

The purpose is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge they need to become better leaders, both personally and professionally. Since its inception, more than 500 NSEA

members have participated, and have given the Institute rave reviews!

All Higher Education, ESP and K-12 members are eligible.

Minority members are especially encouraged to apply.

The 2010 version will begin Sunday afternoon, June 13, and will conclude with a graduation luncheon on Wednesday, June 16. Participants must attend all sessions. NSEA provides lodging and meals.

The New Leader Institute Committee is now seeking nominees. All nominees will receive a letter, an application, and an April deadline for accepting the nomination. As space is limited, applications will then be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

For details, contact NSEA at 1-800-742-0047 and ask for Midge Dublinske, New Leader Institute coordinator.

Last Call for NSEA Award Nominees There are thousands of NSEA members deserving of accolades for their work, and a handful will be recognized at NSEA’s 2010 Delegate Assembly — but only if they receive your support!

Any NSEA member may nominate an individual or group for the awards.

In all cases, send nominations by Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, to: NSEA Awards, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Nominations may also be submitted online, with supporting material mailed to the NSEA. The online forms are at the ‘Call for Nominations’ link on the NSEA Web site at: www.nsea.org NSEA members are eligible for: n NSEA Rookie of the Year. n Award for Teaching Excellence. n Education Support Professional of the Year.

Finalists will be notified in March.

Winners will be announced at the Delegate Assembly in Lincoln April 16-17.

Each winner receives a $250 cash award, and each finalist earns a $100 award.The Award for Teaching Excellence winner will compete for the NEA Teaching Excellence Award and a $25,000 prize.

Though there are no cash awards for these honors, NSEA members may also be nominated for: n Community Service: Recognizes NSEA members or local associations actively involved in non-paid volunteer work outside of classroom duty hours. n Local Public Relations: Recognizes local associations for outstanding Page 18 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

communication within the association, and promotion of educational excellence in the community.

These awards will also be presented: n Friend of Education: Local associations are encouraged to nominate an

individual or organization that has made a statewide contribution to education. n Media: Recognizes a media outlet for outstanding work in covering education and promoting community involvement in education.

NEA Member Benefits Snookie’s Snippets Insurance needs don’t disappear in retirement. In fact, those needs often become more complex after retirement. Saving money is important, but disaster can wipe you out unless you have insurance to cover the things you own and the people you love.

Do some homework on the Internet or at the library to learn how to safeguard yourself and Krumbiegel your family. You may also want to look into long term care and life insurance for a spouse, which will pay for estate taxes for survivors.

Don’t forget to check those products with NEA Member Benefits at: www.neamb.com Younger Members Younger members, those early in their careers, should have health insurance to provide coverage for a short period, or maybe for a longer period, in the event they have an accident or illness that prevents them from working.

Equally important is protecting income — usually an educator’s biggest asset — with disability insurance. Along with auto insurance, it’s important to have home or renter’s insurance that covers theft, damage, personal injury and clean-up expenses. look for those products at: www.neamb.com

Buy a New Car, Get Fit with NEAMB Member Benefits Offers Auto Advantage, Snap Fitness Discounts to Members

NEA Member Benefits is offering two new programs that will help members save money as well as support their personal goals.

The NEA Auto Purchase Advantage Program provides members low, no-haggle prices on new and used cars through a network of more than 2,400 select Certified Dealers across the country. Members will be able to comparatively shop, select a vehicle and obtain all information online, including the selling price in writing, before even setting foot in a showroom.

Members can access the NEA Auto Purchase Advantage Program by registering on the NEA Member Benefits Web site.

While online, members may also obtain a quote for auto insurance through the NEA Members Auto & Home Insurance Program!

And in case you’re struggling with

the fitness aspect of your New Year’s Resolutions, NEA MB is offering its first health club discount. Snap Fitness, which operates more than 1,000 stateof-the-art, 24-hour-access fitness clubs, will waive joining fees and give a 10 percent discount on monthly dues to NEA members. The first-year savings are estimated at approximately $100.

In Nebraska, Snap Fitness is located in Bellevue, Lincoln (six locations), Waverly, Grand Island, and, for northeast Nebraskans, in North Sioux City, SD. Members can obtain setails about Snap Fitness sites and enroll for membership online at the NEA Member Benefits Web site which can be found at: www.neamb.com NEA Member Benefits hopes to offer additional health club discount opportunities in the future, in order to make the programs accessible to the majority of members.

Sweepstakes Register on the NEAMember Benefits Web site for upcoming sweepstakes and promotions like these: n Through Feb. 14, the ‘Sweet on You’ gift basket, which includes: $100 from Barnes & Noble and iTunes; a cookbook; free H&R Block tax preparation; and a box of chocolates. n From March 1 through April 15, the ‘Spring Ahead’ basket, with Quicken Financial Software; a $1,000 Liberty Travel gift card; and an Alamo 2-Day weekend car rental certificate. n From March 15 through April 14, a $5,000 Travel Getaway Sweepstakes and five $500 Whirlpool gift cards.

Register to win at: www.neamb.com Snookie Krumbiegel is Nebraska’s NEA Member Benefits representative.

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 19

Page 20 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

From the Executive Director

Are There Alternatives? dismal record. The dilemma for communities is that the I began teaching in 1970. I worked for a district that investment they make in their schools reflects the value paid one of the highest beginning salaries in Nebraska – they place on their community — and its future. $6,900. That doesn’t sound like much in today’s world, School districts and college governance boards insist but when that 1970 salary of $6,900 is converted into that the budget is not a negotiable item — that they don’t today’s dollars, it is equal to more than $38,000. How bargain the budget. The fact is that every collective barmany beginning teachers in Nebraska make more than gaining agreement is an agreement on a major portion of $38,000? None. Today a beginning teacher in Nebraska the education budget. And educators need to do a better has less buying power than I did when I began teachjob of making their case to the broad community that the ing 40 years ago. And that means that teachers have not most important item in gained buying power over school and college budthe last 40 years — they gets is fair compensation have lost ground. In adfor high quality staff. dition, teachers are now paid about 78 percent of A New Approach what other college gradAre there alternatives? uates earn — and that Yes. Teachers often degap is increasing. Many fend the “integrity” of things have gotten better a salary schedule that in the last 40 years; teachmay not serve them well. er compensation hasn’t.

There are times when it is Why not? arguably better to shorten The problem is not only the schedule or propose about money. It’s also across-the-board increasabout how that money is es. Alternatives may inallocated and distributed. clude paying for skills, The indexed salary schedpreparation or results othule has been the predomier than degrees or years nate method of paying of experience. There is teachers since the 1920s.

Fashion sense: Fashions have improved over the past 40 years, no right or wrong way to There are other alternateacher compensation has not. NSEA Executive Director negotiate an agreement… tives. The present eco- while Craig R. Christiansen in 1970 (left), and 40 years later (right). or to reach one. Our alnomic conditions make ternatives to worsening looking at different ways compensation are limited of approaching salary an only by our imagination. absolute necessity.

There are certainly other dilemmas that arise from the current system of compensation. Local unions often Community Dilemma agonize over the dilemma of the effect of increasing pay Compensation is not a K-12 teacher problem — it’s on decreasing the number of positions. Mixed up in this an education problem. The way we pay…and how much quandary are the arguments about class size, abandonwe pay…impacts those who work in education from kinment of fellow employees (often very promising younger dergarten through the postgraduate level. It’s a problem teachers), or the betrayal of other bargaining units in a for teachers, professors, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, system of comparability. These are all legitimate argucustodians and other education workers who want to be ments. adequately compensated. It’s also a problem for goverChange is not easy. But should the discomfort of nance boards in balancing the needs of their employees change keep us mired in a system of continually erodand the needs of their communities against the resources ing buying power and an increasing gap between teaching they have. salaries and other college graduates? I’m one of those For nearly every community in Nebraska, teacher who says that much of the answer is simply more money, compensation is a story of dilemmas. It’s the dilemma but convincing public officials to invest more money in of balancing available resources against the indisputable a 1920s pay system has not been wildly successful. It’s fact that teacher pay (K-12 and college) has not even kept time to look at alternatives. pace with inflation. Pay for support staff has an even more February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 21

NSEA-Retired Corner

Health Care Survey Revealing Nebraskans Favor Insurance Company Limits, Closure of ‘Donut Hole’

By Roger Rea, President NSEA-Retired AARP-Nebraska recently polled 527 Nebraskans to determine their attitudes toward some of the issues surrounding health care that are being debated in Congress.

An overwhelming majority (81 percent) said that the coverage gap in Medicare Part D, known as ‘the donut hole,’ should be narrowed. An even more impressive 89 percent of those polled said that inRea surance companies should not be allowed to deny coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Even more (95 percent) of those polled thought that insurance companies should not be allowed to rescind coverage for a person who pays their premiums,

but then gets sick and begins to use a lot of medical services.

When asked about the reimbursement rates to private insurance companies through the Medicare Advantage plans, 78 percent of those polled said that the Medicare Advantage plan providers should get no more money than it would cost to have the individuals covered through traditional Medicare.

Currently, Medicare pays the private Medicare Advantage companies 14 percent more than it would cost to have the same people covered by traditional Medicare.

Appropriate Amount The poll also asked what proportion of a person’s income would be appropriate for health insurance premiums. Of those polled, 58 percent said premiums should be no more than 5 percent of their income, while 39 percent thought it should be between 5 and 10 percent of income. Only 3 percent said that premiums should be up to 20

percent of income, and no one in the survey said that the premiums should be more than 20 percent of income.

When asked how much a person age 64 should pay to get the same coverage as a 24-year-old, 78 percent said that the premiums should be the same, regardless of age, while 15 percent said the older person should pay up to twice as much. Only 1 percent said it would be OK to charge up to five times the premium amount for older citizens.

When asked about a ‘public option,’ government-run insurance program, 47 percent said that a public option was essential; 29 percent said it should not be implemented; and 24 percent were not sure or needed more information about the public option.

The results of the poll have been shared with the Congressional delegation for Nebraska (Senators Nelson and Johanns; and Congressmen Terry, Smith and Fortenberry).

More News of NSEA-Retired Local Affiliates Each year we present an update of the contact information and latest listing of officers for NSEARetired chapters across the state.

Here is another installment of that series, featuring three more affiliates.

Horseshoe Casino and Joslyn Art Museum, members learned about taxes in December; will learn about pensions in March; and living wills, trusts, and powers-of-attorney in the May OEA-Retired meetings. Visit with John for more information.

Omaha Education Association-Retired John Jensen is president of the Omaha chapter. He can be reached at 402-493-7546, or by e-mail at: jensen.omaha@gmail.com Other officers are Virgie Louis, vice president; and Rose Sheehy, secretary-treasurer. OEA-Retired Board members are Cheryl Richardson, Dee Rankin, Roger Rea and Ruby Davis.

Amid such fun tours as the

Central Panhandle Chapter—NSEA-Retired Sandra Harrach is the Central Panhandle Chapter president. She can be reached at 308-635-3048, or via e-mail at: sharrach@embarqmail.com Vice president is Jeanie Williams, and Janet Gardner is secretary-treasurer. Members meet the third Monday of each month through May, at 11 a.m. at the Skyport Restaurant.

Programs highlight such topics as

Page 22 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

member hobbies; historical preservation; community events; educational concerns; health care; and retirement issues.

Westside Education Association-Retired Meri and Ron Crampton are copresidents of the Westside unit.

They can be reached by phone at 402-397-2714, or via e-mail at: roncrampton@cox.net Dr. Jack Noodell is Westside’s secretary-treasurer. One highlight of the year is the annual formal dinner in May held for District 66’s newlyretiring staff. Visit with Meri and Ron for details.

— Tom Black, Editor wpc6296@cableone.net

Miller Cited for Work with Psych Students A long-time professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney has been named a 2009 U.S. Professor of the Year.

Dr. Richard Miller, professor of psychology, is the first Nebraskan so honored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a program sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Miller’s award, in the Outstanding Master’s Universities and Colleges category, recognizes professors for their influence on teaching and their commitment to undergraduate studies. A 20-year Miller member of NSEA, Miller was one of just four U.S. professors chosen from a field of more than 300 nominees for the 2009 honors. He was recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Miller was cited for his efforts to help undergraduate students give critical examination of, and make contributions to, the knowledge base in psychology.

In each of his classes, Miller designs optional lab experiences. In those labs, small groups of students define and then investigate questions that could, and often do, lead to new discoveries. In the past 20 years, he has directed nearly 200 undergraduate research projects, and nearly 30 of Miller’s students have had their work published in professional psychology journals.

Ready for Retirement?

NPERS has Dates, Cities Selected for 2010 Retirement Seminars Considering retiring this year? The Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System (NPERS) is ready to stage a series of pre-retirement planning seminars for members of the school retirement plan, and their spouses, age 50 and over.

For those anticipating retirement, NPERS mails out enrollment brochures to all eligible members four weeks prior to the seminar.

Under state law, each eligible school plan employee may receive leave, with pay, to attend up to two retirement planning programs. That leave, according to state statute, “…shall mean a day off paid by the employer and shall not mean vacation, sick, personal, or compensatory time.”

Retirement plan members may attend a seminar more than twice, but any leave beyond the two days will be at the member’s expense and at the employer’s discretion.

At right is a list of dates and sites for the seminars. For more details on seminars in your area, call the NPERS Education Services Department at 471-2053, in Lincoln, or toll-free at 1-800-245-5712 from elsewhere in the state. You may also find more information on the Web site at: https://npers.ne.gov

NPERS 2010 Retirement Seminar Dates and Locations March 3: Lincoln March 4: Omaha March 10: Norfolk March 11: Kearney March 17: Grand Island March 24: S. Sioux City March 25: Lincoln April 7: Grand Island April 8: Kearney April 14: Norfolk April 15: Omaha April 21: Gering April 22: Gering May 5: Lincoln May 6: Columbus May 11: Lincoln May 12: Omaha May 19:Valentine May 20: North Platte May 26: Kearney May 27: Norfolk June 9: Lincoln June 10: Omaha June 16: North Platte June 17: Lincoln June 22: Lincoln June 23: Grand Island June 30: Omaha

University of Nebraska at Kearney photo

UNK Prof Best in U.S.

NSEA Family Loses Three Maupin, Angle, Deisley Pass in December The NSEA family lost three members in recent weeks.

Grand Island mourned the loss of long-time music teacher Larry Maupin, 67, who died Dec. 15 after a long battle with cancer.

Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College staff lost history teacher Thomas Angle, 57, on Dec. 31.

Also on Dec. 31, music teacher Paula Lynne Deisley, 37, of Arapahoe, died at a Cambridge hospital.

Maupin taught instrumental music in Grand Island’s elementary schools and directed the Senior High School orchestra for 38 years. He joined the Hastings Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster in 1965, and held that post until 2002. He was first violinist of the Hastings Symphony String Quartet, and was a charter member of the Lincoln Youth Symphony.

In 1972, he founded the Nebraska Tri-City Youth Symphony, made up of the best musicians in the Kearney, Hastings and Grand Island area.

He served as president of the Grand Island Education Association in 197071, and was twice chair of Orchestra Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association. He is a member of the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame. Maupin is survived by his wife, Judy, two daughters and their families.

Angle was a Metro Community College employee since 2000, when he was hired as an adjunct instructor.

In August 2006 he became a full-time history instructor. He is survived by his wife, Jennie, and a daughter.

Deisley was a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and taught at Giltner for 11 years before moving to Arapahoe in 2006, where she was the fifth through 12th grade instrumental music teacher. She earned a master’s in educational administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2005. She was a member of the Nebraska Music Educators Association as well as NSEA. Deisley is survived by her husband, Chad, and two children.

February 2010 n The NSEA Voice n Page 23

Speaking of Teaching “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.”

— T.H. Huxley, biologist, 1825-1895 Mailed By: The Nebraska State Education Association Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742

Noise Level Music From Alan Pilkenton (apilkenton@mmpsa.org), a K-8 art teacher at Mid-Michigan Public School Academy in Lansing, MI:

“To get the attention of my students, I blow a harmonica. When the students hear the harmonica, they know that they are to stop what they are doing, look at

Dyslexia Expert Featured at Stromsburg Dyslexia affects 20 percent of our population, and is the most common reason a bright child will struggle with reading, writing and spelling. Early detection is key.

On April 18, internationally recognized dyslexia expert Susan Barton will give a free, three-hour presentation on dyslexia at Cross County School in Stromsburg. The presentation will begin promptly at 3:30 p.m.

For more information, or to reserve a seat, contact Darlene Merz at 402-2458226, or register online by going to: www.Merz.EventBrite.com Some early warning signs of dyslexia are: n Terrible spelling. n Slow, choppy, inaccurate reading. n Confusing left and right. n Mixing up sounds and syllables in long words. n Trouble telling time on a clock with hands. n Late in establishing a dominant hand. n Trouble finding the correct word when speaking. n Delayed speech. n Difficulty learning to tie shoes. n Chronic ear infections.

To learn more, go to: www.BrightSolutions.US Page 24 n The NSEA Voice n February 2010

me and listen quietly. I have the kindergarten and first grade students put their hands on their heads as well, which they think is fun.

I wear the harmonica around my neck at all times and use it with all my students, K-8.”

Sign up for Works4Me at this link: http://www.nea.org/tools/Works4Me.html

Family of Teachers

The Fritz Family: Five of the eight children of the late Edward and Esther Fritz of Verdon went into the education profession. Along with the next generation and in-laws, they have nearly 250 years in teaching.

From left, are: Louie Fritz, who taught three years at Dawson-Verdon and 29 years at Falls City; Marie Fritz Parsons, who taught a year each in Texas and Wisconsin, three years in Lincoln and 32 years at Falls City Middle School; Cindy Fritz, who is in her fifth year as a paraprofessional for the Falls City Public Schools; Jeff Browne, who taught in Aurora, CO, spent 18 years as director of student media at Colorado State University, and is now with the Department of Journalism at the University of Kansas; Becky Parsons, who is studying speech pathology in graduate school at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; Noala Fritz, who is in her 33rd year with the Falls City Public Schools; Martha Fritz Owens, who taught for three years in Lincoln and is now a paraprofessional with the Elwood Public Schools; Jill Johnson, who has taught at Louisville and Leigh, and is now at Milford, with 15 years in the profession; Pam Fritz Tackett, who has been teaching in Louisiana since 1981; Cindy Schmidt, who taught for two years in California, three years in Omaha, and is now in her 19th year at Waverly; and Elaine Fritz Browne, who retired after serving as a substitute in Lincoln for 32 years.

Not pictured is Darin Fritz, who taught for six years in Rockport, MO. If you have a family of teachers, snap a photo and send it to Family of Teachers, c/o NSEA, Suite 200, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.