The
Voice The Nebraska State Education Association ď ś November 2012
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Opening Bell Upcoming Assignments Nov. 3 ‘Cowboy Up’ at Advocacy Conference, Scottsbluff Hampton Inn n What: Local negotiators will learn about the effects of new state statutes, and what they mean for the bargaining calendar, among other issues. n Details: Set for Scottsbluff. Check with your UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047. Nov. 6 General Election n What: Winners of the May Primary Elections square off. Remember to vote, and to consider a candidate’s education platform when casting your ballot! Check the back page of this magazine for NSEA’s recommended candidates, and read President Nancy Fulton’s message on Page 3 to learn how those candidates are selected. Nov. 18-24 American Education Week n What: Observe the annual celebration of the teaching profession and public schools. n Details: A different set of public school stakeholders is honored each day. for details go to: nea.org/grants/19823.htm
On the Cover: the
‘The Irreplaceables’ NEA Goal: That Every Teacher Becomes Irreplaceable They’re dubbed the “irreplaceables” – teachers who are so successful that they are nearly impossible to replace. On average, each year, they help students learn two or three additional months’ worth of reading and math, compared to the average teacher, and five or six additional months compared to low performing teachers. The New Teacher Project (TNTP) has released a report entitled The Irreplaceables. It studied 2,100 schools, 90,000 teachers and 1.4 million students in four urban districts, examining the student growth data or value-added results for about 20,000 teachers. The findings identified teachers who performed exceptionally well (by helping students make much more academic progress than expected) to see how their experiences and opinions about their work differed from other teachers’ – particularly teachers whose performance was exceptionally poor. The key finding: the real retention crisis is a failure to retain the right teachers. Supporting that premise were these primary causes: n Principals make far too little effort to retain Irreplaceables or remove low-
performing teachers. n Poor school cultures and working conditions drive away great teachers. n Principals and districts have little incentive to change their ways. NEA Secretary Treasurer Becky Pringle said providing support to teachers can create more irreplaceables. “Teachers who don’t perform up to standards must be given time, support and feedback on instructional practice to improve,” she said. “Those who receive that opportunity and still fail to meet standards should be counseled out of the profession.” Pringle said an NEA goal is that every teacher becomes irreplaceable. That can happen with robust, meaningful and regular evaluations with actionable feedback and intensive, individualized support to help teachers improve. The teacher preparation pipeline also must ensure that every teaching candidate receives high-quality preparation and is able to meet high standards of practice before being allowed to teach. Prospective new teachers should also pass a rigorous classroom assessment. To learn more about the study, go to: http://tntp.org
Cameras at Winnebago Not SIG Funded A story in the October issue of The Voice stated incorrectly that cameras in Winnebago classrooms were paid for with School Improvement Grant funds. Superintendent Dan Fehringer said the cameras were installed for the safety of students and staff.
Carol Kloss McClellan enjoyed a 20-year on-air television career as an investigative reporter. Today she teaches English at Omaha South High School. Find out why she made the transition to teaching on
VOICE Nebraska State Education Association 605 S. 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 · www.nsea.org (402) 475-7611 · (800) 742-0047
Volume 66, No. 3 ISSN Number: 1085-0783 USPS Number: 000-369
Great Public Schools For Every Child
Executive Director Assoc. Executive Director Director, Comm and PR Assistant Comm. Director
Craig R. Christiansen Neal Clayburn Karen Kilgarin Al Koontz
NSEA Board of Directors President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia Vice President Leann Widhalm, Norfolk NEA Director John Heineman, Lincoln NEA Director Jenni Absalon, Lincoln
Official publication of the Nebraska State Education Association, Suite 200, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 685082742. Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to The Voice, NSEA, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742.
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Published and mailed 6 times yearly according to this schedule: October, November, February, March, April and August. Published online in September, December, January and May. 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 $2.63 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.
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President’s Message
Why Mom Never Voted ...and the Truth About the NSEA Candidate Recommendation Process
ralization, thereby earning citizenship for Mom In early October, I dropped my completed ballot and her siblings. Mom’s parents, my Grandpa and for the Nov. 6 General Election into a U.S. Postal Grandma, were so proud of becoming naturalized Service mailbox a block south of the NSEA offices. citizens. They valued their right to vote. Yet, even My ability to vote early, and by mail, stands in as we children became eligible voters, we failed to stark contrast to my immigrant mother’s views on convince Mom to go to the polls. voting: she refused to exercise her right to vote. Perhaps Mom held the right to vote in such high I enjoy the privilege of trekking to my local esteem that she feared casting a ballot with what she courthouse on Election Day. Voting in the spindlyfelt was a limited knowledge of issues might tarnish legged and unsteady voting booths is as an Amerithe process. Nothing could be further from the truth, can event as a football Friday night. I always exit of course. But I wish all Amerithe courthouse displaying my cans shared her healthy respect red, white and blue “I Voted” for our process of electing leadsticker for all to see. In recent ers. years, however, my husband and I have taken advantage of Misconceptions early voting. Our travel and I want to set the facts straight work schedules, and the likelion two election-related misconhood that we will both be out ceptions that I encounter freof town on Election Day, make quently, particularly in social it an easy decision to cast our media settings. votes by mail. First, “NSEA” does not deAs each Election Day apcide which candidates earn Asproaches, tension builds. Camsociation recommendations. paigns rev up their efforts. Every candidate for office has Predictions by pollsters change an opportunity to complete the daily. Some citizens become NSEA questionnaire stating frustrated and bail, deciding his or her positions on educathat their lone vote is of no valMaking voting easy: NSEA Presi- tion issues. A local, bi-partisan ue – even though the act of voting in a free election is perhaps dent Nancy Fulton mailed her ballot team of NSEA members – your colleagues in your legislative the most important duty of an in early October. district, for instance – then inAmerican citizen. Indeed, we terview the candidates who choose to complete the must make sure our family, friends and co-workers survey. It is the final recommendation of the local understand that the precious act of voting is more interview team that NSEA then communicates to than the election of qualified candidates. It is about you through The Voice, mail, or the NSEA webthe preservation of democracy. site as “the NSEA recommendation.” In actuality, NSEA serves only as the conduit to notify members Tension at Home of the local recommendation. Growing up in rural Iowa, there was always tenAnother common misconception is that NSEA sion in my family home as Election Day neared. recommends candidates from only one side of the My mother refused to vote. Regardless of the aisle. In truth, over the past 20 years, the historical election, whether it was local, state or national, percentage of recommended candidates for the ofMom felt that she did not know enough about the ficially non-partisan Nebraska Legislature is split candidates or issues to cast an informed ballot. almost evenly right down the middle between the More than once she rationalized that her single vote two major political parties. wouldn’t matter anyway. My father couldn’t have Our elected officials make decisions every day disagreed more, resulting in the household tension. regarding education. Class size, collective bargainAlong with her parents and seven brothers and ing, length of school day and year; all are affected sisters, Mom immigrated to the United States as by elected officials. Each of our decisions at the a very young child. English was not her first lanballot box will affect education. Take time to check guage, but she was able to skip kindergarten. In out NSEA’s recommended candidates on the back fact, her abilities also allowed her to skip third cover of this edition. Then use your voting privigrade. She helped her parents with language issues lege and cast your ballot! as they studied for and successfully gained natu-
“
Indeed, we must make sure our family, friends and co-workers understand that the precious act of voting is more than the election of qualified candidates. It is about the preservation of democracy.
”
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True Landslide! Certification Election Shows Overwhelming Support for Omaha Education Association, Collective Bargaining
98 Percent of Voters Say ‘Yes’ to OEA as Bargaining Agent The Omaha Education Association has won a bargaining unit certification election by an overwhelming 98 percent of the vote. The election result means OEA is certified by the Commission of Industrial Relations as the sole bargaining agent for Omaha Public School employees in the unit. The CIR office, charged with conducting certification elections in Nebraska, released the results of the election on Oct. 19. Nearly 65 percent of those eligible voted in the certification election. The final tally was 2,523 voting yes and 53 voting no. The certification election was spurred when the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education School Board failed to grant OEA’s request for recognition as the bargaining agent for school year 2013-14. To ensure unit employees would have OEA representation at the bargaining table for the 2013-14 school year, members collected certification election signature cards last spring from an estimated 83 percent of eligible bargaining unit members. Just 30 percent were needed to trigger the election. Permanent Agent With the election results in, OEA becomes the permanent bargaining agent for the bargaining unit comprised mostly of classroom teachers. “Both through the signature cards and the vote, it is absolutely clear that OPS employees in the unit see the right to bargain as important,” said Chris Proulx, OEA president. “The certification election was about the absolute necessity of having a voice in our workplace – and
“The certification election was about the absolute necessity of having a voice in our workplace — and that’s good not only for teachers and other education employees but also for our students and our community. Educators are very cognizant of the fact that our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions.” — Chris Proulx, President Omaha Education Association that’s good not only for teachers and other education employees, but also for our students and our community,” he said. “Educators are very cognizant of the fact that our working conditions are our students’ learning conditions.” Legislative Prompt The certification election was prompted by the Nebraska Legislature’s passage of LB397 last year. LB397 revised collective bargaining statutes and, among other things, set a timetable for the negotiations process between Nebraska school districts and local association bargaining units. Under the new statutes, bargaining must begin no later than Nov. 1 each year and conclude by the following Feb. 8. If the two sides have not reached agreement by the Feb. 8 date, fact finding is required before a resolution officer, who chooses the offer the officer deems as most reasonable. The new law also requires that no later
than Sept. 1 each year, the employees’ union must request recognition from the school district as the sole bargaining agent for employees in that bargaining unit. Unions that have previously been certified by the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations are permanently recognized as the bargaining agent. Because bargaining for the 201314 contract year will fall under the new calendar set by LB397, local associations needed to request school board recognition last spring for both 2012-13 and 2013-14. Otherwise, the slim 60-day window between the Sept. 1, 2013, recognition request deadline and the Nov. 1, 2013, bargaining start-up date would not leave sufficient time to pursue and complete a certification election, if necessary. OEA is Second Most of Nebraska’s 250 school districts accepted the two-year request for recognition. The Omaha Board of Education accepted OEA’s request for recognition for 2012-13, but did not act on the more critical 2013-14 school year request. OEA is the second local association to conduct a certification election. Earlier this year, the 57 members of the UmonHon Nation Education Association collected signatures from 100 percent of members in the bargaining unit, and subsequently voted to have the UNEA serve as the association’s permanent bargaining agent.
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EHA Sets 2013-14 Rates Educators Health Alliance Board OKs 2013-14 Rates, Benefits Premiums for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska health care plan used by nearly every Nebraska school district will increase by an average of 6.4 percent next Sept. 1. The Board of Directors of the Educators Health Alliance approved the rate plan in October. When the 2013-14 premium year starts on Sept. 1, 2013, it will mark 11 straight years with increases of less than 10 percent. In the past seven years, the increase has been 8.8 percent or less. Rates did not increase in 2011-12, and went up by just 2.99 percent this past Sept. 1, all well below national trends. “The EHA continues to work diligently to achieve the rate stability and increases below health insurance industry averages that our members expect and deserve,” said EHA Board Chair and Auburn Board of Education President Beth Kernes Krause. NSEA formed the statewide Blue Cross and Blue Shield health care network 45 years ago. A 12-member board representing NSEA, the Nebraska Association of School Boards and the Nebraska Council of School Administrators governs the health care plan. NSEA retains six of the 12 voting positions. Previous rate change announcements have come in the spring. However, with an accelerated bargaining calendar set by new state statutes, this new timing will allow negotiators to account for the 2013-14 rates when bargaining for that school year contract begins after Nov. 1. NSEA Associate Executive Director Neal Clayburn is the immediate past chair of the EHA Board of Directors. He said the bargaining calendar as set by the new statute has made the rate projection process more difficult for actuaries. “In order to accommodate that new bargaining calendar, they’re projecting out 23 months,” said Clayburn. “Previously they projected out 18 months. That’s a huge difference.”
tion and keep rates as low as possible. Ultimately, the active employee rates will increase by 6.25 percent for all rate and benefit categories. The EHA will hire an independent firm to make certain the plan covers only eligible individuals. The State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska health insurance plans recently completed a similar process. The co-pay for an office visit to a family doctor will fall from $35 to $30. The co-pay for a specialist will be $50. The co-pay for a visit to an urgent care site or emergency room will be $75. Those changes will bring the EHA plan into line with other, similar plans. Out-of-pocket expenses for health care options for active NSEA members will increase by $150, said Clayburn. Meanwhile, rates for Early Retiree/ Direct Bill members will increase by 9.4 percent, following expiration of funds from the Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP), a part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that temporarily kept early retiree rates in check. Further, the early retiree plan members will see a premium holiday. They will not see a bill in Decem-
ber 2012, thanks to the ERRP program. Dental Rates The dental rates will rise by 5.94 percent for all participants, including active and early retiree categories. Kernes Krause said the EHA Board was particularly pleased that the rate increase will be reasonable in light of the rate pressures on health insurance plans. These pressures result from medical inflation and provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including expansions in coverage to dependents to age 26; the removal of copays for nearly all preventative services and coverage for women’s preventative services; and health insurance excise taxes beginning in 2014. Kernes Krause said the board is hopeful that preventative services will result in lower costs in the long term. In the short term, she said preventative services are adding to the cost, citing a 53 percent increase in EHA preventative services expense in the last 10 months. The EHA plan covers more than 70,000 education employees, early retirees and their dependents. For more details, go to the website at: www.ehaplan.org/
Eligibility Verification The 2013-14 rates reflect modest changes to deductibles, coinsurance and copays in order to keep pace with inflaNOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 7
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From Ca to Class For 20 years, Carol Kloss McClellan was beamed into eastern Nebraska homes on a regular basis as a well-respected investigative reporter and anchor for Omaha-based KETV Channel 7. ‘Carol Kloss’ was as close to a household name as one can get in the local television news business. Two years ago, she left television to become a teacher. “The first year was just crazy, as it is for any first year teacher,” she said. “It was especially hard for me because of the fact that I felt like I should have known what I was doing. I’ve been in a profession where I’m at the top of my game, and all of a sudden I have to start all over. You kind of have to swallow a lot of pride and be a beginner again.” Between classes at Omaha South High School, McClellan answered questions about her transition to teaching. How has the classroom been so far? “The first year was just insane. All the different things you need to know as a teacher, and it’s all happening at the same time, with lesson plans, standards, classroom management, the new grading system, just the new culture of working in a school and how schools function. “The bottom line is you want to make sure you teach the kids something. You’re just constantly flying by the seat of your pants. “The second year has been a little better. You have a set of lesson plans you can tweak. All teachers tell me the third year is when it all comes together. I’m looking forward to that.” You envisioned a law career? “I did go to law school for a time. It really didn’t seem to fit my personality, so I ended up getting back into television news. My husband is the lawyer in the family and it suits his personality. It makes more sense for him to do that. Teaching makes more sense for me.” Broadcast reporters I know are notoriously bad at spelling. “I would say as a broadcast journalist, my spelling was exceptional. I’m a pretty good PAGE 8 | THE VOICE | NOVEMBER 2012
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m Camera lassroom speller. I’m kind of a stickler when it comes to grammar and spelling.” What was the toughest part of your television job? “Constant deadlines. Coming up with new, fresh material, particularly as an investigative journalist. Sometimes you would venture out on a story not knowing whether it would pan out. It was hard, especially as things got faster and budgets got tighter. Stations just can’t afford to waste their time on stories that aren’t going to pan out. “There was a time when I could spend more time on investigative stories, really sink my teeth into stuff. I was doing more general assignment stuff toward the end and not the interesting investigative stuff. That’s when I realized it was time for a change.” Is that why you left television for the classroom? “As a journalist, you’re an observer. You always feel like you’re on the outside looking in. Teaching gives me a chance to be on the inside and see what makes these kids tick, to get inside their brains and figure out how people learn. How do you empower kids to have a better life? How do you teach them basic skills? “I happened to be on camera every day, in front of an audience. But this audience is right here, in your face, every single day. You have to be ‘on’ from the time the bell rings until the end of the day. And you‘d better be ready for the next day.” Why high school English? “I could have taught journalism, but I really wanted to have a pure English experience. I wanted literature, and I like the grammar. It just seemed to be a good fit. “I have a great variety of kids from struggling readers all the way up to honors students who are fabulous writers. I get to see a lot in one day, and that’s fun. It’s perfect for me, as someone who has been an observer for so long, who is always trying to figure out
For 20 years, Carol Kloss was a Television Fixture in Omaha. These Days, She Teaches English at Omaha South High.
how things work.” What is the toughest part of teaching? “Classroom management. The majority of kids are here to learn and behave. But the problem is when you have a few kids who just don’t know acceptable behavior. They’re causing problems, and it’s frustrating when you see the majority of kids are there, and oftentimes you have to give your attention to those who are disrupting. “It’s a balancing act you figure out as you go along. How much do you put up with? When do you finally send someone to an administrator, send them out of the room, just so you can teach the majority of kids who are here to learn something? “The technology, too – kids with their cellphones. Here again, just teaching them proper behavior, that it’s not polite to be texting while the teacher is up in front of the classroom trying to give instruction. It’s something that I really think needs to be figured out. “Here you have a girl up in front of my class looking up a word on her dictionary on her cellphone. I love to see kids using technology in a constructive way. But 90 percent of the time kids are not using it for academics. They use it for social reasons or for fun and games. There’s a time and place for that, but not in the classroom.” Were you mentored? “Stacy Rice had my schedule before she took over as South High librarian. She was my mentor. All the English teachers are good about helping each other out. It’s a really great department to work in. “I was trying to make a smooth transition from Channel 7 to teaching and in my first year I worked on a provisional commitment certificate, which allows you to do your student teaching on the job. I didn’t have the traditional student teaching experience. I went right into the classroom on my own. I did have a co-teacher, a special ed teacher,
Upon Further Reflection After The Voice interviewed Carol Kloss McClellan in May, she sent this note via e-mail. “I have been reflecting on our conversation, particularly your question “why teach?” “One thing that keeps coming to mind is my strong belief in the importance of public schools. I believe public schools are the best way to educate the majority of our children, and they are our nation’s best hope of preserving our republic and making the world a better place. “At South High, it is readily apparent how many immigrant families have moved to this country to provide their children with educational opportunities that are not available in their home countries. “I personally am grateful for the education my children and I received in public schools. I try to instill in my students that we should not take our public schools for granted. We need to work together to make them better. “At this point in my life, toward this goal, I have decided the best role for me is to serve as a front-line teacher.”
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because all the special ed kids are mainstreamed. He helped me figure out accommodations for the special ed kids. But I earned my student teaching experience as I was teaching. That’s another reason that first year was so difficult.” What makes you say ‘that’s why I want to go to school today?’ “It’s the kids. Good days, bad days, sometimes your worst days are the days that you learn the most. When you see yourself starting to develop relationships with people, that’s a lot of fun. And when you see kids develop. “One of the most rewarding experiences has been my creative writing class. We’ve done a lot with poetry, the Nebraska Writer’s Collective and a new competition called ‘Louder Than a Bomb,’ a poetry slam competition started in Chicago. We did our first competition this year (2011-12), and some of my creative writing kids were part of the team. To see some of these quiet kids sitting in the back writing poetry and all of a sudden blossom into performers before your eyes, that was cool. That definitely keeps you coming back.” You’ve had life experiences. Was that an advantage? “Some of my younger colleagues wish they had some life experience they could bring to the classroom. I tell them ‘you’ll get your life experience. You’ve got youth, you can relate to these kids.’ “We all have different things we can bring to the classroom. I’m a mother. I bring a lot of that to the classroom, although I don’t pretend I could possibly mother all these kids. But I have that perspective. “In my reading class, we had a series on First Amendment freedoms, the suffrage movement and the right to vote. As far as First Amendment freedoms, teaching about sourcing, and primary sources and secondary sources, I lived all that as a reporter. I can bring real life examples to the classroom that make it more fun for me. I hope it brings it to life for the kids.”
who’s really difficult. He has a difficult behavioral problem. He has a tutor who has invested so much time into this kid. She said ‘he really seems like he’s interested in learning.’ One day he just stopped, totally lost interest. She had thrown her whole heart and soul into this kid. She came up to me in tears and said ‘I don’t know what to do. I understand now, why you had trouble with him in your class. He’s been causing problems in the Hope Center, he’s disrupting the other kids down there, making it difficult for other kids to concentrate.’ What do you do with him? “It’s this constant process of trying to do the best you can with every individual, but then also trying to look at the whole. You have to make sure you do what’s best for the whole, too, and try to figure out what needs to be concentrated on and what you need to let go of. It’s this process that goes on every day, to know how to do it best.” Have two years on the job given you a perspective on why teachers should be politically active? “During these first couple of years,
it’s like ‘Politically active? When am I going to have time to do that? I’m just trying to get those lesson plans done every day.’ “I’m appreciative for the organization that represents me, because I know somebody has to keep track of that kind of thing. I think resources are very important. Testing and all those issues are very important. No Child Left Behind needs to be revamped. Teachers are in the classroom; they’re the ones that know what goes on, they’re the ones who probably know what’s best, but they’re so busy teaching it’s hard to be politically active. “I couldn’t be politically active before as a journalist. I had to maintain my objectivity. Now, all of a sudden, I can be politically active, and I enjoy that part of it. That has yet to evolve in my life.” Postscript: McClellan sent this note in midOctober: “I’m now well into my third year of teaching, and discovering that my colleagues were right. The teaching experience is coming together. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m starting to get the hang of it.”
As a reporter, you covered education. Are there things you know now that you wish you knew then? “It’s a tough beat to cover. It’s really hard to know what goes on in a classroom unless you actually live it. I don’t know how you could. “I’ve got one student in particular PAGE 10 | THE VOICE | NOVEMBER 2012
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Certification Details: Viewed between NSEA UniServ Directors Duane Obermier, left, and Jackee Wise, right, three NSEA members gather details about certifying their local association as the authorized bargaining agent for teachers. From left are Jill Shields, Fort Calhoun; Colleen Elsasser, Bancroft-Rosalie; and Lee Brogie, Wayne.
Start Negotiating Now
Negotiators Told New State Statute Pushes Long-Range Timeline The 200 or so negotiators from across Nebraska at NSEA’s 2012 Advocacy Conference learned about certification elections, heard more about the urgency of meeting timelines under the new state collective bargaining statutes and how to analyze a school district’s annual financial report. NSEA Attorney Scott Norby reminded negotiators that contract talks for 2013-14 should begin soon — by Nov. 1. In what Norby called a “cultural change,” the new bargaining calendar will no longer allow contract talks to continue past the start of the new contract year, as happened frequently under the old bargaining statutes. “That will never happen again,” said Norby. In fact, contract negotiations must be essentially complete by Feb. 8 each year for the following year. After that
date, the process moves to a resolution officer phase. The resolution officer provision “is a key and necessary part” of the new state statute, said Norby. It provides incentive for the bargaining parties to reach agreement, and an avenue for adjudication if they do not. Drawing on the experience of bargaining unit certification elections held recently by the Omaha Education Association and the Umonhon Nation Education Association, several negotiators learned about the certification election process. Locals that successfully go through the certification process are permanently recognized as the bargaining unit representative by the Commission of Industrial Relations. Attendees also learned from NSEA UniServ directors about: multi-year contracts; understanding salary schedules; and how to lay groundwork for contract talks. Questions about the new bargaining statutes or timeline? Contact your NSEA UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047.
Kerrey: Early Childhood Ed Vital Former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey told 200 Nebraska educators that, at age 69 and with a child in elementary school, he is a “geezer dad.” That gives him a real stake in public education. Kerrey, a candidate to return to the Senate, was the guest speaker at NSEA’s 2012 Advocacy Conference in Grand Island on Oct. 20. “I very much want to sit down and talk with you folks about what to retain and what to get rid of from No Child Left Behind,” he said. Teachers are putting “way too much energy” in inappropriate activities contained in NCLB. Some critics condemn today’s public schools, while romanticizing times past, Kerrey said. The fact is that “our teach-
ers today are much better than they were 30 or 50 years ago, and their quality of effort is better, as well.” Because many children arrive at school unready to learn, Kerrey said early childhood education may be “the most important thing we do.” Investment in children is what matters, he said. “My opponent and I are not our future. My 11-year-old is the future, our children are the future. We’re spending more on Sen. Fischer and me than we are on our children. We’re under-investing in our children today.” Based on education-related issues, Kerrey is NSEA’s recommended candidate for U.S. Senate.
Meet, Greet: Former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey, right, greets Wakefield’s Bill Trenhaile at NSEA’s Advocacy Conference in Grand Island on Oct. 20. NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 11
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A Baker’s Dozen! Thirteen NSEA members from nine local associations in northeast Nebraska spent a valuable Saturday learning how to sail through the Navigator software NSEA utilizes to conduct comparability studies for contract negotiations. The members will utilize the results of their studies to reinforce arguments for improved salaries and benefits when negotiations for the 2013-14 school year begins. At right, NSEA UniServ Director Rich Wergin, right, assists Neligh-Oakdale member Frank Gade. Above, these members and NSEA staffers were on hand for the training. From left are Curtis Reese, Battle Creek; Mark Gehring, Ponca; NSEA UniServ Director Rich Wergin; Mary Anne Long, St. Edward; Darcy Kruger,West Point; Jayne Wimer, West Point; Jackie Delmont, Wisner-Pilger; Alison Kluthe, Wisner-Pilger; Frank Gade, Neligh-Oakdale; Maria Burgos, Elkhorn Valley; Gary Eisenhauer, Battle Creek; Barb Rolf,West Point; Chuck Tramp,Wynot; NSEA Associate Staff member Kathy Hutchinson; and Bill Trenhaile, Wakefield.
Africa? South America? Where Will You Go? More than 50 Nebraskans Have Received Grants Since 2001 This past summer, four NSEA members from two Nebraska schools studied in Africa and South America, respectively, courtesy of the Fund for Teachers. Is such a trip in your future? Fund for Teachers offers self-designed learning odysseys that allow educators to pursue scientific data, participate in seminars, volunteer with community organizations and observe best practices. Afterward, the teachers return to their classrooms as lead learners to inspire their students and schools. The Fund for Teachers last spring awarded 463 educators from across the country $1.8 million in grants to pursue self-designed learning adventures. After proposing what they want to learn and where they want to learn it, via an online application, the winning teachers were selected by a committee of civic, corporate, education and philanthropic leaders. Among the recipients were these NSEA members: n Douglas Keel, a teacher at R.M. Marrs Magnet Center in Omaha. Keel participated in the Hispana: Escuela de Español program in Lima,
Peru, and afterward toured natural heritage sites in Cusco. n Leslie Douglas, Lin Kulm and Lisa Robinson, of Omaha’s Kellom Elementary School. They observed classrooms in Uganda, and participated in professional development with 400 local teachers in order to inform their
peers in a developing country and to better facilitate the assimilation of students who immigrated less than 12 months before arriving at school. Teachers interested in applying for 2013 summer grants may do so online now. For details, visit: fundforteachers.org
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It’s a Big Deal
Why You Should Attend NSEA’s Delegate Assembly ...And How to Get There
unaware of their eligibility, or because In late 1988, with Nebraska teacher they are uncertain how to seek delegate salaries lagging well behind compensastatus. tion to educators in neighboring states, Delegate selection is based on one a special NSEA Task Force authored an member, one vote. To ensure equal repambitious plan. resentation, one delegate slot is available A Special Delegate Assembly – only to represent every 50 members, or major the third special assembly in the Assofraction thereof. Thus, any local with 26 ciation’s then 120-year history – authomembers is eligible to select one or more rized the plan and the ensuing push for delegates, based on total membership. the Help Education Lead to Prosperity Local associations with fewer than 26 (HELP) proposal. members band together in “clusters” to Following that special Delegate Asprovide delegates. For instance, in 2012, sembly, Nebraska’s Legislature passed about 30 smaller local associations in LB89 and added $20 million – big money NSEA’s Elkhorn in the late 1980s – District (northeast directly into teacher “If members want to be Nebraska) were salaries in the 1989- engaged and have a voice in eligible to select a 90 school year. combined 10 delOver the years, their Association’s future, now egates. However, members at NSEA’s is the time to begin thinking only one cluster Delegate Assembly about that commitment.” have taken action — Nancy Fulton, delegate from that attended. Overthat moved teachers NSEA President area all, across the state, into the state retireNSEA members ment system; apfilled only seven of 46 available cluster proved continuing contract language as delegate slots in 2012. an accepted practice; took the first steps The selection process for delegates in toward a statewide health insurance plan the cluster category is quite simple. After that was the precursor to the EducaFeb. 1, presidents of local associations with tors Health Alliance, which today serves fewer than 26 members will receive a letter teachers and their families statewide. alerting them to the number of cluster delYes, NSEA’s annual Delegate Assemegate slots available. The local president bly is a Big Deal. needs only to relay to NSEA the names of “Our delegates have faced some mothose members interested in serving as delmentous decisions over the years, deciegates. NSEA will follow up and provide sions that have changed the course of the details to those potential delegates. Association and education in Nebraska,” In local associations with more than said NSEA President Nancy Fulton. “If 26 members, the local leadership will demembers want to be engaged and have a termine the selection process, which may voice in their Association’s future, now include an election. is the time to begin thinking about that In all cases, if you are interested in atcommitment.” tending Delegate Assembly, contact your The Association’s 152nd Delegate Aslocal association president. NSEA will sembly will be held at Kearney on Friday pay mileage, as well as cost for a shared evening and Saturday, April 19-20, 2013. hotel room. Delegate Assembly 2013 is You, as a dues-paying member of at the Younes Conference Center in KeNSEA, are eligible to seek selection to arney. Delegate Assembly. Sadly, about oneQuestions? Contact your NSEA third of the delegate slots go unfilled UniServ director at 1-800-742-0047. each year, either because members are
Recognize Their Talent! Nebraska has 250 school districts, hundreds of school buildings and more than 30,000 school employees. Each of those employees has a skill or talent that should be honored. Any NSEA member may nominate an individual or group for these awards. All mailed nominations must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, and sent to: NSEA Awards, 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Nominations may also be submitted online, with any required supporting material scanned and e-mailed or mailed to the NSEA. Online forms for the awards, as well as more details, may be found under the ‘Call for Nominations’ link on the NSEA website at: www.nsea.org NSEA members are eligible for: n NSEA Rookie of the Year. For a teacher who sparkled in his or her first year of teaching during the 2011-12 school year. n Award for Teaching Excellence. To a classroom teacher who has excelled over a long period of time. n Education Support Professional of the Year. Awarded to an ESP who has excelled in his or her job. Honorees will be notified in March and announced at Delegate Assembly in Kearney on April 19-20, 2013. Each honoree receives $250. The Award for Teaching Excellence honoree will compete for the NEA Teaching Excellence Award and a $25,000 prize. NSEA members are eligible for these honors: n The Great Plains Milestone Award: Recognizes an individual or group that has promoted human and civil rights in their locale or the state. n Community Service: Honors an NSEA member(s) and/or local associations involved in non-paid volunteer work outside of classroom hours. n Local Public Relations: Honors a local association for outstanding communication within the association, and promotion of educational excellence in the community. These awards are also presented: n Friend of Education: NSEA’s highest award honors an individual or organization that has made a statewide contribution to education. n Media: Recognizes a newspaper, television or radio station for outstanding work in covering education issues and promoting community involvement in education. NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 13
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100 @ Cedar Bluffs Outreach Six years into the event and Outreach to Teach is stronger than ever! Nearly 100 members of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) rolled into Cedar Bluffs in midOctober to scour, scrub, paint, rake and freshen the building and grounds of the Cedar Bluffs Public Schools. The event followed similar Outreach to Teach events in the past that have brightened schools in Norfolk, Lincoln, Omaha and Grand Island. On October 13, SEAN members from eight Nebraska universities and colleges hit the ground running for more than six hours of work. Among other projects at the school building they: n Painted concrete blockhouse-style bathrooms at the football field inside and out after the building had been power washed a day earlier. They also installed new paper towel and soap dispensers, as well as sinks. n Cleaned bathrooms in the school and painted the walls of bathroom stalls. n Painted new chalk lines on the playground for three basketball courts and four four-square courts. n Painted brick pillars and decorative metal work at the front entrance. n Cleaned and re-organized the elementary school basement. n Pulled weeds, spread mulch, rebuilt and placed a sandbox area. n Replaced the planks on picnic tables in the park area. Cedar Bluffs Superintendent Harlan Ptomey was pleased with the effort,
Picnic Table Rehab: Updating picnic tables in the park area near the Cedar Bluffs School were, from left, Gina Boltz of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and Devin Garcia and Sam Carman of Peru State College.
which also attracted teachers, custodial staff, and other community members. “It would take all year to get done what we’re getting done in one day,” Ptomey told KETV Channel 7 News. NSEA member and Cedar Bluffs teacher Jess Bohling sent an e-mail of thanks to many of the participants. “Everybody here was amazed at how much you got done and how well you did everything,” she said. “We are so thankful and grateful for the time you
put in. People in the community have made several comments about the work you did outside the building and at the football field.” NSEA UniServ Director and SEAN Liaison Mike Wiesen said SEAN members, at the district’s direction, were able to fill two large roll offs with outdated, broken or discontinued school items. University of Nebraska-Kearney SEAN member Jill Kimbrough chaired the Outreach to Teach event this year.
Bright Blue Paint: A decorative metal arch above the main entrance to the Cedar Bluffs school building was repainted by students. At left, Carissa Batenhorst, Wayne State College; and Peru State’s Katie Mann and Ryan Evans work on the painting. At right, Kelan Schumacher and Kathy Venteicher of the University of Nebraska-Kearney paint a basketball court. NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 15
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News You Can Use See Your Student’s Art On a U-Haul Van On the first of every month, a different U-Haul SuperGraphic is selected for participants to color and to be posted on the U-Haul website. Participants will share their entry with friends and family to collect votes. Every month, the three most popular U-Haul SuperGraphics from each age group will win a one-of-a-kind prize, along with a $50 gift card. The monthly winners will be entered to win the SuperGrand prize: The winner’s artwork will be placed on the side of a U-Haul moving van that will be located in or close to the their hometown, along with an official U-Haul unveiling party for friends and family. For details, go to: uhaul.com/supergraphics/ coloringcontest
Kit Tells Story Behind Transcontinental RR As part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Union Pacific Railroad has introduced a new teacher’s resource kit as a tool to help students learn the history of America’s first transcontinental railroad. Completed in 1869, the transcontinental railroad connected the west to the east and opened it for development and commerce. The resource kit will help educators in grades 3-8 meet national standards for history and social studies. Educators can order a resource kit by submitting a request form at this link: uprr.com/software/survey/ ssl/150teacherkits.cfm
Go Mobile and Save with NSEA NSEA Membership Mobile App Saves You Cash! Want instant savings on your mobile device? You’ve got it, with NSEA’s ‘My Deal’ mobile application! You can save with the My Deals app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android devices. The newly unveiled benefit of joining NSEA can save you far more than the cost of membership each year. More than 100,000 merchants nationwide accept the Access mobile savings when you show the coupon on your phone at check out. That list includes hundreds of Nebraska retail and dining sites, from Subway, Applebee’s and Papa Murphy’s to AMC Theaters, Aeropostle, Hertz, Office Depot, Direct TV, Kmart and more. The mobile app includes these features: n Easy search by category and a user-favorites list for future use. n Ability to find your favorite merchants using the GPS location or maps feature. To get your member deals wherever you go, follow these steps: n Visit the iTunes Store or Android Market and download the My Deals Mobile application. n Register on the application. The registration process has two dialogue boxes for registration numbers.The first number – 8589 – is for all NSEA members.The second dialogue box requires your personal 10-digit NSEA identification number. Once you’ve registered the application, you’ll have the My Deals icon (shown here) on your cell phone desk top, and you’re activated and ready to start saving!
of the grant program, 69 schools in 26 states received $100,000 in grants. During the 2013 grant period, a total of $75,000 will be distributed to public schools across the nation in grant amounts ranging between $1,000 and $3,000. Grant applications will be ac-
cepted until Jan. 15, 2013. California Casualty will notify selected schools and present them with checks by May 15, 2013. For more details, or to obtain an application, visit: CalCasAthleticsGrant.com
Grants Now Available for High School Athletics California Casualty, provider of the NEA Auto and Home Insurance Program, has begun its third year of sponsoring the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program that supports public high school athletics. California Casualty established the athletics grant program because education budget cuts have drastically reduced support for school athletics, in some cases forcing school sports to shut down altogether. In the first two years NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 17
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Member Benefits Save With Dave! Are you ready to save some real cash? With the holidays right around the corner, now is the time to visit neamb.com and register for NEA Click & Save, the most popular discount program offered by NEA Member Benefits to NEA members and their families. This exclusive shopping service offers savGlenn ings on brand name merchandise from hundreds of top retailers, online stores and local merchants. Save on clothing, electronics, restaurants, jewelry, movie tickets and more! Take advantage of hundreds of exclusive offers available every day through NEA Click & Save. Just register or sign in at neamb.com and find everyday discounts under the Shopping & Discounts tab — or go right to: neamb.com/ClickandSave You can even set up e-mail alerts for your favorite merchants and be notified in advance of upcoming sales and deals! You can share the savings with friends and family, too! NEA members are eligible to invite up to four friends and family members to save through NEA Click & Save. After you register or sign in on the NEA Click & Save web page, simply click on the “Invite a Friend” button. 50 Percent Off Smilemakers Just in time for the holiday season SmileMakers is offering education association members up to 50 percent off on products for the classroom and home, including season-themed decor, gifts, motivational awards and hundreds of other items. SmileMakers is a partner of NEA Member Benefits. Use special promo code NEAMB when ordering to receive up to 50 percent off, and free shipping on all orders of $25 or more. Visit SmileMakers.com or call 1-888-800-7645 to order. This offer is good through Dec. 31. David Glenn is Nebraska’s NEA Member Benefits representative.
Long-Term Care Is it Right for Your Family, Your Finances? ommend care providers in her area. Anyone who has had a parent or The cost for caregivers and even loved one with a long-term illness home modifications such as grab knows how expensive care can be, bars in the shower or and how exhausting ramps for mobility care giving is for a How to Pay would be covered up person’s spouse or to the policy’s monthchild. What most for Long-Term ly benefit limit. Your people don’t realize is that health insurCare Services family would be able to spend quality time ance and Medicare There are several ways to enjoying her compadon’t cover longpay for long-term care serny rather than taking term care. Medivices: care of her personal caid may pay somen Self-insure: Use your hygiene and medical thing toward longown savings.With the average needs. term care, but only cost of long-term care serThere is valuable if a person meets vices at $73,000 per year and coverage available at stringent income the average care event lasting group rates for NEA requirements. approximately three years, in members and qualified By definition, a this scenario, you would need to save $219,000 to cover family members. person needs longyour own care. Those costs NEA Member Benterm care if they would obviously double for a efits offers a group have severe cogcouple. long-term care insurnitive impairment n Family: Depending on ance program develor the inability to the type of assistance needed, oped exclusively for perform the activiyour spouse or children may members, their parties of daily living: try care for you themselves ents, grandparents and bathing, dressing, to defray costs or they may adult children. The eating, toileting, be willing to reach into their NEA Long-Term Care transferring, and own pockets to help pay for Insurance Program, continence. An the care you require. But you underwritten by The event is considered may not want your spouse or Prudential Insurance a long-term care child helping with bathing and Company of America, event if the impairtoileting or you don’t want offers a number of ment will last more to place a financial burden on convenient features, than 90 days. loved ones. including a cash benn Long-term care efit, the option to inKeeping insurance (LTCI): For crease benefits at a fuFamilies only $55 a month, a married ture date and return of Together 50-year-old individual could premium (less claims Imagine if potentially purchase a policy paid) if the insured your mother had with $200,000 in benefits to cover care at home or in a dies before age 69. a stroke and came nursing home. Members can maintain home from the the policy even if they hospital unable change jobs. The proto walk or care gram also offers you and your family for herself without assistance. Your free educational materials concernfamily would go into crisis mode, ing the options available for your trying to determine how to take care long-term healthcare needs. of her, who should do it and how to Find out more about the NEA pay for it. If your mother had longLong-Term Care Insurance Program term care insurance, a nurse would at 1-855-632-4582, or by visiting the come to her home, do an assesswebsite at: ment, and create a plan of care. The www.neamb.com/ltc insurance company could even recNOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 19
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Have You Heard from NPERS Lately? Retirement Newsletter is Now Electronic If you haven’t read the newsletter published by the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems office lately, it’s possible your e-mail address has changed or the e-mail containing the link to the newsletter was caught in your spam filter. Either way, you’re missing out on important news relating to your retirement plan. Two years ago, NPERS turned to digital delivery of Retirement News, published in February and August each year. Retirement News is a great way to keep current on the activities and issues that affect your retirement dollars. NPERS staff sends the link to the newsletter to each school district’s administration, and asks that the link be forwarded to retirement plan members. If you miss that e-mail, however, you can always catch up on important retirement news on the NPERS website. Once at the website, look for the ‘Publications’ link to see the latest editions of Retirement News. The website is at: www.npers.ne.gov
Was it an ‘Official’ NPERS Seminar?
This summer, NPERS officials were alerted to at least two instances of newspaper advertisements and several direct mailers from “financial advisors” purportedly offering retirement seminars or planning services for NPERS retirees. The programs were not NPERS-sanctioned or authorized. NPERS retirement seminars provide a fullday format with a $20 participation fee, or have been arranged by the local school district, with an NPERS official conducting the seminar. As a potential retiree, plan members may be targeted by investment advisors offering their services. Such newspaper ads and fliers may be misleading and cause plan members to mistakenly conclude these advisors are affiliated with NPERS. These services and seminars are not sanctioned or connected with the NPERS office or staff. Information provided in these seminars may or may not be accurate or up to date with current legislation. If you have questions about this topic, or about upcoming NPERS seminars in your area, contact the NPERS office at 1-800-245-5712.
Westside’s Bredenkamp Will Advise Federal DOE Hopes to Influence Legislation, Policy As One of 12 Classroom Fellows A math teacher with the Westside District 66 Public Schools in Omaha is influencing public education policy at the federal level every day. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named Westside Community Schools’ Aaron Bredenkamp as one of just 12 teaching Ambassador Fellows for the 2012-13 school year. Bredenkamp is one of six Classroom Fellows who will remain in their teaching assignments and participate on a part-time basis. Five others will work in the Department of Education headquarters fulltime. Another will work in the DOE’s Seattle regional office. Bredenkamp applied and was then interviewed Bredenkamp via telephone by current fellows and program staff, followed by a daylong interview process in Washington, D.C. His goal is to help improve two-way communication between the Department of Education and the educational community. “This will include providing outreach and information on the DoED to teachers and other educational stakeholders, and taking their responses and opinions back to D.C.,” he said. Bredenkamp will host roundtables on the department’s RESPECT project – a vision on how to improve the teaching profession – and will reach out to other education stakeholders to connect them with department resources. A major push will include sharing resources on the teacher platform on the ed.gov website. “I want other teachers to see the department as a resource, not a threat, and to help them feel connected to Washington,” he said. Influencing federal legislation and policy is important, he said. “I think it is essential that we, the educators, have direct input on legislation and policy,” he said. “We need to join together to guide the direction of education and ensure that legislation and policy are developed that improve education. We cannot allow for these to be developed without our voice.” Too often, Nebraskans remove themselves from the national conversation by taking an anti-Federal government stance. Bredenkamp said it is important that Nebraska opinions and practices be heard at the federal level. “Even though we may not always see eye to eye on all issues, all of our goals are to provide the best education to our children. Therefore, it is essential we work together as much as we can to make sure this happens,” he said. His Westside colleagues are supportive and excited for Bredenkamp’s opportunity. “I think by being a Nebraskan and still being in the classroom makes people much more receptive to what I have to share than if they were talking directly with someone from the department,” he said. “Most people have some frustration with the current system and it’s my goal to clarify, share, and educate as needed so they can find some way to have a positive relationship with the department.” Bredenkamp is a Teach for America Corps member. He taught at the Achievement Academy within Paul Robeson High School in Chicago for three years and has taught at the Career Center, an alternative school, for Westside Community Schools for five years. NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 21
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NSEA-R Corner
Is There a Retired Local Nearby? It’s Easy to Form an NSEA-Retired Local Have you ever wondered why there is no NSEA-Retired affiliate in your area? Or perhaps you’ve wondered how to organize a retired affiliate. The process is not that difficult. Set a date for an organizational meeting to gauge interest. Invite interested and retired colleagues (you can obtain a master list from NSEA-Retired). Invite the local active president and perhaps two or more active teachers who are near retirement. Active teachers are included to understand the importance of having active members join as Pre-Retired members, as well as knowing there is a local NSEA-Retired organization. The retired local holds meetings on a regular basis, with different activities planned at each. The retired local works with the active local, especially in the area of Planning for Retirement and Financial Planning seminars that NSEARetired provides. It may take several meetings to get under way and to solicit commitment from a group of interested retirees. If the decision is to move forward, follow these steps: n Elect or assign officers. n Draft Bylaws. n Draft a Charter request for approval by NSEA and NSEA-Retired. n Plan and outline a first meeting. The first official meeting may include an invitation to the NSEA-Retired president and/or the NSEA staff liaison. Startup assistance could come from the NSEA-Retired, which can assist in production of invitations to potential members, with NSEA-Retired also covering postage costs. NSEA-Retired can also provide a 30-45 minute program. On the agenda should be: n NSEA-Retired lapel pins. n Promotion of Lifetime dues. n Sales of local memberships. Be sure to contact NSEA-Retired President Roger Rea, NSEA Staff Liaison Maureen Nickels or Nickels’ associate staff member, Rebecca Smith, with questions. They can be reached, respectively, at these e-mail addresses: roger.omaha@gmail.com maureen.nickels@nsea.org Rebecca.smith@nsea.org Call Smith at 1-800-742-0047.
Thanks, Tom; Welcome Renae!
To Tom Black: Thank you for writing and editing the NSEA-Retired Corner for nearly 16 years. Black, a former member of the NSEA and NEA Board of Directors, and a longtime social studies teacher at West Point, earned numerous awards from the National Education Association for his work with the Corner. Black will continue to write for and edit the NSEA-Retired Advocate, a separate publication mailed to retired members of the NSEA. Kelly Black With Black’s departure, the new editor is Renae Kelly, a newly retired teacher from Springfield. A member of Papillion-LaVista Education Association for 33 years. Kelly has a passion for learning and education. She held a National Board Certification as Middle Childhood Generalist from 2002-12, and renewed her certification for 2012-22.We look forward to her becoming an active part of the NSEA Retired! Election Notice NSEA Retired will hold elections in January for officers and for delegates to both NSEA Delegate Assembly and Representative Assembly in 2013. Offices up for election for three year terms this year are: secretary; treasurer; and district directors for Metro No. 1, Panhandle, and Tri-Valley. Watch for the request for nominations in the January 2013 issue of The Voice, which will be an online copy. Be sure to get your email address filed with NSEA by logging on to nsea.org and clicking on CONTACT US! Complete the form with your name and current email address. In the “comment box” simply state that you wish to receive electronic copies of The Voice, and ask that your current email be added to the NSEA database. Type “Retired” in the school district box, and click submit. More Details On Local Affiliates We continue our salute to locals with Omaha and the Central Panhandle. Omaha Education Association-Retired Details: Meets at 8:30 a.m. on December 6, March 15 and May 16. Plans include a presentation on federal tax changes on December 6; an OPS Pension plan update by Mike Smith and State Taxation of Social Security and
Public Pension Benefits by Roger Rea on March 15; and a presentation by medical insurance specialist Dr. Richard O’Brian on May 16. Officers: John Jensen is president. Officers are Virgie Louis, vice president; Dee Rankin, secretary treasurer; Roger Rea, bookkeeper; and members of the Board of Directors Cheryl Richardson, Walta Sue Dodd, Sharon Hayenga and Ruby Davis. Reach Jensen at 402-493-7546 or at: Jensen.Omaha@gmail.com Central Panhandle Retired Education Association Details: Members meet monthly August to May. Coming activities include discussion of opportunities for youth in the community. Members raise funds to help the downtown area. They plan a bus tour to attend the NSEA-Retired Fall Conference in Schuyler. Their major concern: that the president of NSEARetired does not have a vote on the NSEA Board of Directors. Officers: The president is Jeanie Williams. Other officers are Karon Harvey, vice president; and Janet Gardner, secretary-treasurer. Call or write Williams at 308-635-0759 or: jwilliams6759@embarqmail.com — Renae Kelly, Editor renaerkelly@gmail.com
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Mark
Extra Credit
Marks Returns to NEA Board Omaha ESP Has Long Record of Association Activism
Marks
NEA President Dennis VanRoekel has appointed long-time NSEA leader Rebecca Marks, Omaha, to fill a vacancy on the NEA Board of Directors. A sign language interpreter and transliterator for the Omaha Public Schools since 1999, Marks will fill the final year on a term as an at-large member of the national board, representing Education Support Professionals. In 2011,
Marks was elected as an Alternate AtLarge ESP to the NEA board, which led to her appointment. She previously served a three-year term on the NEA board. Earlier this year, President Nancy Fulton appointed Marks to serve on the NSEA board as the ESP representative. Marks joined NSEA in 2000, and helped to bargain the first contract for OPS sign language interpreters in 2001. She has served on the NEA Resolutions Committee for six years; has attended the NEA Western Region Conference several times; and has participated in the NEA ESP leadership training program.
Erb Takes Lincoln UniServ Post Studer Will Serve as LEA Executive Director
The Lincoln Education Association has hired long-time UniServ Director Dan Studer to serve as the Association’s executive director. The LEA Board of Directors also hired Lincoln elementary music teacher Matt Erb to fill Studer’s UniServ post. Studer The personnel moves came after LEA Executive Director Jim Rea resigned in August. Studer served as LEA president from 1997-2003 and during his term founded LEA’s Harvest of Books program, which has funneled thousands of books to Lincoln children. Studer began his teaching career in 1974, and taught English at Everett Junior High, Park Middle School and Lincoln Southeast High School. He served as the UniServ Director for LEA
since 2005. LEA President Jenni Absalon said Studer is a “seasoned advocate and manager.” “His commitment to our members and our Association is exceptional and has earned Dan the respect and trust of LEA members,” she said. Absalon called Erb “an excellent teacher and Erb an involved LEA member.” He taught at Lakeview and then Kooser elementary schools, has been a faculty representative, served on the LEA School Board Contact Team, the LEA negotiations team and on the LEA Board of Directors. He has attended NSEA Delegate Assembly and the NEA Western Region Leadership Conference. Erb also serves in the National Guard. He began his duties with LEA in late September.
Sally Fellows Sally Fellows, a long-time NSEA member and teacher at Omaha South High School, died in Omaha on Sept. 3. She was 77. A native of Ames, IA, Fellows earned a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and a master’s degree from Creighton University. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she taught at South High for 35 years, and served as chair of the Social Studies Department. Fellows received the Alice Buffett Award for Teaching. She was active in the League of Women Voters and belonged to numerous book clubs. She also directed the OPS Service Learning program for students. Survivors include a sister and brother and their spouses; a sister-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Memorials may be sent to the Omaha Education Association Foundation for scholarships at South High School.
Doug Nabb Longtime Fremont educator and NSEA member Doug Nabb died in Omaha on Sept. 27. He was 70. For 31 years, Nabb taught social studies at the junior and senior high levels in Fremont. He also coached football and swimming and was active in the Fremont Education Association. Nabb was a longtime negotiator for the FEA. Following his retirement in 1999, he worked as a lobbyist for the Fremont Public Schools, working with state senators and policymakers to shape education legislation.
Now Open: Nominations for the National Teacher Hall of Fame Since 1992, the National Teacher Hall of Fame has recognized five American teachers with induction. Do you know a teacher who should be honored? Located on the campus of Emporia State University in Kansas, the Hall of Fame is accepting applications for the 2013 induction class. Letters of nomination must be postmarked no later than Jan. 2, 2013. Nomination requirements include: n The nominee must have a minimum of 20 years of fulltime preK-12 teaching experience.
n The nominee must hold/have held a valid certificate or license from the state in which he/she is teaching/has taught. n If selected, the nominee must attend induction activities in Emporia and other potential locations. Nominations must be submitted on the official form, obtained by calling 1-800-968-3224, or at the NTHF website at nthf.org. If the nomination form is mailed, it must be postmarked no later than Jan 2, 2013. If sent on-line, it must reach the NTHF office no later than Jan. 2, 2013. NOVEMBER 2012 | THE VOICE | PAGE 23
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US SENATE
Bob Kerrey US CONGRESS – DIST 2
John Ewing NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE
LD 01 Jerry Joy LD 02 Sen. Paul Lambert LD 03 Sen. Scott Price LD 05 Sen. Heath Mello LD 07 Sen. Jeremy Nordquist LD 09 Sara Howard LD 11 Sen. Brenda Council LD 13 Sen. Tanya Cook LD 15 Mike Petersen LD 17 Van Phillips LD 19 Jim Scheer LD 21 Sen. Ken Haar LD 23 Vern Barrett LD 25 Sen. Kathy Campbell LD 27 Sen. Colby Coash LD 29 Kate Bolz LD 31 Rick Kolowski LD 35 Sen. Mike Gloor LD 37 Sen. Galen Hadley LD 39 Judy Domina LD 41 Sen. Kate Sullivan LD 43 Al Davis LD 45 Richard Carter and Sue Crawford
How Do They Measure Up?
NSEA Candidate Recommendation Process
Candidates who earn the NSEA recommendation have completed questionnaires on education issues and are interviewed by NSEA members from their district. Local NSEA member committees determine which candidates are deserving of the NSEA recommendation. Candidates are asked questions related to their support for quality public schools, education funding, public school employees, teacher due process, and teacher collective bargaining. If you are interested in serving on a NSEA Candidate Recommendation Committee in the future, call NSEA Government Relations at (800) 742-0047.
Vote for Pro-Education candidates!
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Dist. 1 Lillie Larsen Dist. 3 Rachel Wise Dist. 4 Rebecca Valdez UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA REGENTS Dist. 4 Bob Whitehouse Dist. 8 Ann Ferlic Ashford AMENDMENT 3
Vote ‘Yes’ for three terms for state senators. PAGE 24 | THE VOICE | NOVEMBER 2012
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