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On The Precipice MEA works to engage younger members as face of profession changes 45% of all MEA members are 52 or older. In the next five years, Maine schools will lose 18% of all staff to retirement.These are facts the MEA is not ignoring as it works harder than ever to evolve with those who are entering the profession. In order to attract early career educators, a new group, the Young Education Professionals of the Maine Education Association (YEPMEA) formed last year. The group continues to grow early career educators join who hope to help shape the future of the profession. YEP-MEA members are educators who are in their first five years-they all care about their students, having a voice in their work, and learning more about the “I got to spend a union while having fun. YEP-MEA members hope to build personal and professional relationships with other like-minded educators through networking and community outreach to help further the cause of great public schools for every Maine student.
weekend with people who share similar experiences as me and talk about some of my favorite topics: teaching, learning and the big picture education” Cassie DeValk teacher at Vivian E. Hussey Primary in Berwick Maine
YEP-MEA members meet throughout the year at both social and professional development functions to share ideas, stories and experiences to both make new friends and learn from each other. Recently, a group of early career educators gathered at Sunday River for the weekend to learn about the Association and the value of belonging. At YEP-MEA weekend, members received professional development around the issues they expressed interest in--including learning more about their teacher evaluations, technology in the classroom and proficiency based education. In addition, each member walked away with a better understanding of what the MEA is--how being a member can benefit their professional and personal life, and how they can have a greater voice in their own work. “I initially went to Sunday River because it sounded like a nice little weekend getaway, but it ended up being much more. I got to spend a weekend with people who share similar experiences as me and talk about some of my favorite topics: teaching, learning and the big picture education. And we had a bit of fun thrown in as well,” said Cassie DeValk, a teacher at Vivian E. Hussey Primary in Berwick. YEP-MEA has its own website, full of resources to help educators who are just starting out. From certification and licensure questions, to grant information, to student loan forgiveness--you can find it all on the YEP-MEA website. To learn more about how you can get involved in YEP-MEA, or to sign up for upcoming event, head to yepmea.org. Want to engage on social media? Follow MEA on SnapChat and Instagram. February 2017
• www.maineea.org
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