YEP-MEA: On the Precipice

Y o u r A s s o c i a t i o n

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 union while having fun. “I got to spend a

weekend with people

YEP-MEA members who share similar hope to build personal and professional relationships with other experiences as me and talk about some of my like-minded educators favorite topics: teaching, through networking and learning and the big community outreach to help further the cause of picture education” great public schools for every Maine student. Cassie DeValk teacher at Vivian E. Hussey Primary in Berwick Maine

On The Precipice

MEA works to engage younger members as face of profession changes

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.

SET MEA’S COURSE

MEA wants your opinion on issues that affect your profession, public

How? education, and local association.

Submit a Resolution and/or New What?

Business Item to be discussed at MEA’s

annual Representative Assembly. Examples of a Resolution (belief

Forms are found online at statement) include: maineea.org RESOLVED: That the MEA believes educators must be involved in developing district

“I hadn’t been a part of the union until recently; I acceptable use policies for Internet access. wasn’t an early adopter. But I came to the RA, to The Association also believes required see how the Association works, it was fascinating. student and parent signatures must be on

Listening to people who debate important issues file in respective schools prior to Internet use. affecting our profession, you start to get a sense of the power, and it shows you if Example, of a New Business Item (action item) include: you have a voice That the MEA will work with the legislature and you speak to create, for all preK-12 schools, a fair and up you can have equitable assessment system that is based an influence on multiple measures. in a pretty big organization. If you’re passionate about something, you can get your voice out there pretty far because of the Association.” - Ryan Watts (Firsttime delegate), Gorham TA

Where?

Forms are found online at www.maineea.org and submit to:

MEA RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Maine Education Association FMI and SUBMISSION FORMS: Contact your local Association 35 Community Drive Augusta, ME 04330 President or call Tammy Simpson at 622-4418 x2221 or e-mail tsimpson@maineea.org