Early Career Educators Engage in MEA

“I liked meeting others my age. I liked having a place where I could learn and grow openly.”

With the promise of learning how to collectively better advocate for students and the profession, early career educators from around the state came together for a weekend training and networking event in Portland. The weekend was one of several events throughout the year connected to MEA’s continued effort to create a space for those who are newer to the profession.

Events throughout the year ranged from a designated conference just for our Young Education Professionals of the MEA (YEP-MEA), to a specialized technology training at Rising Tide in Portland, to a weekend training in Portland, to pottery and paint nights.

Through MEA’s Young Education Professionals group early career educators can find a space for themselves and work together to get other newer educators to understand the value of belonging and join in the union. Want to learn more? Check out: https://maineea.org/yep-mea/.

YEP-MEA Paint Night in Bangor After attending YEP-MEA weekend in Portland where members learned everything from teaching with poverty in mind, to how to organize members in their local associations, members left feeling supported, engaged and energized to continue the school year. Here’s what they had to say about the benefits of connecting to YEP-MEA and the programs offered by the Association.

“It was great being around like-minded people and having very thoughtful and eye-opening conversations.” “I liked that there was equal opportunity for learning and for networking.” “Connections, deep discussions, feeling empowered, the food, and FUN!!”

“The conversations, and ability to network... It’s very comforting to know that I’m not alone with the problems I’ve been having.” “Getting together with other young educators, sessions and information that were useful and relevant to me, a chance to discuss issues we are facing at our schools and 1) not feel alone, 2) feel like there was something we could do about it, and 3) just be heard.”

“I liked the set up for discussions rather than being lectured.”

YEP-MEA Weekend in Portland

2019 MEA RA VOICE IN THE PROFESSION VOICE IN THE PROFESSION

The MEA held its 91st annual Representative Assembly (RA) MEA Members in their own words on May 18th and 19th. MEA’s RA is the largest democratic body of the association made up of educators elected by their local associations to represent their district. The MEA RA delegates set the course of work for the Association in the upcoming school year and discuss and take positions on key “ Gail Rodrigue, RSU 4 EA “I love being here. I love to see how this works and I love to see the process. It’s important for me to learn, watch and listen to know what’s going on and how things become what they are education issues. in the MEA.”

During the MEA RA, members also celebrate the great work of our educators, partners and our students. On the following pages are the thoughts on those who attended, key take-aways from leadership and MEA’s executive director, and the winners of MEA’s awards. Vision for the Future u

Paula Voelker, MEA Executive Director

“More membership recruitment – our numbers are good, but they could be better; why better – organized people in numbers have an impact; organized resources have an impact. Looking around the country, we know this to be true. We know the path is sometimes long, sometimes shorter, to accomplish our goals; but we must be constantly moving towards the goals, growing and actively recruiting new people to bring their energy and ideas to keep us fresh and agile....This is your organization; you help inform the work and goals. I hope that you will take the opportunity today and over the next year to participate and make your voice heard.”

Grace Leavitt, MEA President

“I hope to continue to work with you all to see that our schools are properly funded, that our schools are better able to meet the needs of all of our students, that the educator voice is ever more involved-and listened to-in making decisions that affect us and our students, that we are reducing the equity gap across our state, and hopefully the nation, that our ESP are valued not just in words but also in compensation, that our retirees are not left to struggle after years of dedication to our students, that we are attracting more young people to join us in the great work we do.”

Taryn Southard, Portland EA

“I want to be more involved but also be more educated on what is going on in the state of Maine. This has been a good learning process. I think it’s important for more younger educators to get involved--I think part of being here is getting a better idea of why I should be involved.”

Patty Scully, Winslow EA

“I am happy to be a delegate to the MEA Representative Assembly. This is important work and I am a proud to be a teacher in our state!” MEA Award Winners MEA is proud to honor its members, and members of the community who are committed to excellence in education. Below are this year's winners.

HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD

Presented to the Center for Grieving Children Intercultural Program

CORPORATE AWARD

Presented to Machias Savings Bank, Princeton Branch

ANNE SHEEHAN POLITICAL ACTION AWARD

Presented to Jan Dodge, State RepresentativeMEA-Retired