Maine Educator March 2014

MAINE

Educator

March 2014

Vol. 74 • Number 7

IT’S YOUR ASSOCIATION. READ ALL ABOUT IT.

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PLUS

Read Across America Dogs motivate young readers

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Mike ‘Gets It’ page 8

A Portrait of Kindness Students reach out to typhoon victims through art

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mber e M w e N Benefit: SAVE R ON YOU IC ELECTR BILL! e g back pa See the

Top Issues In Education

Virtual Approval PARCC testing, GED, GradNation, Gates Foundation, SAT10, and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, now has a foot in the door of public education in our small state.

Lois Kilby-Chesley, MEA President On Monday, March 3, while MEA members spoke before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee about proposed DOE rules for Educator Evaluation, the Maine Charter School Commission voted on the approval of the Maine Connections Academy (MCA).

Assuming MCA supporters can meet the 13 criteria for final approval set out by the Commissioners, Maine will have its first virtual school in September 2014.

MCA, contracting with Pearson the mega-corporation that partners with, among other things, University of Phoenix, America's Choice, Teacher Performance Assessment, Achieve/

Similar to the charter schools that have already opened in Maine, MCA will receive money from a local district for any child who moves from the classroom or from homeschooling to the virtual world. The first year MCA will have 270 students in grades 7-12 and can grow to 750. The homeschoolers will be new costs to any district since as such they do not receive subsidy but as new virtual students they will. The impact on some districts could be astronomical.

On March 4, the Great Lakes Center released its second annual Virtual Schools Report "that cautions against unchecked expansion.” Of the virtual schools receiving state accountability/ performance ratings only 33.75% had academically acceptable ratings. On average their Adequate Yearly Progress was 22% lower than traditional public

schools, and their graduation rates fell to 43.85% The Great Lakes Center recommendation is for policymakers to slow or stop growth of virtual schools until poor performance has been addressed. Understanding Maine lawmakers submitted a moratorium bill for virtual schools in Maine until January 2015. As expected the bill was vetoed by Governor LePage, a long-time supporter of charter and virtual schools, within hours of passage.

MEA's concern is for the students in Maine. Even as our funding is reduced to feed virtual schools, we will continue to strive for student success in pre-K-higher education. In the future we will be left with cleaning up the mess left behind by virtual schools that do not educate our students to acceptable levels, and we will do that too.

We do it because our students are the future of Maine. They matter.

“I disagree with teacher evaluation being linked to student performance...”

Dear Education Committee Members, I am writing this letter in response to the Department of Education recommendation that at least 20% of a teacher’s evaluation include consideration of the standardized test scores of their students.

Although I understand and embrace the concept of holding teachers accountable, I do not accept the concept of teacher performance being linked to student performance on a test. I have been a high school science teacher for 28 years. I have taught ninth grade General Science, Earth Science, College Prep Biology, AP Environmental Science,

Maine

and a science class for students with cognitive and behavioral disabilities.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and a Master’s Degree in science and special education.

I disagree with teacher evaluation being linked to student performance for a number of reasons.

First, a teacher can control the culture, rigor, content, and pedagogy that goes on in their own classroom, but they cannot control their student’s environment outside the classroom doors. Students who come to school with insufficient heat or food at home, do not get the proper structure or encouragement

to get work done at home, or lack the ability to moderate their behaviors either from a substance abuse issue or a cognitive deficit, will nonetheless underperform, even in the most exceptional of classroom environments.

It’s unreasonable to measure teaching competency on factors that are beyond the control of the teacher. A comparison would be to evaluate a doctor based on how healthy his patients become. The doctor cannot control whether the patient takes their medication or follows the directions provided them, any more than I can assure my students will go home and do their homework, or come to class attentive and desiring to learn.

Secondly, if teacher evaluations are based on student performance teachers will avoid the teaching assignments of ISSN #1069-1235 Rob Walker classes that contain students with any Published by Maine Education Association Periodicals rate paid type of challenges. The very population Giovanna Bechard at Augusta, Maine and additional Allison Coombs that requires the expertise of the best gbechard@maineea.org teachers would in fact be avoided mailing offices.

Subscription $10 per year. The Maine Educator is published 9 times annually, September, October, November, by teachers. The promise of special December, January, February, March, April & May. education law for a free and appropriate POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Maine Educator, 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-8005 education for ALL students may not be

Educator

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Volume 74 Number 6 Copyright 2014

President Executive Director/ Managing Editor Comm. Director/ Editor Layout/Ad Manager Questions/comments:

Lois Kilby-Chesley

March 2014

www.maineea.org

Top Issues in Education realized if teachers shy from assignments with student populations that may underperform.

Another consideration is to determine if standardized test scores are an accurate measure of growth. Children develop in different ways, and at different paces.

For some students, meaningful growth cannot be measured from a standardized test. For other students, test scores from one test on one particular day can’t begin to measure the strides in critical thinking, social interactions, or readiness to learn skills. Is the Department trying to measure student gains? If so, then perhaps a longitudinal study of a child’s performance over several years is a more accurate measure. If the Department is trying to measure teacher effectiveness then I suggest that is what the evaluation model should reflect. There are several models that measure: teacher delivery of content, reflection of practice, classroom management, ability to develop curriculum to include formative and summative assessment, professional responsibilities, and communication skills, to name a few. If teachers are performing well across these domains

then they will surely be effective in the classroom. There are too many extraneous variables that impact a child’s ability to perform. The Department would not think to hold parents accountable for their child’s performance in school.

When in reality, many students do not perform well not because their teacher is ineffective, but because circumstances at home fail the child.

Thank you for your consideration and thank you for all you do in overseeing the course of education in our great state.

Sincerely, Serena Morris College Prep. Biology, AP Environmental Science teacher Hampden Academy, Hampden , ME

Please consider my thoughts and the thoughts of other educators concerning teacher evaluations linked to student performance. Teaching is a very difficult thing to do. The pay is not commensurate to the level of education you need to become a teacher. The demands of the profession continue to pull teachers in a multitude of directions that are not all contributing to improving instruction.

I have concerns that the profession I love and have worked very hard to be exemplary at, will no longer be able to retain and recruit the competent people the profession and our students deserve. Linking evaluation to student performance will be one more reason competent people leave or never consider the profession.

Teacher Evaluation Rules - New Information The Education Committee heard testimony from MEA members on a new set of rules surrounding teacher evaluations. The committee did not make any decisions on the rules but will continue to discuss them in the coming weeks.

The Department of Education wants AT LEAST 20% of teacher evaluations to include measures of student growth including standardized test scores of students you teach. The MEA thinks we should create a cap on the use of student achievement data of not more than 10%..

As the discussion continues, the Education Committee still needs your input and story in order to make every teacher evaluation truly one that will improve the work you do and not arbitrarily penalize you based on a flawed system. Please take a minute to e-mail members of the Education Committee using this letter found at:

tinyurl.com/ld1747teachereval www.maineea.org

March 2014

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NEWS & NOTES MEA Supports Young Readers In support of developing young readers, the MEA will soon give each first grader in Maine a new book. Thanks to a grant from the National Education Association and Renaissance Dental, the MEA purchased 14,000 books to be given to students in the coming weeks. For educators who are eligible to receive the books for their students, the MEA will be contacting you shortly.

Saturday

April 5th

Join Maine educators at the University of Maine at Augusta to share creative ideas and learn from each other, enhance your teaching techniques, broaden your curriculum and enrich the school community. All MEA members, including college students (SEAM), are invited to attend. Select from a wide variety of workshops.

7:30am - 3:00pm

University of Maine at Augusta

REGISTRATION IS OPEN: WWW.REGONLINE.COM/2014SPRINGCONF

Calling for Nominations: GRAMMY Music Educator Award MEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

MAY 17-18

MEA’s RA is made up of delegates from local associations across Maine who will set priorities, policies, programs and budget for 2014-2015. To become a delegate contact your local president for information or Linda Heaney at lheaney@maineea.org.

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Nomination Deadline:

MARCH 31st There will be 10 finalists selected and a winner who will be flown to Los Angeles to accept their award and attend the GRAMMYs.

To Apply or Nominate a Colleague go to:

http://www.grammyintheschools.com/programs/ grammy-music-educator-award/apply

March 2014

www.maineea.org

“Completely botched.”

“Botched”

That’s how National Education Association (NEA) President Dennis Van Roekel described the roll out of the Common Core State Standards as he recently called for a “course correction.”

“My greatest fear for the students of America is that we may lose the promise of the Common Core standards because we screwed up the implementation,” Van Roekel said.

The key word for many when it comes to Common Core is implementation.

In New York state, implementation has been under intense scrutiny. The state Assembly recently passed a bill to delay some aspects of Common Core by a vote of 117-10, after first defeating a Republican amendment that would have withdrawn New York from the standards altogether. The bill also removes Common Core-aligned test scores from teacher and principal evaluations for two years. The legislation is the latest move by state officials to answer the public outcry surrounding Common Core across New York State. The New York State Unified Teachers, an NEA affiliate representing 600,000 educators, are making a strong case for a three-year moratorium on the use of state assessments for high-stakes consequences for students and teachers, saying that a mid-course correction is essential for restoring confidence in the Common Core State Standards. “We’re supportive of the potential of the Common Core, but New York’s implementation plan was ill-conceived from day one,” said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi.

Since 2010, 45 states including Maine adopted Common Core. The Maine Education Association believes Common Core State Standards may help lead the way to classroom curriculum based on students' needs. “The MEA took a stand early on to be vigilant of Common Core implementation. Implementation strategies will be important as Maine moves toward the Common Core Standards,” said Lois Kilby-Chesley President of the MEA.

“My greatest fear for the students of America is that we may lose the promise of the Common Core standards because we screwed up the implementation.”

It wasn’t clear how much the implementation process of Common Core truly affected educators until recent NEA research showed that 7 out of 10 teachers in the union surveyed said the switch to Common Core was going poorly in their school districts.

For some, things were going so poorly they went one step beyond simply scrutinizing the implementation. A group, known as the Badass Teachers, is extremely vocal about the impact of NEA President Dennis Van Roekel Common Core and the use of it in public schools. Many, who call themselves BATs, are NEA and state affiliate members. While the BATs have been vocal against NEA policies on Common Core the group has been able to ignite a movement to discuss the issue, regardless of position, giving teachers across the country a voice in the process. It was the voice of more than 10,000 NEA members that ultimately changed the direction of NEA’s position on Common Core. While the NEA and the BATs disagree on Core beliefs the common ground is the power of each educator’s voice.

“There is so much we’ve done. We’ve seen teachers that have said I was feeling alone. I was feeling this was just occurring in my state. I think there is a sense that if we join this coalition you can talk about how you’re feeling. You need to raise your voice up,” said Marla Kilfoyle, NEA member and NBCT from New York and founding BAT member. The BATs called on NEA to change its supportive position on Common Core, swarming the NEA Facebook page with anti-Common Core messages. The move, however, did not detract from the NEA/ MEA belief that Common Core can help students if done correctly.

- NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi “…Scuttling these standards will simply return us to the

“We’re supportive of the potential of the Common Core, but New York’s implementation plan was ill-conceived from day one.”

failed days of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), where rote memorization and bubble tests drove teaching and learning.

NEA members don’t want to go backward; we know that won’t help students. Instead, we want states to make a strong course correction and move forward,” said Van Roekel.

How each state moves forward can be up to its educators—the proof is in New York.

Are you looking for Common Core resources?

Check out www.maineea.org/commoncore for Association and Maine-specific resources including lesson plans NEA’s New BetterLesson Website and Master Teacher Program http://cc.betterlesson.com

www.maineea.org

March 2014

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Read Across America

READING + DOG = TOO MUCH FUN

By Lisa Feldman, ACSUM, Nottage Library, University of Maine Augusta, Bangor Campus

Nottage Library, on the Bangor Campus of the University of Maine at Augusta, invited Reading Dog Finch to campus on March 3 to help celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Finch, though talented, doesn’t actually read. Instead, he facilitates reading by others. A therapy dog certified by Therapy Dogs International, Finch—otherwise a sparky little Papillon with lots of energy—is trained to lie quietly while people are reading to him.

This helps focus even the twidgiest kid.

As trainer Rebecca Henderson points out, dogs are the ultimate non-judgmental listeners.

They love the attention and don’t get impatient if you stumble over a hard word. The coolness factor helps motivate even the most reluctant readers.

Nottage Library director Ben Treat (UMPSAMEA), whose children had enjoyed reading to dogs at the Bangor Public Library, suggested the event. Library Specialists Andrea Thorne and Lisa Feldman (both ACSUM-MEA) pitched in to organize.

The program seemed a great fit for UMA-Bangor, whose students are predominantly ‘non-traditional,’ many juggling college and parenthood. In addition, the campus is home to Maine’s only accredited degree in Veterinary Technology.

It offers a popular major in Mental Health & Human Services and many students are interested in the therapeutic use of animals.

The afternoon was a huge success. Kids read up a storm. Parents want to know when it can happen again. Everyone was wowed by Finch’s ears, his pizzazz, his self-discipline, and his athletic abilities.

Adult students and staff were equally impressed by Rebecca’s patience, skill, humor and evident delight in both children and dogs.

Rebecca Henderson of Renaissance Dogs in Holden generously donated her services. Healthy snacks, enjoyed by all (except Finch, who brought his own), were supported by a Read Across America grant from MEA.

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March 2014

www.maineea.org

Read Across America

Read-A-Thon in Westbrook Students at Canal Elementary School in Westbrook celebrated Read Across America with a read-a-thon, Dr. Seuss trivia contests, Book Bingo and other events. Students, with help from their teachers, including Librarian Susan Brown (Westbrook EA), and the Cat in the Hat, made paper chains they will wrap around the school in a few weeks. Each link on the chain symbolizes one page read. The school calculated one page per one mile and hopes to be able to visually show how far across the country they can go with reading. The goal is to read from Eastport, Maine to Atka, Alaska. Students also made Cat in the Hat hats and enjoyed birthday cake to celebrate.

McGraw School, Fisher Mitchell School, Athens Community Hampden School Bath

Lincolnville School

Monday, March 3 was the official kick-off for the Winslow Education Association’s Read Across Winslow campaign. To honor the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss, Winslow EA President Mike Thurston read Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose to Patty Scully’s second grade class at Winslow Elementary. The Association is now working to continue the reading project which pairs members who volunteer their time to be readers with elementary school children.

www.maineea.org

March 2014

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Mike ‘Get’s It’

Mike ‘gets it.’

In the gym at Schenck High School in East Millinocket, a teenage Mike Michaud spent hours going over foul shots and blocks as he kept the books for the boys’ basketball team. While sitting in that gym, the man who would grow up to be a Congressman not only learned the value of a fierce jump shot but discovered the value of hard work and dedication. The lessons though didn’t come from the players on the team but from a coach—a cheerleading coach and physical education teacher.

“Margaret ‘Gillie’ Gillis took a real interest in my life and all the students’ lives. She set an incredible example in her work ethic.

She was always there early in the morning with all of the kids— she gave us confidence and taught us the value of respect,” said Michaud who is now running for Governor. To this day, Michaud returns that respect to all of his former teachers, including Gillis, by using Mr. and Mrs. when he speaks about the people who helped shape his future.

“Miss Gillis would always come to school early and leave late.

She was so dedicated to her students. Though I didn’t realize it at the time, that left a lasting impression on me. For her this wasn’t some nine to five job, she took pride in it and showed a real commitment to it. That’s something I’ve always kept with me in my life and my work—it’s one of the most important life lessons I learned in public school,” said Michaud.

Michaud’s belief in public education didn’t end in that gym all those years ago. The life-long Mainer carries his respect for the profession with him each day in a very personal way—through the eyes of his sister Lynne, business and technology instructor and MEA member at York High School.

“Mike ‘gets it.’ He witnesses, first-hand, the amount of time and energy that I put into my profession and clearly understands the challenges and frustrations that I face. He knows how hard the teachers of Maine work to raise the aspirations of our students, to promote student learning, and to create engaging and relevant lesson plans. He is a creative thinker and is truly passionate about what he does,” said Lynne Michaud.

Michaud’s passion for public education was apparent to Lynne when she was a student and struggled to pay for her senior year of college at Husson University. Lynne says their parents did what they could but just couldn’t afford to pay for her schooling. She worked, earned scholarships took out student loans and even went into the Maine Army National Guard—but it wasn’t enough.

That’s when Lynne’s big brother Mike stepped in and helped pay for her education.

“Mike was quick to come to the rescue—he just hates to see people struggle. A classic Mike response (after he has helped me or others) is, ‘No problem.’ He really IS like this all the time. “There is nothing pretentious about Mike—what you see is what you get—our entire family is like this,” said Lynne.

Perhaps it’s the kind of personality and work ethic you might expect from a man who grew up in Medway, 70 miles north of Bangor. Michaud now lives in East Millinocket, “the town that paper made.” In 2010, the census bureau reported fewer than 500 families called East Millinocket home. It’s that small town upbringing that Michaud says gives him a deeper understanding for the value of a school in each community.

There is nothing pretentious “about Mike—what you see is what you get.”

- Lynne Michaud 8

“Our schools are real gathering places and our teachers are also more than just teachers—they are well-respected members of our communities who play a huge role in the lives of our children—not only academically but in individuals’ personal lives. From the school bus driver, to the classroom teacher to the school secretary to the custodian and food service worker, each touch the life of a child and can have a real impact. I know Miss Gillis had that impact on me.” said Michaud.

As the race for Governor intensifies, Michaud’s campaign says he remains focused on the things that matter—doing the business for the people of this state who matter most to him, including his sister Lynne and the rest of the public school employees in Maine.

March 2014

www.maineea.org

Mike ‘Get’s It’ “I believe our educators are our allies and some of our greatest assets. They should be part of the conversation about how to make our schools better. We should be talking with teachers—not talking at them and giving them the space in their schools to do what they know best, teach. I think that’s how Miss Gillis would have liked to see as the future of her profession if she were alive today,” said Michaud.

In November, MEA members invited all three candidates for Governor to meet with them and talk about important public education issues. Both Mike Michaud and Eliot Cutler accepted the invitation. Governor Paul LePage did not respond. After that meeting and discussion the members chose to support Mike Michaud in his candidacy for Governor in 2014.

(L to R) Rep. Mike Michaud, MEA President Lois Kilby-Chesley, Augusta EA President Jeff DeJongh, MEA Vice President Grace Leavitt

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March 2014

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Affiliate News RSU 4 School Board Goes Against Voters Will to Keep Current Bus Drivers In November of 2012, voters in Regional School Unit 4 decided by a 2 to 1 ratio to reject subcontracting of bus drivers even if the bid saved the district money, citing safety of students with the current drivers as one of the main issues. The RSU 4 School Board is now raising the issue again and has already received a bid from an outside bus company.

“The public already said they support us and they want us behind the wheel when we are taking their kids to school. I am not sure why the School Board thinks it can just ignore what the majority of this community wants by raising this issue again,” said Nicole Labbe-Gervais who has been a bus driver in RSU 4 for 12 years.

The bus drivers have started an online group to gain support for their jobs and so far nearly 200 community members are against sub-contracting. The School Board is meeting again on the issue.

Suspension Controversy in Westbrook Leads to Association Requested Investigation Westbrook High School parents and staff voiced their concerns to the School Board surrounding the differential treatment of athletes in the handling of student discipline as a result of an off-school event involving underage drinking. The Association, parents and the mayor called for an independent investigation which was supported by the high school staff.

The investigation occurred and a report has been issued.

The report found school officials made some mistakes in the suspension controversy which included lifting athletes’ suspensions just prior to a big football game. The Association is now working toward a constructive resolution for a more positive future.

RSU 23: Plan in Place for Withdrawal RSU 23 EA is working on the steps for a smooth transition for the withdrawal of Saco and Dayton. A steering committee of the RSU 23 EA is meeting to organize the work that needs to be done. Dayton, Old Orchard Beach, and Saco have draft constitution/bylaws for their new Associations to be voted on by their membership followed by elections of officers and reps. Each association has a teacher team to negotiate 3 new contracts as the RSU teacher contract expires at the end of this school year.

MSAD 55 Announces New National Board Certified Teachers Congratulations to Ashley Bryant, Kelley Goodfield and Jaci Ritter who were certified through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. All three are teachers at Sacopee Valley Middle School. In addition Amy Vacchiano who is a guidance counselor in the district’s three elementary schools received certification.

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Mt. Ararat Technology Professionals Preparing to Negotiate First Contract Technology professionals in MSAD 75 at Mt. Ararat are preparing to negotiate a first contract for the newly organized and recognized bargaining unit. The group was not previously part of the union. This new unit would not have been able to form if not for the efforts of the Merrymeeting Teachers Association who fought on their behalf to secure recognition.

The group is now part of the union and members will have the same rights as other association members.

Lewiston EA Working to Reach Out to Members In Lewiston, efforts are being made to reach out to members to strengthen communication lines across the local. Members in Lewiston EA currently have a newsletter and recently completed a climate survey that has enabled local leaders to begin working on issues that have been identified by the membership. Lewiston members who are interested in learning more about their local can keep an eye out for The Grapevine.

Educators and Students Exceed Goal to Help Others Union 122 TA (Woodland) members and students at New Sweden Consolidated School participated in the collaborative food drive and collected canned goods/non-perishables for the local food pantry. The association held the food drive to coincide with the St. Lucia Celebration. Not only did the students celebrate their communities’ Swedish heritage, but they also celebrated the "spirit" of St. Lucia who brought food to the hungry.

RSU 39 Reinstitutes Potato Harvest Break RSU 39 – Caribou/Limestone/ Stockholm School Board recently voted to reinstitute Potato Harvest for all students.

During the past few decades only high school students were released for the Harvest Break leaving pre-K- 8 students in school without interruption. In an attempt to save money on bus fuel the school board voted to create a common calendar pre-K-12 putting young children on vacation for two weeks which will impact parents’ budgets for childcare and interrupt student learning. The Association also just settled its contract after three years. It is the second combined RSU contract and the first time the group will share a common insurance coverage and pay scale.

What is going on in your local that is interesting?

March 2014

Send an e-mail to: gbechard@maineea.org www.maineea.org

Affiliate News

2014/2015 Pre-Retirement Days Pre-Retirement Days are sponsored by the Maine Education Association in conjunction with the Maine Education Association-Retired. The purpose of these informational meetings is to inform MEA members, who intend to retire within five years, of the retirement options available to them through ANTHEM of Maine (MEABT ANTHEM plan), the Maine Public Employees Retirement System and the Maine Education Association. Information will be provided that should help those who participate in these pre-retirement days in doing the necessary planning to prepare for a smooth transition from school employment to retirement.

To register for one of the pre-retirement days, one must e-mail Peg Belanger at pbelanger@maineea.org. Registrations will be taken on a first-registration basis and will cease ten (10) days prior to each seminar.

Ellsworth area* - Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 4:30 – 6:30 Kennebunk area* – Saturday, September 20, 2014, 9:00 – 11:00 Auburn area* – Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 4:30 – 6:30 Skowhegan area* – Saturday, October 4, 2014, 9:00 – 11:00 Rockland area* – Wednesday, October 8, 2014, 4:30 – 6:30 Caribou area* - Saturday, October 18, 2014, 9:00 – 11:00 Brunswick area* - Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 4:30 – 6:30 Waterville area* – Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 4:30 – 6:30 Machias area* – Saturday, March 14, 2015, 10:00 – 12:00 So Portland area*– Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 4:30 – 6:30 Bangor area* – Saturday, March 21, 2015, 9:00 – 11:00

MUST PRE-REGISTER IN ORDER TO ATTEND Enrollment is limited to 75 at each session so be sure to register early. (NOTE: must be an MEA member to attend.) * exact sites will be announced at a later date

perspective

Gain a whole new

at Summer Session on Sebago Lake

For Educators

Save the Date

July 7-18, 2014

Summer courses and workshops provide educators professional development in a collaborative environment. Topics include:

• Autism in Society

• Standards-Based Learning & Teaching

• Student Support Process RTI/PBIS For complete course listings and to register, visit sjcme.edu/summer.

www.maineea.org

March 2014

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Portrait of Kindness

A PORTRAIT OF KINDNESS

The storm clouds were so big they covered all 1,120 miles of the Philippines. More than 6,000 people died and the United Nations reports 1.8 million children were affected. An unknown number were orphaned.

Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed. In 2013, it slammed into the archipelago impacting 14 million people. “The last time I looked, my mother was just beside me, but when I looked again she was gone,” 15-year-old Shylyny Therese Negru told reporters after the tsunami hit. Still, despite the devastation, for some students at Massabesic High School in Waterboro the impact of the super storm wasn’t on their radar…until now.

From a sun filled room, Cathy Geren (Massabesic EA) works with students in her Foundations of Art class to not only introduce them to the craft of portraits, but to shed light on an issue much bigger than anyone in the class. Through art, Geren teaches her students about the tsunami and the children left without parents. The assignment: each student will draw a portrait of an orphan in the Philippines, take a picture of themself and then send both images back to the child who is currently living in an orphanage.

“For 22 years here I have always taught portrait drawing by asking the students to draw a self-portrait. This year, I wanted to do something that could make a difference in the life of another child while also teaching the principles of art,” said Geren. Through what’s called The Memory Project, Geren received 30 photos of children in the Philippines. The organization, founded in 2004, connects art teachers from across the country with children from around the world living in orphanages. “In the short term, the portraits could be a fun gift for a kid to receive and in the long-term they could contribute to their sense of personal heritage, says The Memory Project founder Ben Schumaker. It’s that missing link for the children in the Philippines the students at Massabesic appear to understand.

"I think the whole project is pretty cool because the orphans have lost a whole bunch of stuff in their lives and to know that a random kid is thinking about them and knows they exist—like someone is thinking about them and is drawing their face and to get it back is like ‘oh my goodness, someone knows that I exist.’ That is cool," said freshman Jackie Christie.

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March 2014

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Portrait of Kindness Christie and her classmates will send the drawings to the children in May. The Memory Project hand delivers the artwork to the orphans and video tapes their reaction allowing the students in Maine to make a personal connection with the child they spent hours looking at and studying while they completed their picture. For Geren, who didn’t initially know how her students might react to the project, there was immediate excitement around an assignment that is typically just considered another item to check off the list of ‘things to teach.’ "The focus has shifted from this is something that I just have to get done to oh—this is something I want to do well," said Geren.

The extra effort is not lost on the veteran teacher who is glad she decided to give a more ‘outside the box’ assignment that in the end gives children on both sides of the world something to hold on to for the rest of their lives.

In order to participate in The Memory Project, the school paid $15 per picture. A portion of the money raised goes directly back into the orphanage to help the children. The remainder is used to fund travel to the orphanages to deliver the artwork. If you would like more information about The Memory Project, please visit www.memoryproject.org

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Main Office 15 University Drive Augusta, ME 04330 207-623-3857

March 2014

Chestnut Branch 60 South Chestnut St Augusta, ME 04330 207-623-8396

CATC Branch 40 Pierce Drive Augusta, ME 04330 207-430-0788

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SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

As electricity rates increase, by as much as 13%, the Maine Education Association is pleased to offer its members, friends and family a new benefit—a partnership with an electricity supply company that is offering electricity rates that are lower than the standard offer and lower than Electricity Maine.

That means if you currently get an electric bill from Central Maine Power, Emera Maine (formerly Bangor Hydro) or Electricity Maine you can switch to Union Atlantic Electricity and save money if they offer service in your area. The rate is cheaper and the company is dedicated to your professional Association, giving a portion of its profits back to the MEA for every member that signs up.

You can easily switch online now at www.unionatlanticelectricity.com/mea or call 207-761-1844 Remember to use code “MEA” when you, your friends or your family sign up.

Switching suppliers does not affect how you receive your bill or the electricity service you receive. Switching simply lowers your cost.

“For me the choice was easy. I switched to Union "I’m really glad I made Atlantic because of their the switch to Union guaranteed low rates.

Atlantic, and I encourage Unlike other electricity Union Atlantic Electricity: 7.125¢/kWh* all of our members to suppliers, Union Atlantic join me in locking in 2-Year Offer: 7.4¢/kWh* will allow their customers savings now. These lower to leave with two months’ Electricity Maine: 9.24¢/kWh (18 month agreement) rates will make a real notice, and they’ll never difference to our retired Central Maine Power: 7.6¢/kWh charge a penalty. They members.” want to earn our business Emera (Bangor Hydro): 7.6¢/kWh Mary P. McLean, MEAevery day.” *Introductory offers available through April 30th.

Retired Allison Sands, Lake Region TA

COMPARE & SAVE

“It’s great to be able to choose an electricity company that shares my values, supports Maine’s educators, and offers guaranteed low rates.”

Sarah Connors, Co-President South Portland Teachers Association

Enroll Now!

(* = required information)

Who is your electricity utility company?*  Central Maine Power

Union Atlantic Electricity is excited to announce a partnership with the Maine Education Association!

We offer MEA members, retirees and supporters low-cost fixed rates, and we give a portion of our profits back to your professional association, to support its advocacy for public education, educators, and students.

What type of account do you have?*  Residential

Mail to: Union Atlantic Electricty, 220 Maine Mall Road, South Portland ME 04106 Enroll online at: www.unionatlanticelectricity.com/mea Call or Fax: (207) 761-1844 (O) (207) 761-1845 (F)

 Business: Business Name

__________________________________________________________________

Choose Your Service*  Basic 1-Year (7.125 cents/kWh)  Basic 2-Year (7.400 cents/kWh)

Name on Your Utility Account*

 Green 1-Year (8.605 cents/kWh)  Green 2-Year (8.880 cents/kWh) _________________________________________________________________________________

Utility Account Number*_____________________________________________________________________________________________ CMP Account #: BHE Account #:

Current Supplier*

Found in the top left corner of your bill, or call CMP at (800) 750-4000 opt. 0 Found in the top right corner of your bill or call BHE at (800) 499-6600  Utility

 Another Supplier

 Don’t Know

Address where Meter is Located* Street

Tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers about us!

 Bangor Hydro Electric Company

City

__________________________,

ME ZIP

_________________

Street /PO Box_________________________________________________________ City

__________________________,

ME ZIP

_________________

___________________________________________________________________

Billing Address (if different)*

Phone Number*

_______________________________________

Email Address*

_________________________________________________________

 Yes, send me emails about products and services to help me save on my electricity bill.

Signature*

_____________________________________________________________________________

Code* ________ MEA __________