Maine Educator October 2016

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Educator Educato How t writ o g ra n e ts

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Todo en español A look into Maine’s first Spanish Immersion classroom

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October 2016 Vol. 77 • Number 2

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MEA Members - Take the Lead You Have a Chance to be Heard!

Would you like to have more voice in your Association?

Would you like to participate in creating the Resolutions (beliefs) of your Association?

Take the Lead–get involved–be elected to represent your Association and have a say!

The MEA Representative Assembly (RA) is made up of elected local association delegates from across the state and serves as the Association’s highest governing body. At its annual meeting in May, the RA will determine MEA’s policies, programs, and budget for the following year.

Elected delegates to NEA’s RA, which is held in July, determine policies, programs, and budget as well.

Elections for the 2017 MEA and NEA Representative Assemblies and Board of Directors vacancies will be conducted in February by MEA. Watch for more information on open positions and filing papers. Elections for NEA Director and Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MePERS) Trustee will be held at MEA’s RA.

Your voice matters!

IT’S YOUR ASSOCIATION. READ ALL ABOUT IT. contents 5 6 19 30 31

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INSPIRING

Half Off She’s lost half her body weight and now one MEA member is sharing her success story in hopes of inspiring others. Learn how she did it with the help of her MEABT member benefits. Plus, how you can earn money and get healthy at the same time!

Member Member

Editor’s Note President’s Message Fast Facts Events & Deadlines Just for Fun

Q&A:

Classroom Management

Members continually say managing difficult students is one of the tougher parts of the job. We’ve put member questions out to the experts to help you deal with those difficult situations. Read the full story on page 8.

EDUCATORS

Inspiring Educators

The Maine Education Association is proud to support a program in partnership with NewsCenter (WCSH 6 & WLBZ 2) called Inspiring Educators. Each week, through April, an MEA member who inspires students in some way will be featured on a news segment for his or her work. Learn more on page 30 and nominate a colleague today!

YES! ON QUESTION

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20 Stand Up for Students

Educators have a vital vote to make this November. Question 2 on the ballot will provide $157 million more dollars for public schools. A “YES” vote will help our students and schools. Learn more about Question 2 and how you can help your students.

On the cover: Tom Charltray, Cape Elizabeth EA

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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Trending Now...

News You Can Use

Viral Video - 157,660 Views

Most Popular Post Tonight a teacher somewhere in your neighborhood is getting ready for your child’s new school year, writing lesson plans or writing your child’s name in their grade book, while you are watching television. In the minute it takes you to read this, teachers all over the world are using their “free time,” and often investing their own time & money for your child’s literacy, prosperity, and future. Re-post if...you are a teacher, love a teacher, or appreciate a teacher.

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Molding a Brighter Future, MEA’s media campaign to highlight the success of its members and impact on their students took off online with the story of a Lewiston High School teacher and his role in helping a student who considered dropping out graduate.

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Maine educators support tax fairness ballot measure to @Stand4Students and fund schools @neatoday

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Pursuant to US Postal Regulation 39 U.S.C. 3685, the Maine Educator makes known the following: the Maine Educator (publication #1069-1235), a publication of the Maine Education Association (MEA), is published 6 times annually in September, October, December, February, April, June. Annual subscription cost is $10.00. The Maine Educator is owned wholly by the MEA and no other bondholders, mortgagees, or other security holders. The Maine Educator is mailed from MEA headquarters at 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330 and additional authorized entry. Its editor is Giovanna Bechard, Director of Communications, and its managing editor is Rob Walker, Executive Director of the MEA. Of a press run averaging 23,500 copies, 22,004 constitute paid and/or requested circulation and 1,496 are for office use, are left over, unaccounted or spoiled after printing. Statement of ownership was duly filed in September 2016 in compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3685. The Maine Education Association is a nonprofit organization authorized to mail at special rates under DMM Section 423.1.

MAINE

Educator

Volume 77 Number 2 - Copyright 2016 Editorial Staff Managing Editor - Robert Walker, Executive Director Editor - Giovanna Bechard, Communications Director Layout/Ad Manager - Allison Coombs, Communications Assistant

MEA Leadership President - Lois Kilby-Chesley Vice President - Grace Leavitt Treasurer - Denise Simoneau NEA Director - Michael Thurston 4

Maine Educator • October 2016

7 Using Interactive Whiteboards and Projectors to Your Advantage 8 Q&A: Classroom Management 10 Half Off 12 Todo en español 15 Tech Talk: Must Have Tech Tools 16 Teaching with Minecraft 18 ESP: The MVP of Bullying Prevention 19 Fast Facts: Bullying

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Advocacy

Top Tweet

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20 Yes on 2 - Stand Up for Students 21 Election 2016: We did the homework for you 22 MEA Endorsed Candidates

Your Association 24 25 26 27 28 29

Board of Directors Bo Zabierek Suzen Polk-Hoffses Jesse Hargrove Beth French Ken Williams Jill Watson Aaron Greene Jim Thornton Samantha Garnett Sias Terry Martin Bob McCully Amanda Cooper Deborah Butler John Messier Neil Greenberg Crystal Ward Gerry French

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I am MEA 3 Financial Documents You Must Review Now Grant Writing for Educators Did You Know? Important Tips and Benefits Perspectives: Should educators use social media as

a teaching and learning tool?

For Your Life: Ideas and deals for a better, happier YOU

Maine Educator (ISSN #1069-1235) is published by: Maine Education Association 35 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330-8005 207-622-4418; fax 207-623-2129 POSTMASTER: send address changes to: Maine Educator 35 Community Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-8005 Non-Profit US Postage paid at Augusta, Maine and additional mailing offices.

For advertising rates and information please contact: Allison Coombs, 35 Community Dr., Augusta, ME 04330, acoombs@maineea.org 207-622-4418 ext. 2206

Send letters to the editor, questions, and comments to gbechard@maineea.org

Editor’s Note

Lessons from the Soccer Field I decided to coach my son’s soccer team this year. The league seemed like it really needed help, and I played when I was a kid, so I figured how hard could it be? How naïve of me. It’s not the soccer that’s an issue. As trained educators, the issue, as you might imagine is controlling the group. Getting 7 and 8-year-old boys to do the simplest of tasks can be a challenge. However, I’m up for the challenge. I think we all need to step outside of our comfort zone every once in a while so we can grow as people.

There is tremendous growth happening in one elementary school where, for the first time ever, an MEA member is teaching students in the state’s first and only Spanish Immersion program. Señora Grecía Caraballo didn’t know what to expect when she accepted the job as a 2nd grade immersion teacher, but she too was up for the challenge.

In Señora Caraballo’s class there is no English spoken, and the growth of the students has been phenomenal. To read more about the program, turn to page 12.

When it comes to technology, it always seems like there is something new, a place where you can learn and grow as an educator. A teacher in Cape Elizabeth freely admits he didn’t know what he was getting into when he introduced a video game into his curriculum. Tom Charltray learned from his students how the game worked, and in turn he taught the kids how to incorporate their love for the game into everyday lessons. To read more about Charltray and his technology adventure, head to page 16. The increased use of technology, including social media for teaching and learning, isn’t accepted by all. The increased growth of all things non-paper in schools has become a hot topic among many. MEA members weigh in on page 28.

Rickard lost half her body weight over the course of a year, taking advantage of several programs, including her wellness member benefits through the MEABT. Learn how Rickard made the transformation on page 10.

While so many things change, in life and in work, I think as long as we’re learning from each experience that crosses our path then we’re growing. I’ve learned a lot from the kids on my soccer team—how to modify a plan on the fly when things don’t seem to be working, how to graciously accept that we can’t always win, and how to embrace the unknown without being afraid. Most importantly, I continue to realize I learn more from my children about life and love than I could ever learn from anything I read in a book. Those are the lessons I cherish most.

Giovanna Bechard Editor

While you’re growing in your profession, don’t forget to take the time to improve yourself too. Colleen Rickard managed to change her entire life because she wasn’t afraid to try something new, and she wasn’t afraid to fail.

Team Aus tralia R OCKS! - Johnny , Age 7

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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President’s Message

LOIS KILBY-CHESLEY PRESIDENT

CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT AS A WAY OF LIFE In my office hangs the original Multi-Level Program Constitution written and signed by the students from Freeport who were members of the first year cohort in 1986.

Each year for 26 years I taught Multi-Level (aka Spring Hill Program) students in grades 3-5 in what could best be described as a democraticallyrun school within a school. In my first class in social studies each year students learned about the importance of Constitutional governance— our model of decision-making. We talked about the three branches of government, in this case Judicial/teaching principal, Executive/educators, Legislative/students, writing and passing bills (vetoing and overriding as well) to govern our classes, and the importance of collaborating as a group for the good of all.

Lois Kilby-Chesley MEA President

In the first year the students identified the important values to include in our Constitution as Safe, Kind, Helpful and Polite, later adding Respectful, Responsible and Cooperative. The guiding principles were simple, ask “Is it..?” If an action could be answered with “Yes” for each it was okay to do. If the answer was “No” to one, then the action wasn’t okay.

The point of the Constitutional lessons was to be sure that each student had a voice in decisionmaking and understood the expectations, at the same time taking personal responsibility for choices. You see in the Spring Hill Program it wasn’t about doing what the adults said was okay, it was about doing what was right for the group.

If changes needed to be made the students wrote bills to be considered at our weekly Student Congress that would strengthen their learning, our teaching, and the overall goodness of our Program.

Do you have a question for Lois? Send it in an e-mail to lkilby-chesley@ maineea.org

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Maine Educator • December 2015 October 2016

I moved from the school to the MEA four years ago, and I continue to live by written governance documents—this time the MEA Constitution and Bylaws, the Resolutions and the MEA Board Policy Book.

These documents (found on our webpage behind Members Only) define the MEA, our beliefs and values, and our expectations for participation as both an employee and a member. Again these are not rules for the sake of rule following, but rather assure that the MEA is doing what is right for our members and our students as defined by our delegates at the Representative Assembly (Member Congress) each May. Each time there is something having to do with governing the MEA, the Board of Directors and I return to these documents to determine our course of action. Our documents drive our decisions for the most part—taking the decision of the RA and applying it to the situation at hand. I encourage you to go to our website to acquaint yourself with them as well. These may help explain why the BOD or I make the choices we do in the time between annual RAs. Even more, you may find that there is something that needs improving or changing entirely.

If you believe there is a position that better suits MEA membership, I encourage you to consider running for a position at the MEA RA in May, and to submit a Constitutional or Bylaw change, a Resolution, or a New Business Item (action MEA will take) for consideration by the delegates.

Just as I helped my students learn leadership skills and direct our Spring Hill Program to stronger educational activities, I also encourage you to take the lead in our professional Union, taking it to higher levels that will strengthen our Association and improve public education for colleagues, communities and students.

In Unity,

u News Yo

Using Interactive Whiteboards & Projectors to Your Advantage Whether you’re asking students to label a cell or atom, drawing trade pathways, or solving complex math problems for the class to see, there are many ways you can use your interactive whiteboard (IWB) so it’s not just a glorified projector screen. Don’t have an IWB? Keep reading and learn how to make one on the cheap or make the most of your projector in your teaching.

Language Lessons Turn your IWB into a gaming device and allow students to play online puzzles and problem solving games at the board. This will help students with everything from vocabulary and spelling to sentence structure and reading skills.

“In ELA classes, a SMARTboard (or interactive whiteboard as there are many different brands) is great for modeling revision and capturing brainstorms to share later. I believe IWB are beneficial in the elementary level—for lessons that include manipulatives i.e dragging words from a word bank.”- Chris Pirkl, ELA teacher who actively works to integrate technology into his 9th grade classroom.

Group Note Taking Students can share their notes on any assignment on the IWB, and you can save the notes to share for later use and reflection. Most IWB vendors include software that acts as a blank page to create presentations and notes, allowing you to have a digital copy of the days learning. With fancy models, multiple students can annotate at the board with interactive pens and all the notes are captured.

Online Interactive Resources Don’t have time to learn the ins and outs? Check out these interactives that are available online.

Can U se

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - A wide range of virtual manipulatives that work with almost all IWBs. Interactive digital tools for exploring data, algebra, geometry and more can be found here ready to be “played” with on your IWB. Interactive Whiteboard Resources from Topmarks - a useful UK-based website that includes an index of dozens of websites, online activities and web-based resources that play nicely with many IWBs.

Don’t have an interactive whiteboard?

You can make a DIY version with free software (called Smoothboard), a Nintendo Wii remote, and an IR pen.

This DIY setup costs around $30 and works great for teachers who have set it up in their classrooms.

Watch the step-by-step video on how to make your own interactive whiteboard here.

Only have a projector?

With just a projector, look into getting a device called The Betty.

The Betty is a mount for your iPad that turns the tablet into a document camera. By using the features of the iPad, you can use the stand just as you would if you had a document camera, which is digital and can record lessons. Document cameras, or The Betty and iPad, can be used to help capture annotations or display manipulatives in a visual way to the class.

Note-taking can also be captured with an interactive projector and document camera. With Epson iProjection in 1:1 students can take turns sharing work wirelessly from their seats. For example, you can ask students to find examples of marine species on Maine beaches and their responses can be juxtaposed, annotated and captured.

Starfall.com - A great place for emergent readers to explore letters and words and play with them. Interactive multimedia books, complete with narration, make this website a great fit for IWBs. October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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News You Can Use

Member Member

Q&A:

Classroom Management

Even educators who’ve been in the classroom for years run into classroom management questions that seem to have no answer. According to a recent survey, conducted by the National Education Association, most experienced educators can run into classroom management conundrums that leave them grasping for answers. In a recent NEA member survey, 37% of respondents said managing “repeat offenders” is their biggest classroom management challenge, while 27% struggle the most with keeping students focused, and 17% said that figuring out how to respond to students’ bad behavior is their greatest challenge.

To help teachers get answers, we shared NEA members’ classroom management questions with Dr. Allen Mendler, author of several books including When Teaching Gets Tough.

Here are his suggestions for those difficult situations.

Q: Some

of my elementary students frequently speak to me in a disrespectful manner, and I’ve noticed that they also speak to their parents this way. How can I establish classroom norms that students will follow if these norms differ from the way they are expected to behave at home? – Diane M.

A:

It’s really important to teach what it is that we’re expecting, and not to assume that kids are being willful. I like to say to kids, ‘We don’t talk that way here,’ and then teach them alternatives. For example: ‘I’m unhappy about that,’ ‘I disagree,’ or ‘I have a different opinion.’ Confront the behavior by saying, ‘That sounded disrespectful. Did you mean it to be disrespectful?’ Almost always, they’ll stop, or they’ll just say, ‘Nah.’ Then my response is: ‘Going forward, here is a better way to tell me the same thing.’ If the answer is ‘Yes’—which rarely it is—then we’re going to need to talk about that after class to fix the problem.

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Maine Educator • October 2016

Q: It

often feels as though my students need to be constantly pushed by adults to stay on task. How can I foster intrinsic motivation? Right now, many of them would rather talk to their friends or play on their phones than complete their class work.

– Jennifer R.

A: The best ways of triggering that sense of intrinsic

motivation are relevance, success, involvement and enjoyment. Make lessons relevant to students’ lives and set them up for success. I’ll even go to certain kids and say, ‘There are five problems here. Don’t even worry about doing all five. Number two is yours.’ Sometimes I’ll even give kids the answer. I want them to rediscover that they can be successful. The good news is if they’ve learned to be unmotivated, they can relearn to be motivated.

Q: My

challenge is with a student who “answers” the question, but really he is using the classroom as a platform from which to perform. (His answers are cleverly disguised as legitimate.) – Diane K.

A: More than likely, the need is for attention. Ask yourself, ‘what are

some other more appropriate ways for that student to get the attention he or she is seeking?’ You might reach out to that student and say, ‘I was thinking maybe tomorrow you might teach a component of the lesson with me.’ Or you might say, ‘You’re answering about 10 times each class, and it’s great that you participate as much as you do, but can you keep it between three and five?’ You’re legitimizing their need for attention, but you’re putting boundaries around it.

News You Can Use

Q: I

work with high schoolers that have performed poorly on state reading exams. Many of them tell me they “hate” to read and refuse to engage with books.

How can I help them overcome their previous negative experiences and learn to love—or, at the very least, tolerate—reading? – Elizabeth T.

A: Relate the reading material to their lives. Don’t care so much about what the

curricular content is. Care more about how that material relates to their lives. It’s useful to provide hands-on projects that require some reading—not much—and little-by-little, you expand the reading component as the kids’ skills improve. Start small, like with kids eating vegetables: two bites. You might show a movie about a book first. A lot of times, teachers show the movie after reading the book. It’s better to show the movie before the book, because kids at least have an understanding of what the book is going to be about.

ACCESS MORE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES HERE.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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News You Can Use

Half Off Colleen Rickard tried running.

She used to make herself do the elliptical machine.

She’s suffered through many different diets.

Nothing stuck.

Then, Rickard changed her habits. She started exercising, modified her diet and began making use of her MEABT Member Benefits.

She lost half her body weight—141 pounds.

How She Did It At 54, Rickard knew a serious change was necessary—something that would have a lasting impact. She’s battled with her weight since she was a teenager, living the seemingly endless cycle of losing weight only to gain it back again. “At the height of my weight, I found myself swooping to pick up something because I couldn't bend down. If you've never been overweight you may not understand, but when you have girth you can’t just bend down. Just getting around the desks in a classroom was difficult,” said Rickard.

Life got a whole lot easier for Rickard when she opened an email about the MEABT OnLife program. OnLife is a comprehensive wellness program that offers members free health coaching, wellness incentives, and employee wellness challenges. Through OnLife, Rickard makes the most of her wellness coach, who provides her with exercise and nutrition advice and more importantly, she says, helps motivate her to get and stay on a healthy path.

“This has been life changing.”

-Colleen Rickard

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Maine Educator • October 2016

“OnLife has been a piece of the puzzle to keep me mindful of all the things I want to do to lose the weight. My coach shared online courses and articles to help with nutrition and exercise. It’s been helpful to read how certain carbohydrates affect your body. This has been a learning process,” said Rickard.

In addition to changing her eating habits—Rickard sticks to fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and fish—she walks two to three miles a day, tracking her steps through the OnLife app, which is synced to her FitBit. “My coach told me it was important to get in at least 250 steps an hour. I try and be happy if I have to get back up to go to the printer, I say ‘oh good extra steps!’” added Rickard.

News You Can Use

Getting the Students Involved in Fitness The lifestyle change has not only helped Rickard feel better about herself and stay on a healthy path, but her Life Skills students and the students on her Special Olympics team are engaged in the effort as well.

“The kids ask me all the time, ‘are you getting your steps?’ Sometimes we stand in place and take steps. I really feel a lot better now about being a better role model for my students. I want them to get in the habit of being active and staying healthy. I really want all of those kids to not just hear me say ‘you have to keep active and move,’ I want them to see it,” said Rickard.

Your daily tasks earn you steps Convert these activities that can’t be measured by a pedometer into steps by multiplying the minutes by the number of steps indicated below.

• Raking Lawn/Leaves - 121 • Vacuuming - 94 • Home/Auto Repair - 91 • Cooking - 61 • Light Housework - 72 For a full list of step conversion activities log on to www.meabt.org/wellnessprograms/onlife

Turn those steps into cash Tracking your steps earns you points which you can then turn into cash.

Every 50 points allows you to redeem a $50 Visa gift card, up to a total of $250/year.

Keeping it Going To keep her walking up, Rickard takes part in the OnLife Health Trails Challenge. The Challenge allows you to choose a route, Rickard chose trails in New Zealand and Wales, to walk to make the exercise more fun.

Completing the challenge and inputting her steps into the OnLife app also awards Rickard points—50 points equals $50. Rickard earned the maximum $250 for doing things that were both making her healthier and happier. And in times when Rickard admits she wasn’t geared up to exercise, her OnLife coach chimed in.

Keeping track of your steps and acitivity is easy with the AlwaysOn app (iPhone and Android) that syncs with most activity trackers.

Discounted activity trackers are available through OnLife. You can even message your coach through the app to stay motivated.

“I love these little motivators from my OnLife coach. Things would pop up on my email, and I would do the trail. The emails were a reminder to walk more,” said Rickard. After a year of keeping up with her diet and exercise Rickard reached her goal weight, going from a size 24 pant size to a size 8.

“Shopping is a whole different experience now, I feel good, and everything is easier. Tying my sneakers is easier and sitting in students’ desks—I used to hate that I would be smushed in those desks—now, just sitting is a lot more comfortable,” said Rickard.

To learn more about the MEABT OnLife program and how it can help you, log on to www.meabt.org.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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News You Can Use

Todo en español

If your eyes were closed and you didn’t know where you were, you might think you were in a second grade class in Spain, Mexico or maybe the Dominican Republic. The sounds coming from a second grade classroom at Lyseth Elementary in Portland are nothing short of remarkable. Here, 7-year-olds communicate only in Spanish. Everything they read and write is in Spanish. The math worksheets, the stories, the calendar—everything is foreign to the students.

The Spanish Immersion program at Lyseth Elementary is the first and only public school immersion program in the state of Maine.

“They are fluent already,” said 2nd grade teacher and MEA member Grecía Caraballo (Portland EA), who lived the first 11 years of her life in the Dominican Republic before moving to the United States. “I came from Kennebunk where I was teaching Spanish at the elementary level. I only saw the students one hour a week, and as a result, they could only learn so much. With the Spanish Immersion program, there is no English spoken in the regular classroom at all. Therefore, by the time they get to 2nd grade, they are 80% fluent Spanish speakers. I am able to teach complete lessons in Spanish and the students understand everything that I say. When the students don’t understand a word, I describe what the word means in Spanish and they get it right away,” added Caraballo.

Caraballo is very animated in her reading and teaching. She quickly acts out words to help students gather an understanding of the language. If a student speaks in English to ask for help or further instruction, Caraballo asks the child to make their request in Spanish. The only English students 12

Maine Educator • October 2016

News You Can Use

hear during the day is at their specials, lunch and recess. Teaching students to read and write in English will be slowly phased in beginning in 3rd grade. Even without learning in English, the immersion students are keeping pace with their English language peers. The immersion students take the same CPAA test in English as the rest of the students at Lyseth. The CPAA data for the immersion students in grades K-1 looked similar to their peers, in that they met or exceeded expectations.

The school says the results indicate there is no adverse effect to receiving all core instruction in Spanish.

“I am impressed that the students speak the language so well!

Now, my job as a second grade teacher is to teach them how to use the language. I need to teach them the mechanics of the language in order for them to be successful readers, as well as, writers in Spanish. It is the beginning of the school year and the kids have already written a narrative piece and a poem about their family. They shared their pieces in front of the class so they’re using their writing and speaking skills at the same time. They are just learning the different parts of a sentence and how we form sentences. This year will be a little harder for them, but I have confidence that they will do well, as they are hard workers,” said Caraballo.

The program is part of the Portland Public Schools commitment to provide world languages to students at the elementary level. The Spanish Immersion program at Lyseth started three years ago, with the now second graders in kindergarten. Each year the school adds a new class of kindergartners with students travelling through elementary school with the same group of kids, all the way through 5th grade.

“I feel like the program is meeting a need that is going to be incredibly important as we prepare students for being fully prepared and competitive in a global work place,” said Lyseth Principal Lenore Williams. Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world, after Chinese, and the popularity of the program and its benefits to students have truly caught on. For the first time, this school year enrollment interest increased with more people wanting their children to participate than seats available in the incoming kindergarten class. “I

see being biliterate and bilingual as skills that are now more critical than ever. Research is clear that young children learn a language with much more ease than they do when it is introduced later in their development, so the concept of an immersion program beginning at kindergarten sets a strong foundation for these language and literacy skills,” said Williams.

Beyond the language, students in the immersion program learn the culture from Spanish speaking countries as well. While Caraballo is from the Dominican Republic, the kindergarten and 1st grade teachers are from Spain, working through a teacher exchange program. Students have learned traditional Spanish dances, tried food from Spain and now have the opportunity, through Caraballo, to learn so much more, including a new dialect.

“It’s extremely important to expand their Spanish vocabulary.

Spanish is a language, but each Spanish speaking country has its own dialect. It is imperative that the students learn to say different words in different ways. This will help them communicate easier and better with people who originate in different Spanish speaking countries. When I am teaching them a new word, and I know how to say it in different ways, I teach them all the different ways. I also tell them which country the word is used in. For example, in Spain the word for car is coche but in the Dominican Republic and in Mexico, we use the word carro for car,” said Caraballo.

On this day, like others, students began with their morning meeting which consisted of talking about the cold morning. Students dressed a cardboard bear, which they chose to name Pedro after their 1st grade teacher. Together, the class discussed what Pedro should wear, easily chatting through the vocabulary that has clearly become second nature. The day followed with students studying sequences and reading. Students listened, then discussed a book read to them, in Spanish of course.

At home, for most parents there is little to zero knowledge of the Spanish language. Students receive homework in Spanish with worksheets provided in English for parents to help their child, if needed. The support to help students learn the language is appreciated by parents who understand how important the program is to their children’s future.

“Watching my son grow and learn is an amazing experience.

Watching him do these things while learning another language is extraordinary! The advantages that will come to him from being a part of the immersion program are immeasurable and we feel very grateful to be part of it,” said parent Angela Fredheim.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

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Must Have Tech Tools Get ready to up your tech game! When it comes to technology, there seems to be an endless list of new things you could try. But there are of course some staples, the things some educators can’t live without.

Here are a few must haves from some tech-savvy NEA/MEA members.

Now, more than ever, educators must be visible and transparent in what they do for their students, school, and community. Today, that’s easier than ever! Start with a free educator Wikispaces page. Click edit, type, and save. Done.

Adobe Spark makes it simple to create video-based presentations for the classroom and to share them with students or anyone else. You can also use Adobe Spark to create graphics like posters or simple web pages to create a digital portfolio. Within Adobe Spark you can upload your own photos, track audio, use icons and add music to easily craft a video for either a lesson or student presentation.

Check it out at spark.adobe.com.

Why LinkedIn when you’re not looking for a new job? Because our parents and community are there and it shows we’re professionals, too! I’m on LinkedIn but I don’t do much there—it’s just another way for the world to find me and my main Web sites. It’s like a cactus plant because it grows but you don’t have to “water” it very often. - Gwyneth Jones, Librarian Murray Hill Middle School, Laurel, Md.

Flubaroo is an essential add-on to Google Forms that allows users to create autograding assignments. This tool is simply remarkable, it's not perfect, but with a little practice you can get really good at using it, and it saves you tons of time. Flubaroo is awesome for, multiple choice, fill-in-the blank, matching...pretty much anything less than essays. Flubaroo has tons of features that are really handy that you can CHOOSE to use (but you don’t have to) including the ability to have students results automatically sent back to them with the score they received, the questions they got right highlighted in green, and the ones they got wrong highlighted in red as well as what the correct answers were.

Think about that...if you use Flubaroo for a review sheet, as soon as a student clicks submit they almost instantly get their results back.

They know exactly what they know, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY exactly what they don’t know. That means students can study in a targeted fashion, ask for targeted help and see real improvement on their performance. There are percentage breakdowns for each question so you can easily spot the questions that were misleading or unfair, you can insert graphs, charts, images, and videos. When was the last time you had students watch a video on a paper exam?

Never! - Jonathan Payne, Noble High School Technology Integrator, MSAD 60 TA

Tech T@lk

Digital Projector: Anything I use my computer for I can illustrate for my students exactly what I’m doing with my digital projector. I project data, charts and graphs for class discussion. I project maps as global issues come up in discussion. I can also keyboard a class discussion so students have a running transcript of who said what for their future studies. I also project the step-by-step research/literature with my digital projector.

- Susan Feiner, Professor of Economics and Professor of Women and Gender Studies, University of Southern Maine

Pear Deck: Hands down, if I had to choose one app for engagement, instruction and valuable learning data, it would be Pear Deck. – Becca Redman (Wells-Ogunquit TA) Pear Deck is an interactive presentation tool used to engage students in individual and social learning. You can create engaging slide presentations for your class and provide real-time formative assessment and discussions to help students learn.

Watch the Flubaroo video tutorial here.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

15

News You Can Use

Teaching with “Why fight against video games because that's what the kids love to do- so I embraced it, and that's what this is,” said Tom Charltray, Computer Technology teacher at Pond Cove School in Cape Elizabeth.

Tom Charltray is not shy about his desire to push the envelope as he explains how he integrates Minecraft into his teaching. Minecraft is a video game set in a virtual land where users create their own worlds and experiences, using building blocks, resources discovered on the site and their own creativity. Charltray knows many of his students live in this virtual world in their free time. Instead of shying away from it during school time he uses it to his advantage... saying things others may not dare utter out loud.

“Someone has to have the vision to be creative and fun— that word, fun, seems to be missing a lot,” said Charltray.

For a recent assignment Charltray worked with students’ regular classroom teacher on a fairytale adaptation project.

Students wrote their own fairytales and then created that world in Minecraft.

“I made a dragon and this is his house,” explained 3rd grader Emily as she proudly showed off her Minecraft created fairytale adaptation of The Three Little Pigs.

Charltray is quick to explain how students build to scale in Minecraft so they’re using math, but more importantly they’re using their imagination, they’re engaging in school work, and they’re becoming critical thinkers and better communicators. Every Minecraft project is tied to a lesson.

The school purchased 25 licenses for the Minecraft Edu program and a new server for less than $500—money Charltray says will go a long way in the education of his young learners.

“I think our biggest challenge here is to make sure these kids are leaving us as amazing 21st Century learners. We shouldn’t be making incredible Jeopardy contestants, we should be making kids who can cure cancer,” added Charltray.

16

Maine Educator • October 2016

Creation Stations Every computer in Charltray’s classroom is called a “Creation Station.” There are no limits when students sit down to work. In using Minecraft, Charltray explains students are choosing to represent their work in a way other than a traditional presentation. Instead of making diagrams or posters, students at their “Creation Stations” create Minecraft stories to match their written words.

They research the items they’re going to build online and then craft them in their own online virtual world. Students also track audio into a different program creating videos to explain their work, showing their presentation skills, their innovation, and their understanding of the concepts learned all in the same project.

“Students should be able to choose the way they represent their learning. The whole class has done research and I ask them, ‘How do you want to display that?’ Minecraft is a way to make that happen,” added Charltray.

“I love using Minecraft! I knew I could use math games in my classroom, I didn’t know I could use this game for eduction. I like it a lot; it makes learning fun.”- Declan, 3rd Grader

News You Can Use

Differentiated Learning

Minecraft Project

In meeting students where they ‘live,’ Charltray and the technology team have been able to provide students an opportunity to engage in their learning in a new way, specific to their learning needs and styles.

Students Explain the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Minecraft gives those kids who are typically bored or uninterested in regular classroom academics, an opportunity to showcase what they know. What teachers can see about student learning and understanding through the use of Minecraft is very different from what they might get from those same students if they ask them to write an essay. “Minecraft is a wonderful way to express what students are trying to explain,” said Matthew Young, Network and Computer Systems Administrator for Cape Elizabeth schools. The switch from using Minecraft as enrichment to integrating the program in daily learning wasn’t easy, because even Charltray admits he didn’t know anything about the virtual world.

“I didn’t know much about Minecraft before this year, and I still don’t. I knew what they were allowed to use for tools to build, but that was about it.

More than anything, I knew we had to say that we shouldn’t be afraid of things we don’t understand—that’s the whole idea behind growth mindset, especially in education and in technology,” said Charltray.

Minecraft projects at Pond Cove are shared online and creating a global audience has increased the quality of work provided by the students. “If the kids think they’re making a video about their Minecraft project just for you, or just for your class then you get a certain amount of dedication.

But the minute you tell them, ‘You’re sharing it with other people, they’re totally invested; they’re changing their spelling and making sure to put punctuation all because they know it’s going to be shared,” said Charltray.

“We started building Boston and the Old North Church. We each assigned ourselves to a job. The church is where he was signaled by a friend of his to say the British were coming by sea. So, I built a ladder and a bell and lights. We did our research on the Internet so we would know what it looked like. We built the church and the buildings with the traditional materials, brick and iron, and we added cannons and the rudder to the ship so it's realistic. We also researched what a British ship would look like so we could build it correctly. We’re not playing in Minecraft, we’re learning in Minecraft and it’s been a lot of fun.” Trevor and David, 4th graders

Listening to his Mother Charltray hopes more schools include educational games into their daily learning and not just as an enrichment before or after school, falling back to the wise words of his mother as the reason why.

“My mom always used to say there is no such thing as good enough, and I used to hate that but I say it too now. I don’t want to settle on ‘we’re smart.’ We should keep striving to get kids to critically think and communicate with the world,” added Charltray.

And for now, students are doing that, one Minecraft brick at a time.

“Kids are fired up about it—they love working on it because it's really fun.” - Tom Charltray

“We shouldn’t be making incredible Jeopardy contestants, we should be making kids who can cure cancer.”

-Tom Charltray October 2016 • www.maineea.org

17

News You Can Use

ESP: The MVP of Bullying Prevention October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and MEA ESP members are continuing to help stomp out bullying, sharing their advice to help others identify and intervene during a bullying incident. Often times bullying happens outside of the classroom, where ESP have their eyes and ears open, places like the school bus and cafeteria.

MEA’s ESP members shared their thoughts on how others can best help students who may be bullied.

Keith Kinney: Custodian, Region Two School of Applied Technology, Southern Aroostook Voc Ed Association Space is a good deterrent. I talk to students as someone who cares about them, not someone who has any kind of authority over them. I would suggest documenting everything that happens, who said what, when, where, etcetera. Our memory isn't as good as if things are written down and tucked away.

Rules Against Bullying 1. We will not bully others!

2. We will try to help students who are bullied!

3. We will include students who are left out!

4. If we know someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult!

Bully Free Zone 18

Maine Educator • October 2016

Gerald French: School Bus Driver, RSU 71, RSU 71 EA The school bus is a prime location for a bully to practice bad behaviors.

There is generally a limited staff presence, and often times, only a driver who must divide his/her time between watching the road, and watching the students. These conditions, in addition to operating in a confined space, could certainly create a haven for bullies. Here are three tips that I’ve learned about the prevention and neutralization of bullying in my many years of driving a school bus: 1. Become familiar with your students. I have found that a lot of bullying behavior is more likely to occur when the educator remains unfamiliar with the students. Additionally, I’ve also observed that those students who are bullied, are much more likely to report bullying behavior to bus drivers or other educators who have earned their trust through familiarity.

2. Recognize the signs of both bullying behavior and victimization. Be aware of behaviors that seem aggressive in nature toward another student, or a student who may become withdrawn. If the opportunity arises, you may wish to discreetly broach the subject with a suspected victim.

3. Remain in contact with school administrators. If bullying behavior is occurring on the school bus, there is a distinct possibility that it is occurring within the school building as well.

News You Can Use

Fast Facts

Interesting facts and quotes about Association membership and public education in Maine and beyond.

Have an idea or stat you want shared? Send it along with your name and local to gbechard@maineea.org

BULLYING

understanding the facts can help you be part of the solution According to a nationwide survey of ESP conducted by the National Education Association:

According to the 2015 Maine High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey

54%

9,569

Reported witnessing bullying several times a month

Did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school (on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey)

of Bus Drivers

82.9% of Custodians

Feel it’s “their job” to intervene when they see bullying

>70%

of Food Service Workers

Expressed a need for training to address bullying in the form of negative remarks about students who are overweight

{

44% of Nurses

Indicated that a student reported bullying to them within the past month

The Bully Free it Starts with ME Pledge

I agree to be identified as a caring adult who pledges to help bullied students. I will listen carefully to all students who seek my help and act on their behalf to put an immediate stop to the bullying. I will work with other caring adults to create a safe learning environment for all the students in my school.

Students

44%

of 5th and 6th grade students

Reported being bullied at school, according to the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey

23.2%

of Maine high school students

Were bullied on school property, which is greater than the national average of 20%, according to the Centers for Disease Control (during the 12 months before the survey)

18.9%

of Maine high schoolers

reported being electronically bullied (counting being bullied through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, Web sites, or texting during the 12 months before the survey)

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

19

cac y

o Adv

Patty Scully, Winslow EA

MOST OF OUR STUDENTS CAN’T VOTE. BUT WE CAN VOTE FOR THEM.

THIS FALL, TAKE A STAND FOR OUR STUDENTS: VOTE YES ON QUESTION 2!

On November 8, you’ll be asked to vote on a ballot measure that will have a positive impact on our students. But with all of the attacks on public education in recent years, there’s a lot of misinformation out there on exactly what the measure does.

Before making your decision, learn more about what’s at stake.

That way, you will be prepared to take a stand for our students when it really counts.

2%

The percentage of Maine households that fall into the income category affected by the Stand Up for Students ballot initiative. (Household income over $200,000)

20

Maine Educator • October 2016

A vote for the Stand Up for Students initiative is a vote for our students The key to a strong economic future.

Maine has a lot to offer, including a great quality of life. But the key to building a strong economic future is having a skilled, well-educated workforce that will attract more companies and jobs to our state. The Stand Up for Students ballot initiative will help us give our kids the skills they need to stay and succeed here in Maine.

Provides every student with a quality education.

Our schools do a remarkable job with limited resources. But Maine’s working class towns can’t afford to spend the amount of money that more wealthy areas spend on their public schools. Stand Up for Students will help ensure that every student—regardless of their ZIP code—has a shot at a quality education.

Asks the wealthiest to chip in their fair share.

Maine residents earning $1 million a year pay the same income tax rate as residents who earn $40,000 a year. That’s why we’re asking for the wealthiest Mainers to chip in a little more to adequately fund K–12 education.

All funding directly benefits students.

The Stand Up for Students ballot initiative requires that all of the funding created by the measure be used for direct classroom instruction, including teachers, school nurses, and other critical public school personnel.

$157

The amount of additional funding the Stand Up for Students ballot initiative generates for public schools statewide each year.

million

$1.2

The cumulative loss in state funding public schools have experienced during the past eight years due to the state’s failure to fund 55 percent of the total allocation for K–12 education.

billion

Advocacy

We did the Homework for You When it comes to politics, a lot of people don’t want to engage. They’re tired of the back and forth. They’re tired of the Facebook trolls. They’re tired of all of it. However, when it comes to politics and education, who we choose to vote for really does matter. It matters for your students. It matters for your work. It matters for education policies. The good news is, when it comes to politics and understanding where all the candidates stand, MEA members have done the homework for you. They’ve engaged with those who are running in Maine’s local and congressional races to ask them important questions on key education issues. Based on the candidates’ answers, MEA members make recommendations to choose who they believe will best represent the interest of Maine students and the profession. Three of the members who participated in the MEA endorsement process explain their work, and why they’ve helped select the list of pro-public education candidates on the following pages. Please note: the MEA does not spend dues dollars on political candidates in any way.

Tom Walsh, High School Social Studies Educator, Falmouth EA This is the first time I’ve been part of the MEA endorsement process.

I wanted to learn more about how the MEA comes to endorse a candidate. One of the things we discussed is how important it is for members to educate policy makers on important issues. The MEA gives candidates a questionnaire about key education issues as part of the endorsement process. Some people had really great answers and some had answers that really showed they don’t understand education. As an educator, this endorsement process made it clear who we want in Augusta to advocate for important issues that matter to our students. What I think is really important for members to understand is—this isn’t MEA telling you how to vote. This is a group of educators who are volunteering their time to review questionnaires about important education topics—members wrote the questions that candidates had to answer. Members are invited to join this committee to see the process. We are reviewing the answers to make it easier for really busy educators to make informed decisions.

Jill Watson, High School Special Education Educator, Maranacook Area Schools Association I think that members looked very closely at the candidates—we are looking for strong pro-education candidates. By going through this questionnaire and interview process we are weeding out the candidates who aren't pro-education, regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican. We are looking at their voting records and their answers to our MEA questionnaire. The MEA endorsed candidates are chosen through a very informed decision-making process. Members should trust that we’ve done the homework, and we’ve done it for the entire Association.

Linda Dutton, Kindergarten Educator, Merrymeeting TA We’ve put in time to research the candidates for the membership.

There are so many people who are knowledgeable at the MEA, staff and members—people who have working relationships with current lawmakers and those who are running for the legislature. We’ve done a thorough process of sifting through this information for you. If you want to know who stands for what’s best for public education—it’s been done for you as a service.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

21

MEA 2016 Endorsed Candidates

The MEA Board of Directors voted to endorse the following candidates running for political office in the November 2016 election.

Congressional District 1

Congressional District 2

Chellie Pingree

Emily Cain

Pingree is a true champion for public schools. Educators need Chellie Pingree in Congress advocating for our public schools.

Cain is an MEA member and a longtime advocate for public schools who will be a great representative in Congress to move public education forward.

Maine State Senate District 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35

Name Troy Jackson Mike Carpenter Jeffrey McCabe Carole Boothroyd James Dill Rock Alley Geoffrey Gratwick Jonathan Fulford David Miramant Christopher Johnson Shenna Bellows Henry Beck Thomas Saviello John Patrick Kimberly Sampson Nathan Libby Eloise Vitelli Everett Carson Catherine Breen William Diamond Benjamin Chipman Mark Dion Rebecca Millett Jean-Marie Caterina Justin Chenette Susan Deschambault Jonathan Kilbourn Dawn Hill

Hometown Allagash Houlton Skowhegan Dover-Foxcroft Old Town Jonesport Bangor Monroe Camden Somerville Manchester Waterville Wilton Rumford Auburn Lewiston Arrowsic Harpswell Falmouth Windham Portland Portland Cape Elizabeth Scarborough Saco Biddeford Kennebunk York

Maine State House of Representatives

Voting YES on 4 will:

22

•

Increase the minimum wage from $7.50 to $9 an hour in 2017 and then by $1 a year until it reaches $12 in 2020.

•

After 2020, the minimum wage would increase at the same rate as the cost of living.

•

The subminimum wage for service workers who receive tips (currently $3.75 an hour) would be increased to $5 an hour in 2017 and then by $1 a year until it reaches $12 in 2024.

Maine Educator • October 2016

District 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29

Name Deane Rykerson Mark Lawrence Lydia Blume Patricia Hymanson Joshua Plante Jennifer Parker Christopher Babbidge Diane Denk Ryan Fecteau George Hogan Donna Bailey Margaret O’Neil River Payne Gerry Gibson Anne-Marie Mastraccio Nalbert Tero Daniel Lauzon Aaron Carroll Richard Fitzgerald Pamela Smith Mark Bryant Maureen Terry Andrew McLean Christopher Caiazzo Theodora Kalikow

Hometown Kittery South Berwick York York Berwick South Berwick Kennebunk Kennebunk Biddeford Old Orchard Beach Saco Saco Hollis Waterboro Sanford Sanford Lebanon Limerick Buxton Standish Windham Gorham Gorham Scarborough Scarborough

Maine State House of Representatives cont.

District 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 83 84 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 101

Name Kimberly Monaghan Lois Reckitt Scott Hamann Brad Fox Andrew Gattine Dillon Bates Denise Harlow Richard Farnsworth Matt Moonen Michael Sylvester Rachel Talbot Ross Erik Jorgensen Benjamin Collings Heather Sanborn Teresa Pierce Dale Denno Janice Cooper Sara Gideon Matthea Daughtry Ralph Tucker Joyce McCreight Jennifer DeChant Denise Tepler Seth Berry Scott Gaiason James Handy Roger Fuller Jared Golden Heidi Brooks Gina Melaragno Bettyann Sheats Elijah Breton Jessica Fay Rachel Rumson Christine Powers Walter Riseman Helen Rankin James Bradley Christina Riley Jill Ducharme Alan Tibbetts Catherine Nadeau John Glowa Lori Fowle Craig Hickman Gay Grant Charlotte Warren Donna Doore Wendy Ross James Torbert Wendy Wolf Michael Devin Emily Trask-Eaton John Spear Pinney Beebe-Center Kathleen Meil Elinore Goldberg Stanley Zeigler Erin Herbig Scott Cuddy April Turner James Davitt

Hometown Cape Elizabeth South Portland South Portland South Portland Westbrook Westbrook Portland Portland Portland Portland Portland Portland Portland Portland Falmouth Cumberland Yarmouth Freeport Brunswick Brunswick Harpswell Bath Topsham Bowdoinham Lisbon Lewiston Lewiston Lewiston Lewiston Auburn Auburn Poland Raymond Gray Naples Harrison Hiram Mechanic Falls Jay Wayne Sidney Winslow China Vassalboro Winthrop Gardiner Hallowell Augusta Wiscasset Whitefield Boothbay Harbor Newcastle Waldoboro South Thomaston Rockland Rockport Hope Montville Belfast Winterport Freeport Hampden

District 102 103 104 105 106 109 110 111 116 117 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 140 142 143 145 146 147 148 149 150 151

Name Kimberly Hammill Richard Thomas David Pearson Joshua Hartford Stanley Short Thomas Longstaff Colleen Madigan Ann Dorney Sheryl Briggs Sidney Pew Norman Higgins Robert Duchesne Michelle Dunphy Ryan Tipping-Spitz Aaron Frey Victoria Kornfield John Schneck Barbara Cardone Arthur Verow Teresa Montague John Wombacher Dorothy Caldwell Louis Lucini Ralph Chapman Walter Kumiega Brian Hubbell Michael Fisher Laurie Fogelman Robert Alley Anne Perry Lee Ann Betz Stephen Stanley Glenn Hines Rosemary Monahan Robert Saucier David McCrea Ginette Rivard Roland “Danny” Martin John Martin

Hometown Levant Hermon Dexter Canaan Pittsfield Waterville Waterville Norridgewock Mexico Andover Dover-Foxcroft Hudson Old Town Orono Bangor Bangor Bangor Bangor Brewer Clifton Bucksport Penobscot Ellsworth Brooksville Deer Isle Bar Harbor Sullivan Franklin Beals Calais Lincoln Medway Hammond Woodland Presque Isle Fort Fairfield Caribou Sinclair Township Eagle Lake

Dual Endorsments Maine State House of Representatives District 12 12 107 107 144 144

Name Martin Grohman Matt Lauzon Betty Austin Michael Pelletier Henry Bear Roger Sherman

Hometown Biddeford Biddeford Skowhegan Skowhegan Houlton Hodgdon

Want to find out who you legislators are and learn more about where many of these candidates stand on education issues in MEA’s scorecard?

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

23

so ciation

Your As

I am

York County Retired Educators Association members worked with students from St. Joseph's College, MEA and community members to give the grounds of Jameson Elementary School in Old Orchard Beach a makeover. The greening day was part of MEA-Retired’s annual Day of Caring. In addition, the retired educators provided a sizeable donation of school supplies and backpacks, thanks to the generosity of many.

The Bangor Education Association sponsored its 4th Annual Opening Day Food Drive. This year employees donated a total of $247 and 650 pounds of food. Pictured with the donations, Bangor EA officers: April Miller, Beth Kotredes, Denise Simoneau, Julie Stacey, Anne Mourkas.

Traci Storti (RSU 29 EA) helps spread the word, asking others at the Potato Blossom Festival to vote “YES on 2” and Stand Up for Students.

My Hero Works at School Essay Contest winner Michael Finley got to throw out the first pitch at a Sea Dogs game this summer for his essay naming bus driver, Raymond Hanson, as his school hero.

Kaydence Tuttle was also a winner, naming Jacob Sears as her hero. Watch for the announcement of this year’s contest in upcoming editions of the Maine Educator.

MEA members and staff take to the streets in Portland to encourage voters to vote “YES on 2” in November.

Melissa Knight (Massabesic EA) and her students at Line Elementary completed two projects called Picking for a Purpose and Planting for a Purpose. With the help of Libby and Sons U-Pick, the students donated apples to the York County shelter. Students also donated flowers they grew to Larrabee Village, a lowincome senior center in Westbrook.

Congratulations to Pat Endsley (WellsOgunquit TA) of the Wells-Ogunquit school district for being named this year’s School Nurse of the Year.

24

Maine Educator • October 2016

Benjamin Brigham, (Eastport EA) English teacher, technology coordinator and 2015 Washington County Teacher of the Year from Shead High School works with fellow educator Catherine Lee and school committe member Meg McGarvey on planning and designing the bicoastal high school for the XQ Super School Contest.

Shead High School was one of 50 finalists for a $10 million prize. (Photo: Jon Calame) Student MEA members work on their leadership skills in Washington, D.C., and enjoy learning from other soon-to-be teachers from across the country.

Your Association

3 Financial Documents You Must Review Now Before things get too hectic this school year, financial experts recommend taking some time now to give yourself a financial tuneup. That’s what NEA member Danny Kofke does each year, meeting with his financial advisor to make sure he’s on track with his savings.

In fact, Kofke has learned so much in the process that he has emerged as somewhat of a guru himself on these topics, writing several books, including How to Survive (and Perhaps Thrive) on a Teacher’s Salary.

Kofke shared some of his wisdom with his fellow members.

Take the time now to assess these three critical pieces of financial paperwork: Your 403(b) plan and/or retirement portfolio Even if your employer is contributing to a pension, that may not be enough to fund your own worry-free retirement.

Basic money management can be a challenge for many people, and it’s difficult to figure out your retirement needs on your own.

“Understanding stocks, mutual funds, bonds and fixed-income options can be overwhelming,” Kofke says. “That’s why it’s key to get outside help.”

As a general rule of thumb, you should prepare to lose one-half of the value of any investments you have in the stock market during a major downturn, says Brian Frederick, a financial advisor based in Scottsdale, Ariz. That’s why your planning must take into account your current age and intended retirement date.

If possible, experts say to consider upping your contribution incrementally as your paycheck increases.

“If you get a 2% raise, for example, try to adjust contributions so you invest 2% more of your total income,” Kofke says.

That may be difficult for some educators, but any increase in contributions ultimately will lessen your tax burden by reducing your reportable income.

The maximum individual contribution for 2016 is $18,000. But if you’re 50 or older, you can make “catch-up” contributions of $6,000 above the limit.

For more articles and calculators that can help you figure out how much you need to save for retirement, check out the NEA Member Benefits Retirement Center.

Your life insurance coverage and beneficiaries Frederick advises teachers and other clients to buy life insurance equal to five- to 10-times their annual salary. For most, this goes beyond what an employer would provide, so you’d have to supplement any lifeinsurance benefit plan with a stand-alone policy.

“But that can be cheaper than what your employer offers, especially if you’re a healthy non-smoker who can lock in the price for up to 30 years,” Frederick says.

As for how much to buy, “if you don’t have children and your spouse works, it can be on the lower end of the ‘five- to 10-times’ scale,” he says. “But if you’re the sole breadwinner and you have young children, it needs to be on the higher end.”

If you already have life insurance, take the time to review your coverage and your designated beneficiaries. This is especially important if you’ve experienced any personal changes, such as marriage, divorce or a birth.

Log on: Update your NEA Life Insurance beneficiary and use the life insurance calculators.

Your will Many people put off writing a will. Who wants to think about their own mortality? But, in case you need one you don’t want to be unprepared in the event of an accident or sudden illness.

Kofke recommends hiring a professional lawyer to do your will.

Sure, it’ll cost more than those “DIY” services that are readily available online. Although those services may (or may not) hold up in a court of law, Kofke cautions that you could get what you pay for: They’re unlikely to cover all the required bases.

“Some categories are obvious, like who will inherit your money and your property,” Kofke says. “But others aren’t so easy, such as what to do with your children if you and your spouse are killed in the same accident, in addition to how much money will you pass on to whomever will raise them. And if you have a business on the side—as many teachers do—you’ll need to map out what to do with that business if you pass on.”

In most jurisdictions, the will must be notarized and witnessed by two independent parties. And don’t forget to update the will whenever you have a change of status in your life.

“This includes not only life changes with your marital status and/or the birth of a child,” Frederick says, “but also whether you move from one state to another, as estate laws shift from one to the other.”

You can always head over to www.neamb.com to learn more.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

25

Your Association

Grant Writing for Educators Doesn’t it always seem like there is never enough money to do what you want for your students? While the MEA is working on ways to financially help our schools (see page 20) you can try to bring in more funds for special projects by writing a grant. The process can seem daunting—what grants are available? How do I apply? How do I write a winning grant proposal?

The NEA Foundation offers free online courses for members designed to help you understand all the elements of grant writing. The free online course is separated into five modules: 1. Identifying Grant Resources 2. Assembling a Proposal Preparation Team 3. Writing a Winning Grant Proposal 4. The Grant Review Process 5. Grant Stewardship After taking the course you will be able to: •

Identify online grant resources, as well as specific grant providers.

•

Recognize the similarities and differences of varying types of grant applications used by different organizations.

•

Identify prospective funders on the basis of their funding priorities as they relate to your work.

•

Identify the persons and/or organizations that will be vital to you in preparing and submitting a grant (e.g. administrators, colleagues, finance professionals, community members).

•

Discuss the role each member of the preparation team will play not only prior to the submission of the grant proposal, but during the course of the project.

•

Recognize the components of a typical grant application.

•

Identify successful grant proposals.

Each section of the course sets aside a certain amount of time it will take to complete, to make the course more manageable. In addition to the grant writing courses, the NEA Foundation also offers grants for educators and students. To learn more about the course, and take it online, click here.

26

Maine Educator • October 2016

MEA Grants The MEA/NEA offer grants throughout the year to help our educators build their skills. Grant categories include: • Members are Leaders • Human, Civil Rights, and Cultural Affairs • Leroy Lambert Political Action Grant

Deadline: January 6, 2017 FMI: maineea.org/grants

Grants to Educators from the NEA Foundation Over the last 10 years, the NEA Foundation has awarded more than $7.1 million to fund nearly 4,500 grants to public school educators to enhance teaching and learning. To build its knowledge base and to uncover new, great practices in public education the NEA Foundation invites all National Education Association (NEA) members to apply for these grants.

Learning & Leadership Grants These grants allow individuals to fund participation in high-qualtiy professional development.

Student Achievement Grants These grants improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standardsbased subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection.

To learn more about the grants and how to apply log on to www.maineea.org/ grants.

Your Association

Did You Know?

The old adage knowledge is power usually reigns true. Make sure you’re not getting shortchanged by understanding what you are entitled to and what you should be advocating for, in terms of your pay and benefits.

SICK LEAVE

According to state law Minimum annual sick leave A school administrative unit shall grant all certified teachers, except substitute teachers as defined by the commissioner, a minimum annual sick leave of 10 school days, cumulative to a minimum of 90 school days, without loss of salary.

Transference of sick leave A school administrative unit which employs certified teachers who have accumulated sick leave in the teacher’s immediately previous position in a public school system within the State shall accept up to 20 days of that sick leave for transfer to the employing school administrative unit.

This sick leave shall be credited and made effective upon achieving continuing contract status in the employing unit, provided that: A. There shall have been no break in service in that teacher’s public school employment within the State; and B. The teacher was eligible to receive sick leave in his or her previous position at the time of his or her termination of employment.

Ed Techs Full-time Ed Techs positions (formerly assistants and aides) shall be granted minimum annual sick leave of 10 school days.

TEACHER SALARY If the minimum $30,000 salary instituted in 2007 had at least kept up with inflation the minimum salary for 2016-17 school year would be $34,706. As you and your local review contracts that are up this year, please keep that figure in mind as an absolute minimum a first-year teacher should be paid on the first step of a scale.

Year

June Consumer Price Index (CPI-U)

Multiplier

If on track with CPI:

2007

208.352

Start

$30,000

2008

218.815

1.050

$31,507

2009

215.693

0.986

$31,057

2010

217.965

1.011

$31,384

2011

225.722

1.036

$32,501

2012

229.478

1.017

$33,042

2013

233.945

1.019

$33,685

2014

238.343

1.019

$34,318

2015

238.638

1.001

$34,361

2016

241.038

1.010

$34,706

MEA NOTE: Sick leave time can be bargained. Most local associations have bargained as applicable for more than just the 10 day annual and 90 day cumulative minimums. Other ESP categories have no minimum paid sick leave required under state law. However, a benefit is almost universally bargained into local association contracts.

National Board Certification Scholarships State law required the establishment of the National Board Certification Scholarship Fund to encourage teachers to apply to and enroll in the certification program offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or its successor organization. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. A school district may request scholarship funds on behalf of its teachers who meet the requirements.

In fiscal year 2016-17, the Department of Education allocated $75,000 to the scholarship fund. The department shall award an amount equal to the cost of the certification program less any other funds received by the applicant. If you achieve NBCT certification, state law requires you to receive a $3,000 salary supplement for fiscal year 2016-2017.

MEA offers members free support workshops throughout the year to help you during the certification process. See page 30 for a list of upcoming support workshop dates.

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

27

PE

S

C RSPE TIVE

Should educators use social media as a teaching and learning tool?

YES We often hear there is too much technology in the classroom, and I believe it is important to frame it in terms of quality and not quantity. Tech should be considered as one of the many tools we have at our disposal to best meet our purposes for teaching and learning. We are living in the 21st Century and need to engage with the tools of this age. That does not mean doing away with our tried-and-true methods when they are effective, but it does mean we prepare our students for life in the world as it is, not how we wish it still were. We are living in a digital age, in which information is the currency. How “wealthy” our students become depends upon how well we prepare them to navigate this increasingly global society in which technology is the conduit. We cannot ignore the digital revolution with thoughts of nostalgia, we need to tap into its power and build capacity for greater learning.

When deciding the appropriate tools we need to ask ourselves, “What do I want to accomplish, and how can I best do that?”

So often technology offers us the more powerful tool. Want to make accountability for work easier to manage? We might use GoogleClassroom, Edmodo or Wikispaces. Want access to current informational online texts? We might use Newsela, Wonderopolis, or TweenTribune. Want students to collaborate with others—even those outside the classroom? We might use GoogleDrive, VoiceThread or Edublogs. Teachers can observe student work in real time and provide more immediate and actionable feedback. Students can learn from one another (and from others around the world)—creating exponential supports for their education.

Teachers can build capacity as well with the use of technology.

We can tailor our own personalized professional development and learning communities via social media. Connecting with educators via Twitter, Facebook, and Voxer allows conversations and connections that would never occur otherwise. We can surround ourselves with passionate professionals who nurture our teaching souls and share innumerable resources. YouTube and podcasts allow us to see and hear from the best and the brightest with a tap or a keystroke.

I still love the touch (and smell) of a book and the feel of the pen across paper, but I could never go back to an isolated classroom, disconnected from the world. I want teachers and students to find the tools that best meet their purpose and to move forward with confidence and Paula Bourque competence in our ever-changing world.

Augusta EA

28

Maine Educator • October 2016

NO

Today’s students have grown up in a world of nearly constant Internet connection with a web of apps, games, and entertainment at their fingertips (literally). When it comes to educating these students should educators use social media and technology as a learning tool?

A refusenik, cyber tech is for me a “regulated substance,” as students immerse in a face-to-face ethos. Valued online resources partner with tactile and renewable books, pen and paper.

I don’t use Facebook and Twitter, and the young are sufficiently captive to social media without my contribution. Our degraded political ‘discourse’ is a preview of what Facebook and Twitter might do for learning. Brain research reveals the decline of expositional thought, in default to the “shallows” of cyber-think. Social media may work in small doses, but kids already inhale too much of this glue. I almost ran one down the other day, as she marched text-blind into the street. Without social media, I have always been there for students and parents, as are you.

Teachers have taught and students have learned for eons. Vast interests now seek to dominate curriculums and teachers. They sell constant change and we constantly spend, foregoing potentially richer use of the public purse. Substance abuse counselors now identify screen distraction as hazardous. The tech-education debate takes a back seat to more primary questions.

What of addiction? Emotional, social, and psychological effects? New eye diseases? Radiation (Google goggles!)?

Toxic minerals (in billions of devices) polluting land and water? What of brutal labor conditions in Asia and Africa, where poisoned miners die young? When students and teachers care about such matters, citizenship and compassion bloom.

Progress has always been a ‘double-edged sword’ of creation and destruction. Cyberspace demands careful discernment between the two. I write this on a laptop, I drive a car, and I grapple with the implications of their use. Can we tame the machines? I would like a fighting chance. Student addiction to social media undermines our capacity to try. (p.s. If tweeting with students, have liability insurance; and MEA might expect a spike in legal services to members. Things can get touchy on social media.)

Anna Wrobel MEA-Retired

Your Association

For Your Life

Ideas and deals for a better, happier YOU

Upgrade your life now. With one monthly payment.

The NEA Personal Loan can help you pay for things that may seem a little out of reach. These include paying off higher interest rate credit cards and other loans, home remodeling projects, and more. And with low Fixed APRs, you can wrap up a variety of expenses into one monthly payment.

• • • • • • •

Fixed APR rates of 7.99% to 15.99%2 Loan amounts up to $25,000 Terms from 36 to 72 months No application fees No annual fee No prepayment penalties 0.25% interest rate discount with Auto Pay enrollment

If you have questions about the NEA Personal Loan Program, please contact us at 1-800-637-4636.

Cell Phone Discount Because you are a member of the MEA you can save 15% on qualified monthly wireless plans with AT&T and 20% on select accessories.

To learn more: http://www.neamb.com/ wireless Mention Discount Code: FAN 4491660

Educator Discounts Save some money this year with deals from major retailers.

Through the benefits of your membership, you can cash in with educator discounts at neamb.org. Here are just a few of the discounts available: NEA Member Benefits Apparel Store: Exclusive pricing on items from L.L Bean, Macy’s, Under Armour and more.

Adobe: Software discounts, including 60% off Creative Cloud

Create a Daily Ritual

Set aside just 10 minutes a day for yourself—it will do wonders in eliminating daily stress and anxiety.

Eliminate Clutter

Don’t let “things” weigh you down. Take a few minutes and purge the clothes you don’t wear, get rid of unhealthy food in your cupboards and create space for the things you actually do wear and eat. You’ll feel relief in the space you’ve created.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Michael’s: 15% off purchases The Apple Store: Education pricing is available on Macs, iPads, accessories, apps, iBooks and iTunesU courses.

PBS Learning Media: Access to classroom-ready, curriculumtargeted, digital resources and lesson plans.

Find even more deals, including restaurant gift certificates (spend $4 get $25) by using NEA Click and Save. Head to neamb.com to learn more. These are savings you can’t miss!

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

29

Calendar Nov. 5th & Beyond NBCT Support Workshops

These workshops are designed to give you the information and encouragement that you need to complete the National Board Certification process. Find out what is involved, the time commitments required and how to get assistance with fees.

• November 5, 2016 • December 10, 2016 • January 14, 2017 • February 11, 2017 • March 18, 2017 • April 29, 2017 All sessions are held at the MEA Augusta office at 35 Community Drive.

To register: www.maineea.org/ nationalboard

Dec.

3&4 YEP-MEA Weekend @ Sunday River

Interested in joining other young educators for a fun-filled weekend where you’ll learn about your association, how it can help you grow in your career, and network with educators just like you? YEP-MEA weekend is free to members. Educators with five years or less in education are eligible to attend. Please, no repeat attendees.

Feb.

6

Ongoing

Advanced Degree Grant

MEA Inspiring Educators

FMI: www.maineea.org/grants

Head to www.maineea.org/ inspiringeducators and fill out our nomination form online.

MEA-Retired (MEA-R) sponsors an honor grant through the legacy of Anne Sheehan, a former member of MEA-R. The $1,500 grant can be used by a current, active educator pursuing an advanced degree during the 2017-18 school year. The winner will be announced in May 2017 at the MEA-R Convention.

Here’s your chance to nominate an MEA/NEWS CENTER Inspiring Educator. The MEA is again partnering with NEWS CENTER to highlight the work of our outstanding educators. Know someone who is deserving of this award? Nominate them today!

FMI: www.yepmea.org/yepmea-weekend/

INSPIRING

YEPMEA

EDUCATORS

Young Education Professionals of the Maine Education Association

Win CASH for your school!

Bring us your car loan and we’ll donate $ to your classroom for school supplies!*

100

Purchase a new or used car and finance it with us or refinance your existing car loan from another financial institution

85 Civic Center Drive and Cony High School/CATC Campus 1-800-464-3773 | www.connectedcreditunion.org

30

Maine Educator • October 2016

*Minimum loan amount $10,000 to qualify for this offer. Offer does not apply to loans currently financed with Connected Credit Union.

Loans subject to credit approval. Membership eligibility required.

Federally Insured by NCUA

Calling All Pets!

It’s time for your pets to strike a pose for the first annual MEA pet photo contest! Whether it’s out for a hike or a lazy Sunday on the couch, snap a photo of your pet doing what they love to do and submit it to contest@maineea.org.

DEADLINE: December 2, 2016 Bonus points: Have your pet pose with a copy of the Maine Educator.

Two winners will be selected to receive a $25 Staples gift card and have their pets’ photos published in the February 2017 edition of the Maine Educator.

Maze 23 - www.thinkablepuzzles.com

October 2016 • www.maineea.org

31