Mar/Apr 2010 Perspectives by Claudia Briggs

Mar./Apr. 2010

Educators Take Action Against Budget Cuts

Inside: Member Benefits & Programs . . . . . . . . 2 Commentary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Legal Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Online? Stay in Bounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Cover Story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Inside Politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Delegate Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 Learning Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Around the State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 NSEA-R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Horace Mann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Health Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Calendar of Events/ NSEA ACCESS Savings. . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 1

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Message from the President

Watching the Dust Settle Just Before it Picks Back Up

he whirlwind that just scurried by came with many promises of devastation which prompted us to get into survival mode…and that’s exactly what we did. When we heard that projected revenues weren’t going to be what forecasters had thought and how the education budget would be decimated, we set out to do what we do best…educate people. Only this time our task was to educate the public on how broken the revenue structure in Nevada is and that megacorporations and the mining industry get major exemptions which keep them from paying their fair share in Nevada. While the special session was necessary to balance the budget, it was also necessary to remind everyone—lawmakers included—of how broken the process is in Nevada. In recent years when there’s been a budget shortfall, lawmakers have consistently looked to education and other essential services to carry the burden, and with one band-aid after another, they’ve managed to get by with only some injuries to those in the trenches. But there is no band-aid large enough to cover what lies ahead.

The 2011 Legislative Session will be very different from all others as the shortfall will be too large and the current way of doing business will not work. Mega-corporations, large businesses, the mining industry, and others will have to step up to the plate to pay their fair share. The days of relying on gaming and band-aids are behind us. This means our work is more defined than ever. We MUST elect true supporters of education. These people will have to be committed to be bold, daring, and ultimately responsible enough to do what it will take to fix the process that has been broken for years. We will continue the fight and will continue to work directly with local affiliates to ensure contract negotiations yield minor impact on our members. In the meantime, I urge you to think about what just happened in Nevada and about how YOU can change that. This isn’t about party lines…it’s about being best prepared to deal with the whirlwinds that come our way. Courage and Leadership…What Our Kids Need! ••

Lynn Warne President

Message from the Executive Director

The Broken System

fter a grueling week in Carson City, the NSEA Lobby Team is back and gearing up for the 2010 elections. However, let me return for a moment to Carson City where members spoke loudly about the governor’s proposed cuts to public education. While the reduction to education is significantly less than what the governor wanted, it is still unacceptable that cuts came before making real change to the tax system that rewards large corporations and mining by either allowing them significant exemptions or no tax at all. Next time you visit any surrounding state, check out the prices at the store of your choice. Most states charge corporations some form of profit tax but Nevada does not and you will see that items in stores are the same prices in Nevada as other states. The exemptions given to mining are mind boggling, and the billions made from the gold in Nevada goes to pay taxes in other states as well as Canada, with Nevada receiving almost nothing. I cannot describe it in any other verbiage other than the process is broken. We did get the language for Race to the Top passed and lowered the amount of cuts now coming to the locals to negotiate any changes. While many thought NRS 288 (Nevada bargaining law) and contracts got in the way, NSEA and fellow unions prevailed in that any changes have to be locally bargained. After the session it is not easy to quickly consider supporting candidates who voted for cuts, but the choice is between those who worked with us or those who openly supported the draconian cuts proposed by the governor. We left Carson City with a determination that the broken process must be fixed, that everyone must contribute to stabilize the “unfair” tax system, and that a stable source supports public education.

Elections matter, and we only serve the enemies of public education if we do not support and vote for pro-public education candidates. While we may not always agree, we could not have lessened the cuts to education without assistance from the Democratic leadership of the Assembly and Senate. We know the recession has devastated the economy and raised the unemployment rate in Nevada to unseen heights. We cannot sit quietly and let those who would destroy your contract and the right to bargain win in November. We can sit this one out, but that makes no sense and will only result in the election of those who won’t support your right to economic security. While the system is difficult to change, it could become impossible if the anti-public education candidates are elected. There should be no doubt that the governor and legislators impact your classroom and/or worksite, and we do not want four more years of rhetoric and policies without solutions. We cannot cut our way into better schools nor into a better economy, so we must act together to support the changes we know will make a difference for our kids and our profession. There has never been a more difficult economic time in my lifetime, and I urge us all to work towards a better tomorrow through the election of pro-public education candidates. Our students cannot afford to miss out on a quality education, and we cannot miss the coming opportunity to support candidates who will make a positive difference in our working conditions and our salaries and benefits. We dare not leave the decisions that impact our lives to those who don’t care about your right to bargain or to those who consider public education a problem instead of a solution to our state’s need to attract new businesses and diversify our touristbased economy. ••

Terry Hickman Executive Director

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 3

The

Legal Link

Information and Advocacy for Educators in Nevada

N SEA/NEA Attorney Referral Program

NSEA and NEA, together with local affiliates, offer members the Attorney Referral Program. This program provides an opportunity for members to meet with selected attorneys to seek answers and assistance, at a discount, for personal legal problems. The program offers members assistance in the following five “core” areas: n Wills, Trusts, Guardianships, and Estates n Real Estate n Domestic Relations n Traffic Violations n Consumer Protection Some of the selected attorneys practice in other areas as well and may be willing to do work at a discount. Attorneys offer a 30 percent discount off their regular fee for work performed under the program. In addition, members are entitled to two free 30-minute consultations per membership year to determine if the attorney can provide assistance. The service is open to any active, life, or retired member and the member’s spouse and dependent children.

Y our Input Needed on UniServ Program Survey

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NSEA is undertaking a review of the NEA/ NSEA UniServ Program. Part of this process includes getting input from active members regarding their impressions of the program and the services it provides. The review team will be making the survey available to delegates at the NSEA Delegate Assembly in April. Delegates who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a prize. The survey will also be distributed to some members at Association Rep meetings following DA.

Some areas are excluded from the 30 percent discount. There is no coverage under this program for disputes with your employer, bankruptcies, and preparation/defense for income tax matters. Also, the discount does not apply to criminal matters except for traffic violations where financial liability exceeds $50. Most other routine legal matters are covered. If you are going to retain one of the attorneys under this program, remember to discuss fees before work is performed. Also, an attorney is not required under the program to take any particular case. You can take advantage of this program by: n calling the attorney directly and identifying yourself as a member if you are a CCEA or an ESEA member; n calling WEA or WESP for an appointment if you are a WEA or WESP member; or n calling your UniServ Director if you are a UCN member. Attorney Referral Program information is available at www.nsea-nv.org. If you have questions, contact your local association or your UniServ Director. ••

Do you know who YOUR UniServ Director (UD) is? Every member of NSEA has one. Unfortunately, many of you only meet them when there is a problem. For others, their UD provides critical support for everything from grievance processing to bargaining to political action. NEA provides grants to states to help support these staff positions—and for NSEA the financial commitment is more than $800,000. This review process will ensure the NSEA program is operating according to NEA Guidelines and that our members are receiving the support of a UD whenever it is needed. ••

Online? Stay in Bounds! Educators are entitled to enjoy their personal lives outside of school and to express themselves and their opinions in person and online. That said, because educators work with children and young adults and are seen as role models in the community, they are held to high standards for their public behavior and online activities.

Educators should not use instant messaging as a means of communicating with students. IM lacks the safeguards of ordinary communication between teacher and student. The authority you establish by your physical presence, your voice and your visual cues to the student are not present online. The world of IM is not a school environment.

using the school computer to pursue personal interests may or may not be permitted in your school district. If it is, do so wisely and cautiously.

At home and in school, be mindful of the public nature of your online activities. Your role in the school community goes beyond your duties in the classroom. Here are some helpful hints regarding your electronic activities both on and off the job.

@ HOME

An Advisory for Pre-K-12 Members

Social Networking Web Sites

The opportunity for self-expression on the Internet is endless. Countless websites, including MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and LiveJournal, provide interactive networks complete with user profiles, photos, blogs, chat rooms, videos, e-mail, bulletin boards, text messaging, and even voice telephony (i.e., live talk!).

What you say in cyberspace—about yourself, about your job, about your beliefs, about your activities—is easy for others to find and read. In an increasingly digital world, the line between what is public and what is private, between your professional life and your personal life, is no longer clear. If you create your own web page or post comments in cyberspace, remember your role as a teacher or school staff member. Yes, you are entitled to have a private life away from school. Still, your off-duty conduct can affect your job security. Anyone can browse your personal web page or your blog. Websites such as MySpace.com cannot guarantee your privacy or your anonymity. Posted comments are public comments. You may intend your posts to be for your own personal community of friends, but you are also speaking, in effect, to everyone in the school community, including administrators, parents, and students. Even if you have set your page to “private,” people with access to it can download pictures or comments and forward them to others via e-mail. Stay in bounds!

Instant Messaging

IM is fast, informal, uninhibited and in real time. IM is a relatively new way of communicating, and it has its own emerging rules, grammar and social protocols. It may feel like a breezy way to chat, but you are actually creating a typed text—without an eraser or a delete button.

If your students know your IM screen name and use the same IM service that you use, they can place you on a “buddy list” and know when you are online. Your IM service provider—such as AOL or MSN—provides information on easy steps you can take to block this.

Blogs, Electronic Bulletin Boards and Websites in General

There are endless places to post your opinions—personal, political, professional—on the Internet. You can create your own blog. You can join listservs, participate in online forums and post messages on electronic bulletin boards. You may be a citizen of the Internet, but you are also always an educator. Remember: You are speaking publicly when you enter your viewpoints into the digital world. Many employers search the Internet for employee postings. Students can find your statements. On the Internet, the line between your professional world and your private world can be hard to draw. Think before you post!

@ SCHOOL E-mail

Electronic communication with students and parents is increasingly a part of the teacher’s job. Whether you are e-mailing during the day on the school network or from home after the school day, your e-mail correspondence should remain in bounds—respectful, professional, to the point, clear, unambiguous. Think before you send! E-mail is:

0 Permanent. Once you send it, it cannot be easily deleted.

0 Easily duplicated. It can be printed out or forwarded to anyone and everyone.

0 Not private. On your employer’s

network, your e-mail is easily accessed, monitored and stored.

Internet

If you have access to the Internet at school, your online activities should always be above reproach and appropriate to your role as an educator. The computer as a pedagogical tool has vast application and potential. By contrast,

/ Your employer owns the network that

you are using to go online. If you use the school district’s server to access the Internet, do not assume that you have an “expectation of privacy” in your online activities. This is true whether you access the server at school using a school computer or access it from home using your personal computer.

/ Your school computer and your school

district’s server have the capacity to track your Internet activities—your “web tracks” reveal where you have gone and when you went there.

/ Most employers have some form of monitoring software in place.

/ Your employer also owns the computer

in your classroom and any laptops it may issue. Do not assume you have an “expectation of privacy” in anything you create off-line and store on your computer’s hard drive.

/ Familiarize yourself with your school

district’s technology policy (often called an acceptable use policy).

/ Many issues raised by the use of the

school district’s computers are proper subjects of bargaining. Talk to your association representative if you have any questions about your own use of the school computers or networks.

/ If you feel as though your school

employer is asking you to do more and more work online, you should talk to your association representative about the impact of online technology upon your workload.

Cautionary Notes: / E-mail communication with students

after school should be kept to a minimum and should focus on immediate class-related matters.

/ Use your school e-mail address for all

classroom-related communications, even if you are sending an e-mail from your home.

/ Always think and write like an educator. Use your “teacher’s voice.” Use spellchecking software. Be professional and be appropriate.

/ Think of your e-mail message as if it is on official school stationary. E-mail to students or parents is never a private communication. ••

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 5

Inside Politics:

NSEA Takes Action on Budget Cuts Legislative process broken, voters’ task evident The 26th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature wrapped up early in the morning Monday, Mar. 1, as lawmakers dealt with the $887 million shortfall. The NSEA Lobby Team was in Carson City working with legislators to ensure the proposed cuts were reduced to as little as possible while making mega-corporations and the mining industry pay their fair share. “NSEA was successful in shifting the conversation from finding more areas to cut to finding monies to prevent cuts,” said NSEA President Lynn Warne. “Through the television commercials which aired statewide, rallies, the State of the State watch party, testimonies before legislative committees, member e-mails and phone calls to legislators, NSEA and its local affiliates applied enough pressure to make them find funds to reduce the cuts.” In the end there will be a 6.9% cut to the education budget down from the proposed 11.75% going into the special session. This translates into a reduction of $117 million in funding for Nevada’s schools. “The quality of life in Nevada is shortchanged because the process allows mining and other big corporations and large industries off the hook from paying their fair share,” said Warne. “The reality is that the process is broken. Too many games were played. Mega-corporations and the mining industry played Let’s Make a Deal… and our kids lost!” NSEA was there every step of the way having tough discussions with legislators. Many of those discussions involved protecting the collective bargaining law—NRS 288. “As we did during the special session, we will continue to work feverishly in the interim to ensure NRS 288 remains untouched,” added Warne. “This law provides public employees in Nevada with rights and job protection and we will not let anti-public education groups weaken those rights while they further protect mega-corporations and the mining

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industry and all their exemptions. It’s time for the voters to change the current process and make it work so all Nevadans get a fair shot at a quality education.” Fortunately, members will have direct input into resolving their respective district’s shortfall through the negotiations process. And while there will be less funding available, the outcome of negotiations will dictate the true effect in the schools and on the members. NSEA fought to preserve as much funding as possible, including money for added flexibility to the class size reduction program. It was amended to add two students to each class in grades K-3. According to the Lobby Team, this was passed to give school districts flexibility to prevent massive layoffs. The teacher incentive program for the 1/5 service credit was also saved with a reduction of $8.5 million leaving more than $16 million to sustain the program. Additionally, the legislature released textbook monies freeing up millions of dollars. The legislature also agreed to allow for $25 million to be removed from the Clark County School District’s fund for capital projects to be used for other purposes not associated with capital projects. Unlike the 2009 Legislative Session, the only revenue enhancements the legislature could agree on were fee increases. These included, but were not limited to, an increase in the fees on banks from $50 to $200 as a payment of fee for deposit in the Account for Foreclosure Mediation, as well as an increase in the mining claim fee if a company owns more than 11 mining claims in the state. Additionally, there will be an increase in the hourly rate charged by the Nevada Gaming Control Board for investigations of applications for a license. Be proud you are one of more than 28,000 members of NSEA. For more information, log on to www.nsea-nv.org ••

A large crowd of education supporters joined teachers and education support professionals Monday, Feb. 8 to hear what the governor had to say in his annual State of the State address. The crowd went wild as the governor talked about cutting government spending, more specifically education. “The governor is merely trying to advance his political agenda and is not sincere about doing his job,” said NSEA President Lynn Warne. “I challenge him to spend a day in an at-risk school with me to see for himself what it takes...” Immediately following the watch party, President Warne delivered a rebuttal speech which set the stage for the NSEA commercial which later aired statewide. If you didn’t get a chance to see the commercial and would like to, go to www.nsea-nv.org. ••

Inside Politics:

NSEA Members, Leaders, and Supporters Join to Watch State of the State Address

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 7

Inside Politics: Rory Reid for Governor NSEA is proud to endorse Rory Reid as its choice for the next Governor of Nevada, and to lend our support and organizational strength to his campaign. Rory brings the experience, leadership, and forward thinking we need for Nevada to build a better future. He understands the critical role education plays in our state’s economy and in our children’s lives. He supports education as a core principle of his campaign and will take every measure to protect education funding as a true first priority. Following three years of disastrous education policies and irresponsible cuts by Jim Gibbons, we need a fresh face, proven leadership, and a real advocate for education in Carson City. Rory is a Nevadan through and through. He has lived and attended public schools in the north and the south, and his children have grown up in Nevada public schools. His wife, Cindy, is currently an English professor at the College of Southern Nevada. She is also a former member of the State Board of Education. An attorney by trade, Rory has served the public as the leader of one of the largest and most complex county governments in the

nation – covering more than 8,000 square miles and with a budget nearly equal to the state’s entire general fund. He has balanced that budget every year without once raising taxes. In both his professional and personal life, Rory has been a tremendous supporter of education. He believes that strong schools will be the foundation of a stronger economy for

the long-term future of our state. “If we are going to attract new businesses and high-tech jobs for the 21st century, we need a world-class education system,” Reid said. “Great schools not only mean a better quality of life for Nevada families but also ensure we will have the

educated workforce needed to keep our state competitive.” Rory launched his campaign with an economic plan for Nevada called “The Virtual Crossroads.” His plan explores ways for Nevada to diversify its economy, create jobs and build the industries of the future, capitalizing on our state’s own unique assets. Rory will soon release

his detailed plan for the long-term future of education in Nevada – a lynchpin of his vision for a better economic future. You can read “The Virtual Crossroads” and learn more about Rory’s campaign at www.RoryReid.com.

Rory has the experience and the plan to finally move our education system forward and help our state realize its potential. But he needs all of our support to get to Carson City. You can help by volunteering for the campaign in your area, attending or organizing events, making a donation online, and speaking to your colleagues and friends about the importance of electing Rory Reid this year. As we saw in the special session of the Legislature, education continues to be vulnerable at the hands of Jim Gibbons. We must work to make a change. There’s no time to waste. For more information go to www.RoryReid.com ••

NSEA Board of Directors Votes to Support Nevada Fair Mining Tax Initiative Time for Mining to Pay its Fair Share The NSEA Board of Directors voted to support the Nevada Fair Mining Tax initiative petition being circulated by the group Nevadans for Fair Mining Taxes—spearheaded by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. “We applaud PLAN for taking this step to ensure tax fairness. It’s no secret that the mining industry does not pay its fair share in this state. At a time when the state is in financial crisis, band-aids will no longer help,” said NSEA President Lynn Warne. “Enough of the loopholes and tax exemptions…it’s time to contribute to the state that has helped make the industry so solvent.”

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If Nevada were a country, it would be the fourth largest gold producer in the world, after China, Australia, and South Africa. Yet Nevada’s world-class gold mining industry produces roughly the same amount of tax revenue for Nevada’s general fund as the state’s tax on rental cars. “We wouldn’t be facing these budget cuts if the mining industry were contributing its fair share,” added Warne. “In fact, Nevada wouldn’t rank almost 50th in the nation in per-pupil spending and our kids would be getting the quality education they need and deserve. Please sign the petition today!”

Nevadans for Fair Mining Taxes is a coalition dedicated to ensuring a stable and equitable revenue source for our state by undoing antebellum constitutional provisions which allow the mining industry to evade paying its fair share of taxes. And they’re collecting signatures now. TAKE ACTION NOW! Go to NevadaFairMiningTax.org and learn more. Plus you can sign up for updates, sign the petition, and even circulate a petition. With our support the Nevada Fair Mining Tax initiative will succeed! ••

Nevada’s Growth and Infrastructure Depends on Your Census Participation A Message from Ross Miller, Nevada Secretary of State and Statewide Census Chairman

Census responses are quick, easy, and completely confidential – the Census Bureau is prohibited by law from sharing the information with anyone, including other federal agencies. The results of the 2010 census will help shape Nevada’s future for the next ten years by funding education, social services, and infrastructure.

EDUCATION A high census return rate will mean more federal funding for our school districts and enhancement of our children’s learning experience in the classroom. Funding for reading programs, and prevention and intervention programs for at-risk youth will increase opportunities for parental involvement in their children’s education.

SOCIAL/COMMUNITY SERVICES Federal grants for local service organizations are calculated based on census data and help provide important services to families, such as after-school programs, nutritional programs, and projects that promote self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.

BUSINESS

Inside Politics:

In 2010 every Nevadan plays an essential role in helping the state achieve a high census return rate. Nevada communities stand to receive nearly $10,000 over ten years for every man, woman, and child who is counted in the 2010 census.

Successful businesses rely on a community’s high quality of life, including access to health care, an educated workforce, and a strong infrastructure. The majority of federal funding based on census data is distributed to the human services, education, and transportation sectors. These are areas that, when properly funded, help attract outside businesses to our state. Job training centers and other organizations that help people get back to work also rely on federal funding. As Nevadans, it’s our civic duty to participate. Remember… WE ALL COUNT!

More information can be found at www.nevadacensus2010. com. To follow Nevada’s Census 2010 campaign, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nevadacensus2010.com. ••

Message from U.S. Senator Harry Reid During this economic crisis, Nevada’s schools have been hit particularly hard. State budget cuts over the past few years have made a challenging situation even more difficult. Another round of cuts proposed by the governor will make the job our teachers and support professionals have in preparing Nevada students for college or a career even harder. While the governor’s policies have continued to harm Nevada schools, I am doing what I can at the federal level to help offset these cuts. Last year, as many of you know, I helped guide the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus bill, through the Senate. What many do not know is that this legislation provided nearly a half a billion dollars in funding directly to Nevada’s schools, colleges, and universities. These funds are responsible for saving several thousand jobs and creating hundreds more. The millions in federal funds also helped prevent increased class sizes, a reduction in special education services, and the loss of other essential school services. Absent the recovery bill, Nevada’s schools would be in a much more dire situation. Another source of potential federal funding is Education Secretary Duncan’s $4 billion Race to the Top fund. I know that many NSEA members have expressed concerns about the

requirements of the competition. However, I am also concerned that Nevada remains the only state in the nation not eligible to apply for millions in much-needed federal funding. While the governor continues to play politics with this issue, I am committed to finding a way for Nevada to be eligible to apply for up to $150 million in federal funds that works for our teachers. While funding cannot solve all of the problems we face in education, in order to ensure that our students are ready to compete in today’s economy, Nevada cannot continue to remain near the bottom in per-pupil funding. Again, to help make up for low levels of state support, I have and will continue to secure federal funding to assist Nevada schools. In just the last few years, I have secured over $20 million in funding for education technology, after-school programs, expanded math and science curriculum, early education, dropout prevention programs, and other important needs in our K-12 schools. Despite the governor’s lack of leadership and our state’s poor commitment to education, Nevada’s educators continue to do remarkable work in preparing our students for success. I will continue to do what I can to be a supportive partner at the federal level in supporting Nevada’s teachers, education support professionals, and students. ••

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 9

Delegate Corner NSEA ADVOCACY FUND (January 1, 2009 through January 31,NEVADA 2010) STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ADVOCACY FUND (January 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010)

Summary of income and Expenditures (01/01/09 thru 01/31/10) $39,062.32 Opening Balance ‐ 01/01/09

Expenditures by Program Area

Total Fund Expenditures $74,780.00

$167,137.48

Legislature

1. Legislature ‐ $167,137.48

$50,000.00

Campaign and Aﬃliate ProtecBon

$959,470.71 Member ContribuBons & Other Deposits $431,324.93 Total Expenditures

2. Campaign and Aﬃliate ProtecBon ‐ $139,407.45

NSEA Lobby Team

3. Empower the NSEA Lobby Team ‐ $50,000.00 P.R. and CoaliBon Partnerships

$567,208.10 Ending Balance ‐ 01/31/10

4. Build Strong P.R. and CoaliBon Partnerships ‐ $74,780.00

$139,407.45

DescripCon of Goals LEGISLATURE

CAMPAIGN AND AFFILIATE PROTECTION

EMPOWER THE NSEA LOBBY TEAM

The goal was to protect members' jobs, salaries, and The goal was to protect NSEA's ability to campaign through To keep the NSEA Lobby Team intact throughout the benefits. We entered the legislature with major proposed independent expenditures. Faced with a legal challenge, enCre year which includes the president, local a@liate cuts for educaBon from the governor. NSEA pursued legal remedies to protect its ability to defeat leadership, staff, and consultants. Despite an every‐ candidates through the independent expenditures process, other‐year legislature, the need to advocate and lobby and to protect local affiliates' contracts and any changes to legislators is a constant effort so that we can protect our contracts which must be negoBated. local affiliates and members throughout the year.

BUILD STRONG P.R. and COALITION PARTNERSHIPS In coaliCon with firefighters and police, NSEA financially supported newspaper ads that took on the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was calling for major changes to PERS and the Public Employee Benefits Program to the detriment of our members. NSEA sponsored a media campaign to enhance the NSEA image with the public.

DescripCon of Results LEGISLATURE There were cuts to the K‐12 budget by the Legislature and some districts did RIF some employees. Salary and benefits were part of local affiliates' negoBaBons and many of the locals were able to get through the 2009 ‐ 2010 year without significant salary changes.

CAMPAIGN AND AFFILIATE PROTECTION

EMPOWER THE NSEA LOBBY TEAM

BUILD STRONG P.R. and COALITION PARTNERSHIPS

NSEA is sCll in court and the case has not come to any The Lobby Team meets biweekly, goes ocer the poliCcal We were able to miCgate many of the harmful proposed decision. We will conBnue to protect NSEA from any legal landscape, and makes recommendaCons and decisions changes to our benefits for current and reCred challenge that would impede our right to be poliBcally acBve on appropriate acCon to adcocate for our members. members. However, the desire to change our benefits is in Vey poliBcal races around the state that impact all of our sBll a goal of the Chambers of Commerce and we must members. Many NSEA members were returned to their jobs always be ready to worV in coaliBon with our fellow public because of the close cooperaBon between the legal team, employee unions in Nevada. Polling has shown a very local affiliate leadership, and NSEA staff. posiBve view by the public of NSEA and its members.

DescripCon of Expenditures LEGISLATURE '()*+,-.on Amount $ 21,500.00 Al Bellister ‐ ConsulBng Support $ 20,000.00 Uames UacVson ‐ ConsulBng Support

CAMPAIGN AND AFFILIATE PROTECTION

'()*+,-.on '()*+,-.on Amount Amount $ 118,201.62 Independent Expenditure ‐ Legal Challenge $ 14,000.00 Al Bellister ‐ ConsulBng Support 21,205.83 NSEA ‐ Legal Support from Dyer Firm

$ 29,000.00 Dan Hart ‐ ConsulBng Support $ 3,698.05 Robo Calls $ 17,000.00 Grassroots & Media Campaign ‐ No To EducaBon Cuts $ 5,624.48 Post Cards and Mailing $ 70,314.95 Legislature ‐ Legal Support from Dyer Firm $167,137.48 Total Legislature

EMPOWER THE NSEA LOBBY TEAM

$ 12,000.00 Uames UacVson ‐ ConsulBng Support

'()*+,-.on Amount $ 20,900.00 LV Police, Fireﬁghters and NSEA ads opposing LV Chamber $53,880.00 Media Campaign ‐ No To EducaBon Cuts

$ 24,000.00 Dan Hart ‐ ConsulBng Support

$139,407.45 Total Campaign and A@liate ProtecCon

$50,000.00 Total Lobby Team

Conﬁdential Information - For NSEA Delegate Assembly Members Only!

10 | Perspectives | Mar./Apr. 2010

BUILD STRONG P.R. and COALITION PARTNERSHIPS

$74,780.00

Total Strong P.R. and CoaliCon Partnerships

Statements from Candidates LYNN WARNE

During these tough times we need strong, experienced leadership. I bring both these qualities to the position of NSEA President. I have been your NSEA President for the last two and a half years. During that time I have forged important coalitions with our fellow labor unions. I have developed meaningful relationships with legislators. Because of these, NSEA has been at the table working to help address the challenges that face us in Nevada today. I spearheaded NSEA’s effort to pass the Room Tax Initiative and strengthen local affiliate capacity. I have improved NSEA’s communications. I would appreciate your support! ••

DOUG BACHE

Doug Bache is seeking re-election as Vice President of NSEA. His experience includes being a CCCTA/ CCEA Association Representative, an Executive Board member from 1979 to 1982, and a member of the NSEA Board from 1987 to 1990. Doug’s passion has been political action. He was elected to the CCCTA TIP Board from 1981 to 1990, and was its Treasurer from 1983 to 1990, and a concurrent member of the Government Relations Committee. In 1990, Doug was elected to the Nevada State Assembly where he served until 2002. He became chairman of the Government Affairs Committee in 1995, and in that position protected the collective bargaining law from attacks, and strengthened and improved public employee retirement system benefits. Doug wants to use his political knowledge and experience to help the association in its political efforts in the 2011 and 2013 legislative sessions. ••

TOM WELLMAN

The strength and power of this association is in its membership. It’s time we harness the power of our members in order to make this a strong, relevant and united organization for all those involved. I want to move NSEA forward and advocate for all teachers, education support professionals and students. It is imperative that we stand strong, firm and united in our beliefs that our benefits, salaries and collective bargaining agreements remain intact while working together to improve the quality of our public education. Together we stand united and can move this organization forward. •• Tom Wellman, Candidate NSEA Vice President 702-638-1015(H) • 525-9084(C) • 651-5032(W)

NATHA ANDERSON • Dedication and working with all members. No matter where your region is located, what your educational title may be or your political affiliation – WE are all in this fight for public education together. • WE MUST MAKE EDUCATION MORE THAN A SOUND BITE! Why is the investment in our future the first item candidates mention during the campaign season and the first item to be cut when times are tough? • Courage to lead. Sometimes being a leader means knowing when to ask the uncomfortable question to get what is best for Nevada’s schools and students. I am running for NEA Director as an advocate for public education and realize the complexities of our professions are so much more than a sound bite. nathaanderson@sbcglobal.net •• STEVE FARGAN

My name is Steve Fargan. I am running for NEA Director. This is my 18th year of teaching in Nevada. I am currently Lyon County Education Association President, UCN Communications Vice-President, Chairperson of the NSEA Government Relations Committee, as well as a member of the NSEA Board of Directors. I have the knowledge and experience to do well serving as your NEA Director. This, along with my familiarity of the issues concerning Nevada’s educators, will assure that I represent you well. I would greatly appreciate your support in being elected to this position. If you wish to find out more about me, I welcome you to visit my website online at: http://www.stevefargan.com ••

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 11

Nevada State Education Association Proposed Bylaw Amendments For Consideration by the 2010 Delegate Assembly April 2010 The Bylaws of the Nevada State Education Association require the organization to publish proposed bylaw amendments in the official publication of the organization in advance of their consideration at Delegate Assembly. The following bylaw amendments have been submitted for consideration. • Items underlined represent proposed new language. • Items with strikeouts are proposals to eliminate language. BYLAW PROPOSAL #1

BYLAW PROPOSAL #3

MAKER: MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

MAKER: SUE STRAND

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

SECONDER: SALLY TABAT-DUHANCIK

SECTION 1: CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE III: DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

B. Associate Members Associate membership in the NSEA is open to any person who is interested in advancing the cause of education and who is not eligible for any other class of membership in the NSEA. Associate members may participate in economic benefits or insurance programs of the NSEA as permitted by law.

SECTION 1.C: ANNUAL MEETING The Delegate Assembly is the legislative/governing authority of the NSEA. BYLAW PROPOSAL #4 MAKER: BERNAVA JOHNSON SECONDER: SUE STRAND

This section is to be deleted.

ARTICLE III: DELEGATE ASSEMBLY BYLAW PROPOSAL #2

SECTION 2: DELEGATE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES

MAKER: MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Delete

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 2:

A. The Delegate Assembly Committees are as follows:

SECTION 1: CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP Substituted for:

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES

1. Elections and Credentials Committee

Subsection A: Active Members Subsection 1: Active membership in the NSEA shall be open to any person: a.

who is employed by a public school district or other public institution devoted to education in the state of Nevada.

b. who is on a limited leave of absence from a public school district, or other public institution devoted to education in the state of Nevada. c. who is serving as an elected officer of the NSEA, the National Education Association (NEA), or a local affiliate.

12 | Perspectives | Mar./Apr. 2010

2. Resolutions Committee B. Both committees shall report to the Delegate Assembly BYLAW PROPOSAL #5 MAKER: LYNN WARNE SECONDER: SUE STRAND ARTICLE III: DELEGATE ASSEMBLY SECTION 6.B: DELEGATE ELECTIONS Added/deleted The names of local unit delegates and alternate delegates shall be received by the Executive Director, in the NSEA Office, no later than 30 60 days prior to the Delegate Assembly.

Delegate Corner BYLAW PROPOSAL #9 BYLAW PROPOSAL #6

MAKER: JENNIFER WEBB-COOK

MAKER: CHRISTINA GUNN

SECONDER: SALLY TABAT-DUHANCIK

SECONDER: WARREN WISH

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS: OFFICERS’ DUTIES, TERMS, AND VACANCIES

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 1.8: COMPOSITION Added/deleted 8.

One Director, non-voting, representing student members. This Director shall remain non-voting until such time as student membership elevates to a level to pass Affiliation Compliance Standards.

Thus Article IV, Section 1, Subsection A, Number 8, would read as follows: “One Director representing student members.” BYLAW PROPOSAL #7 MAKER: DOUGLAS BACHE SECONDER: LORETTA HARPER ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 7: DUTIES Added/deleted NEW LETTER I: I.

Have the authority to make technical and editorial corrections to the NSEA Bylaws. The Board shall report any corrections to the next Delegate Assembly.

SECTION 3A.3: PRESIDENT VACANCY I move that in the Bylaws, Article V, Officers, Section 3. President, A. 3 Vacancy the following language be added: The member elected to the office of president during the special election shall complete the unfulfilled term of president. However, a) If the vacancy occurs during the first half of the three (3) year term, the member filling the vacancy is eligible for one (1) additional term. b) If the vacancy occurs during the second half of the three (3) year term, the member filling the vacancy is eligible for two (2) additional terms. c) The first half of a term is defined as the first eighteen (18) months after the member takes office. d) The second half of a term is defined as the eighteen (18) months which begins the day following the eighteen (18) months after the member takes office. BYLAW PROPOSAL #10 MAKER: SUE STRAND SECONDER: JENNIFER WEBB-COOK ARTICLE V: OFFICERS: OFFICERS DUTIES, TERMS, AND VACANCIES

BYLAW PROPOSAL #8

SECTION 3B.3: VICE PRESIDENT VACANCY

MAKER: SUE STAND

I move that in the Bylaws, Article V, OFFICERS, Section 3. OFFICERS’ DUTIES, TERMS AND VACANCIES B. Vice President, 3 Vacancy the following language be added and deleted:

SECONDER: JENNIFER WEBB-COOK ARTICLE V: OFFICERS SECTION 1: ELECTED OFFICERS I move that in the Bylaws, Article V Officers, the following language be added: A member can hold only one (1) NSEA elected office at a time. This bylaw becomes effective immediately upon passage.

If the office of the Vice President becomes vacant, the Board of Directors shall select from among the members of the Board an acting officer who shall serve until the next meeting of the Delegate Assembly, at which time a special election shall be held The person elected at the special election shall immediately begin the term of Vice-President and continue until a successor is elected. If the office of Vice President becomes vacant due to a vacancy in the office of President, when the special election for the President is concluded, the member who was serving as President shall return to the office of Vice President to fulfill the rest of Vice President term of office.

Continued on next page Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 13

However, if the Vice President who was serving as President, is elected to the office of President in the special election, the office of Vice President shall be declared vacant. The office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board of Directors, who shall select from among the members of the Board an acting officer who shall serve until the next meeting of the Delegate Assembly, at which time a special election shall be held. The member elected to the office of Vice President at the special election shall complete the unfulfilled term of Vice President. However, a) if the vacancy occurs during the first half of the three (3) year term, the member, elected to fill the vacancy, is eligible to serve one (1) additional term. b) if the vacancy occurs during the second half of the three (3) year term, the member, elected to fill the vacancy, is eligible for two (2) additional terms.

BYLAW PROPOSAL #12 MAKER: BERNAVA JOHNSON SECONDER: SUE STRAND ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES SECTION 1.G: STANDING COMMITTEES Amend by addition: G. The Resolutions Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the Resolutions. Amend by addition: “and the processing of proposed amendments to the Resolutions to be considered for action by the Delegate Assembly.” BYLAW PROPOSAL #13

c) The first half of a term is defined as eighteen months (18) after the member takes office.

MAKER: JENNIFER WEBB-COOK

d) The second half of a term is defined as the eighteen (18) months which begins the day following the eighteen (18) months after the member takes office.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

BYLAW PROPOSAL #11 MAKER: BERNAVA JOHNSON

SECONDER: BERNAVA JOHNSON SECTION 1.H: STANDING COMMITTEES H. The Elections and Credentials Committee is responsible for conducting elections for all officers, constitutional amendments and bylaw amendments at Delegate Assembly.

SECONDER: SALLY TABAT-DUHANCIK

Amend by addition: “and other NSEA elections as directed by the President or the Board of Directors.”

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS: OFFICERS DUTIES, TERMS, AND VACANCIES

BYLAW PROPOSAL #14

SECTION 3C.3: SECRETARY/TREASURER VACANCY

MAKER: SALLY TABAT-DUHANCIK

I move that in the Bylaws, Article V, OFFICERS, Section 3. OFFICERS’ DUTIES, TERMS AND VACANCIES C. Secretary/ Treasurer, 3 Vacancy the following language be added and deleted:

SECONDER: JENNIFER WEBB-COOK

If the office of the Secretary/Treasurer becomes vacant, the Board of Directors shall select from among the members of the Board an acting officer who shall serve until the next meeting of the Delegate Assembly, at which time a special election shall be held. The person elected at the special election shall immediately begin the term of Secretary/ Treasurer and continue until a successor is elected. The member elected to the office of Secretary/Treasurer at the special election shall complete the unfulfilled term of the Secretary/Treasurer. However, a) if the vacancy occurs during the first half of the three year term, the member filling the vacancy is eligible to serve one (1) additional term.

b) if the vacancy occurs during the second half of the three

(3) year term, the member filling the vacancy is eligible for two (2) additional terms.

c) the first half of a term is defined as eighteen months (18) after the member takes office. d) the second half of a term is defined as the eighteen (18) months which begins the day following the eighteen (18) months after the member takes office.

14 | Perspectives | Mar./Apr. 2010

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES SECTION 1: STANDING COMMITTEES NEW LETTER I The Bylaws and Rules Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the Bylaws and Rules and the processing of proposed amendments to the Bylaws and Rules to be considered for action by the Delegate Assembly.

The

Learning Link

NSEA “Good Idea” Grants

NSEA members can win up to $1,000 to finance a “Good Idea” to improve education in Nevada DEADLINE: April 16, 2010

See your Building/Association Rep for details and an application or access our website at www.nsea-nv.org Send your “Good Idea” to NSEA’s Las Vegas office: Nevada State Education Association ATTN: Good Idea Grants 3511 E. Harmon Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89121 Or fax applications to: 702.733.6004 If you have further questions, contact Claudia Briggs in the Las Vegas office at 800-248-6732, ext. 5015 or claudia.briggs@nsea-nv.org Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 15

• CCE

E SA • ES

• WESP

•

• A

Around the State

• H • CSSO

Clark County Education Association (CCEA)

Ormsby County Education Association (OCEA)

The 2010 CCEA Election Results Are In!

Al Seeliger Elementary Participates in International “Pennies for Peace” Campaign

Members of the CCEA Elections Committee met on Monday, Feb. 22, to tabulate the ballots for the 2010 CCEA elections. The results were presented to the CCEA Association Representative Council for ratification at its Feb. 23, 2010, meeting. CCEA President Ruben Murillo, Jr. and CCEA Vice President Rob Benson were re-elected to the top posts and a run-off election is needed to determine the representatives for four seats. Also elected in this election cycle were representatives for CCEA Executive Board: Seat 1B – Peg Bean, Seat 2B – Wanda Keith (declared elected on Dec. 8), Seat 5 – Shirley Webb; NSEA Board of Directors: Seat C – Brian Flick; and 90 representatives to NSEA Delegate Assembly and 31 representatives to NEA Representative Assembly. At press time, a run-off election was being held to determine the representatives for CCEA Executive Board seats 3B and 4B, as well as, NSEA Board of Directors Seats A and E. The two top vote-getters in each race will appear on the run-off ballot. For the results of the run-off election, go to www.ccea-nv.org. ••

Washoe Education Association (WEA) WEA honored the 29 National Board Certified Teachers for 2009 as well as seven National Board Re-Certified Teachers. The reception was held at the College of Education Feb. 18. ••

16 | Perspectives | Mar./Apr. 2010

Popular cultural education program tied to “New York Times” best seller, “Three Cups of Tea” Inspired by the writings of Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups Of Tea, the students at Al Seeliger Elementary School joined hands with tens of thousands of other school children around the world who share the vision and dedication to empower communities through education in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Led by NSEA member Patrick Flynn, Al Seeliger students embarked on a “Pennies for Peace” campaign to broaden their cultural horizons and become members of a global family dedicated to peace. How can a penny bring peace? It doesn’t buy much in Carson City. But in the villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it can buy a pencil, start an education, and transform a life. In a region where terrorist organizations recruit uneducated, illiterate children, that pencil can empower a child to read, write, and learn. The Pennies for Peace program’s goal is to encourage children, who are ultimately our future leaders, to learn the value of philanthropy by collecting pennies for global peace. Children in more than 400 mountain villages in remote northern Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the waiting list, hoping to learn in a new school. Al Seeliger students were taught to understand their own capacity as philanthropists – one penny at a time with hopes to help build a bridge of peace and offer alternatives to the cycle of terrorism and war. To find out more about Al Seeliger’s Pennies for Peace campaign, please contact NSEA member Patrick Flynn at pflynn@carson.k12. nv.us, by calling 775-283-2200, or at Al Seeliger Elementary, 2800 South Saliman Drive, Carson City. ••

-R

NSEA presents a new section…NSEA-R. This section is written by retirees for retirees. Look for what NSEA-R has to say in every issue of Perspectives.

Preparing For the End of Life Recently, my life has been turned upside down by the death of my younger brother. At age fortyeight, his death was totally unexpected – for him and my entire family. In hindsight, my brother (and my family, too) was blind to the possibility that even at such a relatively young age, he might suffer a life-ending heart attack. I say this because my brother passed away without a legal will and without any instructions for end of life medical care. Looking back, maybe my brother thought he was going to live forever, or maybe he didn’t think planning for the future included preparing for death. Or maybe he avoided making these difficult decisions because he wasn’t mature enough to deal with all aspects of his life. In the end, without two fundamental documents – a living will to direct medical care and a will covering the disposition of his business and estate, my brother has left my family in turmoil - angry, lost, and confused. During periods of anger, I sometimes curse his name because he left us in an emotional swamp trying to navigate medical, legal, and personal issues on his behalf – all without a compass. For many this might not be an unusual tale. I don’t believe mine is the only family that never got around to talking about end of life issues. Preparing to die with dignity has never been a topic of conversation at dinnertime. We just never got around to a conversation about why it was important to have a will and what the legal consequences are for not having one. We never considered the possibility that a family member might become too sick to make their own medical decisions. It never occurred to us that without proper documentation the family did not have the legal authority to make medical decisions on behalf of an adult brother. The importance of each family member having a medical directive —a living will with instructions for medical intervention and end of life care—was never discussed at family gatherings. NEA has taken steps to help its members prepare for the complications of life and death. As part of its ongoing commitment to members, NEA-Retired is supporting a program called the Five Wishes living will. Five Wishes is an easy to use legal document that helps you and those closest to you plan the kind of care you want to receive if you ever become seriously ill. In a very real sense, there are many things in life that are out of our hands, but we can take control of how we want to be treated at the end of our lives. Five Wishes was written with the help of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging. It has been featured on CNN and the NBC’s Today Show and in the pages of Time

and Money magazines. Five Wishes is applicable in 41 states, including Nevada, and satisfies the legal requirements of NRS 449. Five Wishes gives an easy-to-understand guide for the kinds of decisions that are part of creating a living will. Many find that Five Wishes helps them to understand this complicated topic. Five Wishes will help you talk with family, friends and doctors about how you want to be treated if you become seriously ill. After a discussion of the Five Wishes, family members will not have to make the hard end of life choices without knowing your thoughts and feelings. Five Wishes can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones truly understand what you want. The Five Wishes document includes: Wish #1 – “The person I want to make health care decisions for me when I can’t make them for myself.” This requires you to choose someone who knows you very well, cares about you, and who can make difficult decisions. The idea is to choose someone who is able to stand up for you so that your wishes are followed. On your behalf, this person will be making choices regarding medical care or services like tests, medicine, or surgery. Wish #2 – “My wish for the kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want.” This requires you to decide how you want doctors to medically treat your pain and also, to what extent you want to be given life-supportive treatment—whether you want devices to help you breathe, take in food and water (tube feeding), or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This wish gives you the opportunity to spell out whether you want any or all procedures to keep you alive— including major surgery, dialysis, or medication. Deciding how to deal with being close to death or being in a coma or being permanently or severely brain damaged should not be made by anyone other than yourself or someone of your choosing. Wish #3 – “My wish for how comfortable I want to be.” Dealing with someone’s final hours, days or weeks is not easy. This wish gives you the opportunity to identify how you want to spend your end of life. Do you want to be relieved of pain even if it makes you drowsy or sleep more? Do you wish to have a cool moist cloth if you have fever or lips and mouth kept moist to stop dryness? Do you wish to have music played or have your hair and teeth brushed? Do you wish to have religious readings and well-loved poems read aloud? Do you wish to have hospice care for yourself and your loved ones?

Wish #4 – “My wish for how I want people to treat me.” Do you want someone to be with you when it seems death may come at any time? Do you wish to have your hand held and to be talked to, even when you can’t respond to voice or touch? Do you wish to have friends or members of your church be told you are sick and asked to pray for you? Do you wish to die at home, if that can be done? Wish #5 - “My wish for what I want my loved ones to know.” This involves deciding before your death whether you want your organs (eyes, skin, bones, muscles, and organs) donated immediately upon death. After you die, how do you want to be remembered and what kind of memorial service do you wish to have. Letting the family know whether you want to be buried or cremated and putting into words that you want others to remember what you were like before you became ill. This wish is the opportunity to express love for family and friends, as well as the chance to express forgiveness for the hurt you may have caused others or bestowing forgiveness on those who may have hurt you. And lastly, how you want your family to deal with unfinished family matters —asking family members to make peace with each other or the opportunity to seek personal growth and learn from your experiences. Forgive me if I have bored you with my family saga. I have done so because I believe that we as retirees owe it to ourselves and to our families to lead by example and to show that we can completely take charge of our lives. This is an opportunity for us to lead the way – to help all of the adult members of our family to begin putting together a legal will and end of life medical directive. We can help our families achieve the peace of mind that comes from clearly communicating our end of life instructions. The Five Wishes program will give you the tools to communicate with your physician, family members, and other loved ones. With all the evidence in front of us and a sense of our own mortality, we would be fooling ourselves if we didn’t talk about death and how we wanted to spend our final days. Let your local NSEA-R chapter know if you would like more information about the Five Wishes program and if you would like your association to conduct workshops to help you understand these important decisions. •• Warren Wish, NSEA-R President

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 17

18 | Perspectives | Mar./Apr. 2010

NSEA is concerned about the welfare of all of its members and of the students which you work with day in and day out. That is why we have created this section called “NSEA Health Watch.” We will be bringing you important information that can help you prepare for and deal with whatever health issues may be surfacing at your work place. This issue we take a look at WALRUS.

W ALRUS,

a Non-Profit Stress Reduction Program

Budget stress leads Nevada educators to affordable source of support — Earn 1.5 credits

As the current budget crashes down on Nevada’s education workers, many wonder how this will impact their lives. The weight of this worry can damage not just job performance but also personal relationships and health. “It has long been known that stress can cause all sorts of problems. That’s why we are offering a non-profit stress reduction program,” said psychologist Dr. Steven Hayes of the University of Nevada. “Education workers need help with stress now more than ever, and we want to support them.” Hayes and his team of graduate students are known nationally for their efforts to reduce stress in education settings. “There is a lot of pressure put on teachers already. I can’t imagine what it must be like now with the budget problems,” says Tami Jeffcoat, a former language-arts teacher who now works with Hayes. The program Hayes offers is an Internetguided self-help course called Working and Living Resiliently Under Stress—WALRUS for short. Two years ago Hayes and Jeffcoat tested a similar stress reduction program with more than 200 Washoe County educators, found some promising results. It is even possible that this kind of program can help prevent future problems from developing. Nearly 100 educators from across the state have enrolled in WALRUS, and the program is just getting started.

Are you on Facebook? So Are We!

“Our self-help approach really helped people in Washoe, and now we’re reaching out to education workers all over Nevada,” explained Hayes. That’s partly why he set WALRUS up as a correspondence course. “People can complete the work from their own homes, which is great for them since they’re busy already.” It costs $10 to enroll and the materials are included. In 2009, Hayes and his wife, UNR psychologist Jacque Pistorello, received a 5-year $3 million grant to teach coping skills to first time college freshmen in a normal classroom. WALRUS is in part an online in-service course for teachers (participants can earn 1.5 credits for certificate renewal). Recently, WALRUS expanded to include all education employees. This was in part due to the influence of Douglas Long, a newcomer to Hayes’s team. Long’s mother is a special education administrator, and his brother works as support staff. If you are interested in WALRUS for yourself or someone you know, contact Douglas Long for enrollment information by emailing unr.walrus@gmail.com, or leave a confidential message at 775‑682-9665. •• Contact: Douglas Long Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program Department of Psychology, MS 298 University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557-0062 Perspectives is published Sept. through June by the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA), 3511 East Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89121. NSEA is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA). Perspectives is mailed to all NSEA members as a benefit of membership.

Lynn Warne President

www.facebook.com Search: Nevada State Education Association

Terry L. Hickman Executive Director Claudia S. Briggs Editor/Director of Communications & Special Projects Maverick Creative Group Layout/Design

Mar./Apr. 2010 | Perspectives | 19

Calendar of Events March 2010 M 19-21

NEA Pacific Regional Conference, Reno, NV

CCEA Rep Council Meeting

WESP General Membership Meeting

NEVADA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 3511 E. Harmon Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89121

Paid

Las Vegas, NV Permit No. 1139

29-Apr. 2 CCSD Spring Break 30

Passover Begins at Sunset on 3/29

Good Friday NSEA Offices Closed

Easter

WEA Board of Directors Meeting

WEA Rep Council Meeting

WESP Board of Directors Meeting

12-16

WCSD Spring Break

ESEA Board of Directors Meeting

CCEA Executive Board Meeting

ESEA Rep Council Meeting

Administrative Professionals Day

Earth Day

NSEA Board of Directors Meeting, Reno

UCN Board of Directors Meeting

24-25

NSEA Delegate Assembly, Reno

CCEA Rep Council Meeting

A April 2010

30-June 1 NEA Board of Directors Meeting

May 2010 M 2-8

Teacher Appreciation Week

WEA Board of Directors Meeting

National Teacher Day

WEA Rep Council Meeting

WESP Board of Directors Meeting

National Nurses Day

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day

ESEA Board of Directors Meeting

CCEA Executive Board Meeting

ESEA Rep Council Meeting

WEA Board of Directors Meeting

WESP General Membership Meeting

CCEA Rep Council Meeting

Memorial Day NSEA Offices Closed

PRSRT Std U.S. Postage