WEACinPrint October 2011

OCTOBER 2011

an NEA affiliate

weac.org

Evaluating educators and making schools accountable – the fair way N

3 things to watch for this fall Under the state’s new collective bargaining laws, local unions have the option to certify as the official bargaining agent for purposes of

ew evaluations of educators and students. Accountability measures for schools. Big

negotiating base wages. Remember

changes to No Child Left Behind. What’s happening? What can you expect?

that you can have a union even if you

As the state begins its move to seek a waiver from the NCLB law, evaluation is going

do not recertify. No legislator or piece

to be a key component. That’s why it is critical

of legislation can forbid you from

that educators have a voice in the process. With

being part of a union.

representation from WEAC the state has been

Relief from No Child Left Behind and

crafting a set of reform initiatives based on using

a new system of measuring education

multiple measures of evaluation, an important step

effectiveness will be a big discussion

to make sure that evaluation is done fairly (for more

point this fall. See pages 5 and 12 for

see page 5).

engaging parents and communities in what they

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That effort coincides with your union’s work

what this means to you and how you Educators and community members discuss school accountability.

See page 12 for more

want to see in education reform. Questions like

can get involved.

Is your teacher license current? WEAC provides member support to help you

“What makes a good teacher” and “How can we

stay current with your Professional

measure student success” were discussed in communities across the state to get at the real

Development Plans. Check your

issues of reform (for more see page 12).

license renewal stipulations and make

Educators are not for the status quo – we know that moving education forward means bringing our ideas to the table. Visit weac.org to get involved and add your voice!

sure you stay current. Contact your UniServ or WEAC for more information about PDP support.

inside WEAC members are Everyday Heroes

Get involved in your district: Use online tools to organize

Benefits of union membership: Learning new skills

Learn how Mukwonago’s Meg Graham helps educators engage families with dual-language skills.

Read tips from Monona Grove’s Jeremy Wallace on organizing your district through email and social media.

Make sure you stay current with your teaching credentials: Use these new Internet classes to boost your instruction.

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Page 7

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Meet an Everyday Hero

Meg Graham shares her skills with other educators – so they can better engage students and families How one WEAC member is Moving Education Forward:

She’d meet people and they’d become envious of her language skills. She’d talk to other teachers who would start thinking of what they could do with even just a bit of Spanish under their belts.

“People ask me what I do, I say I’m a Spanish teacher and they say, ‘Oh, I wish I could speak Spanish,’” Graham said. And that’s when it hit her: why can’t they?

Graham has spent a great deal of time investing in her language teaching skills but doctors, travelers, other teachers – anyone who engages others on a regular basis – could benefit from basic everyday Spanish. Often just enough to have a quick conversation.

‘I feel a lot more people should know Spanish. It helps you build a bond.’

So Graham – a WEAC member and Spanish teacher at Mukwonago High School – wrote a series of books (for sale at ahorahablo.com) focused on familiarizing yourself with just enough Spanish to interact with native speakers in occupational settings. She’s written acclaimed guides for those in the medical and education profession as well as those looking to travel.

One of the things Graham focuses on in spreading conversational Spanish is to help educators interact with students and their families.

Mary Bell, President Betsy Kippers, Vice President David Harswick, Secretary-Treasurer Dan Burkhalter, Executive Director Kim Haas, Communications Director Bill Hurley, Editor Matthew Call, Assistant Editor Laura DeVries, Graphic Design Specialist 2

Sometimes students become translators between their teachers and their Spanish-speaking parents, which can put them in awkward positions if the topic is student performance.

Volume 4 | Issue 1

Meg Graham Spanish teacher Mukwonago

“It’s much better if the teacher can call home and talk to parents,” Graham said.

Graham wrote her “¡Ahora Hablo! Educator Edition” to cover that situation – and others – and she also teaches a new online course for the WEA Academy (registration is open at weaacademy.org).

Graham designed her online course over a two-year research period and held a successful test run. In one component class participants recorded themselves speaking into their computer, using a website to send the audio file to Graham for review. One of the course’s participants, a physical education teacher, told Graham he used the lessons to have Spanish language speakers become leaders of the day in his gym class.

“I feel a lot more people should know Spanish,” Graham said. “It helps you build a bond.”

Did you

know?

Your union is a strong advocate for foreign language instruction, calling for funding to enhance language programs in our schools. Learn more and get involved at weac.org.

WEAC in Print (ISSN#1531-6831)

an NEA affiliate

<<

Meg Graham heard it a lot: “I wish I could speak Spanish.”

All materials in this periodical may be

is published by the Wisconsin Education

reproduced by members for distribution to

Association Council, an affiliate of the

students or by WEAC affiliate associations

National Education Association, as a service

for their own publications. WEAC dues

to members of its affiliates. WEAC in Print is

include $6.27 for a subscription to WEAC

published in October, December, January, March,

In Print. Periodical postage paid at

May and July. Copyrighted 2011 by WEAC, 33 Nob

Madison WI and additional mailing offices.

Hill Rd., PO Box 8003, Madison, WI, 53708-8003,

Postmaster: Send address corrections

608-276-7711 or 800-362-8034.

to WEAC In Print, P.O. Box 8003, Madison, WI, 53708

October 2011

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WEACinPrint

Get in the game with Kickoff Kids!

T

his year, Kickoff Kids is more than a visit to a college football field. It’s also a way to honor special students with a trip to the basketball parquet and the hockey ice – meaning you get to send a student to a Badgers hockey or basketball game.

Kickoff Kids, your union’s partnership with UW Athletics, entered its third year this fall. Special students again were nominated by WEAC members and picked to be on the turf at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison at Badgers home games.

“Community outreach is important for our members to engage families and get students excited about their education,” said WEAC Vice President Betsy Kippers, seen above with Fort Atkinson teacher Kari Johnson and Fort Atkinson

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October 2011

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Nominate a special student for fun activities at UW games

Fort Atkinson teacher Kari Johnson, left, and WEAC Vice President Betsy Kippers, right, stand on the field at Camp Randall Stadium with WEAC Kickoff Kid Moises Medina Lopez and his family.

fourth-grader Moises Medina Lopez, who were picked to attend the Badgers season opener against UNLV.

Nominations continue Moving past football this year, Kickoff Kids will also include UW basketball and hockey games. Students nominated by members can be selected to be a Junior Ball Kid at one of five basketball games at the Kohl Center. The Junior Ball Kids will sit under the basket and help out during the game. Students nominated by members can also be selected to be a Junior Stick Kid at one of five hockey games, helping out with practice shootaround.

For more information on the Kickoff Kids program and how to nominate a special student, visit weac.org/kickoffkids.

3

WEAC-PAC rebate requests WEAC members who wish to request a rebate of the portion of WEAC dues designated for political activity must do so between September 1 and October 30, or within 60 days of becoming a member.

The refundable Political Action Committee dues are $19.99 for fulltime teachers, $10 for half-time teachers and full-time education support professionals, and $5 for half-time ESP. Individual requests should be made in writing to WEAC President Mary Bell, P.O. Box 8003, Madison, WI 53708. To facilitate processing, please print your name as it appears on your membership form and include your membership ID. Only individual written request letters will be honored; email is not acceptable.

WEAC will issue rebates around November 30 and send a list of individuals receiving rebates to local presidents. Fair share fee payers automatically get a rebate and need not request it.

4

NEA RA delegate election begins WEAC is now initiating the election process for state delegates to the 2012 and 2013 NEA Representative Assemblies. Nomination forms for state delegates are due to the WEAC executive director’s office no later than December 1.

Nomination forms are available online at weac.org/ members, through your UniServ office, or through the executive director’s office by calling 800-3628034 ext. 219. The forms must be postmarked to the executive director’s office no later than December 1. Those postmarked after that date will not be accepted.

October 2011

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WEACinPrint

With the help of your union, Wisconsin seeks relief from No Child Left Behind W

ith educators at the table, Wisconsin is ready to roll out a method of measuring education effectiveness that is done fairly and uses multiple methods of evaluation for educators.

That effort will key the state’s application for relief under federal No Child Left Behind mandates – bringing meaningful education reform and much-needed aid to Wisconsin. In fact, Wisconsin will apply for NCLB relief “at the first possible moment,” State Superintendent Tony Evers said.

The White House has rolled out a program for states to apply and be granted more freedom under the NCLB law. New state education accountability policy currently under design will be used to augment and replace NCLB mandates.

“Wisconsin is really well-positioned to move this initiative forward,” Evers said.

The state’s Educator Effectiveness Design Team will soon present its findings to use multiple measures to evaluate educators and students. That team could wrap up its work in late October or early November.

WEAC is one of the participants on the 30-member Educator Effectiveness Design Team.

“We have said for a long time that evaluating educators has to be done in a fair and consistent manner while using multiple methods of evaluation, not just student test data,” WEAC President Mary Bell said. “WEAC’s participation on the Educator Effectiveness Design Team will make sure the state’s educators are heard when they advocate for the best way to improve the practice of everyone in our classrooms.”

While President Obama is seeking congressional action to reform NCLB, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said many of its components are “barriers” to reform. Duncan said states that apply for NCLB waivers must present new models of evaluation.

“We remain absolutely committed to accountability,” Duncan said.

For the latest on the Educator Effectiveness Design Team and NCLB relief, visit weac.org.

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October 2011

Did you

know?

Your union is engaging families and community members across the state to advocate for real accountability measures in our schools. See page 12 and visit weac.org to learn more.

Make the ‘Connection’ with the families of your students How can parents help their children learn to read? Why is art in the classroom important to a student’s self-esteem? What role do technical colleges have in helping graduates find jobs?

Wisconsin educators share their answers to these questions – and offer many more tips for student success – in the new parent magazine “Classroom Connections,” available now to help you connect with families of your students.

This magazine, published by your union, connects families to schools across the state with 16 pages of tips and ideas from WEAC members on a host of topics.

Make the connection with the families of your students by using the latest edition of “Classroom Connections,” your union’s annual publication to help parents and guardians of public school students engage with the educators teaching their children. To order copies, visit weac.org/parents.

5

Contracts and Negotiations

handbooks WHAT TO WATCH Handbook. In some place it’s becoming a dirty word now that some districts are forcing them on their employees, wiping away decades of successful collaboration.

In some districts prep time is being taken away, sick leave is being reduced, classroom assignments are being arbitrarily changed – all without the input of the educators who are being affected.

Here are some legally dubious clauses put into handbooks by school boards not working collaboratively with employees:

‘Employees-at-will’ Some handbook language appears to require teachers to sign a statement agreeing they are employees-at-will - who can be terminated at any time.

Requiring staff to work beyond the number of contracted work days without compensation Some districts are using handbooks to make teachers work

dattend other a to ed ir u q re re receive “ Staff who a meetings will ed ll ca y el v ti a eir ministr tion, above th a er n u m re l a ing such no addition ries, for attend la sa id a p y rl regula meetings.”

– Kaukauna Area School District handbook

outside of normal schedules without pay, mandating meetings or summer work beyond what was spelled out in previous contracts.

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request t be permitted to no ill w s ee oy pl e m E rgeries during th su ve ti ec el r fo e m leave ti ctor’s nless there is a do “u s th on m ol ho sc dation.” specific recommen – Freedom School District handbook

Family and Medical Leave Act Some districts are using new state laws to employ language that puts handbooks in direct conflict with state and federal leave acts.

Mandatory equalized paychecks Some districts are doing away with how educators want to be paid, for instance whether or not they want a 12-month payment arrangement. But state law says employees must be paid within 31 days of working, and that payment can be deferred “at the option of the employee.”

What can you do?

Be aware and be active. Join with your colleagues in your local association to speak out against school board actions that exclude educators. Public school employees deserve to have a say in their profession. Consider creating a network of educators in your district to join together and advocate for your interests (see the next page for tips from a WEAC member).

If you have any questions about your contract or your handbook, contact your local association representative or your UniServ director.

What’s happening in your district?

Did your school board implement a new handbook this year? What stands out to you? Send us a note at inprint@weac.org.

October 2011

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WEACinPrint

Member Organizing

YOU are the ace of

organizing

Jeremy Wallace, a WEAC member and teacher at Monona Grove High School, knows how building a network can reap results. In less than a year of organizing, Monona Grove educators used social media (Facebook, Twitter and email) to create one of the largest local union educator networks in the state – generating a high member participation rate for the summer recalls.

as Facebook or Twitter but it’s still a very effective way to communicate,” Wallace said.

Make it fun

Home emails are important (as opposed to work addresses) because of district policies across the state that limit what kind of discussion can take place on district emails.

“Email doesn’t seem as modern or flashy weac.org

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October 2011

Starting a Facebook page allowed Monona Grove educators to extend their discussion way past email. The page was made open for comments – a vital component, Wallace said, to foster conversation and allow people to ask

<<

The staff at Monona Grove shifted their focus from local bargaining to statewide rallies to recall elections. An emphasis was placed on making the connections a vibrant community, Wallace said. The group created Wallace has these tips to keeping your “gold” (current teachers) and “platinum” colleagues connected: (current teachers, support staff and retired teachers) lists for people Create an action team, collect home emails (determined by how involved or how much contact information they shared) to create a sense of ownership in the The Monona Grove Education Association efforts.

Action Team formed in the summer of 2010 and started collecting home emails during Create a social ‘hive’ a contentious bargaining period with its administration to keep members informed and involved.

“It only takes a few people really committed to their membership,” Wallace said.

Jeremy Wallace Social Studies teacher Monona Grove

questions. The group also uses a Google Group for more private conversations.

With help from staff at Capital Area UniServ-South and Madison’s John Holcomb of Outrigger3.com, the group had healthy Facebook activity before the rallies began in February – when the activity on the group’s Facebook page intensified to more than 12,000 hits in a single week.

Wallace and his colleague Kelly Sullivan also led social media training sessions over the summer to help other locals get better organized.

“We have all these bees in the hive, and now we have to teach them how to sting,” Wallace said.

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Professional Development

The benefits of union membership, online Your union is offering exciting new ways to keep up with professional development and licensing support. The WEA Academy is adding three new courses to its catalog: • N ational Board Preparation and Support will provide resources, mentoring, coaching, guidance and technical assistance to National Board Certification candidates. It incorporates

courses to actively engage learners, assessing their learning and

intellectual, logistical, emotional, and technical support.

individualizing instruction as needed.

• S panish for Educators will help teachers develop cultural understanding and a repertoire of communication skills to converse with ELL/Spanish-speaking only students and family members.

• P rofessional Development for Teaching Online Courses will provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting online courses including structuring and designing

Some courses offer credit, and some can be taken as a non-credit option to add value to your Professional Development Plan.

The WEA Academy, established in 1992 to provide low-cost professional development for members, provides online and faceto-face training programs, an online video library, and Educational Support Professional certificate programs. Visit weaacademy.org for more on these online programs and other professional development opportunities.

DPI moving to online licensing Your license renewal is going online.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is working through a threeyear American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant to build an online educator licensing system.

The Educator Licensing Online system will change the entire process for receiving an educator license in Wisconsin. As a result, there will be greater data integrity, a more cohesive and reliable structure within current data collections, easier-to-access data,

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and valued connections between the DPI, educators, institutions of higher education, districts, and professional organizations throughout Wisconsin.

The projected timeline for full implementation of the new system is as early as fall 2012 or at the latest June 2013, when the grant expires.

Among other functions to be handled electronically are payments, professional development plans, experience verification, and management of an online

educator profile by the educator. The system is expected to be easy to use and well integrated with existing data systems at the WDPI, including the Longitudinal Data System.

Visit dpi.wi.gov/elo/index.html for more information. And for an opportunity to be a part of the testing of the online program, visit weac.org/professionaldevelopment to sign up to add your input.

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WEACinPrint

Personal Finances

A new financial reality It’s a new school year. A fresh start. And, a whole new financial reality. Wisconsin public school employees are seeing the impact of Wisconsin Act 10 in their paychecks with deductions for pension contributions and health insurance premiums. What changes will you make to cover the added expenses? Will you put your 403(b) or IRA contributions on the chopping block? Think twice. It’s more important than ever to save for retirement.

“Under the circumstances, it may be tempting to stop or not start contributing to an IRA or 403(b),” says Michelle Slawny, CFP® and Senior Financial Planner for WEA Trust Member Benefits. She counters the “I can’t afford to save” argument with “You can’t afford NOT to save.” In fact, she suggests you should be looking for ways to increase your personal contributions. Yes, you will be contributing to WRS – an expense you may not have had before – but the amount going in for your retirement doesn’t change. The only change is that you may be picking up half of the contribution historically paid by your employer.

‘Anyone considering retirement before age 62 needs to make saving a priority.’

Your personal savings (403(b) and IRA) will still need to account for 22%-46% of your retirement income depending on your years of service. “Reduced employer-based retirement benefits effectively shift the responsibility to the employee. Members will need to rely more heavily on their personal savings. Anyone considering retirement before age 62 needs to make saving a priority to achieve their goal.”

How am I going to continue saving when my takehome pay has been cut?

Remember when you bought your first house or had your first baby? You may have wondered how you’re going to afford the monthly mortgage payment or pay for day care. But, somehow you figured it out. “Include contributions to retirement with your fixed expenses like your mortgage or utilities,” says Slawny. “Contributing to your 403(b) or IRA may not be as exciting as buying a new house or having a baby, but you will thank yourself when it’s time to retire.”

Slawny also points out that the new expenses associated with WRS and health insurance are pre-tax, so the impact may not be what you think it is. The example on right calculates the impact for someone making $48,000 a year. weac.org

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October 2011

Try it on. It just might fit.

Still not sure you can manage the 403(b) or IRA contribution? Test it out for a couple of months to see how you do.

If it doesn’t work, sit down with your budget (if you don’t have one, create one) and take a hard look at your discretionary spending. If you must, reduce your contribution but don’t stop saving.

“The positive side of learning to live on less now is that it prepares you to live on less in retirement,” notes Slawny.

Consider attending Basics of Budgeting and Saving, Finances 101, or other financial seminars offered by WEA Trust Member Benefits. Go to weabenefits.com/calendar for details.

Calculating your take-home pay, post Act 10 $48,000

Annual gross salary.

$2,784

Amount contributed annually to WRS (5.8%).

$1,440 Amount deducted annually for health insurance premium for family plan (Assuming the minimum of 12% of plan that costs $12,000 per year.) $43,776 Taxable annual income after deducting WRS and insurance. $4,224 Amount by which your annual taxable income is reduced. You will not pay taxes on this amount. $253

Wisconsin income tax reduction (6%) on the $4,224.

$507

Federal income tax reduction (12%) on the $4,224.

$760

Total income tax reduction ($253 + $507).

$3,464 Net reduction to take-home pay due to pre-tax WRS and health insurance contributions noted above. ($4,224 less $760.) $133 Net impact per paycheck. Your take-home pay will be reduced by this amount per paycheck. ($3,464 divided by 26 paychecks.)

This example is for illustrative purposes only. Your results may vary depending on your gross salary, the percentage of health insurance premiums you are required to pay as well as the actual premium for your plan.

9

WEA Trust expands coverage area in state plan

The new northwest service area includes: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Trempealeau, and Washburn counties.

The expanded eastern service area includes: Brown, Calumet, Columbia*, Dodge*, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson*, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marathon*, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage*, Racine, Rock*, Shawano, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood* counties.

VILAS WASHBURN

SAWYER

FLORENCE ONEIDA

PRICE

FOREST POLK

MARINETTE

RUSK

BARRON

LINCOLN LANGLADE

TAYLOR ST. CROIX

CHIPPEWA

MENOMINEE

DUNN

OCONTO

MARATHON EAU CLAIRE

DOOR

CLARK UN EE

PIERCE

SHAWANO

WAUPACA

WA

BROWN

KE

PORTAGE

WOOD

ALE

OUTAGAMIE

GREEN LAKE

AN

FOND DU LAC

DODGE

WAUKESHA

DANE JEFFERSON

IOWA

E

COLUMBIA

OZAUKE

SAUK

CRAWFORD

WAS HING TON

VERNON

RICHLAND

YG

O

EB

SH

AUKEE

JUNEAU

M AR QU ET TE

MONROE

CA LU ME T

WAUSHARA ADAMS

LA CROSSE

M AN IT O W O C

JACKSON WIN NE BA GO

BUFFALO

AU

PEPIN

MILW

If you know a friend or family member in one of the service areas (see map) who is covered by the State Health Plan, encourage them to consider switching to the Trust. Let them know what many of you have experienced – that there really is a Trust Difference. The state enrollment period for 2012 ends October 28.

ASHLAND

BURNETT

MPE

Continued success in the State Health Plan will be good for the Trust, good for school employees, and allow more public employees to experience the Trust’s quality service.

IRON

TRE

For 2012, in just the second year as an option for State Health Plan members, the Trust is more than doubling its coverage area – from 24 counties in 2011 to 49 counties in 2012. The Group Insurance Board recently named the Trust as a Tier 1 option (lowest employee cost) in 18 northwestern counties and 31 eastern counties.

Northwest (yellow) and East (green)

BAYFIELD

DOUGLAS

More than 2,000 state and public employees switched health plans in 2011 to the WEA Trust as part of the Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program (State Health Plan).

WEA Trust State Health Plan 2012 Service Areas

GRANT

RACINE LAFAYETTE

Did you

GREEN

ROCK

WALWORTH KENOSHA

know?

WEA Trust is not owned or operated by WEAC. It was created 40 years ago by WEAC to provide quality benefits and services to Wisconsin public school employees, and it is a separate legal entity.

To learn more, go to WeaTrustStateHealthPlan.com. *New for 2012

OUR PARTNERS Financial Planning Services.

For every stage of your life.

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Now sched u appointme ling nts for fall.

All investment advisory services are offered through WEA Financial Advisors, Inc.

Call 1-800-279-4030, Ext. 2753 weabenefits.com/fps 10

Strong Dependable Competitive We are proud to serve you.

800.279.4000 October 2011

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WEACinPrint

Take control of your personal finances

9. If you need life insurance, buy only term insurance. Don’t use life insurance as an investment vehicle. Choose a term policy with a specific ending date, far enough out to take care of kids’ college graduation or your retirement date or other significant milestones like a mortgage being paid off.

By Bob Moeller – WEAC Member Benefits

A fond farewell As our union downsizes following the punishing changes in Wisconsin law, the WEAC Member Benefits program will transition to WEA Trust Member Benefits and I will retire. In the last 10 years, I have met individually with more than 6,000 members and had more than 20,000 attend my seminars. I have loved every minute of it and thank you for your support and interest. I will miss all of you a lot.

Now to the business at hand: Many members will see take-home pay cuts this year, thanks to our new governor. But the rules of financial planning haven’t changed. So in this final article I want to briefly remind you yet again of the principles you should be following regarding your money. Managing your money does not have to be complicated.

1. Involve your spouse, and every year do a review of your finances, goals for the future, etc. You should frequently have casual discussions of your financial situation.

2. Subscribe to and read one good financial magazine every month like “Money,” “SmartMoney,” or Kiplinger’s “Personal Finance.”

3. Make sure you have completed wills and power of attorney forms.

4. Retirement investing should be done using 403(b) TSAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k) (spouse).

Concentrate on using inexpensive no-load index funds or target retirement date type funds.

10. Do not rely on advice from any financial advisor who does not have an enforceable fiduciary obligation. That means he/she must only suggest investments that are in your best interests. Get assurances of that in writing on letterhead.

5. Know your marginal tax bracket. If it is 15%, (line 43 of form 1040 is less than $34,500 single or $69,000 married), concentrate on Roth IRAs or Roth TSAs. Remember, Roth IRAs can serve as an emergency fund if necessary.

11. Know what current rates are before spending a lot of time trying to get the best rates.

Bankrate.com will give you a good idea of CD rates and mortgage rates available locally and nationally. Currently, all bank and brokerage house short-term rates (money market funds and savings accounts, etc.) are so low that It might just be easier to stay at your local friendly institution.

6. Make sure you have no high-cost credit balances like credit cards. Paying off debt is making an investment. Using savings to pay off a 4% car loan is usually preferable to earning .5% in the savings account.

7. Do not invest in any investment product (something that builds a cash value) from any life insurance company. The fees and penalties are too high. Universal life is not a good deal. Variable (stock market) life is not a good deal. Index annuities are not a good deal.

12. The most important indicator of your future financial success is not your genius at investing, but rather your ability to spend less.

Always consider any financial decision with the realization that this is YOUR money and YOUR future. Your decisions will affect your family and your retirement. Take your time and understand what you are doing before you do it.

8. Mortgage rates hit an all-time low in August 2011. Review your rates and check to see if you could save money by refinancing. Shop around for good rates, and especially for low closing costs. As of this date, I am seeing 15year rates in the area of 3.5% and 30-year rates around 4%.

I thank each of you for reading this column over the years and my very best wishes for your financial future!

This article is for informational purposes.

Visit the WEAC Savers’ Club at weac.org to save on Halloween costumes, treats and more.

Oh MY! There’s nothing scary about saving! Don’t let this year’s Halloween shopping spook you; just log on to your Association’s website and click the Access link to shop and save from places like:

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Education r e f o r m from those who know best

E

ducators, parents and others are speaking out on what they want from their public schools. After all, they are 33 Nob Hill Road, P.O. Box 8003 Madison, WI 53708-8003 800-362-8034 www.weac.org

in the best position to know what works for today’s students – and they’re behind a drive for real reform for Wisconsin’s schools.

The ABC’s of School Accountability featured community forums and listening sessions in schools to share ideas for education reform.

While WEAC opted not to sit down with the governor on his accountability task force, we instead took the conversation to local schools. These forums are a way to address what communities really want in their schools. To truly move education forward, everyone needs to be on the same page and to develop a set of principles that has students’ best interest at heart.

The results of the ABC’s of School Accountability forums will be published in a report and shared with elected officials. Visit weac.org for more on the forums and to share your ideas.

Congratulations! 4 educators selected as Teachers of the Year for new school year Four outstanding Wisconsin educators were selected as Teachers of the Year for the upcoming school year. The 2012 Teachers of the year are: • Marsha Herman, a kindergarten, first-grade, and learning disabilities

School in Burlington, Middle School Teacher of the Year.

• Bradley Markhardt, an agriculture education teacher at Black River Falls High School, High School Teacher of the Year.

• Kimberly Brown, a technology

teacher at Westside Elementary School in

integration specialist at Waubesa

Sun Prairie, Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Intermediate School in McFarland, Special

• Donna Sturdevant, a seventh-grade mathematics teacher at Karcher Middle

Services Teacher of the Year.

Visit weac.org/teachers for WEAC's new Teacher Resource Guide – with in-depth looks at license renewal, classroom management, and more.

Markhardt was selected to represent Wisconsin as the state’s representative to the national Teacher of the Year program.

Visit weac.org/news for more on each of the teachers.