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Home , Abel Herrero, Alma Allen (politician), Armando Walle, Borris Miles, Carol Alvarado, Ciro Rodriguez

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE • NEA OFFICERS VISIT • CAMPAIGN TO LOWER CLASS SIZE

Texas State Teachers Association/National Education Association Fall 2010

Bill White On politics, class size, salaries and accountability by high-stakes test

Think education before you vote Our recommendations for the November election Editorial Table of Contents Why TSTA gets involved in politics Advocate Vol. 30, No. 1 Fall 2010

The political process determines the quality of our schools, the size of your classes, TSTA Advocate is an official quarterly publication of the Texas State Teachers the resources you have as an educator, your salary and benefits and the quality of the Association, affiliate of the National Educa- tion Association. curriculum you are required to teach. By Rita Haecker, TSTA President How to Contact Us: Call (877) ASK-TSTA, visit www.tsta.org, or write to TSTA, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Please send address changes to the As you have noticed, this issue of the cluding your duty-free lunch. At the cluding educators’ working conditions attention of Membership Records or [email protected]. Advocate features a photo of Democra- local level, we have succeeded in elect- and, in many cases, their jobs. 10 14 16 tic gubernatorial nominee Bill White on ing friends of education to school Advertising: If you would like to advertise, contact us at (512) 476-5355, ext. 1257. the cover. TSTA is supporting White for boards and have helped win passage of Already some legislators are talking about repealing the 22-1 class size limit TSTA makes no representations regarding governor because he—the son of two bond elections for construction of advertised products or services that are not public school teachers and a former, much-needed, new schools. for K-4, and the idea of tying teacher FEATURES endorsed. successful mayor of —is the pay to a failed accountability system Postmaster: Send address changes to We are bipartisan. Our membership in- won’t go away. 10 Investing in people, not politics TSTA Membership Records, 316 West best choice for the future of our public 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. schools, educators and school kids. cludes Democrats, Republicans and in- TSTA’s Clay Robison caught up with Bill White, our recommended candidate for governor, at a TSTA believes Bill White, as governor, PRESIDENT recent town hall meeting in College Station. White says public education and higher education will put public education front and Rita Haecker Why, some of you may ask, does TSTA will be his top priorities when the legislature convenes in January. get involved in politics? center, will aggressively attack Texas’ VICE PRESIDENT high dropout rate, craft a meaningful Jason Hillman TSTA is involved in politics because the 14 Summer school for leaders accountability system and strengthen EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR political process determines the quality the school finance system. And, he will TSTA’s Leadership Institute was five days of extensive training for beginning and experienced E.C. Walker of our schools, the size of your classes, leaders and a pep talk from NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle. listen to what educators have to say. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE the resources you have as an educator, DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS your salary and benefits and the quality For a list of TSTA’s other endorsements, Richard Kouri of the curriculum you are required to Democrats and Republicans alike, in cri- EDITOR teach. All these decisions—from tax tical State Board of Education, Texas COLUMNS Debbie Mohondro levels to textbook selection—are made House, and Congressional PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST by elected officials, including the gover- races, go to the Members Only section 4 Upfront Clay Robison nor, the Legislature, the State Board of of our website, www.tsta.org, or turn to TSTA-PAC’s recommendations for the November election, our class size campaign, results of a PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN Education and local school boards. page 8 of this issue. new “Moonlighting” survey, budget planning for the upcoming conventions, and more. Susan Martin And, it is imperative that educators be Support the candidates we have en- ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER actively involved in their elections. 16 Acting locally Leann Kloesel dorsed. Volunteer in their campaigns if The very existence of TSTA is because you have time, and contribute to TSTA An NEA officer is invited to address Socorro’s convocation; locals recruit members; a TSTA ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Claire Moore of politics. Our organization was cre- dependents, and we support both PAC. It takes money to run a political member starts an NEA caucus for young educators; kudos to five members, including one who is a Texas Teacher of the Year contender; plus news from the student and retired groups. ated in 1880 to convince the governor Democratic and Republican candidates. campaign, and many of our candidates SECRETARY/ADVERTISING and the Legislature to establish a first- In any race, we base our choice on a will have opponents well-funded by Vacant class, state-supported university. That candidate’s commitment to public edu- voucher advocates and others who 22 In the classroom Copyright 2010 by first campaign was a success, resulting cation and educators. would weaken public education. Many psychologists who study learning believe in a U-shaped pattern of learning. in the creation of the University of This year’s general election on Nov. 2 is Texas at Austin. If you haven’t already registered to vote, 24 Coming up the most critical for educators in many please do so by Oct. 4, the registration TSTA offers several awards to recognize individuals and organizations that either work in public TSTA has been involved in many politi- years. With the Legislature anticipating deadline. And, please vote, either dur- education or work to support it. cal campaigns—and more than a few an $18 billion revenue shortfall in Jan- ing the early voting period, Oct. 18-29, fights—since then. The strength of our uary and many school districts already or on Election Day, Nov. 2. numbers has been instrumental in win- struggling with budgetary problems— 26 Governance TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ning legislative approval of pay raises thanks to an under-funded school fi- Make a difference! You owe it to your- Delegate election information for the NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago and the TSTA 316 West 12th St., Austin, Texas 78701 and improved working conditions, in- nance system—much is on the line, in- self and your profession. House of Delegates in El Paso. www.tsta.org • (877) ASK-TSTA

2 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 3 Upfront 10 things you should know

NOMINATE OR APPLY FOR A 6C.L.E.A.N. AWARD Custodian members can apply or be nominated for a C.L.E.A.N. Award to recog- nize their contributions to public health in their schools, communities and profession. The deadline is Dec. 1. Winners get a cash award and an all-expense- paid trip to the National ESP Conference. Five awards (one top recipient and four run- ners-up) will be presented at the NEA National ESP BILL WHITE IS OUR CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR Conference in Washington, Read his thoughts on teacher salaries, class size, high-stakes testing and more on pages 10-13 of this issue. We think you’ll ALL THREE OF NEA’S OFFICERS WERE IN TEXAS THIS SUMMER D.C., March 11-13, 2011. 1like the way the former Houston mayor thinks. Having two parents who were teachers—and a son who’s now teaching— And you can read what they had to say on pages 7 (President Dennis Van Roekel), 14 www.neahin.org/cleanaward/ probably didn’t hurt. Find out how you can help elect him at www.billwhitefortexas.com. 5(Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle) and 16 (Vice President Lily Eskelsen). apply2011

SIGN ON TO TSTA'S CAMPAIGN TO LOWER CLASS SIZES! Enou gh is en tive a ough! It is tim ction fo e r: to stop • 2 increasin 2-1 class siz g class size SIGN TSTA’S CLASS SIZE • 2 e lim s an LEADERS IN ACTION TIMES ARE TOUGH 5-1 cla its in p d hea ss size lim re-K th d in the • 15-1 cla its in G rough 6 right d ss size rades 7 th Grad irection low-pe limits fo -12 e. . We d rformin r all lo emand g w-perfo legisla- The L rming egislatu campu than re also ses or c BUT THAT’S JUST THE TOP OF THE LIST two c must red ampuses in onse u cutive ce a sch danger o years an ool district's a f beco d must fu b ming Print N lly fu ility to ge PETITION ame ___ nd th t cla ese ss siz ______chan e w Energized by the Find out how NEA ____ ges w aivers fo H ______ith state r m ome A ______reve ore ddress______nue. ______Signature ______Cam pus______Phon______“School districts are cut- ______Print N ______ame ______Sige______Hom______If some legislators have their way Home Address______e Em ____ Leadership Institute can help you save ail ______Campus______Phon nature ______3 ______8 9 Print N ______ting budgets and educator ame ______Sige______Ho ______Home Ad dress______me Em ail ______in the next legislative session, you may ______Campus______nature _____ this summer, members have money, from dental and vi- 2 ______Pho ______Print Nam ne______Hom______e ______jobs to compensate for inade- ______Home Address______e Em ______Signatu ail ______find yourself crowded out of your class- Campus______re ______been asking their fellow em- sion insurance, to credit ______Phone______H Print Nam e ______Hom e Address______om quate state funding; and some e Email ______Signature ______Campus______Phone______

______room. Turn the page to see TSTA’s plan ____ Print Nam ______ployees to join TSTA/NEA and cards and mortgages, to e ______Home A ______Signature ______H ddress____ ome Em ___ 4 TSTA Advocate ______ail ______legislators will try again next year Cam pus______Phone______H Print N ______for lowering class size in 2011, then ame ______H increase their ability to make NEA’s popular online dis- o ______Signature _ me Address______om e Email ______Cam pus______to change the important 22:1 class ______P

hone______H print out and circulate the petition at om ______e Em ail ______improvements in education count program, Click & size limit in grades K-4,” TSTA ______NEA SPEAKS UP FOR EDUCATION AND KIDS… www.tsta.org/news/current/classsize-petition.pdf. at every level. Check out the Save. www.neamb.com/ President Rita Haecker warned And wins! By the hundreds of thousands, NEA mem- photos on pages 18-19. home/moneyBenefits.htm participants at the summer TSTA 7bers, coalition partners, parents, activists and gover- Leadership Institute. “The bud- TEACHER MOONLIGHTING JUMPS nors called, emailed and lobbied Congress, demanding they getary crisis will likely deepen in the face of a huge rev- FROM 28 TO 40 PERCENT do right by the nation’s students and save 161,000 educators’ FAMILIAR VOICE ON enue shortfall anticipated for the 2011 legislative session. 4Four of 10 Texas teachers moonlight during the school jobs threatened by budget cuts. THE RADIO? The attacks are increasing every day and unless significant year to make ends meet, according to a new survey by Sam 10 TSTA President Rita Haecker changes are made on election day, they will get worse.” Houston State University commissioned by TSTA. It’s the Congress listened and authorized $10 billion in emergency recorded two public service announcements highest percentage since TSTA first started sponsoring the bi- while at the NEA Annual Meeting in New TSTA-Political Action Committee has reviewed the posi- funds for the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, Orleans this summer. tions and records of candidates for representative, senator, ennial survey, “Texas Teachers, Moonlighting and Morale,” 30 legislation that rushed money to the states to keep teachers Congress and the State Board of Education. Find out who years ago, and a significant jump from 28 percent in 2008. and support professionals working. Onward to the Elemen- • Learning to Study: http://bit.ly/bRqPkF your friends are on page 8. And in the summer, 56 percent of teachers take extra jobs. tary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. • Helping Your Child Stay Organized: http://bit.ly/9ykyYW www.tsta.org/Pressroom/current/Moonlight_release_data.pdf www.educationvotes.nea.org

4 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 5 Upfront

READING: IT’S NOT JUST delegate to either conven- portation between the air- whose current version is also ON MARCH 2 tion should start planning port and hotel averages $40- known as the No Child Left Is your classroom crowded? What’s new with NEA’s Read now for the travel costs. De- $50. Behind Act. Across America, the year- tailed information will ap- Van Roekel was on a week- Join TSTA’s campaign to lower class size in the 2011 legislative session. long celebration of reading pear in the winter and NEA RESOLUTIONS long, back-to-school tour to that culminates on March 2, spring issues of the Advo- COMMITTEE RESULTS Dr. Seuss’s birthday? energize school staff and cate, but here is a preview of At NEA’s annual meeting in We want 22-1 class size lim- what to expect. spotlight public school in- July, the Texas Caucus its in pre-kindergarten NEA has a new partnership novation, service learning, elected Winifred Jackson of through sixth grade, 25-1 with Scholastic this year, in TSTA’s 2011 State House of partnerships, and teacher- class size limits in grades 7- addition to its ongoing part- Delegates will be April 15- Longview and reelected Gor- and union-led school trans- 12, and 15-1 class size limits nerships with Seuss Enter- 16, 2011, in El Paso, Texas. don Gauthier of Deer Park formation efforts. for all low-performing cam- prises and Random House The Camino Real is the offi- and George Cordova of El puses and campuses in dan- around Read Across America cial convention hotel. The Paso (Socorro) to the NEA “Austin’s educators had a lot ger of becoming low per- Day. Watch for updates and nightly room rate for mem- Resolutions Committee, to say and their passion for forming. new partnerships to be an- bers in the TSTA room block which prepares and presents their profession and their nounced on the website, is a flat $91, plus taxes (cur- to the Representative Assem- students was evident. They We want the Legislature to www.nea.org/readacross. rently 15.5%) and added bly resolutions that are pro- know each and every one of reduce a district’s ability to porterage fees. The hotel of- posed for adoption. their students deserve a secure class size waivers for You can start to plan your fers complimentary shuttle great public school,” Van more than two consecutive event with the resources that from the airport. Parking is Roekel said at the week’s years. And we want them to are online now. Blogs and TEXAS WELCOMES $6/day based on space avail- end. “I’ve travelled to several fully fund all these changes the enewsletter should be up NEA PRESIDENT ability. The hotel is within states this week and talked with state revenue. and running shortly. In August, TSTA welcomed blocks of the El Paso con- to many educators and com- NEA President Dennis Van vention center, where the Quality education improves Two things you should munity members around the House of Delegates and Roekel to Texas for a first- our children’s education, know: country, and they all have TSTA elections will take hand look at some of the ac- lowers dropout rates and the same focus - their stu- complishments and chal- strengthens our state. We • If you read a book online place. dents. We need to provide lenges of Texas educators. know lowering class sizes at www.wegivebooks.org, the tools and resources that The NEA Representative As- His agenda included school works. the Pearson Foundation educators, parents, schools sembly will be July 2-5, will automatically donate a visits in and a and communities need to 2011, in Chicago, Illinois. • It increases graduation book to NEA’s Books town hall meeting with ensure all students succeed.” The first Texas Caucus meet- rates. Across America. TSTA President Rita Haecker ing will be on June 30. The at Paredes Middle School in Van Roekel and Haecker also Texas delegation hotel is the • It improves test scores. • Another NEA partner is Austin. They were joined by met with the Austin Ameri- Embassy Suites Lakefront. United Through Reading, Paredes Principal Raul can Statesman’s editorial • It improves learning www.unitedthroughread- The nightly room rate is Moreno, campus leader board and with a reporter conditions. ing.org; deployed parents $199 single/double occu- Trasell Underwood, local ed- from the Morning read a book and it’s pancy, $230 triple occu- • It’s especially important for ucators, parents and mem- News. recorded on a DVD and pancy, or $260 quadruple low-income families. bers of the Austin Interfaith sent to their child. occupancy, plus taxes (cur- GET MORE community group. • It improves teacher work- rently 15.4%). Valet parking Photos of Van Roekel’s tour: BUDGET PLANNING FOR with in-out privileges is http://www.flickr.com/pho- ing conditions. Van Roekel discussed educa- STATE AND NATIONAL $49/day. Self parking is tos/neapr/sets/72157624632 tion funding, the recently- Your local association will CONVENTIONS $41/day without in-out priv- 013893 be asking you to sign a TSTA local affiliates annually ileges. This all-suite prop- enacted education jobs bill, petition; extra copies can elect members to be dele- erty is conveniently located teacher salaries and the up- Photos of the Texas stops: be downloaded from gates to the TSTA and the to a variety of shopping, coming reauthorization of http://www.flickr.com/pho- www.tsta.org/news/current/ NEA conventions. Members dining, and entertainment the Elementary and Sec- tos/tstapublicaffairs/sets/721 classsize-petition.pdf. interested in becoming a venues. Round-trip trans- ondary Education Act, 57624718650973

6 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 7 THINK EDUCATION RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES BEFORE YOU VOTE In just a few short weeks, Congress HD 19 Mike Hamilton HD 93 Paula Pierson you can make a difference— CD 9 HD 21 Allan Ritter HD 94 Diane Patrick but only if you go to the CD 15 Ruben Hinojosa HD 22 HD 95 polls and vote. Who gets CD 16 HD 23 Craig Eiland HD 96 Chris Turner elected does make a differ- CD 17 HD 27 Ron Reynolds HD 97 Mark Shelton ence for the public schools CD 18 HD 28 HD 98 Vicki Truitt and for educators. CD 20 Charles Gonzalez HD 31 HD 99 Here is a list of candidates, CD 23 HD 33 Solomon Ortiz Jr. HD 100 Eric Johnson including Democratic nomi- CD 25 HD 34 HD 101 Robert Miklos nee Bill White in the gover- CD 27 Solomon Ortiz HD 35 Yvonne Gonzalez HD 102 Carol Kent nor’s race, who TSTA be- Toureilles CD 28 HD 103 lieves have the best interests HD 36 Sergio Muñoz Jr. of school kids, their teachers CD 29 HD 104 Robert Alonzo HD 37 Rene Oliveira and everyone else involved CD 30 HD 105 Loretta Haldenwang HD 38 Eddie Lucio III in their educational experi- HD 106 Kirk England HD 39 Mando Martinez ence at heart. Statewide HD 107 Allen Vaught HD 40 Aaron Pena Governor Bill White HD 109 Helen Giddings If you still need to register to HD 41 Veronica Gonzales vote, please do so by the HD 110 Barbara Mallory HD 42 Richard Raymond Caraway Oct. 4 deadline. State Board of Education SBOE 1 Rene Nunez HD 43 Jose Lozano HD 111 It costs lots of money to run SBOE 3 Mike Soto HD 44 Edmund Kuempel HD 114 John Wellik successful political cam- SBOE 4 Lawrence Allen Jr. HD 45 Patrick Rose HD 116 paigns, and many of our HD 46 Dawnna Dukes HD 117 David Leibowitz candidates are facing oppo- SBOE 5 Rebecca Bell-Metereau HD 47 Valinda Bolton HD 118 Joe Farias nents well-funded by SBOE 9 Thomas Ratliff voucher advocates and oth- SBOE 10 Judy Jennings HD 48 HD 119 Roland Gutierrez ers who would undermine SBOE 15 Bob Craig HD 49 Elliott Naishtat HD 120 Ruth Jones McClendon public schools. So, please HD 50 Mark Strama HD 123 Mike Villarreal consider contributing to Texas Senate HD 51 Eddie Rodriguez HD 124 National Board Certification TSTA PAC. Your money will SD 01 Kevin Eltife HD 52 Diana Maldonado HD 125 Joaquin Castro UÊ Strengthens practice. be put to good use, fighting SD 13 HD 54 Jimmie Don Aycock HD 127 for candidates who support UÊ Helps students succeed. our cause. TSTA is develop- SD 14 Kirk Watson HD 56 John Mabry HD 131 ing an online way to make SD 15 HD 57 Jim Dunnam HD 133 Kristi Thibaut UÊ Demonstrates leadership skills. PAC contributions using SD 19 HD 60 Jim Keffer HD 134 Ellen Cohen UÊ Helps expand influence and expertise. your credit card. Check SD 29 Jose Rodriguez HD 71 Susan King HD 137 Scott Hochberg www.tsta.org for updates. HD 72 HD 138 Kendra Camarena UÊ Advances careers.

If you can spare a couple of Texas House HD 73 Doug Miller HD 139 Sylvester Turner UÊ Can provide portability and higher salary. hours, volunteer to help our HD 1 Stephen Frost HD 74 HD 140 UÊ Can contribute to CEUs and graduate credits. candidates. Put bumper HD 3 Mark Homer HD 75 Chente Quintanilla HD 141 stickers on your car. Knock HD 4 Lance Gooden HD 76 Naomi Gonzalez HD 142 Harold Dutton Jr. UÊ Is eligible for federal funds. on doors, make phone calls, HD 5 Bryan Hughes HD 77 Marisa Marquez HD 143 remind friends and neigh- Invest in yourself — Start your National Board Certification journey today. HD 8 Byron Cook HD 78 HD 144 Rick Molina bors how important this election is to you and them. HD 10 Jim Pitts HD 79 Joe Pickett HD 145 HD 11 Chuck Hopson HD 80 HD 146 Scholarships are available! You can vote early Oct. HD 12 Jim McReynolds HD 85 Joe Heflin HD 147 18-29 or wait and vote on HD 15 Rob Eissler HD 90 Lon Burnam HD 148 Jessica Farrar Election Day, Nov. 2. But, HD 16 HD 92 Todd Smith HD 149 For more information visit www.nbpts.org or call 1-800-22TEACH please, vote.

8 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 9 Bill White for Texas Investing in people, not politics

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White, in a recent interview with the Advocate, said that, if elected, he will make education funding a top priority next year as legislators wrestle with an anticipated $18 billion revenue shortfall. He also called the existing accountability system for the public schools a “joke” and said the State Board of Education’s interjection of politics into the school curriculum has hurt the Texas economy. White, the former mayor of Houston and son of two public school teachers, has been endorsed by TSTA. By Clay Robison

Both of your parents were public school January. Writing a new state budget will be Qteachers. Please tell us a little bit about them. tough. Will education be a priority?

They worked hard. My dad had to have an I will try to give a priority to education and Aextra job, and my mom did for quite a bit, Apublic safety. We can spell out what that just to make ends meet and save money for col- means. It means that there are other parts of the lege for their kids. You don’t go into public edu- social safety net that need to be mended, but cation to get rich, but a lot of people do want to they cannot be the first priority. We have to take have a better future for their kids. those things that have the greatest long-range impact on the state. So, that means that we need Every two years, TSTA commissions a survey to invest in people because ultimately, so long as Qon teacher moonlighting and morale. This we continue to lag behind the national average year’s survey indicated that about 40 percent of on per capita income, the average amount that Texas’ teachers took extra jobs during the past Texans make, there will be less opportunity for school year to make ends meet. This was the everybody. There are (other) places we need to highest percentage since TSTA started the survey bring this state up, TYC, MHMR. A lot of im- 30 years ago. provements could be made (in those agencies) just by better management. But higher educa- We do need to compensate people as profes- tion, public education—that would be the top sionals, where they can make teaching a ca- A priority. reer, and they can raise a family on it. I can’t tell you the first day that I’m in the job of governor Maintaining the 22-1 student-teacher ratio in I’m going to be able to solve all the problems. Qkindergarten through 4th grade is an impor- But I do know we need to make teaching some- tant priority for TSTA members. Will you fight thing that can be a career. We may be at risk of to keep that class size limit? losing that right now. Our goal should be to maintain or lower cur- Texas faces a projected $18 billion revenue Arent student-teacher ratios. I will seek coun- Qshortfall when the Legislature convenes in sel from front-line educators, administrators,

Fall 2010 11 school boards and members of the Leg- tional education in our state. Nobody we had tests every week, and I had six- the most important job at any place, at I think the cause of the spike (in tu- tion—for the future of our state—that islature on how to retain and attract should be assigned to a feeder pattern week exams and semester exams. any time. He wanted to make a difference. Aition) was actually state support that it be more affordable. great educators while dealing with Rick that’s vocational only. People have dif- was not increasing as fast as the cost of Perry’s $18 billion budget hole. ferent talents, and the market requires So, there’s a role for tests in an ac- What kind of person would you providing higher education. So the soon will make up a ma- different skills. We’re falling behind and Qcountability system, but not just Qappoint to chair the State Board of symptoms of that are higher tuition Qjority of Texas residents. What are How would you attack the revenue being content to import people with strictly tests? Education? rates. But I don’t think we can afford your views on bilingual education? Qshortfall? skills, hourly craftsmen, rather than another 92 percent increase in tuition train Texans, and that’s wrong. Those Not just one test, and certainly not I would appoint somebody as chair for the four-year schools. Now more than ever, now more When all is said and done, remem- are some of the things. And this whole Aa multiple-choice test. Awho could build consensus and Athan ever, English is the language of Aber that this deficit is caused by, in idea of accountability, that people are focus on those things that are critical in Would you consider increasing the the economy and international com- part, cost escalations, which are built held accountable based on a high- Obviously, the school finance preparing Texans to compete for good Qamount of student financial aid? merce. It’s the language of the Internet, in and which haven’t been tackled in stakes, multiple-choice test every year— Qsystem still is broken. How would jobs. How we can have more open and it is very important for young peo- There’s an existing program, Texas years. And in the city of Houston, I if it weren’t real life, it would be a joke. you fix it? source materials, for example, as op- ple from all backgrounds to get English tackled them—employee medical, em- posed to the highly expensive textbook AGrants, which is not fully funded. I language proficiency as soon as they ployee pensions, headcount of employ- Can we have any confidence in the First, we need to provide a mini- system that we have now. can’t tell you where we’re going to be can. We ought to evaluate programs to ees, increasing the productivity of em- Qcurrent accountability system? Amum level of adequate funding so able to fill that hole. I know of a social make sure that they are successful at Earlier this year, you asked the State ployees, vendor contracts. A lot of that somebody’s horizons aren’t limited science teacher in the Cy Fair district. reaching a level of English language Board of Education to delay a final vendor contracts have cost escalators, No. I mean, the school accountabil- by their zip code or which side of the Q She and her husband both make in the proficiency. I’ve always felt that, as vote on the new social studies curriculum and they need to be stripped out of Aity system itself is not accountable. school district line they happen to be low 40s. Her dad was a refinery worker somebody who’s learning Spanish as a standards. Did you disapprove of the those contracts wherever we can. We located on. We want to allow some second language, that it’s helped me way the board conducted that process? need to renegotiate those contracts. This whole idea of parents to have the freedom and flexi- It hurts Texans when I’ve had people who did know That’s a tough and painful process for a bility by expending more effort to be some English who were teaching me. Yes. It hurt Texas. It disrespected lot of people, but I think we need to do able to supplement and enhance the Others have said that’s true, that some- accountability, that people Aeducators. (It hurt) those of us who for Texas to be a state that in the state of Texas. education of their children through have worked hard to attract businesses body who’s bilingual is a better teacher public schools. That does require some are held accountable to this state and have fought the where you have elected than somebody who’s only teaching in What do you see as the most impor- balance, and finding the right balance image—which I have always consid- the language that somebody else is tant issue facing public education? based on a high-stakes, is something that is not always easy. officials debating the Q ered an unfair stereotype—of Texas as learning. But it’s important that people But we’ll work with stakeholders to a parochial place. It hurts us when not be in perpetual bilingual programs There’s not one single most impor- multiple-choice test every find what that right balance is and then causes of the Civil War people interject politics in this century where they do not have a mastery of Atant (thing), but it generally is hav- correct those things that everybody into the public classrooms of our state. English. ing a higher priority for public educa- year—if it weren’t real and taking a vote on it. agrees make no sense. It hurts job growth, it hurts business tion among the citizens, state Besides your parents, are there any life, it would be a joke. development, it hurts our ability to at- It’s ridiculous. government and local government in You talk about a mix of state and special teachers you remember from tract new jobs. I don’t care what your Q our state. There’s nothing more impor- local taxes. Do you have in mind your public school days? Q ideology is. I mean, you can be any- tant we can do to prepare for the future The people at the top don’t want to how much that state base should be? in Pasadena. He was able to send her where from a or Goldwater than prepare our citizens to compete hold themselves accountable. They want and her two sisters to Texas A&M Uni- I hate to pick one, but I would tell Republican to a McGovern, liberal De- for good jobs in a growing economy. to hold the classroom teacher account- No, I don’t. But I do know that versity without bankrupting the family. you that when I was in high school mocrat, it hurts Texans for Texas to be A There’s nothing more important, and able, but they don’t want to hold them- there are school districts right now, Now, she makes a lot more money than there were some teachers who let me A a state where you have elected officials yet we seem content to stand still and selves accountable, and it’s terrible. such as the one that my son has begun her dad—she and her husband. They explore. That knew that I liked to debating the causes of the Civil War take some steps backward. We need to teaching in, North Forest School Dis- have three kids. They’re good students. read—in history and English especially. and taking a vote on it. It’s ridiculous. start early to compete with other coun- What would you put into an account- trict in Houston, where extracurricular They could get into Texas A&M, but They allowed me to read and then re- ability system besides test scores? they can’t afford to send them there. tries. I wouldn’t have vetoed the early Q activities get shorted, where facilities Even during a budget crunch, some port back to the class on something that They can afford to send only one, and childhood education (bill) that he don’t have funding to operate. people still would like to promote was not part of the standardized cur- You ought to start with your goal. Q they’ve got to choose which one. Peo- (Gov. ) vetoed (and) that was tax-paid vouchers for private school tu- riculum. I appreciated it. They Your goal is to create people who ple are making more income than their bipartisan in nature. We need to cut A Does your son plan to make teach- ition. Should we be spending tax were teachers for whom there was no are self-sufficient. What are people parents because they were able to go the dropout rate, not by giving Qing a career? money for vouchers? one-size-fits-all. But probably the speeches on cutting the dropout rate, doing two years after they get out of to good schools that their parents biggest influence as a teacher was my but by having after-school programs high school? Are they continuing their I don’t know how long he’ll be at it, No. Right now, we need to weren’t able to go to, but now they mom. She sat down and diagrammed and summer school to bring more peo- education? Are they in an apprentice- Abut he’ll be in it for a while. He is Astrengthen the education that’s can’t afford to send their kids to those sentences with me, and still, to this day, ple up to grade level. We (need to) bet- ship program? Do they have a job? If teaching middle school science at a dis- available to all the comers. same schools. Something is wrong I can diagram a sentence. ter integrate work into the school envi- so, how much money do they make? I trict charter school. I’m proud of him. with that picture. I’m not saying there’s ronment, so a person doesn’t have to do believe there ought to be ways to He’s a brand new teacher, but he did tell What would you do about the ris- one solution. But certainly tuition is GET MORE choose between work and schooling. measure student improvement. That’s me when he made the decision that he Qing cost of college tuition? Should no longer affordable for so many Texas Photos, videos, news and links: We need to revive technical and voca- nothing new. When I went to school, had heard me talk many times that it was we change the tuition deregulation law? families. It’s critical to higher educa- www.tsta.org/news/current/billwhite.shtml

12 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 13 TSTA Leadership Institute

Summer school for leaders Leadership is the intersection between opportunity and preparedness, NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle says. If you attended TSTA’s July Leadership Institute, you have the second half covered.

In the intensive five-day program, July when they need that powerful force be- 21-25 at the Omni Southpark Austin hind them…they turn to you. Hotel, there were courses on every as- pect of leadership and for every level of “Don’t allow political pundits or public leader—emerging leaders and experi- school detractors or naysayers to sway enced leaders, new presidents and you from your ultimate goal of ensuring members still in college. all children—not some of them but all of them—have the quality education they “We are a family,” TSTA President Rita deserve. Don’t allow them to take you Haecker said. “As a family we rejoice in “You have come here in the middle of a from your path of association leadership, each other’s successes and we honor hot summer for one reason: because you fighting for the rights of your members. where we’ve been and we look to where have made a choice, a decision, to be- You stand strong,” Pringle said. we’re going, and I can’t tell you how ex- come activists for your association,” GET MORE citing it is to see so many people want- Becky Pringle, the keynote speaker, said. ing to do what we’ve got to do to take • Photos: http://bit.ly/9aL2HC care of our students and our teachers “Those of you who are local leaders, • More photos, by Norman Quigley, and our educational support profes- you are the ones our members turn to Fort Worth local president sionals and all those people that work when they need help, when they need http://bit.ly/bDtDG2 in our schools every day.” inspiration, when they need guidance, • Video: http://bit.ly/atZCti

14 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 15 Acting Locally

Congratulations! To Beth Huckabee of Flour Bluff: A biology teacher at Flour Bluff High School, she is a finalist in the Texas Teacher of the Year program. http://bit.ly/98ejww

To Lorene Wallace of Austin and Stephanie Weaver of Pearland: They have been named finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Wallace is a first grade teacher at Bryker Woods Elementary School in Austin ISD and Weaver is a third grade teacher at Shadycrest Ele- mentary School in Pearland ISD. http://bit.ly/cXuSWS

To Carolyn Jordan of Houston: A sixth grade language arts teacher at Elmore Middle School in Houston, Jordan and her partner Charlotte Jolivet received a $5,000 student achievement grant from the NEA Foundation this summer. Sixth grade ESL students at the school will use the grant, which was awarded in partnership with Eskelsen urges educators to fight back Nickelodeon, to create a campus paper recycling program, collab- “Public education is the foundation for everything we hope to accomplish in our country,” orating with their peers to create PowerPoint presentations, design NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen said at the Socorro ISD Convocation in July. and produce poster advertise- ments, and decorate recycling “No matter what we want to talk about—crime, the economy, “Tell everybody you know how obnoxiously proud you are of bins. www.neafoundation.org the future, the space program—it all comes down to what we something that’s going on in your classroom, so they start to will do in our classrooms for someone else’s child. It is a founda- see that our kids are not a test score, they are not a number. To Joyce Roberta “JR” Miller-Alper tion that I believe today is being shaken to its core,” she contin- Tell them, so they may begin to care about somebody else’s of Houston: A Spring Branch ued. “We have never seen public schools under attack by so many kid the way we do,” Eskelsen said. high school teacher, Miller at- people, individuals who often don’t know what they’re talking tended her third National Endow- about and I notice those are the ones with the biggest opinions.” Socorro Education Association had booths inside and outside ment for the Humanities seminar the convocation auditorium. The TSTA local has 2,700 this summer, at Montpelier in Vir- Eskelsen urged employees of the El Paso-area, year-round members. ginia, home of James Madison. school district to fight back by sharing stories of the wonder- Previously she studied George ful things that happen in public school classrooms every day, GET MORE Washington at Mt. Vernon and “miracles that are too big to fit on that standardized test.” • clips of Eskelsen’s speech: Zora Neale Hurston in Eatonville, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9sftYo6twc . Only 80 people are cho- “Don’t ever believe that the most important thing your kids sen to attend the nationwide pro- need from you is to hit a cut score. Our calling is to care • photos of convocation activities and the reception: grams. www.neh.gov/grants/ about the whole child, and now it has to be to make the http://www.flickr.com/photos/tstapublicaffairs/sets/7215762 guidelines/landmarks.html whole world care about the whole child,” she said. 4618791502

16 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 17 Acting Locally

Gearing up for a new school year

They went to the TSTA Klein TSTA/NEA had a Leadership Institute this busy table at their convoca- summer to plan; now TSTA tion and new teacher orien- local associations are putting tation, signing up 25 new their plans into action. members. Clockwise from the bottom Edgewood Teachers of the left page: Association provided lunch Waco TSTA/NEA’s execu- for new teachers and signed tive committee built its “full up 30 members. capacity power plan.” Harlandale Education North East Teachers Association held a lunch- Association’s association eon for new teachers—and representatives for the trans- offered them two days of portation department wore classroom assistance. “I am a TSTA member; are Ysleta Teachers Association you?” buttons. signed up 70 of 98 new teach- ers this year. At new teacher Association of Brownsville orientation, YTA had a prize Educators signed up 60 of wheel, black & gold bal- 65 new teachers at the dis- loons and a door prize raffle. trict new teacher orienta- tion. With almost 4,000 Southwest Educators members, it is TSTA’s largest Association invited 52 new local association. teachers to lunch; 32 joined.

18 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 19 Acting Locally Paris teacher starts a movement for young educators Thanks to the determination of a group of young education leaders headed by a Paris ISD teacher, NEA will use its communications network to help state and local teacher unions recruit, prepare and retain young educators for the public schools.

her new colleagues, organized the caucus at the Representa- tive Assembly in San Diego last year.

Ashby and other caucus members planned to continue their work in but, after arriving, noticed that many of their colleagues who had been in San Diego were missing because their jobs had been terminated since the 2009 convention.

So, they discussed their concerns about young educator jobs with NEA Executive Board Member Greg Johnson, a high school choir director from Oklahoma, then lobbied delegates Officers of the Caucus of Young Educators of NEA are Nicole Glaser, secre- for the NEA commitment. tary, Conroe ISD; Josh Brown, co-chair, Iowa; Katharine Ashby, chair, Paris ISD; and Troi Orias, treasurer, Hawaii. TSTA-RETIRED The Caucus of Young Educators, organized only a year ago, How to run for office: Nominations are currently in order for proposed and won passage of the necessary business item at president and vice president of TSTA-Retired, as well as re- NEA’s recent Representative Assembly in New Orleans. tired at-large delegates to the 2011 TSTA House of Delegates TSTA-Retired delegates and Annual Meeting (all member TSTA’s Photo Album for as TSTA-SP Coordinator, in El Paso and TSTA-Retired delegates to the 2011 NEA Watkins was an at-large re- meeting), El Paso more photos and video. Bryan Weatherford. “The quality of public education in Texas and our nation in Representative Assembly in Chicago. The president and vice tired delegate to the NEA http://www.tsta.org/inside/ April 24-26—NEA-Retired the future will depend on young teachers, counselors and president positions are for a two-year term, July 15, 2011 Representative Assembly. about/photoalbum.shtml Angela Hammonds, a stu- other support workers entering and staying in the profes- East Region Conference, to 2013. dent at Sam Houston State sion today. Support and mentoring from other educators are Upcoming events: Pittsburgh Transforming schools: As University, represented critical to their success,” said Katharine Ashby, the caucus All elections take place in March by mailed ballot. Members Sept. 16-17—Board of part of the NEA-Student TSTA-SP at the NEA RA in June 26-28—NEA-Retired chair and founder. She is a sixth grade social studies may nominate themselves or other members, as long as they Directors meeting, TSTA Program Conference and Annual Meeting, Chicago New Orleans. and science teacher at Crockett Intermediate School in have written permission from the person they are nominating. Headquarters NEA Representative Assem- Paris ISD. Candidates must be categorized as “Retired Active Members” Visit www.tsta.org/inside/ bly, student members, active Jack Kinnaman Scholarship: Dec. 2-3—Board of Directors to nominate and serve as delegates or alternates. You may retired and www.nea.org/ teachers, education support NEA student members can The initiative commits NEA to “research and publish, using meeting, TSTA Headquarters make additional copies of the form you will be mailed if you retired for more about our professionals and retired ed- get help with tuition. existing communications devices, information that would as- retired associations. ucators band together to www.nea.org/home/ sist state and local affiliates in creating programs to educate, want to nominate for more than one position. All forms must Jan. 15—Deadline for sub- renovate a local school each 16692.htm recruit and retain educators, including substitute teachers and be completed and returned by Jan. 15, 2011, to TSTA-Re- mitting nomination forms TSTA-STUDENT year. It’s called “Outreach to ESPs (education support professionals), within the first five tired, 316 W. 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Feb. 3-4—Board of PROGRAM Teach.” This year, 10 TSTA-SP Grants for organizing efforts: years of their professional careers.” Current officers: TSTA-Retired officers for 2010-2011 are Directors meeting, TSTA Resources: The NEA website student took part in “Outreach TSTA offers student chapters “What started with a simple observation turned into a move- Johnetta Williams, Dallas, president; Jay Ann Rucker, El Paso, Headquarters has information and news. to Teach” at Belle Chase grants of up to $500 for new ment,” Ashby said. She came up with the idea of creating the vice president; Paul Haupt, El Paso, secretary; JoAnn Peschel, www.nea.org/home/1600.htm High School in Belle Chase, and ongoing organizing efforts. March 3—Ballots due by Caucus of Young Educators when she attended her first NEA Houston, treasurer; and Letha Grace McCoy, Burleson, past . The students www.tsta.org/inside/student/ 5:00 p.m. to TSTA Head- convention in Washington in 2008. She noticed there were president. TSTA Leadership Academy: were: Meredith Beck, Dynae’ Mini-GrantAnnouncement.pdf quarters in Austin caucuses for just about every group or interest imaginable— The photos on this page are Carver, Melissa Clark, Patri- Recent events: TSTA-Retired members Bobbie Duncan, Fran Call Bryan Weatherford at both serious and not-so-serious—except younger educators. March 4—Ballots canvassed of TSTA-Student Program cia Fonseca, Kevin Jackson, Valenzuela, Letha Grace McCoy, Virginia Wong, Johnetta at TSTA Headquarters leaders participating in the Deidre Lester, Elsa Muro, 877-ASK-TSTA or email him So she started collecting email addresses from potential mem- Williams and Jerry Watkins attended the NEA-Retired Annual 2010 Leadership Academy Michelle Naquin, Ana Silva at [email protected] for more bers, submitted the necessary paperwork to NEA and, with Meeting in New Orleans in June. Duncan and Williams were April 13-14—TSTA-Retired in Austin July 23-25. See and Danielle Thorp as well information.

20 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 21 In the Classroom

drop and forgets words she These three examples have time. That may slow the dents learn at different has already learned. Just more than U-shaped learn- class at times, but it helps paces; you already know when she’s convinced she’ll ing in common. They also assure that students have that, but as you consider never be able to learn the new involve new concepts (often had time to learn some- this new learning pattern, language, she finds herself exceptions to rules) or too thing, unlearn it and fully understand that learning much unrelated informa- regain it. eavesdropping on conversa- does not happen in a tions at the next restaurant tion. The U-shaped pattern 2. Introduce new concepts straight line of increase. table with no trouble. usually appears when these Expect disappointments, things happen. very carefully and con- Students are working in sci- nect those new concepts but always be aware that ence, learning about animals. Teachers can benefit from to prior learning in as your students are simply They have been taught all keeping aware of the U- many ways as you can. learning the same way shaped pattern that students about birds, and they know most people learn. use when learning new con- 3. Make sure that you give birds fairly well. When the cepts. Here are some ideas: students as much context Remember, most students class moves on to furry ani- as you can when you give learn new concepts by mals, they are taught about 1. When you see this pat- them new information. If building on previous knowl- the bat. Bats fly like birds, tern, focus on moving learning is not sequential, edge. That is how we natu- but they have fur instead of from the bottom of the it won’t be as successful. feathers. This leads to confu- “U” back to the top. In rally expect learning to sion, and at that point the other words, consider ap- 4. Cut yourself some slack. occur. At times, though, stu- students actually know less proaching material as This model helps explain dents must take a step back- about birds than they did be- though students were why class improvement ward before they can move fore studying bats. learning it for the first can actually regress. Stu- forward. A U-turn for student understanding Many psychologists are fascinated with how people learn things; of those who study learning, there is a strong belief in a U-shaped pattern of learning. By Dr. Paul Henley

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, a Swiss learning expert, said that U-shaped growth concept scores initially are high and then learning works best when it proceeds from the things stu- decrease in a second phase, only to regain a high level of cor- dents already know to things they don’t know. Teachers know rectness in a third phase (learn-unlearn-learn). This has been that, but they also know that learning doesn’t follow a perfect documented in how children learn physical concepts, music line upward over time. It can be frustrating, but there are rea- mastery and language acquisition. U-shaped patterns have sons that happens. been seen in other behaviors, as well, such as addiction re- covery, marriage satisfaction and economics. Many years ago, one professor quipped, “We should have been plumbers or carpenters. I mean, when a plumber fixes some- HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES: thing, he comes back the next day…and it’s still fixed. We’re Students learn that the suffix “-ed” refers to something that teachers. We fix something one day, come back the next day happened in the past. At first, there are many consecutive and it’s broken again. So we fix it again. Then the next day, correct answers, but there are exceptions in English. Students same thing. We’ve fixed it again, and it’s broken again.” can go through a period where they overly-generalize these It helps a teacher to understand ways that students learn. The concepts (like using the made-up word, goed). After this sec- field of psychology has much to teach the education commu- ond phase, students identify some exceptions to general pat- nity (and vice-versa). Many psychologists are fascinated with terns and these mistakes don’t happen as often. how people learn things; of those who study learning, there is A student trying to learn a second language sees her skill level a strong belief in a U-shaped pattern of learning.

22 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 23 Coming Up

SCHOOL BELL AWARDS TSTA/NEA EVENT DATES Nomination Deadline: January 31 Honoring excellence among educators OCTOBER Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center 16 ...... TSTA/NEA ESP Conference, Dallas The start of the new school year inevitably includes lots of planning. As you put together your annual calendar, for Public Affairs 16 ...... TSTA Credentials, Bylaws and Elections Committee Meeting, TSTA Headquarters, Austin don’t forget to plan on recognizing your peers and other friends of education in your community. TSTA offers several Recognizes outstanding media coverage NOVEMBER opportunities to recognize outstanding educators, education support professionals, regional and local associations, of education issues and events. There are 1 ...... Submission Deadline: Instructional Award Plan several categories of awards for different media representatives, businesses, and other individuals or organizations that support public education. 5-6 ...... NEA All-Committee Weekend, Washington, DC forms of media and various populations. 6 ...... TSTA Committee Meeting, TSTA Headquarters, Austin The instruction book and nomination 8-9 ...... NEA Executive Committee Meeting, Washington, DC RONNIE RAY ESP ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD form are available on TSTA’s website. Nomination Deadline: September 30 Nomination Deadline: December 1 14-20 ...... American Education Week Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center for Executive and Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center for Executive and PROFESSIONAL, HUMAN, AND 17 ...... National ESP Day Governance Governance CIVIL RIGHTS AWARDS 25-26 ...... Thanksgiving Holiday (TSTA Offices Closed) Nomination Deadline: February 1 Recognizes a TSTA education sup- Recognizes either (1) an individ- DECEMBER Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center 1 ...... Submission Deadline: Friend of Education Award and Frank port professional (ESP) member ual, who is not a professional ed- for Executive and Governance J. Tejeda Award for Public Service whose activities reflect the ucator, who has made a signifi- cant contribution to the Individual Award—recognizes an ed- contributions of education inter-group relations and understand- recipient of this award will be sub- cause of public education ucator who has made outstanding con- support professionals to ing, especially those projects that help mitted as TSTA’s nominee for the NEA or (2) an organization/ tributions to professional and human public education, particu- the politically disenfranchised become Foundation Award for Teaching Ex- company outside the field rights (nominee must be a TSTA mem- larly in one or more of more involved in the political process. cellence, so nominees for the Boice of education that has ber and be nominated by the local the following areas: (1) award should comply with the guide- made an outstanding PHCR and executive committees). innovations to support NEA Awards—TSTA also encourages lines provided for the NEA Foundation contribution in the field of the day-to-day educa- regional and local affiliates or individu- Award for Teaching Excellence education. Special Award—recognizes an indi- tional process; (2) profes- als to nominate an individual, organi- vidual or organization inside or outside (www.neafoundation.org). sional achievements in zation and/or a region or local affiliate Any TSTA member, local the area of education for outstanding his/her classification; (3) in- for an NEA Human and Civil Rights association, region or other contributions to professional and PRIDE IN COMMUNICATIONS volvement in promoting pub- Award. For NEA forms and infor- recognized group—e.g. TSTA human rights (recipient does not have AWARDS mation visit: www.nea.org/grants/ lic education in the community; committee or caucus—may to be a member of TSTA unless eligible Nomination Deadline: March 1 17859.htm. NEA Award nominations (4) involvement in TSTA at the submit a nominating letter or memo but must be nominated by a TSTA affil- Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center must be postmarked by December 10, local, state or national level; and (5) accompanied by supporting evidence iated association). for Public Affairs enhancement of the ESP image in their as- detailing why the nominee is worthy of 2010. sociation, work site or community. Nominees the award. Mickey Leland Memorial Award— Recognizes regional association must have been an ESP member of TSTA for three years as of recognizes individuals or organizations ERMALEE BOICE INSTRUCTIONAL newsletters and web sites. Entries are January 15. FRANK J. TEJEDA AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE that have initiated/participated in activ- ADVOCACY AWARD judged on the extent to which the local Nomination Deadline: December 1 ities establishing an ongoing program Nomination Deadline: February 1 and/or regional association programs INSTRUCTIONAL AWARDS Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center for Executive and or institution having a widespread so- Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center are identified and explained. Plan Deadline: November 1 Governance cial, educational, economic, or political for Executive and Governance Detailed information, instructions and Documentation Deadline: March 15 impact, especially those projects that Recognizes an individual for service at the state or national po- Open to all TSTA members, this award nomination forms are available on Submit to: TSTA Organizing Center for Public Affairs help the needy. litical/legislative level on behalf of Texas public school chil- recognizes and promotes teaching ex- TSTA’s website at www.tsta.org/news/ Recognizes local associations for planned activities and ac- dren or educational employees. Nominees must be elected or Willie Velasquez Memorial Award— cellence based on the following crite- current/awards.shtml. You may also complishments that incorporate certain strands of the NEA appointed officials who are not currently employed full time by recognizes individuals or organizations ria: professional practice, advocacy for call the Center for Executive and Priority Schools Initiative into local planning. Detailed infor- a school district. Any TSTA member or group of members or that have initiated/participated in activ- the profession, community engage- Governance or the Center for Public mation about the criteria can be found at: www.tsta.org/teach- the award committee may submit a letter of nomination and ities to eradicate inequities based on race, ment, leadership in professional devel- Affairs at (877) ASK-TSTA for more ing/current/instructional_awards.shtml. supporting evidence of accomplishments related to the award. gender, or ethnicity and to improve opment and attention to diversity. The information.

24 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 25 Governance

be received by TSTA no later form, or by holding an all-mem- Retired Delegate Nomination additional 1,000 TSTA-R/NEA-R than April 10, 2011, in order to ber meeting, with proper notice Form is for a TSTA-R/NEA-R members. (2) A retired member National delegate elections ensure proper credentials at the to each member, and accepting member who seeks election as a who was an NEA Active Life NEA RA. Locals must conduct an nominations at the meeting, then TSTA-R/NEA-R delegate. The member while teaching may We’re headed to Chicago for the 2011 NEA Representative Assembly (RA) July 2-5. Pre-RA election that provides for open voting by secret ballot. deadline for submitting a nomi- seek election as a Category 2 nominations and secret ballots. nation form (and an optional bi- State At-Large delegate by com- meetings and workshops begin on June 24. The first Texas Caucus meeting will be on June 30. That can be done either by deliv- RETIRED DELEGATES ographical sketch of 25 words or pleting and returning the state ering a nomination form to each TSTA-Retired/NEA-Retired less) is January 15, 2011. For delegate Nomination Form and by late March 2011. Deadline for from this cluster only if their in- member (using a local newsletter members may run as either re- this election, one delegate is al- checking the Category 2 box. return receipt of ballots at TSTA clusion would cost the local a is permissible), then ensuring tired delegates or state delegates. located for the first 50 TSTA- Those who are eligible to run in is April 29, 2011, by 5 p.m. non-supervisory delegate. Locals each member gets a ballot with The two elections have different R/NEA-R members and an both elections must choose; they will be notified in February if NEA requires that all elections the names of those returning the eligibility requirements. (1) The additional delegate for each may file in only one election. they have been removed from for state and local delegates must the cluster. be conducted by open nomina- RETIRED DELEGATE NOMINATION FORM tions and secret ballots. At the Supervisory members desiring to end of this article you will find a seek election as a delegate should NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY TSTA/NEA-RETIRED DELEGATE POSITIONS—JUNE 30-JULY 5, 2011 Deadline for receipt at TSTA Headquarters is January 15, 2011, 5:00 p.m. (This form is also available online at www.tsta.org) nomination form to seek elec- complete and return the nomi- tion as a state delegate to the nation form (marking the appro- (Circle One: Mr. Ms.) Name ______2011 NEA RA. If you would like priate box to run for a Category Address______City______State______Zip______2 delegate) along with the 25- to run for a delegate position, Home Phone______Day Phone ______please complete the form (or a word statement. Those supervi- Email______Last 4 Digits Soc. Sec. No. ______copy of it) and return it to TSTA. sory members that return the form and who are eligible to run ETHNIC GROUP: (Check all that apply) The exact number of delegates and a few locals provide some The form must be received by in the supervisory cluster will † American Indian/Alaska Native † Asian † Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander † Multi-ethnic from Texas will be determined funding for state delegates. the Center for Executive and automatically be included on the † Black † † Caucasian (not of Spanish Origin) † Other______† Check here if you do not want your ethnicity printed by our TSTA/NEA membership Governance at TSTA no later ballot for that election as well. † Enclosed is my biographical sketch of 25 words or less which will be sent with the ballot. (Note: If your statement exceeds 25 words, it will be cut at 25 words.) as of January 15, 2011. TSTA Below you will find some of the than January 7, 2011, in order † Check here if you will be a first-time delegate specific requirements and time- Again, if you have questions will be allocated one state dele- for your name to appear on the Send by U.S. Mail or FAX (512-486-7043) to: TSTA-Retired, 316 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701 lines for election of state and please call Sandra Solimine at gate for every 1,000 Active (Pro- printed ballot. 877-ASK-TSTA, ext. 1514, or Signature of Nominee ______fessional or ESP) and Active Life local association delegates. Any- email [email protected]. Active NEA members, and locals one with questions about the Each candidate for state delegate elections, or needing other infor- is entitled to have his or her will be allocated one local dele- STATE DELEGATE NOMINATION FORM LOCAL DELEGATES gate for every 150 members, or mation about the process, name published in the Advocate, Since local associations are allo- major fraction thereof. should contact Sandra Solimine along with a biographical sketch 2011 NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY STATE DELEGATES at TSTA, 877-ASK-TSTA, ext. of 25 words or less, which may cated one delegate for each 150 Deadline for receipt at TSTA Headquarters is January 7, 2011. (This form is also available online at www.tsta.org) NEA has established a policy of 1514 or email [email protected]. include ethnic status. NEA members or major fraction NOMINEE FOR: (Check one) encouraging ethnic-minority thereof, a local must have at least † State At-Large Delegate: Category 1—Teacher, ESP or other Non-Supervisor Please note that we cannot deter- NEA also requires proportional 76 members (Active and Life) to † State At-Large Delegate: Category 2—Supervisor or NEA Active Life Retired* representation reflective of the † Statewide Supervisory Cluster—Supervisors who are members of a local association** mine until after January 15 ex- representation for supervisory qualify for a delegate. Locals ethnic make-up of the state’s *NEA Active Life Retired—NEA Active Life member while teaching and now retired population. The goal for TSTA is actly how many state delegates and non-supervisory members. with fewer than 76 members **Supervisory members whose local chooses not to participate in the cluster are not eligible to run in this election. we will elect or exactly how we may cluster together for the pur- to elect at least 48% of our total In order to ensure this is not vio- (Circle One: Mr. Ms.) Name ______delegation from among our eth- will elect them. At least one state lated, supervisory members are pose of electing local delegates. Address______City______State______Zip______nic-minority members. We can- delegate will be elected on a not eligible to run for state dele- If you are a member in one of Home Phone______Work Phone ______Cell Phone______not accomplish this goal unless statewide ballot. The remaining gate as outlined above. Instead, these smaller locals and would like to be a delegate, please con- all of our leaders and caucuses state delegates will be allocated to all supervisory members are eligi- Email ______Last 4 Digits Soc. Sec. No.______individual regions or to clusters tact Sandra Solimine as de- help recruit ethnic-minority can- ble to run in a separate election Local Association______TSTA Region______Work Site ______of regions or, possibly, statewide. scribed above. didates to run for delegate posi- for Category 2 State At-Large Del- Position (Teacher, Principal, ESP, etc.)______Supervisory Non-Supervisory They will be allocated in a man- † † tions at both the state and local egate (which also includes NEA NEA will notify locals in mid- ner to comply with NEA rules on ETHNIC GROUP: (Check all that apply) levels, and it is most important Active Life Retired members). February of the number of dele- one-person, one-vote, and in ac- † American Indian/Alaska Native † Asian † Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander † Multi-ethnic that the elected delegates attend gates allocated for each local. Lo- cordance with TSTA policy. In addition, supervisory mem- † Black † Hispanic † Caucasian (not of Spanish Origin) † Other______the RA. cals will be provided official † Check here if you do not want your ethnicity printed bers who also are members of a NEA forms for reporting data † Enclosed is my biographical sketch of 25 words or less which will be published in the spring Advocate. (Note: If your statement exceeds 25 words, it will be cut at 25 words.) STATE DELEGATES local may run in the statewide † Check here if you will be a first-time delegate TSTA does not fund state dele- about local delegates and supervisory cluster election un- gates to the NEA-RA, though The Advocate containing ballots alternates (“successor delegates”). Send to: Sandra Solimine, TSTA, Organizing Center for Executive and Governance, 316 W. 12th St., Austin, TX 78701; or email to [email protected] or fax to 512-486-7053 they may receive a small stipend, for the election of state delegates less their local is not a part of Signature of Nominee ______budget permitting. Some regions should be received by members that cluster. Locals are removed Those completed forms must

26 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 27 Governance TSTA state convention delegate elections KNOWLEDGE IS If you are in a local that does not qualify for a delegate but you are interested in becoming a delegate, contact TSTA’s Center for Executive POWER[ED]. and Governance to participate in a cluster election. You have a signal. It’s strong. And when coupled with a powerful Verizon wireless device, it allows you to do amazing things. Like hold class outside the classroom. State delegate allocations for local associations (including Texas Fac- ATTENTION, RETIRED MEMBERS: Gain quick access to school information. And supply up-to-the-minute news on ulty Association) to the April 15-16, 2011, TSTA House of Delegates According to the TSTA Bylaws, retired at-large delegates for the state school events, weather and announcements. will be sent to local presidents on January 25.Delegates are allocated to House of Delegates are allocated to TSTA-Retired/NEA-Retired mem- locals in a ratio of one delegate for every 50 members or major fraction bers. The number of at-large TSTA-R delegates will be based on TSTA- RIGHT NOW, GET A 25% SAVINGS WITH YOUR STATE OF TEXAS TEACHERS based on the local’s Active Professional, Active ESP and Active Life Retired membership as of January 15, 2011. In order to run for a ASSOCIATION DISCOUNT. membership on January 15, 2011. The policy regarding election of TSTA-R at-large delegate position, a candidate must be a member of Visit verizonwireless.com/discount, enter your school delegates, forms and timelines will accompany the allocation. If a local TSTA-R and NEA-R. email address and embrace your power. wishes to conduct its election for delegates prior to January 15, it may do so and keep a list of delegates in the order of votes received. When These at-large retired delegates are allocated in the ratio of one dele- the local delegate allocation is received by the local, then the top vote gate for every 75 members or major fraction thereof. Nomination getters who are delegates are listed as delegates and the remaining vote forms must be received by January 15, 2011. Ballots for the election getters are listed as alternates. will be sent to members in early February 2011. The deadline for re- turning ballots to TSTA Headquarters is March 3, 2011. Contact Sandra Solimine in the Center for Executive and Governance at 877-ASK-TSTA, ext. 1514, or [email protected] with questions Any retired member who is a TSTA-R/NEA-R member may nominate regarding the elections. himself/herself or another qualified member for a retired delegate position.

NOMINATION FORM

RETIRED AT-LARGE DELEGATE POSITIONS—TSTA HOUSE OF DELEGATES—APRIL 15-16, 2011 The deadline for receipt of this nomination form at TSTA’s Headquarters is January 15, 2011. (This form is also available online at www.tsta.org.)

(Circle One: Mr. Ms.) Name ______

Address ______

City______State______Zip ______

Home Phone______Day Phone ______

Email ______Last 4 Digits Soc. Sec. No. ______

ETHNIC GROUP: (Check all that apply) † American Indian/Alaska Native † Asian † Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander † Multi-ethnic † Black † Hispanic † Caucasian (not of Spanish Origin) † Other ______† Check here if you do not want your ethnicity printed † Enclosed is my biographical sketch of 25 words or less which will be sent with the ballot. (Note: If your statement exceeds 25 words, it will be cut at 25 words.) Discount is only available to current public school teachers, educators and government employees of the State of Texas. Email address, school ID or copy of paycheck stub † Check here if you will be a first-time delegate may be required as proof of employment for this discount offer. © 2010 Verizon Wireless. C5419

Send by U.S. Mail or FAX (512-486-7043) to: TSTA-Retired, 316 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701

Signature of Nominee ______

28 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 29 TSTA/NEA TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION/NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 877-ASK-TSTA • www.tsta.org 2010-11 ENROLLMENT FORM Please return this completed form to your Association Representative or mail to TSTA Membership Department, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-1892. If you have questions, call 877-ASK-TSTA.

NAME SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER DATE OF BIRTH

ADDRESS LOCAL ASSOCIATION HIRE DATE

CITY STATE ZIP NAME OF ISD

EMAIL AT HOME CAMPUS/WORKSITE

EMAIL AT WORK POSITION (I.E. CLASSROOM TEACHER, LIBRARIAN, BUS DRIVER, ETC.)

ETHNICITY/GENDER † American Indian/Alaska Native † Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander AREA CODE HOME PHONE AREA CODE WORK PHONE † Black † Unknown † Hispanic † Multi-ethnic † Caucasian (not of Spanish Origin) † Other ✔ ANNUAL DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS AMOUNT † Asian Gender: † Male † Female 1. Professional Dues—TSTA/NEA (Active) $456.00 This information is optional and failure to provide it will in no way affect your membership status, Professional Dues—New to the profession $311.00 rights or benefits in NEA, TSTA or any of their affiliates.This information will be kept confidential. 2. Educational Support Dues—Full-time $241.50 Educational Support Dues—Part-time $126.00 METHOD OF PAYMENT/PAYROLL DEDUCTION AUTHORIZATION (BELOW) 3. NEA Fund for Children and Public Education I hereby authorize the______School (suggested amount $15.00) District to deduct the total amount of the annual obligation as set by the appropri- ate Association governance bodies in ______equal payments in order to pay my dues to the professional associations and organizations listed and for political 4. TSTA-PAC (see disclaimer below) $ 9.00 action contributions indicated. The authorization will continue in effect for this school year and future years, including any increase that may occur, until I give written notice to the local by September 15 to revoke. I further authorize any un- 5. Region Dues paid annual balance to be deducted from my final check. The Local Association or TSTA/NEA will notify School District officials of the annual dues amounts for 6. Local Association Dues all levels of the Association each year.

TOTAL DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS _____ Please check if you would like to receive TSTA’s electronic newsletter, the TSTA Briefing, which is distributed by email at least once a week. Send to: † home email address † work email address NOTE: Membership must include local and region dues if eligible.

The TSTA Political Action Committee (TSTA-PAC) and the National Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education collect voluntary contributions from Association members and use these contributions for politi- cal purposes, including, but not limited to, making contributions to and expenditures on behalf of friends of public education who are candidates for federal office. Only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may contribute to the NEA Fund. Contributions to the NEA Fund are voluntary; making a contribution is neither a condition of employment nor membership in the Association, and members have the right to refuse to contribute without suffer- ing any reprisal. Although The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education requests an annual contribution of $15, this is only a suggestion. A member may contribute more or less than the suggested amount, or may con- tribute nothing at all, without it affecting his or her membership status, rights, or benefits in NEA or any of its affiliates. Contributions or gifts to The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, TSTA-PAC and local PACs are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Federal law requires political committees to report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer for each individual whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year. Federal law prohibits The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education from receiving donations from persons other than members of NEA and its affiliates, and their immediate families. All donations from persons other than members of NEA and its affiliates, and their immediate families, will be returned forthwith. Former student member? “I decline to contribute to TSTA-PAC and I understand this will not in any way affect my membership status or rights.” ______INITIAL YES NO

Annual membership dues to NEA include $5.65 for NEA Today, $3.40 for NEA-Retired, $3.40 for Tomorrow’s Teacher and/or $5.60 for the Higher Education publications. The NEA publication(s) received by members are based on membership category. Annual membership dues to TSTA include subscription to the TSTA Advocate. Membership is open only to those who agree to subscribe to the goals and objec- tives of the Association and to abide by its constitution and bylaws. Dues payments are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Dues payments (or a portion) may be deductible as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. Legal Liability Coverage: Members of TSTA/NEA are automatically covered by $6 million for most legal claims ($300,000 for civil rights claims) while acting in the scope of employment. $1 million is un- derwritten by the AIG Companies or successor provider selected by NEA. $5 million excess is underwritten by United National Ins. Co., an A.M. Best Rated A+ (superior) carrier or successor provider se- lected by TSTA. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies which are available to members upon request by calling the TSTA Help Center at 877-ASK-TSTA. Notice required by Art. 21.54 of the Texas Insurance Code: These insurers may not be subject to all the laws and regulations of Texas. The insurance solvency guarantee fund may not be available to you or to TSTA. Employment Defense: To be considered for legal services for job protection, membership is required for at least 30 days before the member knew or should have known of the events or occurrences leading up to the action complained about. Pre-existing conditions will not be pursued, except by discretion of TSTA.

MEMBER SIGNATURE DATE LOCAL ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE

30 TSTA Advocate Fall 2010 31 For the latest news, go to www.tsta.org. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Texas State Teachers Association PAID 316 West 12th Street Texas State Austin, Texas 78701 Teachers Assoc.

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