MEA-MFT Oct/Nov 2011 Vol 14 No 1 www.mea-mft.org INSIDE Help us help you 2 Standing strong 3 Fighting for Corrections members 5 Head Start Academy 6 vs. NCLB 8 ALEC outed 10 TodayNewsletter for MEA-MFT Members in Public K-12 Schools, Higher Education, State & Local Government, Head Start, & Health Care ‘A revolution of the mind & human spirit’ Tom Pedersen: Montana Teacher of the Year 2012 om Pedersen didn’t set out to be a Tteacher. From an early age, he wanted to be a doctor. But when a serious illness interrupted his medical school career, he took a temporary job teaching science at Capital High School in Helena to pay his medical school loans. Pedersen had no intention of staying. He planned to return to medical school, but “life is what happens when you are busy making other plans,” he said, quot- ing John Lennon. “I fell in love with kids and teaching.” So Pedersen stayed at Capital High, devoting the next 35 years to his students and fellow teachers. “I never looked back,” he said. Along the way, Pedersen has prepared many students to become doctors them- selves—and nurses, ecologists, biologists, HELENA I.R. PHOTO, ALANA LISTOE and chemists. He has earned an eye- Montana Teacher of the Year Tom Pedersen talks to his Honors Biology students about documenting their water quality observations at Gould Creek near Helena. popping list of awards for teaching and coaching track and ield. This September, dersen, other educators, a parent, a high become contributing members of society he added Montana’s top teaching honor school student, and representatives from and critical thinkers and voters.” to the list when was named Montana the Montana Board of Public Education Former student Aaron Reynolds said Teacher of the Year for 2012. and Ofice of Public Instruction chose Pedersen (“T-Ped,” as students affec- “It’s humbling,” Pedersen said. “We Pedersen from among three inalists. tionately call him) is “unmatched in his have so many outstanding teachers in A sense of wonder: Pedersen teaches (Continued on p. 7) this state.” He credits his colleagues at Honors Biology II (a dual-credit anatomy Capital High School, from administrators and physiology class through the Univer- Good insurance news to support staff, for “allowing us all to sity of Montana) and Science Seminar. be the best teachers we can be. This is He greets his students every day with hu- for state employees Capital High’s award.” mor, enthusiasm, and high expectations, As all state employees now know, The Montana Teacher of the Year aiming to motivate them to become MEA-MFT, the Montana Public Em- program, administered by the Montana “life-long learners, passionate about this ployees Association, and AFSCME Professional Teaching Foundation, annu- planet, and to stay curious, motivated, have worked out a deal with Governor ally recognizes a teacher who exempliies and illed with a sense of wonder.” Schweitzer to freeze increases in out-of- the best in the teaching profession. An “He teaches much more than science,” pocket state employee health insurance interview committee composed of 2011 said Capital High Principal Elisabeth costs for the next plan year. Montana Teacher of the Year Paul An- Hudnutt. “He teaches students how to (Continued on p. 4) OUR POINT OF VIEW Help us! o our state employee members: Hang in At one point or another, to a greater or lesser Tthere. You have suffered more than enough degree, the Tea Party dominated 2011 Montana BY ERIC FEAVER at the hands of the 2011 Tea Party dominated Legislature entertained every last one of these MEA-MFT PRESIDENT legislature that apparently wished you would all radical, anti-government, anti-public school, just go away. anti-teacher ideas. There was absolutely NO is- So, help us—your union. Help us recruit, cal justiication for the legislature support, and elect a legislature that believes a to freeze your base salaries for war on teachers and public schools will do ab- two more years. None whatso- solutely nothing to better educate our children ever. Montana has plenty of cash and enhance our school communities. Nothing. in the bank. You should be very To all our members: Your union, MEA- angry. MFT, has never wavered one iota in defense So, help us—your union. Help and promotion of the quality work you do that us recruit, support, and elect a matters, your salaries, your health care, and your legislature that respects the work retirement. you do and wants to reward the But your union is no abstraction. Your union everyday contributions you make is YOU. You and I and all of us must now stand to the quality of life all Montan- united together or we will go the way of Florida ans have come to expect. or Idaho or Wisconsin. To our university faculty Required reading: MEA-MFT Voting Re- members: Good for you. cord. If you haven’t read this yet…read it now. You are making progress at Go to www.mea-mft.org and click on “Legislative your respective bargaining unit Action” at the top of the home page. tables. But had this same Tea Here you will ind unbiased, unadulterated Eric Feaver updates state Party dominated legislature cared results. Notwithstanding curious, self-serving employees on the state pay about student and family debt, it would have complaints to the contrary, legislators earn their plan unfair labor practice during the unions’ Public appropriated suficient and available funds to voting records all by themselves. It is your duty Employees Appreciation preclude the need for the board of regents to step to see what they have earned. Picnic, state capitol, in with a big increase in student tuition. And then, help us recruit, support, and elect September 15. So, help us—your union. Help us recruit, sup- a legislature dramatically different from the port, and elect a legislature that believes the insidi- 2011 Tea Party dominated legislature that chose ous privatization of public higher education is a harm irst. frontal assault on low and middle income families Want to help and don’t know where to start? as they and their children strive for something E-mail me—[email protected]—and I will better at a price they can afford. get you going. n To our k-12 public school teacher mem- bers: YOU are at serious risk. Yes, YOU. ‘Your union is no abstraction. As you know, this very year, Tea Party domi- Your union is YOU. You and I nated legislatures across this nation terminated teacher tenure; blew up teacher retirement deined and all of us must now stand beneit plans; mandated merit pay; expanded united together or we will go school privatization through tax credits, pay the way of Florida or Idaho vouchers, and charter schools; and knifed collec- tive bargaining in the back. or Wisconsin.’

2 MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org YOUR MEA-MFT

Standing together, standing strong: NEA Rep. Assembly Several dozen MEA-MFT members served as delegates to the NEA Representative As- sembly (RA) in Chicago, July 1-5. They joined thousands of other NEA members from around the country to help set policy and direction for our national afiliate. Public employee members debut: Among MEA-MFT’s delegation were the irst two public employee delegates ever to attend an NEA RA: Dani Tenneson and . As a result of action at last year’s RA, MEA-MFT’s public employee members now have full membership rights in NEA. “This is a very big deal,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. “Ever since the former MEA and MFT merged 11 years ago, we have Some of the 9,000+ delegates show solidarity at the 2011 NEA “Standing Strong” worked to gain full membership rights for our Representative Assembly in Chicago. members who are not educators. These members have enjoyed full rights with our other national to help strengthen afiliates against the kinds of afiliate, AFT, all along. Now, inally, they are attacks public services and public education have completely integrated into the NEA family.” faced this year in Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey, Cohenour is president of MEA-MFT’s Dept. Idaho, Tennessee, Florida, and other states. of Public Health and Human Services local. Delegates also re-elected NEA President Den - Tenneson is a member of MEA-MFT’s Dept. nis Van Roekel and Vice President Lily Eskelsen. of Revenue local. You can read more about RA, see photos, “RA was fantastic,” said Tenneson. “For me, and watch some dynamite videos of RA action it was an extremely important learning experi- at www.nea.org/grants/1357.htm. n ence. I hope to relay to my local members how important it is to get involved at the national level. We’re all public employees. Working to- MEA-MFT regional training gether makes us stronger. We have to stick up MEA-MFT’s regional trainings continue! for unions and union rights.” Members statewide have given these sessions rave Action packed: This year’s RA was action reviews, as they learn skills in contracts and collec- packed, following as it did on the heels of un- tive bargaining, conlict resolution, communicat - precedented attacks on unions, public employees, ing, member rights, leadership, and much more. public education, and working families nation- Mark your calendar: You’ll ind upcoming wide. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel kicked regional training sessions listed below. More train- off the RA with a call for NEA members to stand ing sessions are added periodically, so check the strong in the face of the attacks. MEA-MFT calendar often: www.mea-mft.org. Among other actions, RA delegates honored • Nov. 4-5, 2011: East Regional Training: the “Wisconsin 14,” the state senators who de - Dawson County High School ied Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and left • Feb. 10-11, 2012: North Central Regional the state rather than vote for a bill that would Training, Great Falls weaken collective bargaining for Wisconsin To view agendas and download registration public employees. forms, visit www.mea-mft.org/Articles/mea-mft_ Delegates voted to bolster NEA’s crisis fund regional_trainings.aspx n

MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org 3 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE NEWS

Insurance cost freeze (from p. 1) unfair labor practice charge is another.” (See On average, the agreement will save each state story below.) employee $462 in projected health insurance cost The premium freeze will allow more time to increases. The insurance premium freeze also ap - address issues facing the state health insurance plies to retired state employees who stay on the plan, Feaver said. state health insurance plan. “With state revenues growing and the federal The unions negotiated the freeze in August, Affordable Health Care Act bound to cause when they learned of a potential 5 percent annual changes in the health care system nationwide, we hike in state employee premium payments, along need to see how these things shake out before State employees at with higher deductibles. the state makes major changes in the plan.” n the Public Employees “It’s just plain wrong to saddle state employees Appreciation Picnic sign with that kind of increase when Montana has an up for updates on the State pay plan ULP: estimated ending fund balance of $426 million,” unions’ unfair labor practice charge. MEA- said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. Breaking update MFT, MPEA, and AFSCME So MEA-MFT sat down with Governor Sch - As we go to press, a hearing oficer appointed held the picnic Sept. weitzer, MPEA, and AFSCME and negotiated a by the Montana Board of Personnel Appeals 15 at the state capitol. one-year premium freeze. “The governor agreed has announced that MEA-MFT’s unfair labor About 1,500 public that it’s wrong to make state employees pay more practice charge (ULP) should be dismissed and employees attended. when the legislature just has cancelled the October 6-7 hearing. handed them another MEA-MFT and our fellow unions, MPEA and two-year pay freeze,” AFSCME, iled the ULP in May. It charges that Feaver said. the state failed to bargain in good faith when the “Since the 2011 Leg- 2011 Legislature delayed action on HB 13, the islature failed to pass the state pay plan, until the very end of the legislative state pay plan, MEA- session, leaving no time for the unions to negoti- MFT has been look- ate a new proposal to submit. On the next-to-last ing at all possible ways day of the session, the legislature killed the bill in to take some inancial premeditated cold blood. The 2011 Legislature pressure off of our state chose not to pass HB 13 even though the state employee members,” had the money (now over $420 million) for the said MEA-MFT Ex- pay plan’s modest salary increase. ecutive Director Erik The hearing oficer concluded that by statute, Burke. “The health in- once a deal is negotiated, ratiication is up to the surance premium freeze legislature, and there can’t be a charge of failure is one of them. Our (Continued on p. 5)

6 ways your MEA-MFT membership works for YOU

CLOUT. 18,000 members WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK. MEA- NETWORKING. Through 1strong, MEA-MFT has influence MFT protects your workplace 3 MEA-MFT conferences, rallies, 2 and communications, you are to represent you at the state rights and makes sure you get legislature, retirement boards, boards of fair treatment on the job. MEA-MFT’s connected to other public employees education and regents, and everywhere expert field staff help our local affiliates and educators across the state and decisions are made about your job and bargain contracts, deal with labor- nation who are dealing with the same the people you serve. We are Montana’s management issues, and make sure you issues as you. We all work together to improve public services, public strongest voice for working people, get legal help if you need it. Located education, and our members’ working education, and strong public services. around Montana, field staff are just a conditions. phone call away.

4 MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org MEA-MFT fights for Corrections members When the going gets tough, the tough get which parts of the contract to honor.” ‘Neither creative. For MEA-MFT and our state employee In response, MEA-MFT helped each of the management members, 2011 has been a creative year indeed. ive local afiliates ile a grievance against the First came MEA-MFT’s unprecedented unfair department. In addition, Feaver took the ground- nor the union labor practice charge against the state and the breaking step August 27 of iling a statewide can pick and health insurance premium freeze MEA-MFT grievance. “MEA-MFT is not going to sit back choose which bargained with the governor (see pages 1 and 4). and watch our members get abused this way,” said Then MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver iled Feaver. “We’re jumping in to help them.” parts of the the irst-ever statewide grievance against the “This is historic for MEA-MFT,” said MEA- contract to Montana Dept. of Corrections for reneging on MFT Field Consultant Larry Nielsen, who serves honor.’ its salary advancement process. members in Probation and Parole and the State The process, guaranteeing a six-step salary Prison. “We’ve never done a statewide grievance increase for employees who meet certain train- before. It’s basically a class action grievance.” ing requirements, is contained in ive contracts If MEA-MFT wins, the department will have MEA-MFT TODAY the department holds with MEA-MFT afiliates: to start paying the salary increases immediately,  MEA-MFT Today pub- Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge, Probation along with back pay retroactive to July. lished bimonthly Sep- and Parole statewide, Women’s Prison in Billings, The Dept. of Corrections claims MEA-MFT tember through May by Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles has no authority to ile the statewide grievance. MEA-MFT. Third Class City, and Riverside Youth Correctional Facility MEA-MFT counters that it does have the author- Nonprofit Postage Paid in Boulder. ity, because all ive contracts name MEA-MFT in at Billings, MT 59101. Permit No. 1 The ive contracts came up for renewal in July, the recognition clause. MEA-MFT as they do every other year. This year, though, the “We’re not waiting for new contracts,” Feaver 1232 E. 6th Ave. department announced it would not honor the said. “The contracts guarantee the salary steps Helena, MT 59601 salary advancement process until new contracts now, and we’re going to ight for them now.” 800.398.0826 are ratiied. Watch for updates at www.mea-mft.org. Click Eric Feaver, President The department claims the contracts have on “Public Employee News.” n Erik Burke, Exec. Dir. expired, therefore the salary deal is moot. Sanna Porte, Editor “That’s hogwash,” said MEA-MFT Presi- Terry Minow, Assoc. Ed. ULP (from p. 4) dent Eric Feaver. “When a contract comes up www.mea-mft.org for renewal, it rolls over and remains in effect to bargain in good faith. The unions disagree and Printed on chlorine free, until a successor contract is negotiated. Neither will appeal. Watch for updates at www.mea-mft. SFI-certified paper. management nor the union can pick and choose org under “Breaking News.” n

6 ways continued...

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. COST-SAVING MEMBER YOU TALK, WE LISTEN. MEA- MEA-MFT’s training sessions 5 BENEFITS. Through the buying 6MFT exists for our members. We 4 power of our two national respond to your needs. MEA-MFT help you succeed in every aspect of your job, whether it’s affiliates, NEA and AFT, all MEA-MFT is a grassroots organization run by and bargaining a contract, classroom members are eligible for incredible for its members. Every member has a management, political action, deals on insurance, mobile phone vote and unrestricted access to every communications, or almost any other plans, home financing, and much more. level of MEA-MFT governance: local, area of interest. More on page 12. state, and national.

MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org 5 HEAD START NEWS You’re invited: Head Start Academy For the irst time, MEA-MFT will host a Head ference takes place October 20-21, 2011, in Start Academy during the MEA-MFT Educators’ Missoula. You can read more about the event Conference this year, providing professional on page 11. development created speciically for Montana’s The Head Start Academy will focus on how Head Start employees. to work effectively with parents and caregivers. The academy is free of charge for It will provide tools for working effectively with MEA-MFT Head Start members. Head Start management. Other topics include Great Falls Head Start teachers understanding Head Start regulations, a cur- and MEA-MFT members Shannon riculum discussion using existing Head Start cur- Bender and Colleen Kivi will pres- ricula from around Montana, and presentations ent sectionals on early childhood of best practices. language development. Along with the academy, Head Start teach- “I am really excited that we are ers and staff will ind tons of sectionals at the offering a component for early Educators’ Conference on oral language devel- childhood educators,” Bender said. opment, special education, classroom discipline, “I’m encouraging everybody who preschool curriculum, and many others that works in early childhood education pertain to early childhood education. to come. There will be lots of great Sign up now! MEA-MFT invites all Head information, and it will be a good Start and early childhood educators to attend. Go time for early childhood educators to www.mea-mft.org/educators_conference.aspx to get together, share, brainstorm, to pre-register for the Educators’ Conference and Head Start supporters state their case and talk about what we do every day.” Head Start Academy. Registration fees are waived at our Feb. 21 rally at the capitol. The MEA-MFT Educators’ Con - for MEA-MFT Head Start members. n

RETIRED NEWS

MEA-MFT retirement readiness forums Ready, Aim, Retire! If you’re looking for- long-term care or MedSupp insurance? ward to a happy, healthy retirement, you need to MEA-MFT’s retirement forums will provide take ownership of your retirement planning. It’s answers to all these questions and more. never too early to start. Retirement forum schedule: What can you expect from your Teachers or • Oct. 5: Bozeman, Bozeman High School, Public Employees Retirement System plans? Old Library Meeting Room, 4-6 p.m. What practical steps should you take to get ready • Oct. 6: Billings, Lincoln Center Board for retirement? What changes were made by the Room, 415 N. 30th 4:30-6:30 p.m. 2011 Legislature? How can you get involved in • Oct. 11: Great Falls, GFPS Admin. Building, the legislative process affecting your pension? 1100 4th Street S, 4:30-6:15 p.m. What about health insurance following re- • Oct. 21: Missoula, (as part of MEA-MFT tirement? Should you stay on the old employer Educators’ Conference) Band Room, Sentinel plan, join your partner’s plan, or wait for “health High School 8:30-11 a.m. exchanges” coming in 2013-14? More forums will be scheduled for Glendive Does NEA Member Beneits or AFT Plus and Havre. Check the calendar at www.mea-mft. Member Beneits have something to offer for org for updates. n

6 MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org K-12 NEWS

Tom Pedersen, Montana Teacher of the Year (from p. 1) ability to set a mind in motion.” Pedersen reaches their wing,” he said. He credits his father, too, Teacher of the Year all students, said Reynolds, “from some of the another teacher/coach and “a great role model.” finalists most troubled, struggling academic scholars to As Montana Teacher of the Year, Pedersen Above: Beth Thomas, highly intellectual minds requiring signiicant will act as an ambassador for the teaching profes- below: Amy Konen, both of Great Falls. challenge.” sion, telling the public about success stories in “I give students my time,” Pedersen said. “My Montana’s classrooms. door is always open. I push students to their He wants to encourage fellow teachers to “start limits while reassuring them that their hard work a revolution of the mind and human spirit with will pay off and they will succeed.” students, guiding them to redesign designs, re- Antidote to nature deficit disorder: Ped- invent inventions, and think their way out of the ersen also pushes students out of doors and problems we have placed upon their generation.” into the natural world. His Honors Biology II Teacher of the Year finalists: Finalists in the students work in the ield monitoring water 2012 Montana Teacher of the Year event are Amy quality and forest health. They record their data Konen, a literacy, math, and reading intervention using the scientiic method and write stewardship teacher at Mountain View Elementary in Great management papers. They also learn to listen and Falls, and Beth Thomas, a science teacher at read at the college level, working on high-tech North Middle School in Great Falls. DNA and human physiology and anatomy labs. Pedersen, Konen, and Thomas, all MEA-MFT Pedersen’s Science Seminar students tackle members, will be honored at a celebration Octo- hot-button science issues and learn the Socratic ber 20 in Missoula in conjunction with the annual method, where they are encouraged to question MEA-MFT Educators’ Conference. (Details on any viewpoint or guest speaker as long as they page 11.) Congratulations to all three of these do it respectfully. The class culminates in ield outstanding teachers! trips to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks You can learn more about Tom Pedersen, and Lewis & Clark Caverns. see video clips of him in action, and hear radio “I really feel you can learn about nature, interviews at www.mea-mft.org. n from nature, in nature,” Pedersen said. Plus, he sees nature as an antidote to the symptoms of “nature deicit disorder” in kids: anxiety, stress, Paul Andersen, national ADHD, obesity, suicide, and depression. “Kids Teacher of the Year finalist who spend ive to eight hours a day in front of Kudos to MEA-MFT member and 2011 a screen or text thousands of messages are not Montana Teacher of the Year Paul Andersen of getting outside,” he said, adding that time in na- Bozeman, who was chosen as one of four inal- ture can calm, focus, and relax students and make ists in this year’s National Teacher of the Year their education relevant, interesting, and fun. event. Michelle Shearer of Maryland was ulti- Pedersen’s teaching continues through the mately chosen National Teacher of the Year.n summer, working with students and teachers through the Helena National Forest Youth For- est Monitoring Program and Forest For Every Classroom. He has spent countless hours helping other teachers improve their teaching methods and rapport with students. He credits his own mentors with his success in teaching: the Capital High science teachers who urged him to stick with teaching 34 years ago: Harlan Coverdell, Marilyn Alexander, Pat Johnson, and Ron Elliott. “They took me under MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org 7 K-12 NEWS

Denise Juneau vs. No Child Left Behind Montana Superintendent of Public student performance. “We’ll have to see the Instruction Denise Juneau made national details of the waivers,” Juneau cautioned. “They headlines recently by going toe-to-toe look eerily familiar—very similar to Race to the with the federal No Child Left Behind act Top requirements.” Race to the Top is the Obama (NCLB)—a law widely criticized as heavy administration’s plan for school improvement, handed, rigid, and punitive. which most educators believe still focuses too For a decade, NCLB has held students much on one test and a one-size-its-all approach. and educators hostage to high-stakes In any case, Juneau said, “We’ve gained a lot testing and the requirement that schools by showing that our state has great educational have 100 percent of students proicient outcomes already. Teachers are doing a great in math and reading by 2014, regardless job, and we can demonstrate it through data. We of students’ abilities and backgrounds. consider what happened this year a win. NCLB The law penalizes schools that don’t has served its purpose. It’s time to move on.” make “Adequate Yearly Progress,” as “Denise Juneau stared NCLB down,” said measured by annual tests, and labels them Feaver. “In the tradition of former Montana Denise Juneau: “We as failures. superintendents Nancy Keenan and Linda Mc- consider what happened “NCLB guarantees that all schools will even- Culloch, Denise showed the way for the rest of this year a win.” tually ‘fail,’ because the goalposts continually the nation.” n move,” said MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver. This April, Juneau told U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that Montana would Foundation news ‘In the tradition not jump through NCLB’s hoops. ‘Fore’ Kids & Education: The Montana Pro - of Nancy Keenan With 155 additional Montana schools slated fessional Teaching Foundation’s 8th annual Golf to “fail,” including schools that had made good Scramble was a big success. The golf scramble and Linda progress in student achievement, Juneau told took place on a perfect summer day, August 4, McCulloch, Duncan that Montana would not raise its testing 2011, at the Green Meadow Country Club in Denise showed targets as the law requires. Helena. The event is a fundraiser (and fun-raiser) “We’re not asking permission,” Juneau said for the foundation. the way for at the time. “We’re just telling them we won’t raise Congratulations to the winners! First Place the rest of the our annual objectives this year.” Gross: Great Falls Education Association. First Despite warnings that Montana would lose Place Net: Hagen’s Hackers. Thanks to all who nation.’ signiicant federal funding, Juneau stuck to her participated, and thanks to the many businesses, guns—and prevailed. She and Duncan worked groups, and individuals who sponsored holes and out a compromise that allowed all but 16 of the prizes. See you next year! schools to make Adequate Yearly Progress, with Karen Cox Grants: Are you thinking about no loss of federal funding. shelling out your own money for a classroom Juneau’s moxie caught the attention of the project or equipment? Consider applying for a New York Times and other major news outlets. It Karen Cox Memorial Grant instead. also sparked a movement: three other Western Named in honor of one of Montana’s great states soon followed her lead, refusing to raise teachers, these grants are not intended to re- the testing bar. place regular school funding, but rather to help The uprising culminated September 23 with educators who reach into their own pockets for President Obama’s announcement that states classroom supplies and projects. could apply for waivers from the 100 percent The grant application deadline is October 31. proiciency requirement—if they develop plans To apply for a grant, visit www.mea-mft.org/ to close achievement gaps, raise standards, and our_foundation/programs/karen_cox_memo- create a system to evaluate educators based on rial_grants.aspx. n

8 MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org New polls show strong support for teachers Take heart, teachers. Americans love you, and ers” column. Americans overwhelmingly believe they’re on your side. More than ever. Despite everyone, not just teachers, must work together ilms like Waiting For ‘Superman,’ despite negative to improve schools, including students, parents, national headlines, despite the vocal minority and elected oficials, the poll inds. who criticize teachers, Americans’ respect for Also, most Americans have a bad taste in their public school teachers is strong and growing mouths about standardized testing. They believe stronger. Those are key indings from two new public schools are crucial to economic develop- national polls: the 2011 PDK/Gallup Poll of the ment; teachers are the experts when it comes to Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools and knowing what’s good for students; and struggling a poll by the National Education Association. teachers should be mentored, not tossed out. The PDK/Gallup poll shows Americans “Americans’ strong support for teachers and respect the teaching profession, support better public schools is all the more heartening given funding for schools, and reject tax-funded vouch- that more than two-thirds of respondents say they ers for private school tuition, although they do hear more bad news about education than good support school choice within the public school news,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten, system. The poll shows more than 70 percent of speaking of the PDK/Gallup poll. respondents say they have “trust and conidence” The take-home lesson? Americans get it. They in the men and women who are teaching. are paying more attention to what is really hap- The NEA poll shows similar results, with pening in schools than national headline writers. most Americans in the “cheerleaders for teach- And that’s good news. n

HIGHER ED NEWS

MSU-Bozeman members close in on first contracts MEA-MFT members at Montana State Uni- of our members and bargaining teams for the NEA Foundation versity-Bozeman have nearly inished bargaining work they’ve done.” n grants available their irst contracts. Congratulations to MEA-MFT has two local units at MSU- MEA-MFT member Daisy Bozeman: tenure track and non-tenure track. MEA-MFT works with regents Rooks, a professor at the MEA-MFT Field Consultant Tom Burgess has to prioritize salaries , been working with the two units simultaneously When the 2011 left the who recently won an on their contracts. state university system with a $21 million funding NEA Foundation grant to “Our bargaining teams have been working gap, despite having enough money in state coffers “examine individuals who overtime to secure good agreements,” he said. to avoid any cuts, the state Board of Regents was have taken ‘alternative’ “We believe that when they’re completed, faculty forced to patch the funding hole by raising tuition. pathways into the will overwhelmingly support the contracts.” MEA-MFT has worked extensively with the teaching profession.” The MSU units organized and joined MEA- regents and Commissioner of Higher Educa- Is there an NEA MFT two years ago. As a result, all faculty at tion Sheila Stearns to put university and faculty Foundation grant in Montana’s public higher education campuses are salaries irst. “Montana faculty salaries already your future? Visit www. now part of the MEA-MFT family. are among the lowest in the nation,” said Tom neafoundation.org/ “We’re working to secure language in the Burgess, MEA-MFT’s ield consultant for higher and find out. Higher contracts giving faculty a strong voice in issues education locals. “The regents agree that we have education and k-12 like due process, promotions, transfers, and to do everything we can to keep our high quality educators are both working conditions,” Burgess said. “I’m proud faculty members here.” n eligible for the grants.

MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org 9 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ALEC: the secret front group behind the bad legislation Who is behind efforts to kill public employee model bills,” said MEA-MFT Policy Director pensions, destroy teacher tenure, and turn over Marco Ferro. The bills include a special educa- public services to private, for-proit corporations? tion voucher bill (HB 591), private charter school Who is spoon-feeding ready-made bills to Tea bill (HB 603), and a bill opting Montana out of Party legislators in Montana, Wisconsin, and oth- federal health care reform (HB 206). er states, passing them off as “grassroots” ideas? “I’ve heard legislators claim that an idea for Meet ALEC, a secretive front group whose a bill just ‘came to them,’ but when I checked it secrets have come to light lately. A nonproit out, it turned out to be almost word-for-word investigative reporting group called The Center from ALEC,” said MEA-MFT Political Director Graphic from the ALEC for Media and Democracy (CMD) recently blew Terry Minow. Exposed web site: www. ALEC’s cover, unveiling more than 800 “model” ALEC in Montana: ALEC Exposed lists the alecexposed.org. bills and resolutions secretly supported by global following Montana legislators who are involved corporations and state politicians through the with ALEC: American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Who is spoon- • Former Rep. Dennis Himmelberger (R-Billings) ‘ These so-called model bills often directly former ALEC State Chair feeding ready- beneit huge corporations. ALEC has written • Rep. David Howard (R-Park City) made bills to Tea measures that limit workers’ rights, drain labor • Rep. Gary MacLaren (R-Victor) State Chair Party legislators unions of resources for protecting employees, un- • Rep. Ken Peterson (R-Billings) dermine consumer protections, funnel tax dollars • Rep. Scott Reichner (R-Bigfork) State Chair in Montana, to for-proit corporations through privatization • Rep. (R-Billings) Wisconsin, and schemes, and push the “free trade” agenda that • Rep. Wendy Warburton (R-Havre) other states, has shipped American jobs overseas. • Rep. Roy Hollandsworth (R-Brady) A new web site called ALEC Exposed—www. passing them off • Rep. Bill Beck (R-Whiteish) alecexposed.org—details the model bills and the • Rep. Elsie Arntzen (R-Billings) as “grassroots” corporations backing ALEC, including the infa- • Rep. Jesse O’Hara (R-Great Falls) ideas? Meet mous Koch Brothers. ALEC-written bills have • Rep. Dan Skattum (R-Livingston) ALEC. been introduced in legislatures in every state. • Rep. (R-Sommers) ’ “Several bills were introduced in Montana’s 2011 • Rep. Gordon Hendrick (R-Superior) session that were nearly direct copies of ALEC • Rep. Lee Randall (R-Broadus) • Rep. John Esp (R-Big Timber) • Rep. Liz Bangerter (R-Helena) What YOU can do about ALEC • Rep. Steve Lavin (R-Kalispell) • Rep. Tom McGillvray (R-Billings) • Former Rep. Dee Brown (R-Hungry Horse) 1 LOOK UP www.alecexposed.org. Join the conversation at facebook. • Rep. Michael More (R-Gallatin Gateway) com/CenterforMediaandDemocracy. Learn more about ALEC. • Rep. Mike Miller (R-Helmville) • Sen. Jeff Essmann (R-Billings ) 2 SPEAK UP by telling friends and colleagues about ALEC’s antics. E-mail Sanna Porte at [email protected] for information on how • Sen. Bob Lake (R-Hamilton) to write a great letter to the editor that supports public services and • Sen. Llew Jones (R-Conrad) public education. • Former Sen. Roy Brown (R-Billings) See which ALEC committees these legisla- 3 STAND UP. E-mail Terry Minow at [email protected] to be an MEA- tors sit on and learn more about ALEC at www. MFT activist who will take action to support quality public education, alecexposed.org. Watch news clips on ALEC at quality public services, and the people who do work that matters. www.mea-mft.org/Articles/alec_outed_the_ right-wing_conspiracy_behind_bad_bills.aspx. n

10 MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org MEA-MFT EDUCATORS’ CONFERENCE OCTOBER 20-21, 2011 • MISSOULA SENTINEL HIGH SCHOOL & UM COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

THE SECRET’S OUT: The annual MEA-MFT PRE-REGISTRATION & PROGRAMS ONLINE: Educators’ Conference offers the best professional and You’ll ind online pre-registration and everything you career development you’ll ind anywhere in Montana! need to know about the conference, including the By law, Montana schools close for our two confer- conference program and how to plan your two days to ence days each year so you can attend. It’s your right! suit your speciic interests, at the MEA-MFT web site: This year, MEA-MFT partners with 22 curriculum www.mea-mft.org/educators_conference.aspx groups to bring you teacher-designed, teacher-delivered RENEWAL UNITS: You can earn one renewal unit professional development in every imaginable subject for each classroom hour you attend at the Educators’ area and cutting-edge teaching topic. Conference. From the arts to math, journalism to special needs, NOT TO BE MISSED: Special conference events computers to bilingual education and everything in include the Montana Teacher of the Year Celebra- between, we guarantee you will ind keynote speakers tion, honoring 2012 Teacher of the Year Tom Pedersen and workshops geared speciically to YOU. and inalists Beth Thomas and Amy Konen. Thursday, The MEA-MFT Educators’ Conference is the best October 20, 2011 ~ 6:00-8:00 P.M., Hilton Garden Inn, time, best place to renew old friendships, establish new 3720 Reserve Street ~ Dinner & Cocktails. All confer- ones, and do some serious networking. ence participants are invited. COME GET INSPIRED. SEE YOU IN MISSOULA!

MEA-MFT Today • October/November 2011 • www.mea-mft.org 11 Nonproit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1 1232 East Sixth Avenue Billings, MT Helena, MT 59601

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f you’re not using your member beneits, you’re missing Iout on some screaming deals that can save you and your family hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year. lately? MEA-MFT’s two national afiliates, NEA and AFT, A taste of what you’ll ind... seek out special discounts on a huge variety of goods and • Affordable home, auto, health, life, even pet insurance services to help members stretch their hard-earned dollars. • Entertainment & travel In these tight economic times, more than ever, it pays • Low-cost credit cards to know about your member beneits. • ID theft protection • Discounted shoes, clothing, magazines, books, & more How to I access my member beneits? • Legal & inancial services 1. Go to www.mea-mft.org. • Home buying & reinancing 2. Find “MEA-MFT Membership Center” on the left side • Investment programs of the home page. • Scholarships & online professional development 3. Click on the picture of the MEA-MFT membership card. (Pictured at right). Go here: 4. You will see a listing of your many beneits. One of www.mea-mft.org them is NEA “Click & Save.” Follow the links indicated, depending on whether you’re a irst-time Click & Save user Click here: or a returning customer. 5. Scroll on down the Member Beneits page and take a look at offerings from NEA Member Beneits and AFT+ Member Beneits. 6. You can also go straight to the NEA and AFT member beneits web sites: • www.neamb.com • www.aft.org/beneits/ Cruise around. Have some fun.

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