LOCAL WINS EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK • POSTER INSIDE • ENGAGING YOUR STUDENTS AdvocateTexas State Teachers Association/National Education Association Summer 2010 Inadequate and inequitable The poor economy has worsened a longstanding problem: a school finance system that has been neglected MILKEN SOCIAL STUDIES WARS Another attempt to impose political dogma by the State Board of Education Convention highlights Featuring Bill White and NEA’s Dennis Van Roekel Editorial Table of Contents Making the most of membership Advocate Vol. 29, No. 4 Summer 2010 More than 20 years ago, I joined TSTA, an organization that not only listened TSTA Advocate is an official quarterly publication of the Texas State Teachers to my issues but did something about them. By Rita Haecker, TSTA President Association, affiliate of the National Educa- tion Association. How to Contact Us: Call (877) ASK-TSTA, visit www.tsta.org, or write to TSTA, 316 TSTA is the only organiza- unmatched by any other or- office. The value that we each year. With their parents, West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. tion that can take its mem- ganization. I knew that I had bring to our members is that we are among the greatest in- Please send address changes to the attention of Membership Records or bers on a journey that will made the right choice. we understand that fluences on these young peo- 22 6 8 [email protected]. teach them how to grow in members and leaders need ple’s lives and are key deter- Advertising: If you would like to advertise, their profession and become I also was given opportuni- ongoing professional devel- minants of their future contact us at (512) 476-5355, ext. 1257. great leaders. ties to develop my own lead- opment. We are committed success. FEATURES TSTA makes no representations regarding ership capabilities. The core to investing in the future of advertised products or services that are not endorsed. More than twenty years ago, belief of our association is the association by growing Congratulations on the suc- 6 State Board of Education Makes a Mockery of the Educational Process A strong conservative spin has been added to the Texas social studies curriculum. Postmaster: Send address changes to I embarked on the greatest cessful completion of an- TSTA Membership Records, 316 West journey that anyone could other school year. I hope all 8 We Can’t Afford to Stand Still 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. make. I became a classroom of you enjoy a well-deserved Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and state PRESIDENT teacher. Little did I know break from the classroom, a Sen. John Whitmire all vowed strong political support for educators at the state TSTA Convention. Rita Haecker Awards presented included the Ronnie Ray ESP of the Year, Friend of Education, Ermalee then that every student that time to relax, reflect and VICE PRESIDENT I taught would influence prepare for next year’s chal- Boice Instructional Advocacy and School Bells. Jason Hillman where I would go next for lenges and opportunities. 12 Inadequate and Inequitable EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR professional development. The poor economy has only served to worsen the basic, longstanding problem — a school E.C. Walker As any new teacher can do, I Then, let us all anticipate finance law that falls woefully short of meeting the needs of most schools and teachers. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE asked a million and one that very first day of school DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS 16 Teachers Spend Their Days Looking into the Future questions about how to im- next fall — the excitement Richard Kouri A pull-out poster for your classroom or worksite. prove our profession and in- of a new group of students EDITOR crease the support that our who will challenge us to be 22 Gotta Keep Reading Debbie Mohondro NEA's annual award-winning literacy program gets a new theme song, plus some of the Read students need in the class- the best educators that we PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST room. My questions were can be. We also will have Across America events that were held this March in Texas schools. Clay Robison recognized, but they were the opportunity to introduce PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN not always answered. This the new educators on our Susan Martin COLUMNS led me to TSTA, an organi- campuses to a professional ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER zation that not only listened organization that will con- 4 Upfront Leann Kloesel to my issues but did some- tinue to invest the energy Texas attorney general nixes political action committee deductions, another school finance law- suit looms, deadlines for running for TSTA or NEA office, how to nominate a support profes- ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY thing about them. I joined and time to improve the Claire Moore and saw first-hand the level lives of thousands of public sional for an award and more. SECRETARY/ADVERTISING of support that local leaders school employees. Let’s en- 18 Acting Locally Vacant can give a new teacher. gage in the critical conver- News from North East, Alief, Lubbock, Kingwood, Dallas, Mercedes, Cypress-Fairbanks, Ector sations that will increase our County and Harlandale. Copyright 2010 by What impressed me the that we must continue to the best leaders to take on capacity to build the leader- 24 Student and Retired News most were their knowledge grow and cultivate new lead- the challenges that lie ahead. ship teams in all our locals TSTA-Student Program elects officers and gives awards to local chapters and members; TSTA- and skills in dealing with ers to further our goal of and assure TSTA’s strong Retired members elect officers, attend meetings and set their calendar. difficult issues. The leader- supporting great public As teachers, we also must impact for many more years ship of the local was edu- schools for all our students. recognize the influence that to come. 26 In the Classroom cated and well-versed in all we have on our students and Ideas to increase student engagement include asking for feedback, teamwork and creating a aspects of the school dis- My responsibilities in TSTA our state’s future. We spend Have fun this summer and safe classroom. TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION trict’s politics and programs. increased, and soon I was hundreds of hours with our be successful next school 28 Ask Legal 316 West 12th St., Austin, Texas 78701 Their level of expertise was prepared to take an elected students and their parents year! Get to know your TSTA Legal Services team. www.tsta.org • (877) ASK-TSTA 2 TSTA Advocate Summer 2010 3 Upfront TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS NO TEXAS POLITICS: TO PAC DEDUCTIONS GET A DEEPER 10 things you should know 4It is illegal for school districts to deduct contributions 6PERSPECTIVE to TSTA’s political action committee from employees’ pay- Clay Robison, former checks, the Texas attorney general says. TSTA believes his Capitol bureau chief for May ruling violates a teacher’s constitutional right to political the Houston Chronicle, is participation and is considering legal options. on the TSTA staff now, Deductions for TSTA membership dues aren’t affected by the and he blogs at least twice opinion. www.tsta.org/news/current#Attorney a week on current news. Check out Grading Texas WE TWEET AND WE'LL FRIEND YOU, TOO at www.tstaweb.net/ mtstatic. Our teaching and Get updates on news and events by following us on learning specialist, Dr. 5Twitter (twitter.com/txstateteachers) and friending us Paul Henley, also offers thought provoking blogs on Think- on Facebook (www.facebook.com/texasstateteachersassocia- ing Again at www.tstaweb.net/sblog. tion). We currently have 545 followers and 391 friends. CONVENTION ELECTION RESULTS: FRANCES SMITH, J.L. MARTINEZ WIN OFFICE Frances Smith of Cypress-Fairbanks TSTA/NEA will serve a three-year term as NEA director for Texas, place 1, beginning 7Sept. 1, and J.L. Martinez of the Association of Brownsville Educators will serve a two-year term on the TSTA Board of Direc- tors as a supervisory at large member beginning July 15. Both Smith and Martinez were unopposed and were declared winners in their respective races at the 2010 House of Delegates. Delegates also voted on several amendments to the TSTA Bylaws. FILE NOW FOR TSTA OFFICER, NEA DIRECTOR NOMINATE AN ESP FOR RECOGNITION TSTA officers: Nominations are open for TSTA presi- TSTA is accepting nominations for the Ronnie Ray Ed- 8dent and vice president, for a three-year term begin- 9ucation Support Professional Advocate of the Year HAECKER TAKES ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ning July 15, 2011. File for either office and you are automat- award until 4:45 p.m. Sept. 30. Nominees should demonstrate Frustrated by the State Board of Education’s role in “rewriting not only the social studies portion of the Texas Essential ically filed for alternate NEA director for Texas. outstanding accomplishments in one or more of the following areas: (1) support of the day-to-day educational process, (2) 1Knowledge and Skills standards, but in rewriting history itself,” TSTA President Rita Haecker was blunt when she testified NEA director: Nominations are also open for NEA director professional achievements in his/her classification, (3) promo- at a public hearing called by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus in April. for Texas, place 3, and for three alternate NEA directors. The tion of public education in the community, (4) involvement in NEA director for Texas, place 3, will serve a three-year term “The ultra-conservative members of the State Board of Education have a narrow, ideological view that not only ignores history the local, state or national association and (5) enhancement of but also ignores the changing world we call America.