Billions Cut from Schools CONCERNED TEXANS PROTEST THROUGHOUT the STATE Editorial Table of Contents Advocate Elections Have Consequences Vol

TSTA MEMBERS NAMED TEACHER AND ESP OF THE YEAR • LEADERSHIP CHANGES COMING

TexasAdvocate State Teachers Association/National Education Association Summer 2011 Billions Cut from Schools CONCERNED TEXANS PROTEST THROUGHOUT THE STATE Editorial Table of Contents Advocate Elections have consequences Vol. 30, No. 4 Summer 2011 TSTA Advocate is an official quarterly publication of the Texas State Teachers We all knew that. Or, we thought we did until the recent legislative session slapped us Association, affiliate of the National Educa- tion Association. with a very unpleasant reminder. Texas educators and school kids will be suffering the How to contact us: Call (877) ASK-TSTA, visit www.tsta.org, or write us at TSTA, consequences of the last election cycle for months — maybe years — to come. 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Please send address changes to the By Rita Haecker, TSTA President attention of Membership Records or [email protected].

Advertising: If you would like to advertise, Many teachers who were looking forward to well-deserved vacations political process and, when school resumes, to recruit teachers and contact us at (512) 476-5355, ext. 1251 or will be spending much of their summers looking for new jobs after ESPs in your buildings to join our membership and our cause. email [email protected]. becoming the victims of $4 billion in budget cuts to the public 628TSTA makes no representations regarding schools. And students will find more crowded classrooms, fewer Are you angry about what the Legislature has done to our public advertised products or services that are not electives and a diminished learning environment when they return schools? Are you angry about dedicated educators, your colleagues, endorsed. to school in August. who lost their jobs? You have every right to be angry, but you also Postmaster: Send address changes to need to channel your anger into political action. Only in that way TSTA Membership Records, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Cuts of this magnitude are unconscionable, particularly since, at can we, as educators, produce change. FEATURES Gov. Perry’s insistence, the Legislature left $6 billion of the taxpayers’ PRESIDENT 16 It Starts with an Index Card Rita Haecker money untouched in the emergency Rainy Day Fund. Thousands of TSTA members participated in our Day of Action events around the state this spring and rallied for the public schools Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year Beth Huckabee says she has discovered the key to VICE PRESIDENT These are the results of the 2010 elections, which returned an ideo- in marches on the Capitol. Those efforts helped raise the public con- “increased attentiveness, zero discipline problems and mutual respect.“ Jason Hillman logically driven governor to office and swept into sciousness of the ideological and political cam- 18 ‘Never Allow Anybody to Dictate Our Future’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR the Legislature a host of ideologues — private paign against our public schools, but they were E.C. Walker school supporters, voucher advocates and home- just the beginning. Education Support Professional of the Year Yolanda Molina of Mercedes has been a leader at every level of the association, as well as her community. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE schoolers — intent on shrinking state government DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS and undermining the backbone of our society, our Soon, you can help your locals organize candidate Richard Kouri public school system. recruitment and screening committees. And, 20 How to Create Power EDITOR please donate to TSTA-PAC, or, if you already Executive Director E.C. Walker may be retiring from TSTA in the fall, but he’s still focused on the Debbie Mohondro Displaying an arrogance reflected in anti-teacher, contribute, please consider increasing your dona- association’s future. anti-union crusades across the country, they tion. You can do that today. PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Clay Robison scoffed as thousands of Texas school employees began losing their jobs. Now, it is time for educa- Money is a fact of life in politics. Successful PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN Susan Martin tors and other friends of the public schools to campaigns for state and even local offices are COLUMNS fight back — and fight back hard. expensive. Remember, our pro-school candidates ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER STATE CONVENTION: President Haecker will be competing with heavy campaign con- 4 10 Things to Know Leann Kloesel The next elections for legislative offices in Texas — encourages delegates to act. tributions from voucher advocates, virtual school In the new school year, TSTA will have several new officers and a new executive director; the ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY the March party primaries — are only nine months away, and TSTA operators and other would-be educational entrepreneurs whose National Teacher of the Year is an NEA member; websites for out-of-work employees; more. Claire Moore soon will be gearing up for a campaign whose outcome will either primary interest in the public schools is to squeeze profit from dig Texas public education — and the state’s future — deeper into a them. SECRETARY/ADVERTISING 6 Upfront Vacant hole or begin to restore some political sanity to the lawmaking and budget-setting process in Austin. Later, I will encourage you to volunteer in the campaigns of pro-edu- As the Advocate went to press, TSTA was fighting hard to keep the Legislature’s assault on Copyright 2011 by cation candidates and, of course, to vote — and urge your friends, public schools and employees from becoming worse. TSTA will be supporting — and, in some cases, recruiting — educa- neighbors and the parents in your schools to vote. Parents, when 24 In the Classroom tion friendly candidates, men and women of both political parties they fully realize the impact of the deep cuts that some of their local who value the public schools and are ready to put the needs of legislators have inflicted upon their local schools, will be no less Wichita Falls teacher Patti Golden uses an NEA Foundation grant to meet the needs of her school children above ideology and partisanship. We also will be in- eager for change in Austin. diverse learners. volved in local school board races in which members of our locals 26 Around Texas can make a difference. Elections have consequences, and we must start preparing now for TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 2012. Our profession, our students’ opportunities and our state’s Hays and Del Valle defuse dangerous contract language; First Lady celebrates NEA’s Read NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Our potential for success begins with our members, people like you. economic future depend on our ability — and determination — to Across America; Lewisville member wins a 5A championship; news from the student and 316 West 12th St., Austin, Texas 78701 www.tsta.org • (877) ASK-TSTA It requires your commitment to get involved and stay involved in the change the legislative roster. retired programs.

2 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 3 10 Things to Know

OUT OF WORK? Many members and their families have been affected by layoffs 6and salary reductions. Here are some sites that may help you find a job: • Work in Texas: The Texas Education Agency and Texas Workforce Commission link job seekers with available teaching and education- related positions. https://wit.twc.state.tx.us OUR EXECUTIVE • School District Job Search: Search for job openings by address, zip code or city. DIRECTOR IS www.tea.state.tx.us/districtSearch.aspx 4RETIRING • Teachers in Transition: Texas Workforce Commission tells how to file for unemployment With E.C. Walker at the insurance and find a new occupation. www.twc.state.tx.us/jobs/teachers-in- helm, TSTA has seen a transition.html membership increase of almost 30 percent over the • Teachers-Teachers: Post an online job application and create an electronic résumé for past nine years, in spite of free. The site then matches your qualifications to available jobs. www.teachers- the downward economy. He teachers.com leaves us with his thoughts on keeping the upward Remember, NEA Member Benefits may be able to help through financial counseling, mort- trend going on pages 20-23. gage assistance programs, credit card and insurance payment options, and retirement sav- If you won’t see him at the ings waivers. www.neamb.com/assistance NEA Representative Assem- bly, you can still send an email to [email protected] by TELL THE WORLD LEGAL ADVICE ON time you get to your page, the end of summer. ABOUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA truly permanent damage will GREAT PEOPLE WHY SHOULD EDUCATION EMPLOYEES CARE ABOUT POLITICS? 7 9“Allowing students to be done. You can disable this Nominate one of your col- The regular session of the 82nd Legislature was not unlike a championship volleyball game (just ask Karin Keeney, page post directly to your wall is feature through privacy set- leagues to be a classroom su- 127). Bad bill after bad bill popped up, only to be taken down by kill shots from your ace TSTA government relations team, like allowing them to write in tings on Facebook.” backed by hundreds of calls and emails from members. Then the regular session ended, and the rules changed. At press time, it perhero and encourage other Sharpie on your whiteboard wasn’t pretty, as you’ll see on pages 6-14. Visit our website, www.tsta.org, for an update. colleagues, parents and stu- when you aren’t in the class- And how scary is this: “You dents to post comments of room - only worse,” warns cannot erase your social support on Facebook. Brenda Sutton-Wills, staff at- media record. It’s possible to NATIONAL www.ClassroomSuper- torney for California Teach- subpoena an archive of all TEACHER OF THE heroes.com ers Association, an NEA affil- your posts and all posts 3YEAR iate. “Students can and do made by you.” Read more of Maryland teacher and Na- AND WE HAVE A post to social media sites Sutton-Wills’ advice at tional Education Association BLACK FRIDAY NEW EXECUTIVE from their cell phones. By the http://bit.ly/kvAjAo. member Michelle Shearer DEALS EVERY DAY TSTA HAS ELECTED NEW OFFICERS 5DIRECTOR! was named the 2011 Na- E.C.’s successor was chosen 8Take advantage of Delegates to the April TSTA House of Delegates in El Paso elected the following to TSTA tional Teacher of the Year by hundreds of exclusive offers 2and NEA positions. You’ll read more about them in the fall issue of the Advocate. at the June 11 TSTA Board of President Barack Obama at a Directors meeting. He’s some- through NEA Click & Save. • TSTA President: Incumbent President Rita Haecker, elected to a second term White House ceremony on one you’ve known for years, Register at www.neamb.com National Teacher Day. first as president of Austin to start saving. New offers • TSTA Vice President: Noel Candelaria, Ysleta Teachers Association Shearer, a chemistry teacher Association of Teachers (now are added every day — from • NEA Director: Rae Nwosu, Education Austin at Urbana High School in Education Austin), then as cell phones to Disney FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK • ESP At-Large, TSTA Board of Directors: Bobby Lerma, Ysleta Teachers Association, and Ijamsville, Maryland, is TSTA state president, then as Cruises — and you can set AND TWITTER Jeanette Garcia-Avila, Donna TSTA/NEA committed to helping chil- TSTA’s director of public af- email reminders for your fa- 10 Did you know TSTA is on Facebook and Twitter? dren who have traditionally fairs. Welcome Richard Kouri vorite merchants so you’ll be Follow us at www.facebook.com/texasstateteachersassociation • Second Alternate NEA Director: Noel Candelaria, Ysleta Teachers Association been underrepresented in to his new position by email- notified in advance of up- and http://twitter.com/txstateteachers. And check out our • Third Alternate NEA Director: Tony Uzzell, Waco TSTA/NEA science. http://bit.ly/liID5B ing [email protected]. coming sales and discounts. website at www.tsta.org.

4 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 5 Upfront

were elected with Tea Party support, readily complied.

TSTA President Rita Haecker, in a statement to the media, said it was “unconscionable” for the governor and legislators to cut education and other important services while leaving $6 billion of the taxpayers’ money in the bank.

“This budget fails to meet the Legisla- ture’s constitutional responsibility to ad- equately fund the public schools,” Haecker said. “It is a shameful disservice to the school children and taxpayers of Texas. It will cost thousands of school employees their jobs, cram kids into overcrowded classrooms and under- mine preparations for our state’s future.”

Had it not been for the outcry raised by MANOR: TSTA President Rita Haecker joined members from Manor and their families at TSTA Head- TSTA and other concerned Texans, the quarters before the March 12 Save Texas Schools rally at the Capitol. budget probably would have been even worse. The House passed a budget For the first time in at least 27 years, cuts by spending all $9.4 billion in the early in the session that would have cut according to the Legislative Budget Rainy Day Fund, closing some tax ex- $8 billion from the public schools. Board, the Legislature failed to fully emptions and finding new tax revenue. fund the school finance formulas and But the Senate found additional non- keep up with anticipated enrollment Thousands of TSTA members, their tax revenue and employed accounting growth. Another 170,000 children are friends and parents from their schools tools — including moving state school expected to enter Texas public schools participated in TSTA Day of Action ral- finance payments from one fiscal year over the next two years. lies and other events around the state on to another — to reduce the cuts to $4 April 2 to focus media attention on the billion. In the end, House and Senate And, despite leaving $6 billion of the public schools, and many TSTA mem- budget conferees went with the Senate. taxpayers’ money untouched in the bers traveled to Austin to join thousands Tough session for schools state’s emergency Rainy Day Fund, law- of other concerned Texans rallying at Weeks before the final budget was writ- makers did nothing to address the $10 the Capitol for school kids and against ten, many school districts started laying billion biennial deficit in the school fi- budget cuts. The TSTA House of Dele- off teachers and other employees in an- As TSTA had feared following last November’s election, budget cuts to public nance budget. This shortfall accounted gates, meeting in El Paso this spring, ticipation. According to some estimates, education during the regular legislative session were deep. Thousands of school for more than one-third of the state’s also passed a resolution urging the Leg- more than 12,000 school employees — budgetary hole. It was the result of the islature to spend all the Rainy Day Fund teachers, support staff and administra- district employees will be losing their jobs. Many already have. By Clay Robison Legislature not fully paying for the and find new tax revenue. tors — had lost their jobs by the end of school property tax cuts ordered in the spring semester. And, there were 2006, and it will continue to plague But the governor, influenced by ideo- predictions of thousands more. And, as the Advocate was going to press, TSTA and other The Legislature, driven by Gov. Rick Perry and an over- school districts and their employees. logical Tea Party allies intent on shrink- public school supporters were fighting hard to keep the as- whelming majority of conservative Republican lawmakers, ing the size of state government, in- Although school districts were under- sault on public education from becoming worse. Several pro- cut $4 billion from school finance formulas to help close a Working on our own and banding to- sisted on deep spending reductions. He funded by the state, TSTA believes dis- posals attacking an important class size limit, teacher pay and state revenue shortfall of $27 billion. This was in addition to gether with Texas Forward, a coalition refused to consider new tax revenue tricts can take some steps to minimize teacher employment rights — all of which TSTA had been in- $1.4 billion in cuts to education discretionary grants for such of advocates for education, health care and demanded that most of the Rainy the loss of educator jobs. Many dis- strumental in killing during the regular session — were back programs as full-day pre-kindergarten, dropout prevention and other critical public services, TSTA Day Fund remain unspent. And, the tricts are below the $1.17 per $100 on the agenda for a follow-up special session. and teacher bonuses. urged the Legislature to soften budget legislative majority, many of whom valuation cap on maintenance and

6 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 7 HB 398 prohibits any school district contractor or subcontractor from per- mitting an employee to work at a school if the worker has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that would prevent the person from being employed by the district.

HB 592 increases the county popula- SAN ANGELO AND HOUSTON: San Angelo members rallied on TSTA Day of Action, as did 13 area tion requirement for establishing a ju- local associations in Houston. venile justice alternative education pro- been law since 1984 and is credited nio, as an amendment to a non-charter gram from 125,000 to 180,000. Such with improving the learning environ- Senate bill, Senate Bill 738, on a Satur- programs will be permissive for smaller ment for the youngest students and day late in the regular session. Villar- counties. raising overall student performance. real won preliminary House approval of the proposal the first day. HB 675 establishes new standards for Some superintendents had been not-so- high school football helmet safety. subtly trying to repeal this cap for sev- But, alerted by TSTA, other Democratic eral years, although existing law allows legislators raised such strong opposi- HB 692 directs the State Board of Edu- SAN ANTONIO, DONNA AND LAREDO (clockwise): San Antonio locals held a huge rally on TSTA Day of Action April 2, and the NFL Players Union donated districts, in cases of financial hardship, tion to the amendment a few days later cation to allow a student who is unable footballs and soccer balls for people who signed postcards for legislators. In Donna, five area local associations marched. Laredo made its voice heard at the to seek waivers from the state. Those that Villarreal took the unusual step of to participate in physical activity due to Save Texas Schools rally. waivers are almost always granted. stripping off his amendment and pass- disability or illness to substitute one ing the bill in its original form, without credit in English Language Arts, math, operations taxes and should consider the administrators attacked as burden- year and adjust their pay accordingly. During the regular session, TSTA also charters. science or social studies or one acade- asking local voters to approve tax ratifi- some “unfunded mandates.” The second provision repealed the waged a strong fight against Senate Bill mic elective credit for PE. cation elections. TSTA believes most salary floor enacted in 2009. 4, which would have created a new The superintendents were supported BILLS THAT PASSED IN THE parents would rather pay slightly teacher evaluation system heavily depen- HB 734 allows a truancy case to be by key legislative leaders, but TSTA Senate Bill 8 also changed the notifica- REGULAR SESSION higher taxes than see their children dent on student test scores. This bill won filed in a constitutional county court of was successful in defeating them in the tion date for non-renewal of a teacher’s The following bills passed during the jammed into overcrowded classrooms, Senate approval but died in the House. the county in which a parent resides or regular session, thanks to the strong contract from 45 days before the last regular legislative session, but had electives cancelled or, in some cases, in which the school is located if the support of teachers, parents and other day of instruction to 10 days before the A proposal to divert tax dollars for a not been signed by the Governor at neighborhood schools closed. county has a population of 1.75 mil- concerned taxpayers. The fight over last day of instruction. It also elimi- private school voucher scheme popped press time. lion or more. Prior law directed the some of the provisions was renewed, nated seniority as a factor in determin- up late in the regular session, but TSTA Some districts can afford to dip into their county must have a population of two unfortunately, in the special session ing layoffs during reductions in force. and other opponents were able to keep HB 34 requires economics courses to reserve funds, and others may have ad- million or more. ministrative costs they still can trim. that the governor called immediately it bottled up. include instruction in methods of pay- following the regular session. Senate Bill 8 was approved by the Senate ing for college and other postsecondary HB 826 requires a school district to ap- In the near future, some districts are early in the session but was amended to Also late in the regular session, Sen. education, beginning with the 2013-14 The special session was necessary to pass apply furloughs to administrators as well point at least one employee to act as a expected to file another school finance Dan Patrick of Houston won the Sen- school year. a fiscal matters bill needed to balance as teachers. It also required public liaison officer to facilitate the enrollment lawsuit against the state. Several have ate’s approval of an amendment to the new state budget. The bill had died hearings on furlough policies. The bill HB 275 spends $3,198,661,120 from in or transfer to a public school of a been filed over the past 30 years, cul- House Bill 6, the instructional allot- at the end of the regular session, thanks had not yet been acted on by the the Rainy Day Fund to help balance child who is the conservatee of the state. minating in court orders that have re- ment bill, allowing the State Board of to a mini-filibuster in the Senate on May House before the Advocate went to Education to approve as many as 10 the budget for the remainder of the sulted in a series of school finance HB 861 requires that at least one mem- 29, during the Memorial Day weekend. press. Please check the TSTA webpage new charters a year. But opposition in current fiscal year. More than $6 billion changes. ber of the Continuing Advisory Commit- for updates on this bill and other spe- the House forced the amendment to be in the Rainy Day Fund is left unspent. In the special session, which began tee for special education services be a di- cial session developments. stripped in a conference committee. TSTA has spent most of the year so far May 31, much of the fight centered on HB 350 allows a judge to sentence rector of special education programs for fighting not only legislators over bud- Senate Bill 8 by Senate Education In the House, Public Education Chairman TSTA was instrumental in killing an- someone younger than 17 to commu- a district or for a shared services arrange- get cuts but also school board members Chairwoman Florence Shapiro, R- Rob Eissler sponsored legislation to other proposal that would have al- nity service or tutoring for committing ment of multiple school districts. and superintendents trying to use the Plano, to allow districts to cut teacher raise the 22-1 class size limit in kinder- lowed parents to petition the state edu- a Class C misdemeanor at a public budget crisis to raise class sizes in the pay and repeal important teacher em- garten through fourth grade. But, in the cation commissioner to transform school. HB 942 exempts a school district from primary grades, cut teacher pay and re- ployment rights. As filed, the bill al- face of apparent opposition, he amended public schools that have been failing security for court costs and appeal peal teacher employment rights — all lowed districts to reduce teacher pay in his bill early in the session to essen- for as little as two years into charters. HB 359 allows parents to sign annual bonds when instituting and prosecut- in the name of budgetary “flexibility.” two ways. One provision allowed dis- tially maintain the current waiver law. statements prohibiting school districts ing suits. It also allows districts to ap- What teachers and parents value as im- tricts to order teacher furloughs for as The proposal was offered by Rep. Mike from administering corporal punish- peal judgments without giving super- portant educational quality standards, many as six non-instructional days a The 22-1 class size limit in K-4 has Villarreal, a Democrat from San Anto- ment on their children. sedeas or cost bonds.

8 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 9 EL PASO: Clint, Socorro and Ysleta marched at the El Paso State Office Building.

where the employee has applied for employment.

HB 3278 amends a number of statu- tory provisions relating to member- COLLEGE STATION: Members met at Rep. Fred Brown’s office for a rally. ships of the state commissioner of education and the Texas Education Agency HB 1907 requires immediate notifica- HB 2135 provides that a student in on advisory committees, commissions, tion of teachers and other school em- grades 5 or 8 who is enrolled in a task forces and other similar groups. ployees if a student with whom they course above grade level, or for high have regular contact has been accused school credit for which the student will HB 3506 allows a district to use trans- of a serious criminal offense. be assessed, is not required to pass the portation allotment funds to provide a state tests for the grade 5 or 8 state as- bus pass or card for another transporta- HB 1942 requires school districts to sessment on the same subject. tion system to students for whom the adopt policies against bullying and for district’s regular transportation system is responding to incidents of bullying. It HB 2366 provides that an open enroll- not feasible. FORT WORTH: Fort Worth members gathered in the TSTA parking lot before the Save Texas Schools rally; an estimated 12,000 people came to the Capitol that day to protest cuts in public education. The local also participated in TSTA Day of Action. further provides that a district may ment charter school of a municipality transfer a student who has been a victim may admit children of the municipal- HJR 109 proposes a constitutional of bullying, or transfer the student who ity’s employees before conducting its amendment to include in calculating HB 968 requires removal of a student if: (1) the employee has completed the teacher or administrator immediately engages in bullying, to another class or lottery, provided that those children are the fund’s market value discretionary from class to a disciplinary alternative requirements for renewal of the certifi- without pay if the district is notified another campus. It also requires the only a small percentage of the school’s real asset investments and cash in the education program (DAEP) for a felony cate or permit; (2) the employee sub- that the person has been convicted of a State Board of Education to include total enrollment. state treasury derived from property offense of aggravated robbery. It also mitted the request for renewal prior to felony or received deferred adjudica- awareness and prevention of bullying in belonging to the Permanent School provides that a student may be ex- the expiration date; and (3) the date tion for a felony, or if the person’s cer- the curricula for health classes. HB 2561 redefines the meaning of Fund (PSF). It also would allow the pelled from a DAEP for engaging in the certificate or permit would have ex- tificate is revoked for a felony offense. school year as a 12-month period be- General Land Office to distribute rev- documented serious misbehavior while pired is before the date the State Board There is no appeal, and notice and HB 2038 provides more safeguards for ginning Sept. 1 and ending Aug. 31 of enue derived from PSF land or proper- on the program campus. for Educator Certification takes action hearing requirements do not apply. The responding to concussions suffered in the next calendar year. ties to the Available School Fund. The on renewal. bill also makes it a felony offense to en- HB 1061 extends the investment au- school athletics. Students and parents distribution could not exceed $300 gage in sexual contact with a person HB 2678 provides for schools to be thority of the Teacher Retirement Sys- will have to sign forms about concus- million per year. HJR 109 will be on HB 1550 includes charter school em- the employee knows is enrolled in a able to print and issue agency-ap- tem and limits investments in hedge sion awareness, symptoms and treat- the Nov. 8 ballot for voters to approve ployees and officers under the contract public primary or secondary school in proved driver education certificates funds to 10 percent of the value of TRS’ ment before the student is allowed to or reject. for travel services procured by the state. the district in which the employee with the certificate numbers to be used total investment portfolio. participate in athletic activity. works or with a student participant in for certifying completion of an ap- SB 27 requires a school board to im- HB 1555 allows districts with student HB 2120 requires the governor to ap- HB 1130 concerns reporting of stu- an educational activity that is spon- proved driver education course. plement and administer a policy for the enrollment of 190,000 or more to start point one member of the Teacher Re- dents receiving special education ser- sored by a school district. care of students at risk for anaphylaxis. school before the mandatory start date tirement System board from a slate of HB 2971 makes confidential teacher vices in various settings. using local funds if the campuses are HB 1682 prohibits school board mem- three persons who have been nomi- evaluations and administrator records SB 49 requires a school district to pro- HB 1224 allows a student to be ex- undergoing comprehensive reform or bers or school district employees from nated by the following groups collec- in open enrollment charter schools. It vide the parents of a student removed pelled for breaching a school district’s most students at a campus are educa- coercing another employee to make or tively: Members from institutions of also provides that an open enrollment to a disciplinary alternative education computer security. tionally disadvantaged and the campus refrain from making a charitable con- higher education, members with ser- charter school may provide documents program with written notice of the dis- is undergoing comprehensive reform. tribution or to attend a meeting called vice credit at public school districts evaluating the performance of a teacher trict’s obligation to provide the student HB 1334 states that a certificate or perfor the purpose of soliciting charitable and retirees who are receiving benefits or administrator to a requesting school with an opportunity to complete mit is not considered to have expired HB 1610 allows a district to suspend a contributions. from the retirement system. district or open enrollment charter coursework required for graduation.

10 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 11 PFLUGERVILLE: Members marched on Day of Action and rallied with Save Texas Schools.

put seatbelts on buses only to the ex- tent that the legislature has appropri- ated money for reimbursement.

SB 1619 provides that a school district is not required to pay a student’s tu- ition or other costs for taking a college LUBBOCK: TSTA President Rita Haecker was the guest speaker at Lubbock’s Day of Action event at credit course. Coronado High School. SB 1620 requires the State Board of least one representative with the pri- provider, as necessary under certain Education to establish a process for mary responsibility of educating stu- circumstances. substituting an applied STEM course dents with disabilities. for a specific mathematics or science SB 1383 requires the state education course required under the high school SB 866 requires certain educators to commissioner to establish and admin- curriculum. photo by Wayland Clark, wfotos.com photo by Wayland KYLE: TSTA members from Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Hays and San Marcos gathered at Gregg-Clarke Park in Kyle. receive training on dyslexia; requires ister a comprehensive appraisal and testing of students for dyslexia; and professional development system for SB 1667 makes changes in the admin- contains provisions on reassessing principals. istration of the Teacher Retirement Sys- SB 54 sets certification requirements SB 391 states that the notice of the SB 729 allows for the election of dyslexic students in college. tem. Among other things, it prohibits for teachers of students with visual im- textbook review and adoption cycle trustees of an independent school dis- SB 1410 requires the Texas Education anyone who is convicted of causing the pairments. must require a publisher of an adopted trict to be held on the same day as an SB 966 allows school districts to issue Agency to identify and report to the death of a member from receiving the textbook for a grade level other than election for members of the governing high school diplomas to war veterans Texas Higher Education Coordinating benefits of that member, and it allows SB 149 allows the state education pre-kindergarten to submit an elec- board of a public junior college district who left school before graduating. Board the number of students enrolled for earlier retirement with a reduced commissioner and the Texas Higher tronic sample copy of the textbook. in which the school district is located. in a tech-prep program. benefit. Education Coordinating Board to adopt SB 975 allows junior colleges to part- rules covering reporting for the school SB 419 prohibits state funding to pub- SB 736 allows a school board to ap- ner with school districts in dropout re- SB 1484 authorizes certain open-en- SB 1668 deals with the purchase of district college credit program. lic junior colleges for physical educa- point a member from a local domestic covery programs on the junior college rollment charter schools to be awarded Uniformed Services Employment and tion courses offered for joint high violence program to the local school campuses. academic distinction designations. Reemployment Rights Act credit. SB 199 allows the Department of Agri- school and junior college credit. health advisory council. culture to award a grant to a nonprofit SB 1042 prohibits any school district SB 1545 grants immunity from civil li- SB 1669 revises the retire/rehire pro- SB 471 requires that each school dis- organization that partners with a SB 738 allows parents of students at a contractor or subcontractor from per- ability to unpaid health care practition- gram. The bill allows for an annuity trict’s improvement plan include a pol- school district in agricultural projects. failing campus, under certain circum- mitting an employee to work at a ers who examine or screen students for payment if the rehire has been sepa- icy addressing sexual abuse and other stances, to ask the state education com- school if the worker has been con- participation in athletics or other rated from service with all Texas public SB 226 requires a school district to maltreatment of children. It requires missioner to repurpose the campus, victed of a felony or misdemeanor that school-sponsored extracurricular activ- educational institutions for at least 12 provide to the Texas Education Agency training for educators in preventing order alternative management of the would prevent the person from being ities. full, consecutive months. the results of individual student perfor- and increasing awareness of those campus or close the campus. employed by the district. mance on the physical fitness assess- problems. SB 1557 creates the Texas High Perfor- BILLS THAT DIED IN THE ment instrument. The results may not SB 764 prohibits a school board from SB 1094 requires the State Board of mance Schools Consortium to find REGULAR SESSION include a student’s name, Social Secu- SB 501 establishes the Interagency using taxes or other public resources Education to develop and deliver high ways to improve student learning rity number or date of birth. Council for Addressing Dispropor- for the design, construction, renova- school equivalency examinations through the development of innova- The following bills died during the reg- tionality to make recommendations tion or operation of a hotel. online. tive, next-generation learning stan- ular legislative session. However, spon- SB 290 requires instruction in personal for reducing the involvement of mi- dards and assessment and accountabil- sors tried to resurrect several of them financial literacy in each mathematics nority children in the juvenile justice, SB 778 provides that a campus-level SB 1106 requires a school district to ity systems. during the special session. At press time, course from kindergarten through child welfare and mental health planning and decision-making com- disclose information in a student’s edu- their fate was undetermined. Please check eighth grade. systems. mittee should include, if practicable, at cational records to a juvenile service SB 1610 requires school districts to our website at www.tsta.org for updates.

12 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 13 HB 400 would have permanently the school district and campus levels; raised the 22-1 cap in K-4 to 25-1; per- rank each district, campus and charter manently eliminated the requirement school; and provide annual progress that districts cannot pay teachers less reports and recommendations. next year than they earned this year; eliminated the state minimum salary HB 1603 would have allowed 100 ad- schedule and let districts set their own ditional new charters to be granted It’s Your Future.Future. compensation systems with their own every state fiscal year by the State rules; permanently allowed school Board of Education. boards to furlough teachers and reduce their salaries accordingly; permanently HB 1632 would have changed the allowed a district to declare a financial deadline for teachers under probation- WhatWhat PathPath Will You Choose? emergency at any time for purposes of ary, continuing and term contracts to doing a reduction in force; perma- leave a district without penalty from 45 nently deleted seniority as one of the days before the first day of instruction factors used in determining who is ter- to not later than 60 days. minated if a RIF is implemented; per- HB 2506 would have required district manently changed the date for notice employees hired after Sept. 1, 2012, to of non-renewal to the last day of instruction; and permanently eliminated participate in a defined contribution the use of a neutral hearing officer for plan instead of a defined benefits plan. mid-year terminations and replaced TRS would have changed from a de- that with a hearing before the board. fined contribution plan to a costly defined benefits plan. HB 936 would have abolished the cap Principal Certification with Region 4 on open-enrollment charter schools. HB 2539 would have allowed a school district to suspend a teacher without HB 1076 would have removed the pay for good cause in lieu of discharge 10-1 ratio on accelerated instruction or pending discharge. groups for students who fail to per- form satisfactorily on an assessment HB 2540 would have eliminated a instrument. teacher’s right to a hearing before an independent hearing examiner until after HB 1311 would have allowed that, the teacher was suspended without pay under certain circumstances, new for more than 20 days within a period There are many ways to a destination, but only one that really prepares open-enrollment charter schools for of one year. students at risk of dropping out could you for your arrival. Our Administrator Certification Programs provide avoid applying for authorization. HB 2843 would have required the commissioner to study and implement you the guidance and tools vital to your success. HB 1587 would have mandated that a strategies that provide quality elec- significant portion of teacher evalua- tronic courses to students with special Both blended and online programs are available. tion be based on the teacher’s student needs. The number of electronic Internships can be completed anywhere in the state of Texas. learning objectives and outcomes, in- courses a student could take would not cluding student performance on assess- be limited, nor would the number of ment instruments. students who could enroll in the state virtual school network. Homebound HB 1589 would have established the students could have taken an entire Center for Financial Accountability and curriculum through virtual school. Productivity in Public Education, an independent policy center to represent SB 1612 would have required TRS to business, finance, public policy, educa- make an annual contribution to the www.region4acp.net tion and other interests. The center’s Pension Review Board in the amount of purpose would have been to increase $0.50 per member, at a cost of over productivity and cost effectiveness at $650,000.

14 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 15 Teacher of the Year

real world examples that affected them ing the girls learn how to be good that student reach his or her full poten- into my presentations.” sports, win or lose,” she said. “As a high tial,” she said. “All too often we define school teacher who has seen first hand success and failure based on grades or In a practice she has continued for 40 the trouble that seems to find unsuper- test scores alone. I believe that success years, she asked her students to fill out vised teenagers, I love the fact that I for some students is elusive and harder index cards detailing their clubs, sports, know where 75 teenagers are and what to define. For some students, thinking activities, class schedules and a para- they are doing three nights a week.” and not memorizing is success, and for graph about their lives. She also asked others, developing a curiosity about for one word to describe their career Given her rough first semester in the learning is success.” plans; favorite, least favorite and hardest classroom, it’s not surprising that she classes; projected grade for her class; volunteers to mentor new teachers. “I For Huckabee, one of the greatest re- best and worst characteristics; heroes; love teaching. There is nothing else I wards of teaching is hearing from for- and where they saw themselves in 10 would rather be doing, and because of mer students. years. She asked to look at every report this, I feel that I need to do all I can to “My students, decathletes and science card, and she tried to attend an activity help new teachers experience that joy,” team members are scattered across the of interest to each student, such as a she said. country studying dark matter in Cali- sports event, a band concert or a play. She shares knowledge, techniques and fornia, growing cartilage from stem Yes, it’s more work, but she said, “In- experiences with new teachers, student cells at Rice, researching and using creased attentiveness, zero discipline teachers and pre-service teachers, then DNA compatibility to design new problems and mutual respect make it she covers new teachers’ classes so they drugs for a pharmaceutical company in worthwhile.” can collaborate and set up their labs. Massachusetts, teaching residents and interns in Arkansas, and working on Huckabee began her career in Riviera “Most of all, I try to show them that cutting edge DNA research in Wash- ISD in 1971, transferring to Flour Bluff teaching is fun and rewarding and that ington. They are veterinarians, com- ISD near Corpus Christi in 1979. She is they do not have to know everything puter programmers, district attorneys, a science teacher and department chair or have all the answers,” she said. physical therapists, nurses and doctors. at Flour Bluff High School, an Acade- “Many of our new teachers feel threat- Many have exceeded beyond even my mic Decathlon and Octathlon coach, ened not only by the hard-to-discipline expectations and work in fields that and sponsor of the Student Council, student, but also by the very bright didn’t exist when I taught them,” National Honor Society, Science Club, student. I assure them that they do not Huckabee said. “Teaching is a way I Key Club and UIL science team. have to have all the answers, that they It starts with an index card can turn the unanswered question into can touch the future through my stu- And she’s a kickball coach, an interest a teaching moment.” dents. They are my greatest contribu- Getting to know every one of her students is a priority for Texas Secondary that started 28 years ago when she was tions and accomplishments.” a parent volunteer for the community “I love watching the ‘lights go on’ when Teacher of the Year Beth Huckabee TIP: The Ermalee Boice Instructional kickball league. a student understands a difficult physics concept or makes a connection with Advocacy Award rewards and promotes Beth Huckabee’s first few weeks of teaching were a crash “I learned that knowing the material was not enough. I “I love watching the girls gain confi- previous material in biology or anatomy teaching excellence in Texas public course on the importance of class size limits. needed to know my students.” dence as their skills develop. I love or physiology. I love learning new ‘stuff’ schools. All TSTA members who are watching the pitchers slow the ball each year. I love that every day and each members of NEA and their local associ- “It was a disaster!” Huckabee, this year’s Texas Secondary Fortunately, her principal, Ramiro De La Paz, recognized the down for the special needs players, re- student is different. I love the challenge ation are eligible. www.tsta.org/news/ Teacher of the Year and TSTA Ermalee Boice Instructional Ad- futility of trying to teach 42 students; he divided her health gardless of the score, and I love watch- of trying to reach each student and help current/awards.shtml vocacy Award winner, said. class in half and taught the second class himself. ------“I waltzed into a situation with 40 percent repeating students. I “Suddenly, instead of ending the day frustrated, I was able to - WHY I CHOOSE TSTA/NEA had six classes, five preps and a seventh period health class of teach. I would never have gone back that second year if it - - 42 students,” she said. “I went home crying the first six weeks.” hadn’t been for him,” Huckabee said. - - Keeping Us Informed - As a high school and college student, she had the opportunity With her classes finally at a manageable level, Huckabee gave - “I am proud to say I have been a member for 40 years. I have seen through the years how much TSTA has - to help teach her peers, and she enjoyed it so much that it herself an assignment: to learn something about every student. - done for teachers. I know it must be hard — the endless hours of sitting in on this meeting and that - shaped her career path, but this was very different. “Failure “My goal became to visit with each student every two weeks - meeting, taking notes, writing up the updates so we can keep informed. That’s the power of TSTA: You - was a new experience and an excellent tutor,” Huckabee said. about something that really interested them. I also incorporated - have strong leaders that get behind their teachers and work for them.” —Beth Huckabee, Flour Bluff 16 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 17 ESP of the Year

being able to work out issues in an ami- courage us from moving forward in life Molina actively works to recruit more able fashion. This gift has opened many and never allow anybody to dictate our members for TSTA/NEA. “Our teachers doors and many hearts, which in turn future,” Molina said. “Working with the and support personnel know who I am has resulted in good things happening parents of the children that attend our and what I stand for. They will approach for the people she represents,” Watson schools has prepared me to be an advo- me and ask for my advice,” she said. “I said. “In Mercedes ISD and the commu- cate for them, too. These parents, in encourage them to join this great organi- nity at large, she is highly respected and most cases, are the ones in great need zation and to become part of the 3.2 mil- known for her ability to make things of support from school employees.” lion members. I encourage them to join happen.” our organization and to share with their Molina encourages them to participate in co-workers that they have become a part “Yolanda is a visible leader in her local parenting sessions, workshops and other of the best professional organization and in her community,” TSTA Presi- school functions. That involvement has there is. Many of our members have now dent Rita Haecker said in presenting encouraged some parents to enroll in become leaders in our local organization. Molina with the TSTA Ronnie Ray Edu- school themselves, taking classes that I always tell our members, ‘If I can do it, cational Support Professional of the prepare them for teaching, nursing and you can do it, too.’ ” Year Award at the April TSTA Conven- other professional positions. tion. “She is involved in the Children Recognizing the impact that local poli- She works hard for the Mercedes Educa- of the Fields Project, a coalition that tics has on day-to-day life in the tors Association/TSTA/NEA, and has provides emergency educational finan- schools, Molina is very involved. “I served in positions ranging from associa- cial relief to migrant workers and their make myself visible while attending tion representative, to local president, to families, and ensures that farmworker school board meetings. Our school NEA Board of Directors member. She children are protected and given an op- board knows my position as a leader of currently is the Region 1E president on portunity to succeed in life. She also the organization and as an advocate for the TSTA Board of Directors. works with various community groups our students and parents. Our relationship is strong and the respect for each to facilitate connections between low “I am a strong advocate for our associa- other is mutual,” she said. income families and support agencies, tion because it prepares educational ‘Never allow anybody to dictate our future’ such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army employees to be the best they can be. She works school board and city elec- and the Housing Authority.” We, in turn, become better prepared to tions, and helps the chamber of com- Yolanda Molina, TSTA’s educational support professional of the year, has serve the children that attend our As the child of migrant parents, Molina merce generate questions and concerns schools,” she said. changed the lives of migrant students as well as her colleagues. understands the difficulties her stu- for the school board candidate forum. dents face. “Her work to help bring “My experience as an ESP at large at Yolanda Molina is retiring this year, “My favorite memory of Yolanda Molina goes back to 2008, “Instead of an advocate for Mercedes migrant children, she has these students and families into the ed- the state and the national level has marking the end of an impressive career when she and I were waiting for an airplane at the Austin air- become an advocate for all children in Texas. Her work on be- ucation system is more than a job, it is been one that changed my life forever,” that truly has changed lives. She offers port,” John Hand, a TSTA member from San Benito, said. “We half of education at the state and national levels has been recog- her passion,” Haecker said. she said. “My participation in the 2007 these words of advice to those who fol- had spent two days at a TSTA Board of Directors meeting, and nized by congressmen such as Ruben Hinojosa, as well as two Education International World Con- low her: “Do what you can to the best of Yolanda had recently returned from Washington, D.C., where NEA presidents, Reg Weaver and Dennis Van Roekel,” he said. Molina said she often visits the homes of gress in Berlin, Germany, was most your ability and when the opportunity she had attended an NEA Board of Directors meeting and lob- migrant families to help them take ad- As a data entry specialist and migrant recruiter for 34 years in memorable. TSTA/NEA members, arises, do not be afraid to step out of bied various congresspersons on several important national vantage of educational and other benefits Mercedes ISD, Molina handles identification and recruitment, coworkers and people in the commu- your comfort zone. Always strive for im- issues. At the airport, the speaker system was playing a popu- they may not know are available. and the New Generation System, a web-based interstate infor- nity expressed their pride in my atten- provement and reach for the brass ring. lar song from the 1960s. ‘I bet you remember listening to that mation network that communicates demographic, educa- “I always advise parents that we should dance. They realize we can accomplish You will see you can achieve your goal song on the radio when you were a teenage girl,’ I said. ‘When tional and health data on migrant students to educators never allow anything or anyone to dis- our goals when we work together.” when you set your mind to it.” I was a teenager,’ Yolanda said, ‘we could not afford a radio.’ throughout the nation. “There is so much about Yolanda Molina in that anecdote,” ------Mercedes ISD Director of Federal Programs Walter Watson Hand said. “She was born into poverty and struggled to find a - WHY I CHOOSE TSTA/NEA describes her as “constantly on the go and working for her - job in education. She was able to balance her life as a wife - constituents.” She has presented at state and national migrant - and mother, and became an important advocate for migrant - Leadership Training conferences and brought the needs of migrants to the atten- - children in the Mercedes school district. She joined TSTA, be- - “Working closely with our school administrators and school board members is something that comes tion of national government leaders, he said. - came a leader in her local and made herself into a statewide - naturally to me because of the training provided by TSTA/NEA. Our relationship is strong and the respect - and national leader. “Mrs. Molina has many gifts, among which is the rare gift of - for each other is mutual.” —Yolanda Molina, Mercedes 18 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 19 Focus on TSTA’s Future

After working for Missouri NEA for al- of TSTA leaders and staff offered a bold tors shifted the focus of our member- most 16 years, then spending the last statement of the purpose, the reason ship efforts in a positive direction. I 10 1/2 years as executive director of for the existence of TSTA: “The Texas believe this emphasis on Mission, Vi- TSTA, I am finishing my career at the State Teachers Association will unite, sion and Values will continue to serve NEA Representative Assembly in organize and empower public educa- us well in the future. Chicago, 46 years after that first one. tion advocates to shape public education in Texas thus providing a quality It is not contradictory to pursue the eco- There is a great temptation, as I write public school for every child.” nomic and employment interests of edu- these words for the final chapter in my cation employees while at the same time career, simply to revisit all of the suc- That was buttressed by a vision state- understanding that the top priority for cesses we have had in the past decade. ment of how TSTA would behave while our members is the quality of education Over the course of those years, I have pursuing that mission: by using data, they are able to deliver to Texas students provided, through various speeches and assessment and evaluation to drive — and TSTA is the organization that reports, the details of how we moved makes that quality part of our Mission. the Association from the brink of bank- ruptcy to financial stability and strength. Power is created not MEMBER DRIVEN I have shared with you the changes we THROUGH COLLECTIVE have made to strengthen our democratic when 70,000 members DECISION MAKING principles and build the capacity of our each speak their own I believe another element crucial to our locals. I shared the membership success future success is our insistence on being stories from locals around the state, “member-driven” and on understanding talked about how we ended decades of voice, but when all what that means when it comes to de- membership loss and turned it into a termining direction and emphasis. decade of membership growth, up by al- 70,000 members most 30 percent over the past nine years. speak with one united It does not mean that 70,000 individu- als each get to determine, indepen- And that’s all true — we did all that, or dently and separately, what the policies rather you did all that, and I got to re- voice, delivering the and procedures are for the Association, port it to you and talk about what was nor to decide the direction for the As- coming next. But I do not want to end message chosen sociation, nor to dictate what positions my career talking about the past. I al- It still is about the future the Association will take on issues of ways have been more interested in through the collective importance to our members. Even as he approaches retirement, TSTA Executive Director E.C. Walker is focused what comes next than in what just happened. Rather than dwell on the decision making It means that the collective decision- on the future of TSTA, explaining how the principles that have guided us for the past past, I would rather draw from that making process — the process that es- past while focusing on the future. process. tablishes everything from the Mission decade can take us to even greater success in the years to come. By E.C. Walker and Vision statements referenced So what I want to do in this final article decisions; focusing on systemic above, to the Bylaws that determine is to highlight some of the basic princi- change, rather than individual change; how the Association will be governed, In July of 1965, as president of the Missouri Student NEA, I school bus). I attended graduate school at the University of ples we have emphasized over the past concentrating resources on organizing; to the method by which it is deter- attended my first official NEA Representative Assembly in Arkansas and Indiana University, and taught at North Dakota 10 years and look at how they will and using shared accountability, collab- mined who will speak for the Associa- New York City. Twenty years after that, on July 1, 1985, I State University. I worked for the Indiana Oral History Pro- guide you to greater success in the future. oration and teamwork among all stake- tion on the local, state and national began working for the Missouri NEA as director of Govern- ject, and did research and speechwriting for a gubernatorial holders to move forward. platforms — begins with those mem- ment Relations and Research, and my first day on the job was campaign in Indiana. I worked, briefly, for the Indiana State MISSION AND VISION working the PAC (political action committee) at the NEA bers when they cast their votes to elect Senate and then for the Missouri Senate for six years. I left DO MATTER I firmly believe that our willingness not Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C. the local leaders and delegates that will the Senate staff when I was elected County Commissioner, The Guiding Coalition was active for just to put those values and beliefs out represent the interests of their local and did some contract lobbying while serving my term on the During the 20 intervening years, I taught social studies to sev- almost two years and culminated their front for all to see, but also to talk members at the state and national levels. enth, eighth and ninth graders in New Franklin, Missouri Commission. After that term is when I went to work for work with a report to the TSTA House about them as part of what makes this (where I also coached some basketball and track, and drove a Missouri NEA. of Delegates in April 2000. This group association different from our competi- The leaders elected by the members at

20 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 21 the local level will speak for the mem- SELLING PROTECTION change the system? And if we don’t The Task Force then went on to pro- finding and training the right leaders is It is a daunting task to build the cur- bers of that local — but only within WILL BUILD NEITHER A change the system to get rid of the dys- vide something of a “road map” for lo- necessary to ensure not only success riculum for this pipeline, and to create the parameters and positions set and STRONG ASSOCIATION NOR function, there will come a point when cals seeking to build this kind of power today, but sustained success in the fu- and implement a system of tracking agreed to by the other elected officers SUSTAINABLE POWER the protection needs of individual in the form of the “power profile con- ture. To that end, TSTA has developed and matching, with appropriate com- and board members of the locals. If the For many years, TSTA recruited mem- members will overwhelm our ability to tinuum.” Over the next few years, var- and now is implementing a “Leader- munication and selection processes, to members believe those local leaders bers on the basis of “come join us and meet those needs. ious locals began to build plans based ship Pipeline” based on the concept of produce the desired result: a core of have violated their trust by not speak- we will take care of you.” We empha- on this power profile, and to make sig- “Every Member a Citizen, Every Citi- leaders with the right knowledge, skills ing up, or by taking positions that are sized protecting the rights of individual You cannot remove the dysfunctions in nificant progress both in increasing zen a Leader.” and understanding, supported by a contrary to the expressed interests of members above all else. And over a the system merely by protecting mem- membership and in building power. base of citizens all committed to the local, then the same members that 30-year period of using this approach, bers. You must build power — real During the tough times for TSTA in achieving the mission of TSTA. While Based on what was learned from those voted them in could, and should, vote we had membership losses in 27 of power — at the local level. TSTA must the 1980s and 1990s, TSTA lost sight I’m sure that this program will con- experiences, several “tweaks” were them out in the next election. those years. We didn’t lose those mem- focus resources on building strong, of the importance of a robust leader- tinue to need changing and improving made in the documents and it came to bers because we weren’t any good at powerful local associations capable of ship development effort in sustaining as we move forward, I am confident be called the “Full Capacity Local” Likewise, the delegates elected by those protecting members; on the contrary, standing toe-to-toe with other powers the future of the organization. As we that we now have the Leadership plan. The TSTA Bylaws were amended local members to represent them at the we were very successful at getting the within the community in order to pro- began the task of rebuilding the Pipeline in place and are ready to be- to require adoption and implementa- TSTA House of Delegates and the NEA legislature to pass laws providing better vide a quality public school for every strength of TSTA by following the ef- come, once again, the most credible tion of a Full Capacity Local plan in Representative Assembly will elect offi- working conditions for education em- child in that community! forts of the Guiding Coalition, we source of leaders in the education com- order for a local to receive the full re- cers for TSTA and NEA, amend bylaws ployees and at enforcing those rights at began to re-emphasize the value and munity in Texas — and, accordingly, And the irony in all of this? The strong- bate from TSTA, making the plans a and adopt standing rules to guide the the local level, especially through necessity of a strong leadership devel- the education association with the best est protection for the rights of individual part of the minimum standards for process of governing this association. grievances and “bringing in the opment program. leaders in the nation. TSTA locals. lawyer.” We were the best at it — and members is a powerful local association. That is why TSTA governing docu- However, it was the vision of the Lead- still are. Building strong, powerful locals with a FINAL COMPONENTS: ments place such emphasis on ensur- BUILDING POWERFUL LOCALS ership Pipeline brought by current ing open nominations, secret ballots culture of organizing is the key to any PASSION AND COMMITMENT The problem is you cannot build IS THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT TSTA President Rita Haecker that and other democratic procedures: It is future success for TSTA. We have The final and, in some ways most es- strong local associations based solely FOR TSTA SUCCESS caused us to accept the reality of lead- the bedrock for driving the collective demonstrated in several places, in dif- sential, components of strong leader- on selling and providing protection to Much of the recent success of TSTA ership development in an organizing decision making process that guides ferent sized districts and locals, that ship are two elements that cannot be members. It simply is not enough. stems from the renewed focus of the culture, which is that we need all the future of the Association. creating and implementing a Full Ca- taught in workshops or learned in Fewer than 10% of the members ever state association on building strong, members to accept their citizenship need that protection! There are too pacity Local plan is a successful way to courses, yet they are the two most es- And when the election is over, when powerful local associations. While this and become engaged in building the many other issues that have to be dealt build such locals. sential elements for sustained success: the policy is set and the position is focus was in the documents from the success of the association. with, too many other interests that passion and commitment. stated, then every member and leader Guiding Coalition, real shape to the As TSTA moves forward, the primary members have waiting to be met, to The vision of a “pipeline” as the mode has the responsibility to support the effort was provided by the recommen- way we can cause positive change for The most successful leaders for TSTA focus only on this one thing. of this kind of leadership development winners, follow the policy and give dations of the Collective Bargaining public education in Texas is by having (or, truly, for any organization) are emphasizes the “intake” point of the act voice to the position. The only excep- At the same time, this does not mean Task Force, established pursuant to an more and more local associations adopt those who are totally passionate about of joining — every person who joins tion is that they can work internally, that we don’t have to provide protec- NBI from the 2003 TSTA House of and implement such plans to achieve the mission of the organization and becomes not only a citizen but a poten- through the process described above, tion. It may not be what we should Delegates, calling for TSTA to develop power. completely committed to achieving tial leader. Not all citizens have the to change the leaders, policies and po- sell, but there is no question we have and implement a plan to achieve col- success — for the organization. While same talents, circumstances or inter- sitions. But while they are working in- to provide it. One of the first responsi- lective bargaining for education em- LEADERSHIP PIPELINE: strong leaders often bring an element ests, so there must be a system for ternally to change leaders, policies or bilities of a union is to protect its mem- ployees in Texas. KEY TO TSTA’S FUTURE of personal ambition, the best leaders “funneling” the citizens through the positions, all members and leaders are bers, especially leaders; this is even One of the key concepts inherent in a never let their personal ambition take The Task Force determined that the pipeline and its series of filters to iden- called upon by the TSTA Bylaws to more important in Texas where we are successful culture of organizing is the precedence over association success, best way to get collective bargaining, tify the strengths and interests of each support those leaders, policies and po- part of an education system that is idea that every member is partly ac- and it is their commitment to and pas- eventually, was to build enough power- citizen and making sure that those citi- sitions until they are changed through becoming increasingly dysfunctional countable for the success of the organi- sion about the mission that ensure the ful locals capable of pushing for exclu- zens with the right circumstances, tal- the appropriate process. every year. We must protect our zation and is expected to contribute to proper perspective. sive consultation rights with their ents and interests are able to move for- members from this dysfunctional achieving that success. In fact, for us school districts. If that happened in ward through the right series of Power is created not when 70,000 system to the best of our ability and to be successful, those who join the or- With these thoughts I bring my work- members each speak their own voice, to the limit of the resources available enough locals, eventually the legisla- ganization need to view themselves not trainings, workshops, educational pro- ing career to a close. Perhaps there but when all 70,000 members speak for that purpose. ture would have to act (as they eventu- as members, but as citizens of our grams and experiences to emerge as could be an epilogue or two, or maybe with one united voice, delivering the ally did when they gave meet-and-con- community. leaders of the community, holding all that is left is an epitaph. In either message chosen through the collective But if all we do is protect members fer rights as a local option to police those positions that fit their talents, case, I ask that you remain: committed decision making process. from that system, how are we going to officers and firefighters). As with any successful community, time and commitment. to each other, committed to the future.

22 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 23 In the Classroom

Mountain Nature Park — recording their experiences on their iPods and uploading onsite field trip reports to the school website on topics such as alternative energy sources and the environ- mental impact of consumer choices.

Students then surveyed their school and community on attitudes about and knowledge of green topics, analyzing the results and presenting them in graphic form. They reflected on the results through blogging, texting and podcasts.

At the end of the project, students worked in teams to design lesson plans for younger students based on their experiences and held a “Go Green” fair How do you apply for an NEA Foundation grant? for their school and community. Booths The NEA Foundation offers grants in two categories: Student Achievement Grants such as Golden’s that fund initiatives to improve academic achievement, and Learning and Leadership Grants that en- displayed student work for the year able educators to take part in quality professional development activities. and included interactive electronic ex- Since 1999, the foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants, including almost 100 periences. Local organizations and grants to Texas educators. Here’s what the grants funded in Texas in the 2010-11 school year alone: businesses also hosted booths and held • Andrea Tejada, a science teacher at Columbia Heights Elementary in San Antonio, led students in seminars at the fair. planning and cultivating a school garden so they could observe the life cycle of plants and the ori- gins of the vegetables they eat. Rain barrels were installed to teach students about rainwater har- Golden is the language arts part of the vesting and water conservation. fifth grade team; others are Doni Kau- • Jimmie Walker, a teacher at Cambridge Elementary in San Antonio, attended the Connecting the Mind, Brain and Education Institute on brain research at Harvard University. While there, she fold, science; Robin Carruthers, math; worked with experts to design and plan specific ways to use cutting edge research to improve Tom Brox, social studies; and Willis classroom instruction. After the institute, she led a staff development session at her school. Hogan, fifth grade aide. • Anthea Lavergne, a fourth grade teacher at Boone Elementary in Houston, enrolled her special Going green in Wichita Falls needs students in an accelerated writing and publishing institute where they produced, designed When she receives a grant, not just the and marketed books using digital technology. A copy of each author’s completed manuscript was With a student achievement or professional development grant from the NEA Foundation fifth grade team but the whole school is sent to the Library of Congress to be cataloged in the archive. involved. For the “Go Green” grant, • Amanda Ronan, an elementary teacher at NYOS Charter School in Austin, got a grant for a course to teach her school’s K-5 vertical team how to improve students’ writing skills. “If I won the lottery tomorrow, I think I would continue to “Students engage in learning when they have an interest in Golden’s student teacher, Andrew • Carolyn Jordan, a sixth grade ESL teacher at Elmore Middle School in Houston, created a campus teach just for fun,” Patti Golden, a fifth grade teacher at the topic and can connect what they learn to their everyday Mosely, wrote several lesson plans; paper recycling program. Students collaborated to create PowerPoint presentations, design and Southern Hills Elementary in Wichita Falls, said. lives,” she said. “The NEA Foundation’s $5,000 grant this counselor Diane Lockard shared a produce poster ads, and decorate recycling bins. year for our ‘Go Green’ project made it possible for my fifth short movie by her granddaughter • Lydia Renfro, a science teacher at Gorzycki Middle School in Austin, created a native habitat and What she loves is using her creativity when she plans lessons. graders to gain hands-on experience with technology and to about going green in the Metroplex; weather station to teach students how to acquire, record, process and evaluate data for scientific research and discussion. “The TEKS provide a framework, a set of standards and goals gain new experiences through field trips. We integrated sci- and support professionals from other for my diverse learners to strive toward, but the creative ence, social studies, math and language arts skills in authentic Descriptions of current and past NEA Foundation projects, online application forms and an instruc- grade levels volunteered to help with tional video can be found at www.neafoundation.org. process for me is matching skills, students, learning styles learning experiences.” the field trips. and materials,” she said.

Students used iPods to listen to podcasts and view videos on ------How does she fund this creativity? Grants. In seven years, her what it means to “go green” and why it’s beneficial. They - WHY I CHOOSE TSTA/NEA students and her school have been awarded grants totaling al- brainstormed a list of green topics using an interactive white - - most $25,000, including two $5,000 grants from the NEA board, then broke into research groups by chosen topic of in- - - Teaching and Learning Foundation. terest. Their work was stored in an electronic portfolio. - - “The NEA Foundation’s $5,000 grant this year for our ‘Go Green’ project made it possible for my fifth - “Grants allow me to meet the needs of my diverse learners,” The students took three field trips — to Wichita Mountain - graders to gain hands-on experience with technology and to gain new experiences through field trips. - Golden said. Reserve Nature Center, River Bend Nature Center and Quartz - This is the second NEA grant I’ve received.” — Patti Golden, Wichita Falls 24 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 25 Around Texas

Texas State Teachers Association, has won a great victory on behalf of the teachers in Hays CISD,” the email said. “Several weeks ago, HEA raised concerns about new language that was in- serted into the teacher contract for the 2011-12 school year. This language opened the door to teachers working up to 300 days without a penny of additional compensation.”

Watch the video at http://bit.ly/ mGCOwm.

HAWKS SOAR TO 5A CHAMPIONSHIP “Did I think we were going to win it? I wouldn’t say that, but I knew we had the ability to win it all,” coach and TSTA member Karin Keeney said. Her “Many of these seniors had older sisters and member participants engaged in Hebron High varsity volleyball team in that played in the program in earlier association business and professional Lewisville ISD won the 5A state cham- years, so I have known them since they pionship this year. development sessions, and celebrated were in elementary school,” she said. “I at an awards banquet that featured The Hebron Hawks ended the season knew when these kids were freshmen NEA Student Program Chair Tommie Hays and Del Valle stop dangerous language 44-7, and injuries plagued the team that this was the next group that had a Leaders of the University of Nebraska- during the district race. “It definitely chance to win it all. Most of the core Omaha as the keynote speaker. Take a good look at your contract. You may have agreed to work up to 300 hurt us, but this group of kids put it group were on varsity their sophomore together when it counted,” Keeney year.” The newly elected state leadership days without additional compensation. said. “This team had a ton of talent team for 2011-12 includes President Hebron volleyball team visited the and, after losing last year deep in the Danielle Thorp, University of Houston- Capitol in Austin March 9, where they Here is the troubling contract language, as recommended to dent which prevents the exploitive language from being inter- playoffs, they also had the drive and Downtown; Vice President Kevin were honored with a resolution on the school districts statewide by the Texas Association of School preted in a literal way for the 2011-12 school year. desire to do it. We went the entire Jackson, University of Texas at Austin; Senate floor. “I have some great kids Boards: “The District shall pay you according to the compen- playoff run — seven matches — with- and Secretary Lisa Benson, Texas A&M who deserve all the recognition they sation plan adopted by the Board each school year. Your “Due to the concerns raised by the Hays Educators Associa- out dropping a single set. This has not University at College Station. can get!” Keeney said. salary includes consideration for all assigned duties, responsi- tion/TSTA (HEA), the Hays Consolidated Independent School been done at the 5A level since rally bilities, and tasks, regardless of the actual number of hours or District hereby provides a statement of clarification regarding scoring came in 2004.” All participants had the opportunity to TSTA-STUDENT PROGRAM: days (including days not designated on the school calendar) 2011-12 employee’s professional contracts,” Superintendent attend three of the following profes- ELECTIONS, AWARDS that you work during this contract. Your salary shall be re- Jeremy Lyon wrote in a May 27 letter to education association Ten members of Keeney’s team gradu- sional development sessions: duced for absences in excess of authorized, paid leave.” representatives. “The statement in section 6.1; ‘(including ate this year, her biggest group ever. It’s TSTA-Student Program held its 55th days not designated on the school calendar),’ will not result a loss on both a professional and per- Annual Conference and House of Dele- • How to Build Your Classroom on a When Del Valle Education Association members noticed the in a change of current practice regarding employee work days sonal level. gates March 25-27 in Austin. Delegates Budget: Renee Angelilli, presenter language in their contract for next year, they took action. Their and hours during the 2011-12 school year. The statement; ------lobbying and organizing efforts led to a board proposal to have ‘(including days not designated on the school calendar)’, will - WHY I CHOOSE TSTA/NEA teachers sign an addendum to their term contracts that would be removed from professional contracts issued for the 2012- - delete the exploitive language. The Del Valle school board on 13 school year.” - - April 19 voted 8-1 to approve the addendum. - Legislative Action - HEA sent an email on the issue to all teachers in the district, - “I have been a TSTA member for 20 plus years. I am sorry to say I have been to only one local meeting, - Hays Educators Association/TSTA soon followed suit, negoti- with a link to a video by local president Esperanza Orosco: - but I stay involved by calling and writing those who are in office when the Legislative Alerts go out. I ap- - ating a statement of clarification with the district superinten- “Hays Educators Association (HEA), your local affiliate of the - preciate all that TSTA does for all of us in education!” — Karin Keeney, Lewisville 26 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 27 As educators, we know that children begin July 15. The other officers are egates and advisors to the Texas Fac- who read — and are read to — do bet- Secretary Paul Haupt of El Paso and ulty Association delegates. ter in school and in life.” Treasurer JoAnn Peschel of Houston, whose terms will end in 2012. NEA-Retired West Regional Confer- Read Across America promotes literacy ence: This event was held April 9-11 at year-round, but each year on Dr. Seuss’ TSTA-Retired Annual Meeting: TSTA-R the Hyatt Regency Hotel Resort and birthday, NEA hosts a major event to met at the public library in downtown Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico pay homage to the beloved children’s El Paso on April 13-14. Attendees wel- (Albuquerque). Six Texans attended. book author and to get young people comed a newly formed group from the The president and TSTA staff person excited about reading. Austin area, the Capital Area Retired attended training on Saturday; other Educators (CARE). After the business attendees joined the conference Sun- In New York City, Target hosted a session Wednesday, members enjoyed a day and Monday. There were opportu- takeover of Bryant Park and the New meal with entertainment by the Ysleta nities for personal growth and fun, as York Public Library, filling an enor- High School dance group, “Dancing well as association growth and stability. mous sculpture with books for the With The Stars.” On the second day, Social networking and membership city’s public school students. two workshops were held. One was by growth were primary themes of the Ronald Reeves, a local high school conference. Geraldine Smith-Palmer of In Orlando, two lucky elementary teacher who frequently performs at a Dallas won a free room, provided by school classes visited Universal Or- comedy club, on “Laughter in Your NEA-Retired for a newly involved lando’s Islands of Adventure for a day Life.” The second workshop, by Anto- member. of Seussian storytelling and celebra- nio Galindo of NEA Member Benefits, tions, including a cast of favorite Seuss was a detailed presentation of benefits Upcoming events: characters and a VIP reader, Nick An- available to retired members. derson from the Orlando Magic. • The June 8-9 TSTA-R Board of Direc- READING ACROSS AMERICA (clockwise from top left): Education Secretary Arne Duncan, First Lady Michelle Obama, and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel read Members collected funds for the Jack tors meeting was cancelled. at the Library of Congress; Association of Brownsville Educators members and students march in the local Charro Days parade dressed in Cat in the Hat costumes; Deployed troops wore red-and-white Kinnaman Scholarship Fund, operated TSTA-Retired members, including JoAnn Peschel of Houston, return to school to read; Socorro Education Association and Slider Middle School PTO host a cele- stovepipe hats to record “The Cat in by the NEA Foundation. The scholar- • The June 27-29 NEA-Retired Annual bration at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, including performances by the school choir and mariachi group; High Pointe Elementary in Cedar Hill ISD holds a storybook the Hat” for their children and families parade, followed by readings by Dads of Great Students — including former NEA-Dallas president Dale Kaiser, wearing the hat. ship is given annually to a student in Meeting in Chicago is at the Swisso- back home. the NEA-Student Program, TSTA’s affil- tel. The meeting is open to all NEA- iate for college students. If you are in- • Dinosaur Games: Heather Cato, • Local Excellence: Large Chapter, to the Library of Congress for NEA’s NEA’s Read Across America has at- Retired elected delegates, NEA-Re- terested in making a donation, make presenter Texas A & M University; Small Chap- Read Across America Day, March 2. tracted some of the biggest names in tired members and guests. your check payable to the NEA Foun- ter, Lone Star College-Kingwood politics, entertainment and sports to • Why Didn’t I Learn This in College: Among the celebrity readers were Sec- dation and mail it to TSTA-R, attention • June 30-July 5 is the NEA Annual help children discover the joy of read- Kimberly Endsley, presenter • CLASS Projects: Lone Star College- retary of Education Arne Duncan, Su- Bianca Espinoza, 316 West 12th Street, Meeting and Representative Assem- ing. Past celebrity participants have in- Kingwood; Lone Star College-North perbowl champion Donald Driver, Top Austin 78701. The TSTA-R donation bly. See details in the spring issue of • Contract Interventions for ELL Stu- cluded Carrie Underwood, Gwyneth Harris Chef host Padma Lakshmi and chefs will be presented at the NEA-Retired the TSTA Advocate. dents: Noel Bezette, Ph.D., presenter Paltrow, Alex Rodriguez, Serena Carla Hall and Mike Isabella, designer Annual Meeting. • Outstanding Local Leader: Margie Williams, Selena Gomez and Shaquille • Sept. 9-10 is the next TSTA-R • Bilingual and ELL: Closing the Camila Alves, journalists Norah Potter, Lone Star College-Kingwood O’Neal. TSTA House of Delegates: Retired Board of Directors meeting at TSTA Achievement Gap: Paty Marquez, O’Donnell and Luke Russert, and ac- members elected 24 representatives to Headquarters. presenter tors Jessica Alba, Bridget Moynahan, Did you miss the party this year? • Outstanding Underclassman: Jennifer the TSTA House of Delegates, where Jeffrey Ray Valdez and Mehcad Brooks. Check out www.nea.org/readacross for Beauchamp, Lone Star College- they presented an amendment to the • Tickets for the Quilt Give-A-Way will TSTA-SP invited former TSTA-SP presi- ideas on putting together your own Kingwood Across the nation, more than 45 mil- TSTA Legislative Program to increase to go on sale in September. The tickets dent Chris Padron of La Porte ISD and local Read Across America celebration lion people participated in one way or full certification the minimum require- are for a chance to win a throw-size former TSTA-SP Executive Committee • Outstanding Local Advisor: Noel in 2012. The website also has reading another in the celebration. ment for holding any supervisory or quilt made by a retired member out members Katy Staff-Harris of Hearne ISD Bezette, Ph. D., Lone Star College- tips and book lists for year-round use. administrative position. The amend- of donated TSTA and NEA T-shirts. and Nicole Smith of Spring Branch ISD Kingwood to lead a discussion on their experiences “What began as a few reading parties ment passed without opposition. Re- Watch for more information. NEWS FROM TSTA-RETIRED as first-year teachers. The discussion was 14 years ago has grown into a huge na- tired delegates collected pre-retired OH, THE BOOKS YOU’LL READ You can help form a unit in your moderated by former TSTA-SP President tional literacy event,” NEA President In the March elections, there was one memberships and gave prizes to two (now an organizational development First Lady Michelle Obama, Librarian Dennis Van Roekel said. “While we nominee for each TSTA-Retired office: lucky recipients. For fundraising, a region. Help is just a phone call specialist with TSTA) Clinton Gill. of Congress James H. Billington and take a fun and lighthearted approach to Johnetta Williams of Dallas for presi- drawing for an Exxon/Mobil gas card away. Contact Bianca Espinoza at NEA President Dennis Van Roekel our Read Across America celebrations, dent and Jay-Ann Rucker of El Paso for was held. Retired delegates participate 800-324-5355 or [email protected] or At the Awards banquet, the following welcomed a star-studded lineup of we do so with a serious purpose in vice president. They were automati- in interregional activities by acting as email President Williams at town- were recognized: readers and 400 local schoolchildren mind: to encourage a love of reading. cally elected to two-year terms that mentors to TSTA-Student Program del- [email protected].

28 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 29 TSTA/NEA TEXAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION/NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 877-ASK-TSTA • www.tsta.org 2011-12 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) $460.00 This information is optional and failure to provide it will in no way affect your membership status, Professional Dues—New to the profession $314.00 rights or benefits in NEA, TSTA or any of their affiliates.This information will be kept confidential. 2. Educational Support Dues—Full-time $242.50 Educational Support Dues—Part-time $126.50 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 appropriate 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 political 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 suffering 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 contribute 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

*To respond to the nationwide attacks on teachers and teacher associations, delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly will be voting on an additional $10 dollar increase for the Ballot Measure/Legisla- tive Crises/Media Campaign. If it passes at the July meeting of the NEA Representative Assembly then dues will increase by $10. Membership is open only to those who agree to subscribe to the goals and objectives 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 underwritten 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 selected 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.

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30 TSTA Advocate Summer 2011 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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