ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION VOLUME 138, NUMBER 1 • JANUARY 2021 AEA Legislative Priorities Meet Amy Stephens AEA is Hiring 2021 Legislative Directory Marlowe discusses the upcoming legislative Lincoln High educator is Alabama Career Apply today to join our team! Get to know your legislators before session session Technical Education Teacher of the Year begins February 2. pg 3 pg 4 pg 5 pgs 6-9 AEA Prepares for 2021 Legislative Session The Alabama Legislature will convene for the passed in the last session, our government relations AEA has been and will continue to be your voice at 2021 Legislative Session on February 2, 2021. As the team will be working with legislators to advocate the Statehouse. Throughout this upcoming session, Alabama House and Senate return to Montgomery, for legislative priorities voted on by AEA members AEA will continuously update members on legislative all concerned with education should pay attention. during the 2019 Delegate Assembly. Those priorities issues impactingALABAMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONeducation. The Capital Pulse will be What happens in the Statehouse has a tremendous include a raise for all school employees, mental sent to AEA ALABAMAmembers EDUCATION ASSOCIATION each Friday during the session impact on education – and this session will be hugely health resources for students and educators, and and will provide a weekly summary on education consequential for Alabama’s students and educators. xing the awed Tier II retirement plan. AEA will issues making their way through the Alabama Prior to the start of session, AEA members have also continue to track other bills and will be at the Legislature. Also, educators can stay informed by been meeting with legislators across the state to Statehouse meeting with legislators and attending following AEA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. voice their concerns and hear about upcoming bills. committee meetings to make sure educators are Although the pandemic hindered some bills to be being represented. Rep. Tashina Morris Rep. Proncey Robertson Montgomery Moulton Rep. Andrew Sorrell Muscle Shoals Rep. Scott Stadthagen Sen. Chris Elliott Rep. Becky Nordgren Decatur Spanish Fort Gadsden Vaccines for educators delayed due to shortage Alabama school employees tering vaccines for Phase 1A since have been placed in line to receive December and began to vaccinate the COVID-19 vaccine – following rst responders and those aged 75 healthcare workers and individuals and up on January 18. Because of over 75 years of age. Although some the delay, some educators will not districts have administered vaccines for be fully vaccinated or immunized educators, there is uncertainty of other by the end of the school year. districts doing the same as vaccines are With educators being on the not being distributed equally across the frontlines of the pandemic, the state due to a shortage. delay of COVID-19 vaccinations Educators are still categorized in is unconscionable. COVID-19 Phase 1B for vaccinations, but the vaccines are not mandatory, but state is not getting enough vaccines – AEA is closely monitoring this about 50,000 doses a week – according situation and is calling on the to State Superintendent Eric Mackey. Alabama Department of Public During the January 14 state school Health and governmental agencies board meeting, Mackey also mentioned to ensure all employees who want it may be March before some educators to receive the vaccine can receive could receive vaccinations in mass – the vaccine immediately after which will not be considered added healthcare workers and those over protection for them during the spring 75 years of age. semester. Alabama has been adminis- 2 ALABAMA SCHOOL JOURNAL | JANUARY 2021 AEA Board of Directors President Sherry Tucker Vice President Charlene McCoy Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Victoria Reese Past President A New Year and AEA is still here for you Dorothy Strickland Happy New Year! de nitely highlighted the need for a not possible, hold meetings in NEA Directors school nurse and I strongly believe open well-ventilated spaces Nashasta Craig-Pollard It is a good time to there should be one in every Alabama • Consider adjusting or Dr. Barbara Cady be a member of the school. As we begin the second postponing large meetings or Mary Beth Tate Alabama Education semester of the school year, we must gatherings At-Large NEA Director, ESP Association. It is all remain resilient and steadfast in our • Assess the risks of business Kenneth Dukes also good to say in efforts to remain safe and healthy. travel At-Large NEA Director, Retired the coming future, I recently read a publication from Anita Gibson that we all need the National Association of Nurses AEA President Handle food carefully tremendous help explaining several ways to keep yourself Administrator President Sherry Tucker • Limit food sharing Dr. Cathy McNeal with educating and your workplace safe. As we begin • Strengthen health screening Postsecondary President students during the a new year, encourage your colleagues for cafeteria and their close Dr. Susan Williams Brown pandemic. You, the educators, have to... contacts. Ensure cafeteria staff set a standard of higher learning and their close contacts practice ESP Representative that was not written in the books Stephanie Taylor strict hygiene before and I couldn’t be prouder of Practice good hygiene • Instead of handshaking, use ACT President our profession. AEA has been here JoAnn Wilson supporting members on every level other non-contact methods of Stay home if... greeting AERA President during these challenging days and the • They are feeling sick • Clean hands at the doors and Dr. Stafford Thompson news of educators becoming ill due to • They have a sick family member schedule regular hand washing SAEA President COVID-19 is a great concern to us. We in their home hear you and we will be with you every reminders by email Campbell Escott step of the way. • Create habits and reminders to I think this information is crucial District 1 Directors Many of you are in school buildings avoid touching their faces and in helping to stop the spread. If you Kimberly Windham and know the real health concerns cover coughs and sneezes need more information about what you Ashley Strickland of working day to day in education, • Disinfect surfaces like can do to keep safe and healthy during Mary Bush especially school nurses. Even before doorknobs, tables, desks, and the pandemic, please visit the Alabama District 2 Directors the pandemic, school nurses already handrails regularly Department of Public Health’s website Pamela D. West had a challenging role as they are often • Increase ventilation by opening (alabamapublichealth.gov) or the CDC Kristy Hatch (Interim) the first responders to many youth windows or adjusting air website (cdc.gov). These are indeed Vacant conditioning challenging times; however, we will issues revealed in school, including District 3 Directors move forward through this together. mental health challenges and even Amelia Couch child abuse. Despite the critical need Be careful with meetings and travel Jason Clayton for school nurses, there is not one • Use videoconferencing for Patricia Ann Smith in every school. This school year has meetings when possible. When District 4 Directors Laura Hill Pamela Hayes Tiffany Johnson (Interim) District 5 Directors Benita Moyers Rona Blevins Bonnie Garrett (Interim) District 6 Directors Bernard Sanderson David McKinney Larry Gibson District 7 Directors Amy Fowler Amanda Miller Sharon Martin AEA Main Of ce Hours of Operation: M-F - 8:15 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. Sign up for the Parent Teacher Home Visits Institute The NEA Centers for Social Justice Application encourage careful, intentional The Alabama School Journal (USPS/ISSN (CSJ) and Great Public Schools (GPS) Local associations will be asked consideration of the make-up of 0011-821) is published bi-monthly while the Legislature is in session, monthly otherwise, are excited to announce The NEA and to complete a brief application that teams and attention should be given by the Alabama Education Association, 422 Parent Teacher Home Visits Institute, a outlines their current status and to establishing a team that reflects Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36103-4177. result of NEA’s partnership with Parent demographics, their local partnerships Periodical postage paid at Montgomery, AL. diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, Teacher Home Visits (PTHV). PTHV and teams, and their capacity to launch, Postmaster: Send address changes to Alabama and roles and responsibilities. School Journal, P.O. Box 4177, Montgomery, supports dozens of school districts grow, and sustain a home visit practice. Ala. 36104-4177. across the country to help them bridge To apply, visit our website, myAEA.org. Editor: Amy Marlowe; Editorial Staff: Kynesha the gap between educators and the Once accepted, applicants will be Launch Schedule Brown, Susie Ellison, and Sheri Monfee. community by equipping educators required to provide NEA with a letter March 2nd & 3rd, 2021: 12:00 PM Manuscripts and other material submitted or email of support from the state for publication, as well as advertising matter, with the tools and skills needed to to 2:30 PM EST (via Zoom). should be addressed to Managing Editor, af liate leadership. strengthen the trust between families Monthly Zoom meetings, date/time Alabama School Journal, P.O. Box 4177, and educators. The deadline for applications is Montgomery, AL 36103-4177 or myaea@ TBD. The Institute’s coaches will support 5:00 PM PST on February 5th. Selected alaedu.org. participants to successfully launch participants will be noti ed by February Advertising rate card furnished on request by contacting Sheri Monfee toll free at a home visit practice by providing 10th. Cost 800.392.5839. ongoing support to local association, There is no cost for applicants who Problems concerning delivery or addresses community, and school district Participants are accepted to the Institute. If, at some can be answered by calling toll free to 800.392.5839.