The Nebraska State Education Association March 2014

The Voice The Nebraska State Education Association  March 2014

SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 1

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 1 9/26/2016 2:37:40 PM NSEA Comes to Defense of EHA Plan al model and has served Nebraska educators for decades,” he said. Legislative Hearing Investigates Actuary Kevin Dolsky advises the EHA Board of Directors on the health care plan’s management. Dolsky told senators that in each of Moving Teachers to State Coverage the last 10 years, the premium rate increases under the EHA plan have A legislative interim hearing on the health care plan that serves been under 10 percent. For the past six years, the annual increase has more than 80,000 members of Nebraska’s public education family averaged just over three percent. was a learning moment for Nebraska legislators. “That’s just extraordinary in this industry,” he said. The Legislature’s Education Committee listened as a parade of ed- Dolsky also said the EHA’s consistency rate is “extraordinary.” ucators and others voiced support for the Educator’s Health Alliance Consistency rate, he said, is an industry term that measures how plan. No one testified in support of North Platte Sen. Mike Groene's many customers stay with a health care plan. LR586 study to determine the viability of pulling all Nebraska public “Ninety percent is good, and 95 percent would be excellent,” said school employees out of the EHA plan and pro- Dolsky. “But the EHA has 99 percent. That is viding those employees with coverage through just extraordinary.” the State of Nebraska plan. An actuarial analysis shows that if the state Groene introduced LR586 with an intent to and school plans were combined, rates for those “examine the effects, fiscal impact, and poten- in the school plan would go up. tial cost savings of transferring public school “The evidence is that costs will go up if the employees from the system of district-based schools go into the state plan,” Dolsky said. health insurance plans to the Nebraska State In- The EHA plan earned further accolades surance program.” Among issues studied were: from Sandy Rosenboom, business manager for  The fiscal impact if the state were to take on administrative the Crete Public Schools. She lauded the EHA wellness plan that is costs and school districts/employees paid premium costs. part of the strategy to keep premium costs in line.  The option of including school district health insurance costs “To move to a state plan would be a major setback to the wellness within the state aid formula. work we have done to this point,” said Rosenboom. Those who testified, however, characterized the EHA plan as ef- Also favoring the EHA program was Seward State Sen. Mark fective, efficient and well-managed. Kolterman, an insurance professional by trade. As a member of the NSEA Executive Director Craig R. Christiansen reviewed the his- Seward Board of Education, Kolterman served on the EHA Board tory of the statewide plan NSEA formed in 1967, and told senators of Directors several years ago. He said that service showed that the that the EHA Board’s mission has always been to “obtain high-qual- EHA plan is “on solid ground, the service is second to none, and the ity health insurance coverage at reasonable prices for employees of internal workings of the plan is second to none.” Nebraska’s public school districts.” It is also important, said Kolterman, that the EHA health care car- The current plan, he reminded senators, is a collaboration between rier, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, is located in Nebraska. teachers, school administrators and school boards. “That is an important consideration,” he said. “It has become a national model of cooperation and remains Rate increases with the EHA plan have been minimal. unique in its structure, statewide scope and attractive costs,” he said. “Last week, I had to break the news to a small group that they face The plan utilizes consultants and has no property, no employees. a 27 percent increase” in premiums, said Kolterman. The board – six teacher members, three administrators and three Groene said he had hoped to tie health care costs into the state aid school board representatives – actively monitor the plan and continu- formula, and noted that health care is a major cost. ally consider the costs to all parties, including taxpayers. Christiansen “It’s amazing that I see a Sutherland teacher with a family of said the plan provides health care coverage at a reasonable cost and four earning $30,000 a year and (district) health care costs are is considered a “best value” for virtually every school district in Ne- $21,000 a year,” he said. braska, for several colleges and for many Educational Service Units. “EHA has done an amazing job, with the union sitting down “I ask that you not ‘fix’ a successful plan that has become a nation- with management,” Groene said.

The Columbus Education Association is trying something a little different: three-co- Cover presidents. From left are CEA Co-Presidents John Petersen, Diane Garner and Marc Page Story: Baue. South Sioux City has a five-member leadership team on board. For details, turn to 6 Executive Director Craig R. Christiansen tober, November, February, April and August. Published Assoc. Executive Director Neal Clayburn online in December, January, March and May. Director of Public Affairs Karen Kilgarin Assistant Comm. Director Al Koontz Payment of annual NSEA dues entitles Nebraska educa- the tors to receive The Voice. Cost of producing 10 issues of NSEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Voice each year is $3.41 per member. President Nancy Fulton, Wilber-Clatonia VOICE Vice President Jenni Benson, Lincoln Nebraska State Education Association Advertising rates available on request. Appearance of an NEA Director John Heineman, Lincoln advertisement in The Voice does not imply NSEA endorse- 605 S. 14th Street NEA Director Tracy Hartman-Bradley, Omaha Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 · www.nsea.org ment of the product advertised or views expressed. (402) 475-7611 · (800) 742-0047 Official publication of the Nebraska State Education As- Volume 70, No. 2 sociation, 605 South 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Cited for excellence each year by ISSN Number: 1085-0783 Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE, and additional the State Education Editors, including USPS Number: 000-369 mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to The these past awards: Best Magazine, Voice, NSEA, 605 S. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Best News Story, Best Feature Story, Best Photograpy and Best Editorial Design. Great Public Schools For Every Child Published and mailed 6 times yearly in September, Oc-

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 2 9/26/2016 2:37:40 PM The President NSEA Comes to Defense of EHA Plan Lessons from Afar Hei! En puhu suomea. Every child attends a nine-year basic education That essential phrase — Hello! I can’t speak school, with six years in primary school and Finnish — was an essential phrase from one of three years in lower secondary schools (junior the world’s hardest languages to speak, read and high). This is followed by a three-year upper sec- write as I joined other state association presi- ondary education separated into two tracks: gen- dents last month on a study tour of Finland’s eral upper secondary and vocational school, with public school system. teachers in that track owning a master’s degree Finland has been attracting attention lately or more. They follow a national framework of by ranking at the top of global surveys due to curriculum objectives, but within the framework a universal health care system, strong environ- teachers have autonomy to teach as they wish. mental sustainability efforts, economic vitality, Just this year, a new curriculum called phenome- and, most of all, a very strong system of public non-based learning was introduced. In this mode, education. a classroom observes a real-life phenomenon NSEA President Point in case: my inability to speak Finnish and analyzes it through an interdisciplinary ap- Nancy Fulton was not a problem. Every Finn speaks English proach, a process that is similar to project-based — with varying levels of proficiency — because learning. English is one of the three languages taught in In three days, our group was able to visit two Finland’s public schools. basic education schools, a secondary school, two “ Since Finland emerged in the early part of this teacher training schools, the University of Helsin- It has century as the top-scoring country in educational ki, the Finnish National Board of Education, and achievement (as measured by the Organization the Opetusalan Ammattijarjesto (OAJ), the edu- taken years for Economic Cooperation and Development), cation trade union. We visited classrooms, talked for the Finns, researchers and policymakers from across the with students, teachers and principals, learned globe have been visiting the country and ana- about the quite rigorous teacher training programs, borrowing the lyzing what has been done to make Finland so and were immersed into the Finnish culture. best educational successful. The OECD ranking is based on the results of the PISA (Programme for International Trust, Autonomy practices from Student Assessment) tests which rank school Finnish schools seem to succeed so well large- systems worldwide every three years. ly due to the trust and relative autonomy given other countries, to Finland’s top-of-the-world standing has not to educators and administrators. Teachers earn attain excellence. always been the case. In the past, only about 1 close to the national average salary and are high- of 10 adults had completed more than the nine ly respected, and with good reason: Becoming a Perhaps today years of basic education. About forty years ago, teacher in Finland is a very competitive process. there are lessons Finland decided to create an equitable educa- Teacher training schools are very rigorous, and tion system, borrowing and implementing many fewer than 10 percent of applicants are accepted. we can learn American ideas and methods. Upon graduation, with a minimum of a master’s from them. degree and without any student debt, teachers No Private, Charter Schools have high social prestige, comparable to lawyers The Finns are deservedly proud of the fact that and doctors. They enjoy professional autonomy schools are virtually equal in all regards across in their classes and professional respect and trust Page ” the country, whether they are located in affluent from the general public. Finnish teachers teach or poverty stricken areas, in the most urban ar- for 190 days a year, instructing an average of 6 eas of Helsinki, or the furthest areas of Lapland. 24 hours a week, with the remaining work time Although Finnish children do not start primary spent in preparation, collaboration or research. school until age seven, the government provides No single aspect explains Finland’s outstand- early childhood education and childcare called ing educational performance. Most observers Kindergarten for children 9 months to age 5, with and researchers agree that the excellent teachers an option pre-school year at age 6. The minimum and the trust that citizens put in their teachers level of education for a teacher in that setting is a play a critical role. bachelor’s degree. It has taken years for the Finns, borrowing the The vast majority of Finns are educated in the best educational practices from other countries, comprehensive public school system because to attain excellence. Perhaps today there are les- there are no private or charter schools in Finland. sons we can learn from them.

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 4 9/26/2016 2:37:41 PM Opening Bell ‘Sueann’ Transplanted to a New Home for 24 years. Schapmann has NSEA Colleagues: handled associate staff duties for NSEA’s Government Relations ‘Working Together program for 21 years. Part of God’s Plan’ “Patty and Cathy really epit- omize what we mean when we Those closely involved with NSEA have say ‘the NSEA family,’” said for years spoken with conviction about what NSEA Executive Director Craig it means to belong to “the NSEA family.” R. Christiansen. “Kindness and For nearly as long, NSEA associate staff compassion of this depth are for Government Relations Cathy Schap- rarities in today’s world.” mann has lived with low-functioning kidneys, the result of a hereditary condition. Big Dog? Last October Schapmann emailed work Schapmann knew transplant colleagues alerting them that she had started day would come. Her mother the journey toward a transplant. Extensive had a transplant in 2003. A testing led to her placement on the nation- brother received a new kidney al transplant list in February. She did not two years ago. dream that the donor kidney would come By October of 2015, tests Sharing Sueann: Friends and co-workers Patty from someone within the NSEA fam- indicated Schapmann’s kidneys Schroer, left, and Cathy Schapmann have recov- ily, much less her very good friend and co- were working at a combined ered well after after Schroer donated a kidney to worker Patty Schroer. 17 percent of Schapmann this summer. Today, 12 weeks af- capacity. Her ter surgery, both Schap- Help Meet the Need email to colleagues was “They are very, very good at the Nebras- mann and Schroer are Nearly 120,000 American men, dispatched and she be- ka Medical Center,” she said. “We’re very women and children are awaiting healing, doing well and gan to look toward test- blessed. They know what they are doing.” an organ transplant. You can learn Schroer found herself becoming more are back at work. Schap- more about the process, or sign up ing that would begin the mann’s post-operative matchmaking process. comfortable with her decision. to become a donor, at: “The more the process moved along, the reports have been stellar, organdonor.gov/index.html Meanwhile, from the Schroer has been able to note that Schapmann fewer concerns I had,” said Schroer. “It’s a resume walking the fam- shared, Schroer realized lot more common than most people think.” ily dog (more on that later) and the donated she was the right blood type. “I read that a kidney has been christened “Sueann.” new, live kidney adds five years to the life ‘I Cried’ “We didn’t want to say ‘it’ when we talk- expectancy,” said Schroer. “I thought I’d The call for “go” came in late June. ed about the kidney,” said Schapmann. give it a try.” Schapmann and husband Ray were on the A former colleague told Schapmann it Schroer submitted to testing, and initial road to Colorado to visit their son. was customary to give a transplanted or- work found that she matched on five of “I cried, of course,” Schapmann said. gan a name. “Sueann” is a combination of eight markers. There were multiple tests and Schroer was at work when she got the Schapmann’s and Schroer’s middle names. lab visits, and some testing went far beyond call. “I knew it was going to happen, and I bloodwork. Schroer spent one day talking to thought ‘here we go!’” she said. Kindness, Compassion a psychologist, a social worker and others There were no second thoughts and Schapmann began working as a legal to determine the non-medical aspects of her Sueann was transferred on July 6. Within secretary for a Lincoln law firm in 1984. A suitability as a donor. They asked her who seven weeks, Schapmann and Schroer be- year later, Schroer was hired and they be- would be at home with her after surgery, gan to return to work for short stints. By came fast friends. In 1991, Schroer took a whether she had upcoming stress in her life, mid-September, both were right back where job at NSEA. Two years later, Schapmann such as a job change or move. They asked they started 32 years ago: working together. followed Schroer to NSEA. about her exercise regimen, and she told “This must be why we started working Schroer has been administrative assis- them she walked the family dog every day. together. God had a plan. We just didn’t tant to NSEA’s associate executive director “How big is the dog?” was the response. know it,” Schroer said. Search for Christiansen Successor Now Under Way The NSEA Board of Directors has be- to NSEA’s Board of Directors and advises executive-directortreasurer gun the search for an executive director to them in their governance role. He or she Applicants must offer a letter of applica- succeed Craig R. Christiansen, who has an- also leads development of the annual bud- tion which shows how career accomplish- nounced he will leave the position on Feb. get and manages finances within budget ments prepared the candidate to meet the 28, 2017, and return to teaching. guidelines and accepted fiscal practice. challenges and opportunities presented by “We are looking for a well-rounded, in- A successful applicant will also manage this position; an up-to-date resume; and dividual trained in education and possessing staff according to the NSEA-NSA Negoti- three letters of reference. Applications are appropriate skills for managing NSEA’s day- ated Agreement and NSEA policies, and will due no later than Oct. 28, and should be to-day operations,” said President Nancy direct staff in performance of their duties. sent to Fulton at, 605 South 14th St., Lin- Fulton. A detailed job description is available at: coln, NE 68508, or emailed to: The executive director is responsible nsea.org/job-posting-nsea- [email protected]

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 6 9/26/2016 2:37:43 PM Three is No Crowd at the Top Columbus, S. Sioux Finding Success with Leadership Teams The adage that two heads are better than one may no longer hold true. Members of the Columbus Education Association believe that three co-presidents will work. In South Sioux City, educators have found that five heads are best. It is not uncommon for local education associations to elect co-presidents to share the workload and duties that come with leadership. Columbus and South Sioux City Association members, however, have spread the workload more than most. The Columbus triumvirate has been on the job just a little more than two months, while the South Sioux model with five co- presidents has been on the job for several years. In fact, South Sioux City’s experiment was the inspiration for the leadership expansion in Columbus, said CEA Co- President Marc Baue. Former Columbus President Kay Strecker attended an NSEA meeting in the summer of 2015 where she talked with South Sioux City leaders. Columbus leaders discussed the idea, and membership agreed that a shared leadership experiment would be a good approach. Members elected Baue, a high school language arts teacher; John Pe- tersen, a middle school physical education teacher and coach; and Diane Garner, a retired teacher who is now an elementary education support professional (ESP) serving on the NSEA Board of Directors. All are past CEA presidents. Gavel-to-Gavel-to-Gavel: Serving as Columbus Education Association Co- Presidents this year are Diane Garner, Marc Baue and John Petersen. ‘So Much to Do’ Baue acknowledges that workload is about ESPs and about members being part makes it easier for members to reach one one reason for the leadership expansion. of a larger organization – at the state and of the leadership team and talk to them,” “It’s sometimes been difficult to get people national levels.” he said. to step up to the job in the past,” he said. Garner said Baue “is very well-spoken. In addition, Treasurer Sandy Seckel, Garner agrees. “You just get so burnt He’s our wordsmith.” Secretary Jane Dodson and Membership out,” she said. “It seems like you’re al- So far, they’ve found that scheduling a Chair Strecker are stationed at different ways meeting or planning for meetings meeting with the three of them has been elementary schools. – and there is so much more a president difficult – “that’s why we e-mail a lot,” The three-leader approach may also as- has to do.” said Garner. And as a timeclock-bound sist with building relationships between the It’s early in the process at Columbus. ESP, Garner has less flexibility than Baue CEA and the board and administration. But the co-presidents are each passionate about their profession, their associa- and Petersen. “There is not a lot of leeway “We have a good relationship, a clear tion and about making this model work. for me to get out and about” during the channel of communication and that is Although a change to CEA bylaws facili- school day, she said. largely due to John’s efforts,” said Baue. tated the co-presidency, day-to-day opera- Petersen believes that having leaders tions and responsibilities are evolving as Start the Groundwork at all three building levels may make dis- the team moves through the year. Aside from easing the workload, there cussions with administration easier – joint “A lot of that is happening naturally,” are other strengths to the CEA plan. Pe- meetings with administrators and CEA lead- said Baue. “We all just gravitate to our tersen said one president is at an elemen- ers will mean someone in the room will rep- strengths.” tary school, one at the middle school and resent and be knowledgeable about issues at Baue said Petersen’s strength is “build- one at the high school all three levels. ing relationships. Diane is passionate “With a representative at each level, it “It’s a good way to start the groundwork

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 7 9/26/2016 2:37:44 PM for that relationship,” he said. South Sioux City Education Associa- tion leaders are pleased with their approach, which provides five members of the leadership team. The team includes one secondary (middle school) member, three elementary teachers and an ESP with central office -ad ministrative secretary Lori Krahmer. Middle school vocal music teacher Su- zanne Dailey is NSEA’s point-of-contact person this year. But all other leadership duties are shared with Krahmer, elementary art teacher Joan Manley, and elementary teachers Erica Bowman and Jim Hubbard. While five may sound awkward, Dailey as- Bowman Dailey Hubbard Krahmer Manley sures that it is not. Regular communications through emails and text messages – and SSCEA treasurer. Bowman has community The same is true when leadership reaching consensus – is the key. connections and is a great planner, and Hub- meets with building reps or members. “It “We discuss everything before we take bard is the optimistic outlook member of the really is fluid and has taken on a conversa- things to the membership or administra- team. Krahmer, the newest member on the tional atmosphere with our building reps,” tion,” she said. “It may sound cumbersome, team, did a great job organizing a meeting said Dailey. but it is not.” for non-certified staff, said Manley. Building reps, and members in gener- Manley said the five are very like-mind- The five do share one strength: “All al, also have more leadership representa- ed, with the best interests of the Association of us are outspoken and willing to talk to tives to approach. at heart. groups, administrators and colleagues,” “If a member doesn’t feel comfortable “The biggest advantage is that we can said Manley. talking with me, they can go to someone work as a team, utilizing everyone’s indi- they feel more comfortable talking to,” vidual strengths. No one person is respon- Fluid, Conversational said Dailey. sible for it all,” she said. At a regular monthly meeting with ad- She advised other locals to consider the However, she said each of the five have ministrators, Dailey said the conversation move to a leadership team. “naturally fallen into what we are good at turns to the leader who can best address “This has been so successful for us, it re- based on our strengths.” For instance, Man- the situation. “It becomes much more of ally is worth looking into,” said Dailey. “I ley said Dailey “is excellent at bookkeep- a conversation than an adversarial situa- don’t see South Sioux City going back to the ing and money management” and is a past tion,” she said. typical officer hierarchy any time soon.”

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 8 9/26/2016 2:37:44 PM Manley Delegate Assembly Veterans: This contingent represented the Kearney Education Association well at NSEA’s 2016 Delegate Assembly. From left are Wendy Deyo, Chris Weis, Amy Burns, Paloma Mena-Werth and Amber Lewis. Prepare Now for a Memorable DA! One-of-a-Kind Delegate Assembly to Launch NSEA’s Second 150 Years The April 2017 annual meeting of the Nebraska State Education urday, April 21-22. Association will be unlike any of the previous 155 such gatherings. The Friday gala celebration is scheduled for Lincoln Station, the First, the weekend will kick off on Friday evening with - anin former city train station Lincoln’s Haymarket area that now serves vitation-to-delegates-and-dignitaries-only gala that will celebrate as a site for weddings and conventions. Delegates registered by the NSEA’s sesquicentennial. March 24 deadline will enjoy a plated dinner, a guest speaker Second, delegates will follow on Saturday with a and other sesquicentennial-worthy ceremonies. Del- full day of business, including election of three new egates will be allowed to purchase an additional members to the Association’s four-member Ex- ticket to the gala. Watch The Voice for the cost and ecutive Committee. other details. Because the weekend will be busy, and be- Action on Saturday morning at the Lincoln cause seating is limited at Friday’s gala, local as- Marriott Cornhusker Hotel will most certainly sociations are both encouraged and urged to elect include campaign speeches by those seeking elec- delegates by early March 2017. Only delegate names tion to three-year-terms as NSEA president, vice presi- submitted to NSEA by Friday, March 24, will receive dent, and Nebraska NEA director. Elections for those invitations to the Friday night gala. posts will be held later Saturday morning. “This is going to be memorable,” said NSEA Presi- Delegates will also discuss and debate changes to dent Nancy Fulton. “NSEA has a long and storied his- Bylaws, any proposed new Resolutions or New Busi- tory, and we plan to celebrate accordingly.” ness Items. Dues for 2017-18 will also be set by Delegates on NSEA’s first meeting was held as the Nebraska State Teachers As- Saturday. It will be busy, but fulfilling. sociation in Brownville on Oct. 16, 1867, just months after Nebraska Said one delegate in the blind evaluations turned back to NSEA gained statehood. Members have met every year since – and some- after the 2016 event: “It was definitely an eye-opener and the speakers times twice, making the 2017 event the Association’s 156th Delegate were top-notch. I actually felt appreciated again as a teacher.” Assembly. NSEA is the state’s oldest professional association. To make your interest in serving as a delegate known, contact your local association president, your local association building or A Memorable Event faculty representative, or your NSEA organizational specialist at The 2017 Delegate Assembly is scheduled for Friday and Sat- 1-800-742-0047. Recognize a Colleague’s Excellence with an NSEA Award Now is a good time to begin discussing who you or your local n Education Support Professional of the Year: Honors an association might nominate for one of the honors to be awarded at ESP who has excelled in his or her job. NSEA’s Delegate Assembly next April. Finalists will be notified in March, with winners revealed at Del- Any NSEA member may nominate a member teacher, ESP or egate Assembly. Recipients receive a $250 cash award. deserving group. Mailed nominations must be postmarked by Friday, NSEA members are also eligible for: Feb. 17, 2017, and should be sent to NSEA Awards, 605 S. 14th St., n The Great Plains Milestone Award: Honors an individual/ Lincoln, NE 68508-2742. Nominations may also be submitted online, group for promoting human and civil rights. with required supporting material mailed to the NSEA. Online nomi- n Community Service: Honors NSEA members and/or local nation forms are found under the ‘Call for Nominations’ link at: associations involved in volunteer work outside of classroom hours. www.nsea.org n Local Public Relations: Honors local associations for out- The 2017 Delegate Assembly will be held at Lincoln’s Cornhusker standing communication within the association. Marriott Hotel April 21-22. NSEA members are eligible for: Also to be presented: n NSEA Rookie of the Year: To honor a first-year teacher n Friend of Education: Honors an individual or organization who excelled in the 2015-16 school year. that has made a statewide contribution to education. n Award for Teaching Excellence: Honors a teacher who n Media: Recognizes a newspaper, television or radio station for has excelled in the classroom over a period of time. coverage of education issues and promotion of public education.

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 10 9/26/2016 2:37:46 PM NSEA at 150

NSEA at Boston, 1913: Ne- braska has always been well-represented at the annual meetings of the National Education Associa- tion. At left are some of the 101 Nebraska members who toured Boston during the 1913 convention. Below, some in the Nebraska delegation took time for a swim at Revere Beach, just north of Boston. The photos are courtesy of Dwight Ganzel, Lincoln, whose father Chester was a delegate. Nebraska party left Lincoln at 4:30 p.m. Three coaches were reserved to accommodate the members who left Lincoln and Nebraska City. NSEA at Boston, 1910 Monday, July 4: In the morning was a parade of soldiers, Ma- rines, bands, floats and school children, which were reviewed by Some Delegates ‘Took no Parasol’ President Taft and his party. The meetings of NEA were held in various places in the city but President Taft was the main speaker of the This is one of a series marking the 150th anniversary of NSEA’s day at a general meeting which was held at the Stadium. 1867 founding in October 2017. Tuesday, July 5: In the morning they started out and after some time realized they were lost. A man offered to show them the way. He NSEA members have long been ardent in their support and activ- took them past the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. ism on behalf of education. Friday, July 8: Visited Providence, RI, where Rhode Island For example, in 1910, the Nebraska delegation to the annual meet- teachers had just had a pension law passed. The report said “the teaching of the National Education Association at Boston numbered 101. ers have to serve 35 years before they are eligible to the pension.” The report on that excursion took 52 pages of the 1910 Biennial Re- Wednesday, July 6: 9 a.m. started on their trip to Lexington and port of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Nebraska. Concord. That evening they toured the Christian Science Church. The report, along with the photos shown here, were delivered to After visiting the church, they went to the Brunswick Hotel where NSEA by Betty Stukenholtz of Nebraska City, who, among other the Teachers’ Club held a reception for Mrs. Young, who later was things, has turned the one-room Harmony School near Nebraska City elected president of NEA. Later they heard the Boston Symphony. she attended as a child into a museum. Stukenholtz knows Dwight Thursday, July 7: Morning was spent at the Museum of Fine Ganzel of Lincoln, whose father Chester was on the 1910 trip. Ganzel Arts. In the evening there was a reception for the Nebraska delegation. provided the report and photos. Saturday, July 9: At noon boarded a steamer to Bedloe’s Island State Superintendent of Schools E.C. Bishop authored the report. in New York harbor. After an hour at the Statue of Liberty returned Delegates traveled by train from Lincoln, to Chicago then Detroit, to New York by ferry. Boarded street cars and rode several miles to crossed into Canada and then east to Niagara Falls. There they board- Broadway and 36th Street. ed a steamer to head down the St. Lawrence River to Montreal and a Monday, July 11: Went to some of the big stores, then to Central day of sightseeing. From there a train ride through Vermont and New Park. At 4 p.m. took a trolley trip around the city. Hampshire took them to Boston. Here are highlights from the report, Tuesday, July 12: In the morning toured Metropolitan Art Muse- entitled Nebraska Boston N.E.A. Excursion: um. At 3 p.m. bade farewell to New York. From New York to Norfolk Four members from Osceola decided that two things were very took the “Princess Anne” steamer. They gathered on deck and it was important: First, the amount suggested they sing. They of cash needed; second, what spent 2 hours singing favor- to take with them. These ite school songs, hymns, and four members decided $125 the Nebraska Corn Song. would cover all necessary From Norfolk, the del- expenditures and it did. Next, egation took a trolley to they decided the suitcase Virginia Beach, where some should be as light as possible; “went in bathing.” They took therefore they took no extra another steamer to Washing- dress, and left at home every- ton, D.C., and spent time thing they thought they could there and in Alexandria, VA, possibly do without. They took no parasol. before heading to Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 28: The Chicago and then home.

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 11 9/26/2016 2:37:47 PM There are just a few weeks before the November 8 General Election, and this will be an important vote. Bipartisan panels of NSEA members have held face-to-face interviews with candidates about education issues and offer the recommendations shown here. SUPPORTS SUPPORTS Some candidates did not respond to Legislative Public School SUPPORTS For SUPPORTS OPPOSES Creation of Fair NSEA’s request for an interview, and that is Profit/Char Collective Public Funds for District Location Candidate Funding ter Education Dismissal Quotes: designated by ‘NR’ for no response. is Adequate Schools Bargaining Private Schools On the ever-critical question of whether Trust Fund Hearings a candidate is with NSEA in opposition “I believe that we devalue our children when we Bellevue, CAROL BLOOD No No Yes Yes Yes Yes to the use of public funds for private and 03 devalue our teachers.” corporate schools, NSEA found responses Papillion Area from many opposition candidates on the Tommy Garrett No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Nebraska Family Alliance website. LYNNE WALZ No No “Investing in public schools is far more cost ef- Regardless of your political affiliation, Yes Yes Yes Yes fective than dealing with the consequenses.” please set a good example for your 15 Dodge County students – register to vote, and follow that David Schnoor Yes No No Yes NR No registration by voting for the candidates of your choice! ARDEL BENGTSON No No Yes Yes Yes Yes So ask your candidates where they Dakota, Wayne, 17 Thurston Counties stand on public education and how they Joni Albrecht NR NR NR No NR NR will support students and teachers in that arena. Then, when it comes time to LARRY SCHERER No No Yes Yes Yes Yes vote, please give consideration to NSEA’s NW Lincoln, 21 Lancaster County recommended candidates for Legislature Mike Hilgers NR NR NR NR NR NR and the State Board of Education: Nebraska Legislature SEN. JERRY JOHNSON Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 23 Saunders, Butler, Colfax Counties Dist. 1: Sen. Dan Watermeier, Syracuse Bruce Bostleman NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 3: Carol Blood, Bellevue, Papillion Dist. 5: Mike McDonnell, Omaha JIM GORDON No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 7: John Synowiecki, Omaha East Lincoln, & 25 Lancaster County Dist. 9: Sen. Sara Howard, Omaha Sue Geist NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 13: Justin Wayne, Omaha Dist. 15: Lynne Walz, Fremont SEN. RICK KOLOWSKI No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 17: Ardel Bengtson, S. Sioux City 31 Millard & Western Dist. 19: Sen. Jim Scheer, Norfolk Douglas County Dist. 21: Larry Scherer, Malcolm Ian Swanson NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 23: Sen. Jerry Johnson, Wahoo SEN. LES SEILER No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 25: Jim Gordon, Lincoln 33 Adams County, Dist. 27: Anna Wishart, Lincoln Western Hall County Dist. 29: Sen. Kate Bolz, Lincoln Steve Halloran NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 31: Sen. Rick Kolowski, Millard Dist. 33: Sen. Les Seiler, Hastings DAN QUICK No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 35: Dan Quick, Grand Island 35 Grand Island Dist. 37: Bob Lammers, Kearney Gregg Neuhaus NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 39: Bill Armbrust: Elkhorn, Omaha Dist. 41: Tom Briese, Albion Southeastern BOB LAMMERS No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 43: Sen. Al Davis, Hyannis 37 Buffalo County Dist. 45: Sen. Sue Crawford, Bellevue John Lowe, Sr. Yes Yes No No No Yes Dist. 47: Karl Elmshaeuser, Ogallala SEN. AL DAVIS No No Yes Yes Yes Yes State Board of Education Northwest 43 Nebraska Dist. 1: Patricia Koch Johns,Lincoln Tom Brewer NR NR NR No NR NR Dist. 2: Lisa Fricke: Bellevue, Millard, Papillion Eastern Third of SEN. SUE CRAWFORD No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Dist. 3: Rachel Wise: Oakland, 45 Sarpy County Northeast Nebraska Michael Cook NR NR NR NR NR NR

PAGE 12 | THE VOICE | OCTOBER 2016

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 12 9/26/2016 2:37:52 PM Public School SUPPORTS For SUPPORTS OPPOSES SUPPORTS SUPPORTS Legislative Creation of Fair Location Candidate Funding Profit/Charter Collective Public Funds for Quotes: District is Adequate Schools Bargaining Private Schools Education Dismissal Trust Fund Hearings “I believe that we devalue our children when we Bellevue, CAROL BLOOD No No Yes Yes Yes Yes devalue our teachers.” 03 Papillion Area Tommy Garrett No No Yes Yes Yes Yes LYNNE WALZ No No Yes Yes Yes Yes “Investing in public schools is far more cost ef- 15 Dodge County fective than dealing with the consequenses.” David Schnoor Yes No No Yes NR No

Dakota, Wayne, ARDEL BENGTSON No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 17 Thurston Counties Joni Albrecht NR NR NR No NR NR

NW Lincoln, LARRY SCHERER No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 21 Lancaster County Mike Hilgers NR NR NR NR NR NR SEN. JERRY JOHNSON Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 23 Saunders, Butler, Colfax Counties Bruce Bostleman NR NR NR No NR NR

East Lincoln, & JIM GORDON No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 25 Lancaster County Sue Geist NR NR NR No NR NR

Millard & Western SEN. RICK KOLOWSKI No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 31 Douglas County Ian Swanson NR NR NR No NR NR

Adams County, SEN. LES SEILER No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 33 Western Hall County Steve Halloran NR NR NR No NR NR DAN QUICK No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 35 Grand Island Gregg Neuhaus NR NR NR No NR NR

Southeastern BOB LAMMERS No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 37 Buffalo County John Lowe, Sr. Yes Yes No No No Yes

Northwest SEN. AL DAVIS No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 43 Nebraska Tom Brewer NR NR NR No NR NR

Eastern Third of SEN. SUE CRAWFORD No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 45 Sarpy County Michael Cook NR NR NR NR NR NR

SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 13

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 13 9/26/2016 2:37:53 PM Ogallala Scholarship Program Extremely Generous

State Tweaks Loan Options; Endorsements Now OK Legislature Puts Select Endorsements in Forgiveness Criteria Tweaks made to the State of Nebraska’s loan forgiveness program for educators will allow some teachers seeking additional endorsements to participate in the program. The Enhancing Excellence in Teaching Act provides loans to educators in certain programs to improve their skills and knowl- edge through graduate education programs. Upon meeting certain teaching requirements, those loans may be forgiven. During the 2016 session of the Nebraska Legislature, the program’s availability was expanded. Previously, the program criteria for eligibility required coursework for ad- vancement toward a post-graduate degree. With the Legislature’s action, the criteria now includes loan forgiveness for a graduate course of study leading to an additional endorsement in a shortage area. NSEA supported widening the program to include certain endorsements. “This program has been a great success,

PAGE 14 | THE VOICE | OCTOBER 2016

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 14 9/26/2016 2:37:54 PM Ogallala Scholarship Program Extremely Generous identified.” All Post-Secondary A majority of OEA members belong to Bound Seniors the GIFT Foundation, which is a separate entity from the OEA, designated for receiv- Earn Grant from OEA ing donations and disbursing scholarship funds. A local accounting firm serves as the Many local education associations investment agent, and the portfolio is re- across Nebraska offer scholarships to select viewed each year by the GIFT Foundation and deserving high school seniors as they board of four active and two retired educa- graduate. tors, as well as attending membership. Few, however, match the generosity of OEA members are asked to petition to the Ogallala Education Association. become a member of the GIFT Foundation, Since 1988, members of the OEA have said Cerny. given a scholarship to every Ogallala High “The petition is a formality to designate School graduate headed to a post-secondary that the two organizations are separate en- school. OEA Foundation Board: Members of titites,” he said. The scholarship dates to 1987 when OEA the Ogallala Education Association Foun- Meanwhile, graduating seniors must members Marbara Kuhlman and Rita Shim- dation Board are, from left, Pam McBride, make application for the scholarship, must min pitched the idea to membership. The President Allen Cerny, Scholarship Chair attend Academic Honors Night to receive Graduate Incentive from Teachers (GIFT) Kim Mestl, and Rosa Zimmerman. Not the award, must graduate and must use the Foundation was incorporated, and an initial pictured is Tracy Cone. scholarship within the following year. cookbook sale fundraiser collected enough The program has been very successful to cash that in 1988 each college-bound gradu- it is viable to perpetuity, with scholarships date, said Cerny. ating OHS senior received a $50 cash grant. funded from the investment portfolio’s in- “Since the first year we have awarded a Foundation President Allen Cerny said terest. total of 1,298 scholarships, representing, as that through a number of fundraisers, pri- Cerny also said there are plans to raise of this year, more than $126,150,” he said. marily a tailgate supper, the foundation has the scholarship amount. If members or leaders from other local been able to grow and increase the schol- “We are looking to raise more funds associations are interested in founding a arships. Today, each post-secondary-bound so that the scholarships can be increased scholarship program using the OEA model, OHS grad receives $150. to $200,” said GIFT Foundation President Cerny said he would be glad to provide de- Members hope that the foundation has Allen Cerny. “No fundraising plans are set tails. Reach out to Cerny at: endowed the scholarship program so that at this time, but this is a goal the board has [email protected] State Tweaks Loan Options; Endorsements Now OK judging by the numbers of Nebraska educa- program; 15 percent are repaying, have re- Legislature Puts tors who have been able to utilize it,” said paid, or have had the award discharged; and Select Endorsements NSEA President Nancy Fulton. “Feedback 1 percent have declined the funds. from members who used the plan requested in Forgiveness Criteria the addition of these endorsements.” Enhancing Excellence There are two loan forgiveness programs in Teaching Program Tweaks made to the State of Nebraska’s operated by the Nebraska Department of This past year was the seventh year of loan forgiveness program for educators will Education under the Excellence in Teach- operation for the EETP, though the Legis- allow some teachers seeking additional en- ing Act (ETA). The Attracting Excellence to lature has provided funding in just five of dorsements to participate in the program. Teaching Program (AETP), assists college those years. To date, 2,233 loans of not quite The Enhancing Excellence in Teaching students who are seeking graduate degrees $4.3 million have been provided. Act provides loans to educators in certain and certification. The Enhancing Excellence Of those loans, 36 are currently enrolled programs to improve their skills and knowl- in Teaching Program benefits teachers - al in their program; 31 percent are currently edge through graduate education programs. ready in the classroom. Here is an update teaching; 25 percent have cancelled their Upon meeting certain teaching require- on both programs, as reported to the State loans by meeting program requirements; 5 ments, those loans may be forgiven. Board of Education: percent are repaying, have repaid or have During the 2016 session of the Nebraska had the loan discharged; and 3 percent have Legislature, the program’s availability was Attracting Excellence declined the funds. expanded. Previously, the program criteria to Education Program The EETP included about $1.2 million for eligibility required coursework for ad- The 2015-16 school year was the 10th in funding for the application period that vancement toward a post-graduate degree. for the program. Since its inception, 1,179 opened on April 1. Through the EETP, eligi- With the Legislature’s action, the criteria college students seeking their initial certifi- ble candidates may apply on an annual basis now includes loan forgiveness for a gradu- cation have received loans totaling just un- up to $175 per credit hour, to a maximum of ate course of study leading to an additional der $3.3 million. $3,000. Candidates can apply for the loans endorsement in a shortage area. Of those loan recipients, 50 percent have for up to five consecutive years. For details, NSEA supported widening the pro- cancelled their loans by meeting teach- watch future issues of The Voice, or check gram to include certain endorsements. ing requirements; 18 percent are currently the NDE website at: “This program has been a great success, teaching; 16 percent are enrolled in their www.education.ne.gov/ SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 15

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 15 9/26/2016 2:37:54 PM News You Can Use tion institutions. materials and activities. Winning lesson NEA Foundation Offers To learn more about the grant possi- plans will be featured on SaveOnEnergy. Grant Writing Course bilities, check out the website at neafoun- com for other teachers to use as resources. dation.org. To learn about the free grant The deadline for submission is Oct. 21. Thousands of grant opportunities ex- writing course, go to the website and look For details, go to: ist that bestow educators with dollars to be for the ‘Writing Tutorial’ under the ‘Re- saveonenergy.com/teacher-grant/ used to enhance their teaching practice. But sources’ tab. many teachers, while interested in applying Docents Needed for a grant, don’t know where to begin. Submit a Lesson Plan The NEA Foundation offers a free, on- at Nebraska Museum line course designed to help educators navi- for Chance at $500 gate the process of applying for a grant. Docents are needed at the Nebraska Grant Writing for Educators is one of 19 Interested in winning $500 for your History Museum to provide guided tours online courses available on the NEA Foun- classroom? SaveOnEnergy.com is looking for students and adults, particularly fourth dation website. It introduces educators to for the best lesson plans for teaching graders studying Nebraska history. Infor- various facets of grant research, writing and students about energy or sustainability. mation about Nebraska’s amazing past is more. The course can be completed by indi- The folks at SaveOnEnergy.com teach conveyed to students through hands-on viduals or by small groups, and is a valuable consumers about the aspects of energy in educational experiences, as the museum asset for novice grant writers as well as sea- the website’s Learning Center through staff continues to develop core exhibits at soned educators who are looking to sharpen blog posts, videos and infographics. Plus, the museum. their grant writing skills. guides from Nico the Ninja help teach An eight session docent education se- The NEA Foundation offers – and kids about electrical safety and energy ries will be given from 9 a.m. to noon on takes pride in – the two types of grants savings. these dates: Oct, 6 and 20; Nov. 3; Dec. it offers multiple times each year. The The site encourages lesson plans that 1; Jan. 5 and 19; and Feb. 2 and 16. The Learning & Leadership Grants are largely vary in scope and topic, and participants series will prepare docents to give tours aimed at professional development oppor- are welcome to cite information found on and offer insights into Nebraska’s history. tunities. The Student Achievement Grant the SaveOnEnergy.com Learning Center. If you are willing to learn and commu- program is aimed at improving the aca- SaveOnEnergy.com will award six nicate stories of Nebraska history using his- demic achievement of students in K-12 $500 grants, in the form of Visa Reward torical objects and biographies, and are in- public schools and public higher educa- Cards, to be used toward classroom terested in working with groups of all ages

xxx

Scrumptious Dining in Banner County! Members of the Banner County Education Association know how to start the school year. The BCEA started this year with a “cream can dinner” — raw potatoes, carrots, meat and other food items steamed in a cream can for a length of time, then served in foil-lined troughs. At left, Nancy Olsen arranges the food in a pig-themed trough just before serving. Above, members of the BCEA show their solidarity in NSEA 150th anniversary t-shirts. In the front row, from left, are Jeri Rev- elle, Nancy Olsen, Bill Gifford, Kari Gifford. Back row, from left, are Brandi Tallmage, Elizabeth Bohac, Jessica Stauffer, Angie Hil- bert, Robin Parsons and Priscilla Bastian.

PAGE 16 | THE VOICE | OCTOBER 2016

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 16 9/26/2016 2:37:55 PM and interests, the museum has openings. Blvd., Lincoln, from 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 16. Compact as America’s first declaration of For details, contact Deb McWilliams No registration is required. equality and justice. materials and activities. Winning lesson at 402-471-4955, or at: For details, call 402-434-6434, or go to: Each student or team can enter with an plans will be featured on SaveOnEnergy. [email protected] www.ne-da.org art, photo, essay or science project. For com for other teachers to use as resources. details, visit: History Day Project The deadline for submission is Oct. 21. provincetowntourismoffice.org/ For details, go to: Dyslexia Group Where in the World WHERE will Hone Research Skill saveonenergy.com/teacher-grant/ Reviews Changing Times Did the Pilgrims Land? Middle and high school students around the SAC Museum to Host world are taking learning beyond the books Docents Needed The Nebraska Dyslexia Association’s A new public education endeavor – the with the National History Day Contest. Fall Celebration will feature University of WHERE Project – has launched the 400th Teacher Day Nov. 12 The project-based contest provides stu- at Nebraska Museum Nebraska-Lincoln Assistant Professor Dr. year commemoration of the Pilgrims’ dents the chance to demonstrate historical Stephanie Wessels as keynote speaker. 1620 landing in North America. The SAC Aerospace Museum at Ash- research skills through one of five categories: Docents are needed at the Nebraska The conference will be held in Lincoln The project is built around a simple land will host Teachers Day on Saturday, documentary, exhibit, paper, performance and History Museum to provide guided tours on Sunday, Oct. 16. premise: the foundational question of Nov. 12. The event includes free admis- website. Guided by an annual theme, students for students and adults, particularly fourth Wessels teaches in UNL’s Depart- where the Pilgrims first landed and inked sion for all teachers and their dependent are encouraged to choose a topic that match- graders studying Nebraska history. Infor- ment of Teaching, Learning and Teacher the Mayflower Compact. The project will children from noon to 3 p.m. on that day. es their personal interests. The 2017 theme mation about Nebraska’s amazing past is Education and will submit to listeners help to broaden understanding of impor- There will be a tailgate party with conveyed to students through hands-on that “Changing Times Demand Changes tant facts leading to creation of Ameri- snacks and a guest speaker at 1 p.m. educational experiences, as the museum in Teacher Education.” She will discuss can Democracy. The program will draw There will also be a field trip preview staff continues to develop core exhibits at a unique English Language Learner pro- students into a web-based interactive art, during the open house, along with a the museum. gram at UNL for elementary education photo, essay and science competition with chance for teachers to check out the mu- An eight session docent education se- pre-service teachers. The program was engaging ways to relive the path of the seum’s new interactive Children’s Learn- ries will be given from 9 a.m. to noon on necessitated by changing demographics Pilgrims as they journeyed to what is now ing Center. Museum officials also offer a these dates: Oct, 6 and 20; Nov. 3; Dec. in Nebraska. Provincetown, MA. free welcome gift to teachers. 1; Jan. 5 and 19; and Feb. 2 and 16. The Also on the agenda: Principal Dr. Don The initiative is built on a set of criti- Teachers may stay for the 5-8 p.m. series will prepare docents to give tours Ridder and a seventh grade student will cal questions designed for discovering na- Family Night Extravaganza. Register by and offer insights into Nebraska’s history. talk about “Journeys with Dyslexia.” tive cultures and aspects of the journey of Oct. 8 at: If you are willing to learn and commu- The event will be held at St. Mark’s the 102 Pilgrims, and their drafting and sacmuseum.org/teacher-event- nicate stories of Nebraska history using his- Methodist Church, 84th and Pioneers unanimous adoption of the Mayflower registration/ torical objects and biographies, and are interested in working with groups of all ages

SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 17

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 17 9/26/2016 2:37:55 PM PAGE 18 | THE VOICE | OCTOBER 2016

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 18 9/26/2016 2:37:56 PM NEA Member Benefits Save With Susan NSEA members will soon see a new rep- These Home Money Pits resentative for NEA Member Benefits. Su- san Estes succeeds David Glenn as the representa- Can Sap Your Savings tive in Nebraska. Estes worked in the insulation can be often blown into the joint private sector before join- These Tips Save Money, space in walls in a matter of just hours. ing the education fam- Increase Home’s Value 5. Old Appliances: Old appliances are ily as a special education energy hogs compared with newer, more teacher. She taught in By Dr. Penny Pincher | Wise Bread efficient models — especially refrigerators, Owenton, KY, for 6 years There are so many expenses associated freezers, and dishwashers. It may be hard to before joining the Ken- with paying the bills for a home that it is notice that old appliance sitting there quietly tucky Education Associa- easy to miss money leaks that are costing sucking down extra electricity all the time, tion as a UniServ Direc- you big dollars. Putting a plug into these but the cost adds up every month. Some tor, a post she held for five Estes leaks can make a big difference in your bud- utility companies offer incentives to take years before moving to get. From old-school thermostats to faulty away old appliances in order to encourage NEA Member Benefits. plumbing, here are some of the top money- people to replace them with energy efficient “I truly look forward to working with pits to watch for: models. And you may even qualify for tax teacher members and helping them under- 1. Old School Thermostats: I recently credits related to energy efficient appliances. stand and access the great programs that are replaced my 1980s-era thermostat with a 6. Bad Mortgage Rates: When you part of Member Benefits,” said Estes. new one for about $50. Why? Because the got your mortgage, you probably shopped The Nebraska assignment is Estes’ first old thermostat was leaking money every around and got the best rate you could find. for Member Benefits. She also serves mem- day. My new thermostat is programmable, But have you checked your rate lately? You bers in Kansas and Colorado. so I can automatically avoid heating or may be paying more than you need to for cooling the house when no one is home. interest every month. If you plan to stay Cash Rewards Card Gets Upgrade It’s paid for itself in just the first few in your house for a few years, Members with the NEA Cash Rewards months. refinancing your mortgage to Credit Card are used to great benefits: earn- 2. Drafty Windows: It may get a better interest rate can help ing 1 percent cash back everywhere, every sound extreme to replace win- you hang on to more of your time; 2 percent cash back at grocery stores; dows to save money on your money each month instead and 3 percent cash back on gas. heating bill, but I was pay- of giving it to the banker. With the NEA Cash Rewards Card, you ing hundreds of dollars 7. Leaky Roof or Gut- can maximize your savings by combining every month for propane ters: You won’t get a bill the fantastic values you get at a wholesale when I moved into an old right away if you have a leaky club, earning 2 percent cash back on both in- house with drafty single-pane roof or gutters that don’t work store and online wholesale club purchases. windows. Old windows are almost properly, but deferred maintenance If you are a cardholder and participate in as inefficient as having your windows is like a time bomb that can cost you online banking, you get your FICO Score open all winter. Replacing them will re- a huge amount of money in the future in for free. New customers opening an NEA duce your utility bill and add to the resale the form of repair bills and reduced property Cash Rewards Card account are also eli- value of your house. If replacing windows value. Take care of water leaks before they gible for a $100 cash rewards bonus offer! is too big of a project, you can install clear become a money pit. For details on all of the NEA Cash Re- plastic film over your windows for a few 8. Long Commutes: If your home is wards Card benefits and terms, please visit: dollars each to help keep the money from far away from work, shopping, and school, www.neamb.com/cashrewards flowing out. your commute is costing you time and mon- 3. Old HVAC Systems: I once lived in a ey every day. Unfortunately, avoiding this Save at the GE Appliances Store house with a 40-year-old furnace. My home money pit may require moving to a different The GE Appliances Store is an exclusive, inspector said it was built like a tank, and I house. I was able to move about 10 minutes full service, and secure online shopping site think it was about as energy efficient as a closer to my work location and it made a big where NEA members can purchase high- tank, too. If you plan to stay in your house difference. quality appliances directly from GE Appli- for a few years, an energy efficient HVAC 9. Too Much House: If your house is ances at discount prices. system can easily pay for itself through low- bigger than you really need, you are paying Visit the GE Appliances Store to find er energy bills. Plus, the new system will extra every month for your mortgage, utility deals every day on the latest GE, GE Profile increase the value of your house. bills, and property taxes. Consider downsiz- Series, GE Café Series, GE Artistry Series, 4. Poor Insulation: Don’t be fooled. ing to avoid sinking money into paying for and Monogram appliances, as well as online It can be hard to notice a poorly insulated space you are not fully utilizing. promotions and rebates. Delivery is avail- home because the furnace can compensate This article is from Dr Penny Pincher, able to most homes in the continental U.S., for this by running more to try to maintain the pen name of J. Brian Bishop of Wise including free delivery on all orders over the desired temperature. The most effective Bread, an award-winning personal finance $399. Installation and removal of old appli- place to upgrade your home’s insulation is and credit card comparison website. ances are also offered on some products. in the attic, since warm air is less dense than For more information about the GE Ap- cold air and a lot of heat transfer happens © 2016 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. Brought to pliances Store, visit: through the attic and roof as warm air rises. you by NEA Member Benefits. Content provided by: www.neamb.com/ge If your floors are cold, you may benefit from Susan Estes is Nebraska’s adding insulation under your house, as well. NEA Member Benefits representative Insulating walls can be a bigger project, but

SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 19

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 20 9/26/2016 2:37:57 PM The Executive Director Cheers for Miss Bishop In December 1955, I saw a movie that I have never Miss Bishop, a best-selling book that was also later forgotten. On reflection, it certainly may have been one made into a movie, “Cheers for Miss Bishop.” It is the of the sappiest movies I would ever see, but I loved it story of a teacher who is forced into retirement after because I was a third-grader and the movie was about a many years of teaching. As many (and perhaps most) favorite, small-town teacher. The teacher in the movie teachers do, Miss Bishop reflects on a life of service insisted that every student greet her properly every day. that did not result in great honors or riches. What op- Their morning greetings became the title of the movie, portunities had she missed by being a teacher? In true “Good Morning, Hollywood fash- Miss Dove.” When ion, the movie ends Miss Dove was hos- with many of her pitalized, her former students, now very students returned to successful, coming give well-deserved back to honor her thanks to their favor- work. Many mov- ite teacher. ies have been made I was reminded about the impor- of that movie the tant work of teach- other day as I talked ers. We know these with a local doctor. teachers by their He said that he ad- movie names: Mr. mired teachers and Chips, Mr. Holland, the work they did, Miss Dove, Miss but he did not un- Bishop, Miss Bar- derstand why educa- rett, Mr. Thackeray, tion is so conflictual, and many more. But when it is so impor- how do we honor tant. Yes, education and thank our real is disputed, but ex- Saying ‘Thank you.’ NSEA Executive Director Craig R. Chris- teachers? actly because it is tiansen visiting the home of author Bess Streeter Aldrich in We simply need to so important. Both Elmwood, Nebraska. One of her best-selling books was about say thank you to our parents and teachers a teacher, Miss Bishop. teachers for the work understand that edu- they do. We say it out cation is the most important determinant of a student’s loud and often. It’s that simple. career choice and satisfaction, lifetime earnings, and overall well-being and future success. The choices that ‘Thank You’ is Rarely Heard are made about virtually every aspect of education are So, “cheers” for you Miss Bishop, or Miss Dove, open to critical questioning or opposition. Decisions or Mr. Black, or Mrs. Lance, or Dr. Alvarez, or any do matter. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and taxpay- of thousands of names that you carry as the American ers all have a stake in the success of our students. And Teacher. You are the model for movies and books and those voices do not always agree. accolades, but your work is known best (and appreciated most) by those generations of students that come Targets of Criticism through your classroom. You never hear “Thank you” That level of continual questioning, criticism, and, from most of these students. Their mothers and fathers often, opposition is a daily burden to those who work will say it as they talk about how much you cared about in our schools. It is every citizen’s right to question their children, how much they have grown up, have and criticize decisions that may not be sound educa- learned, and how much their children still talk about tional practice. And, ironically, the ones who work you. The students say it years later as adults when they every day to make sure students get the very best ed- tell their own children about the difference that you ucation are often the targets of criticism from every made in their lives. And some may say it when they quarter: parents, taxpayers, their principals, and soci- remember a movie or a book that reminded them of ety. Teaching is not easy and very often, a thankless how critical the work is that all teachers do every day job. Or so it seems. for the students of America. So, thank you…and for A Nebraska author, Bess Streeter Aldrich, wrote what you do: Cheers, Miss Bishop!

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#Oct 16 Voice.indd 21 9/26/2016 2:37:58 PM NSEA-Retired Corner Head to Aurora for ‘Total Eclipse’ Story Deductible Health Plan (HDHP); and a $4,000 deductible, HSA-eli- Find Out About the Future, the Past gible HDHP. Health Savings Accounts will also be explained, as well at NSEA-Retired Fall Conference as how to enroll in an HSA for qualifying plans. Individuals who are enrolled in one of the EHA insurance plans Attendees at NSEA-Retired’s 2017 Fall Conference will learn a can change to a higher deductible to be effective on Jan. 1, 2017, if little bit about the future, and a little bit about the past. they have completed enrollment applications on file by Dec. 1, 2016. A pre-event will feature a “culture and conversation” tour of the Comparisons of the out-of-pocket costs of each plan design will be famed Plainsman Museum, and museum Executive Director Tina described, as well as what you need to do to switch to a different plan Larson will talk about her work during a conference breakout. design. The seminars will be: Keynoting the event will be Dan Glomski, the on-site “mad sci- n Tuesday, Oct. 25: North Platte Holiday Inn Express & Suites. entist” at Aurora’s Edgerton Explorit Center. With Nebraska already n Wednesday, Oct. 26: York, Holthus Convention Center, 3130 targeted as a prime viewing area, Glomski will give attendees the lat- Holen Ave. (1.25 miles north of I-80 Exit). est news on the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse. n Friday, Oct. 28: Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 701 E. The conference is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Aurora’s Benjamin Ave. Leadership Conference Center. The “culture and conversation” pre- n Monday, Oct. 31: LaVista, Educational Service Unit #3, 6949 event, with a light meal and tour will be S. 110 St. held on Monday evening, Oct. 17, at the No registration is required. nearby Plainsman Museum at 5:30 p.m. There will be a fee of $10 per person in Election Update advance, payable by Wednesday, Oct. NSEA-Retired members will elect 12, or a fee of $15 at the door. two general officers of the Association Tentative breakout sessions for the next spring: President and Vice Presi- Tuesday conference include a Cuba dent. Current NSEA-Retired Vice Presi- travelogue, photography, health insur- dent Tom Black is eligible to run for re- ance after retirement, funeral planning, election if he chooses to do so. Current climate change, and health and fitness. NSEA-Retired President, Roger Rea, is Other than the Monday evening term-limited. If the NSEA-Retired Board event, there is no charge for members to votes to make changes in the current term attend. The registration deadline is Oct. limits, Rea may be eligible to run again 12. To register, call Rebecca Smith at (dependent on how term limits are modi- 1-800-742-0047, or email her at: fied). A decision on changing term limits [email protected] will be made at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Ready for Winter: Winners of NSEA-Retired’s NSEA-Retired Board of Directors. quilt and baby blanket raffles have received their Medicare Seminars Coming Three of the six District Director po- prizes. Wheeler Central member Marcia Smith, NSEA-Retired and Blue Cross and sitions are also up for election. District above, won a crocheted afghan made by Joyce Blue Shield of Nebraska will host sem- Directors will be elected for Capitol, Huggans, a former NSEA-Retired board member inars across the state to provide mem- Elkhorn and Sandhills. Current Capitol from Burwell. Current NSEA-Retired Panhandle director Pat Etherton; Elkhorn director bers with important information about District representative Jim McDermott, below Francis Rohrich; and Sandhills Director Medicare, NSEA-Retired BlueSenior right, presented Alliance member Roberta Rud- Dee Gillham; are each eligible to seek Classic (our Medicare supplement), den with the embroidered baby blanket made by re-election. All are three-year terms, be- and the options retirees younger than Gloria Boham of Omaha. The raffle raised nearly ginning Aug. 15, 2017. 65 have for insurance through the Edu- $1,000 for the NSEA Children’s Fund. cator’s Health Alliance. Delegates will also be elected to rep- The seminars will run from 9:30 resent the retired members at NSEA Del- a.m. to noon at each location. The semi- egate Assembly (to be held in Lincoln on nar will cover the basics of Medicare; April 21-22, 2017) as well as delegates the changes in Medicare for 2017; de- to NEA Representative Assembly (to tails on BlueSenior Classic, the Medi- be held in Boston, MA, June 30-July care supplement endorsed by NSEA- 5, 2017). Delegates to NSEA-DA and Retired and underwritten by Blue Cross NEA-RA are elected for one-year terms. (with optional dental coverage); chang- Complete details regarding the elec- es in Medicare Part D, the prescription tion procedures as well as the process for drug benefit, for 2017; and how to use filing for election will be posted on the the Medi-care website to find an appro- NSEA-Retired website, www.nsea.org/ priate Part D provider. retired, after Jan. 20. Any NSEA-Retired The afternoon session will run from member in good standing is eligible to 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This session will cov- run for office. Candidates for District -Di er the differences between the four EHA rector, NSEA Delegate Assembly or NEA options available to retirees younger Representative Assembly must live in the than 65. Those options are: a $900 de- NSEA District they wish to represent. ductible PPO plan; a $2,000 deductible PPO plan; a $3,500 deductible, Health- — Renae Kelly, Editor Savings-Account (HSA) eligible High [email protected] PAGE 22 | THE VOICE | OCTOBER 2016

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 22 9/26/2016 2:37:59 PM Benchmarks

Freye Honored for Teaching Kris Burns Deductible Health Plan (HDHP); and a $4,000 deductible, HSA-eli- Will be Recognized at NEA Foundation Gala Marion Kristine “Kris” Burns, a former gible HDHP. Health Savings Accounts will also be explained, as well teacher at Omaha, and a reading teacher for Linda Freye, a kindergarten teacher at Lincoln’s Maxey Elementary the Blair Public Schools, died unexpectedly as how to enroll in an HSA for qualifying plans. School, has been named one of 43 public school educators to receive the on Sept. 7. She was 65. Individuals who are enrolled in one of the EHA insurance plans California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence – one of the nation’s Burns was described as kind, sweet, a can change to a higher deductible to be effective on Jan. 1, 2017, if highest honors for public educators. champion for students and able to work they have completed enrollment applications on file by Dec. 1, 2016. They will be honored at the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence magic in her reading classroom. Comparisons of the out-of-pocket costs of each plan design will be in Education Gala in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 10. An Omaha North High grad, she earned described, as well as what you need to do to switch to a different plan In addition to being recognized for excellence in instructional and a bachelor’s degree from Creighton Univer- design. The seminars will be: professional practice, awardees are nominated by their peers for their sity and completed her teaching require- n Tuesday, Oct. 25: North Platte Holiday Inn Express & Suites. dedication to the profession, community engagement, professional n ments and earned a master’s degree at the Wednesday, Oct. 26: York, Holthus Convention Center, 3130 development, attention to diversity, and advocacy for fellow educators. University of Nebraska-Omaha. She taught Holen Ave. (1.25 miles north of I-80 Exit). “Teachers have to believe in their students and believe that they can Spanish and history for OPS, left teaching n Friday, Oct. 28: Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 701 E. learn. I use whatever strategy I need to use to reach a child,” Freye said. to raise four children, and returned to the Benjamin Ave. Because the NEA Foundation values both professional development classroom at Blair’s Arbor Park Elementary n LaVista, Educational Service Unit #3, 6949 Monday, Oct. 31: and diversity, awardees are invited to participate in its Global Learning Freye as a reading para-professional. She taught at S. 110 St. Fellowship. Fellows learn how to prepare their students for a connected Papillion-LaVista for a year, then returned to No registration is required. and multicultural world in this comprehensive, yearlong professional Arbor Park in 1999. development program, which includes an international field study next June. She is survived by her husband Joe and Election Update Freye is the Nebraska nominee by virtue of receiving NSEA’s Teaching Excellence Award four children. NSEA-Retired members will elect at the Association’s 2015 Delegate Assembly. two general officers of the Association next spring: President and Vice Presi- dent. Current NSEA-Retired Vice Presi- Do You Know a Courageous Teacher? dent Tom Black is eligible to run for re- Irene Van Winkle election if he chooses to do so. Current Consider a Nomination for the McAuliffe Award NSEA-Retired President, Roger Rea, is Longtime NSEA member Irene Van Win- term-limited. If the NSEA-Retired Board Courage is an important quality not often recognized in teachers. The Christa McAuliffe kle, 83, died at Bellevue on Aug. 20. votes to make changes in the current term Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education – awarded through the University of Nebraska- A native of Ord, she taught at the el- limits, Rea may be eligible to run again Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences – recognizes this special form of courage. ementary level in Valley County Schools, at (dependent on how term limits are modi- “Rewarding courage selects out a slightly different kind of teacher,” said Dr. Gregg Wright, Amherst, Bridgeport, Hampton and then at fied). A decision on changing term limits creator of the prize. Central City for more than 20 years until will be made at the Oct. 17 meeting of the The teachers who have been recognized are all excellent educators, but they go beyond ex- she retired in 1995. NSEA-Retired Board of Directors. cellence by showing courage. Courage can be displayed in many different ways, but the com- Van Winkle was a negotiator for the Three of the six District Director po- mon denominator among all the prizewinners is the lasting and positive effect they have had on Hampton Education Association, and served sitions are also up for election. District their students and on their peers. As Sen. Bob Kerrey said in the introduction to the McAuliffe as president of the Central City Education Directors will be elected for Capitol, Prize 20-year retrospective magazine, “The trends affecting education today make courageous Association. She also attended the Summer Elkhorn and Sandhills. Current Capitol teachers even more important, affecting every school in Nebraska… Courage is not taught by Leadership Conference and several Del- director Pat Etherton; Elkhorn director a curriculum, it is caught from the example of others.” egate Assemblies over the years. Francis Rohrich; and Sandhills Director Wright founded the prize as a memorial to Christa McAuliffe, the teacher/astronaut who lost Van Winkle and her late husband Jerry Dee Gillham; are each eligible to seek her life in the Challenger space shuttle accident in January 1986. McAuliffe provided a very held local and state leadership roles in the re-election. All are three-year terms, be- visible demonstration of both courage and excellence in education – qualities that are found in Presbyterian Church. She also enjoyed ge- ginning Aug. 15, 2017. many Nebraska teachers to the benefit of all our children. The prize provides a way to recog- nealogy, reading and camping. Delegates will also be elected to rep- nize these teachers, and at the same time honor McAuliffe’s courage. She is survived by two children and their The $1,000 prize is awarded annually to a Nebraska teacher. The recipient’s school receives resent the retired members at NSEA Del- spouses. a $500 award. For details, go to: egate Assembly (to be held in Lincoln on cehs.unl.edu/courage/ April 21-22, 2017) as well as delegates to NEA Representative Assembly (to be held in Boston, MA, June 30-July Dawn L. Daly 5, 2017). Delegates to NSEA-DA and Retirement Seminars Available from NSEA-Retired NEA-RA are elected for one-year terms. From Adams to York, from Yutan to “NSEA members continue to ask for in- Teacher and NSEA member Dawn L. Complete details regarding the elec- Wilcox, the Retirement Planning Seminars formation on retirement planning, and they Daly, 69, passed away at home on Sept. 13, tion procedures as well as the process for provided by NSEA-Retired have reached give our seminars very high ratings,” said 2016. filing for election will be posted on the nearly 10,000 educators over the last 13 Roger Rea, NSEA-Retired president. She taught for 35 years, first at Auburn, NSEA-Retired website, www.nsea.org/ years. Any local association may request a and later at Wasmer Elementary School in retired, after Jan. 20. Any NSEA-Retired The program has been delivered to seminar, and may join together with other Grand Island for many years. After retire- member in good standing is eligible to members in 80 local associations in that area locals to host a seminar. They general- ment, Daly and husband Rich moved to run for office. Candidates for District -Di time, some more than once. In 2015-16, ly last about 90 minutes, and will provide a Lincoln where she became involved in the rector, NSEA Delegate Assembly or NEA fourteen seminars were delivered across refresher course on the State of Nebraska’s Women’s Club, and PEO and other organi- Representative Assembly must live in the the state, reaching nearly 600 members. defined benefit retirement plan, and some zations. She enjoyed book and dinner club NSEA District they wish to represent. The leaders of NSEA’s six governance of the options available with that plan, as and loved playing bridge. districts have agreed to assist with the well as other retirement considerations. She is survived by her husband and a son — Renae Kelly, Editor expense of the seminars again during the For details, contact Rea via email at: and daughter. [email protected] 2016-17 association year. [email protected] SEPTEMBER 2016 | THE VOICE | PAGE 23

#Oct 16 Voice.indd 23 9/26/2016 2:37:59 PM NSEA Children’s Fund: helping children realize a better today & tomorrow! Children’s Fund Needs Your Help

Campaign for $150K Mailed By: The Nebraska State Education Association is Well Under Way 605 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68508-2742 with $18k Collected The NSEA Children’s Fund has made a great difference over 22 years, particularly for children in poverty and children facing devastating loss. When a member sees a child in need of a warm winter coat, eyeglasses or other necessities, all they need do is call NSEA and ask for the Children’s Fund. Today, NSEA leaders firmly believe it is time to give the Children’s Fund a firm footing for the future. At NSEA Del- egate Assembly 2016, Association leaders launched a drive to raise $150,000 for the Children’s Fund by October 2017, appro- priately the 150th anniversary of NSEA’s founding. That campaign has raised $18,567 through September. Every penny raised through October Focused Training: As contract negotiations near, local association members 2017 will count toward the drive. That’s from across the state have been training on NSEA’s Navigator program, which an ambitious goal, since the fund typically assists with comparability studies. Here, during a training in Scottsbluff this sum- collects from $40,000 to $50,000 in any mer, NSEA Organizational Specialist Andrea Longoria, left, works with Gordon- given year. Expenses, however, can easily Rushville’s Niki Waugh. State law sets the bargaining schedule for school districts, surpass $50,000 in a year. and the season opens Nov. 1. Local associations are encouraged to brainstorm fundraising ideas: collect change; host a jeans day fundraiser; or Adopting Classroom Pets consider other ideas to raise funds. From Lisa Wyrick, a fifth grade math and science teacher from San Jose, CA: To make donations easier, the Chil- dren’s Fund is now set up to accept do- “My classroom animals make even reluctant students want to engage. I’ve found that fos- nations through PayPal. Find the PayPal tering classroom pets rather than owning them is the way to go. I have an arboreal salamander, link at: an Oregon alligator lizard, three parakeets and two nsea.org/childrensfund corn snakes, but the best are my foster rabbits. In- Questions? Call Sally Bodtke at NSEA stead of taking on ownership, I’ve arranged with a at 1-800-742-0047 or at: local foster group to house rabbits who are awaiting [email protected] adoption. “The rabbits receive full medical care from the group, and the foster group gave me all the set-up Speaking of Education equipment I needed. The rabbits range from babies to adults, and I have them usually for sev- “To teach is to transform by informing, eral weeks or months, sending them back to the organization on adoption fair weekends. When to develop a zest for lifelong learning, to one gets adopted, I get another that same day. I keep them in my classroom in a large cage, but help pupils become students — mature, most of the school day, the rabbits are running in a fenced in play area within my classroom. independent learners, architects of an ex- They easily litter-box train, and I keep a small shop vacuum nearby for any stray straw that citing, challenging future. Teaching at its escapes their pen. And, no, they don’t smell. best is a kind of communion, a meeting of “This arrangement works well because I can turn down a rabbit if a school vacation is near. minds.” The rabbits teach students about taking care of animals as well as the whole concept of aban- — Edgar Dale, doned or poorly chosen pets and the need to provide homes for animals already in our midst.” American Educator Sign up for Works4Me at: 1900-1985 nea.org/tools/Works4Me.html

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