Must Be Present To WIN Primary and General Elections Are Key Elections have consequences… and NEA-NM to organize and mobilize fellow be two hours this spring if your legislative if you want those consequences to be members to work for and vote for these races are decided in the primary, like in favorable to public schools and public recommended candidates. Santa Fe, Las Vegas, or Española. Bank school employees, then you MUST be WHAT’S AT STAKE? both of them for the fall if your races will consequential in their outcomes. be decided then or split the two, one now You are all well aware of the Wisconsin Frankly, everything that’s been on the and one later. Contact your local President story (if not go to www.nea-nm.org and table the last two year’s will again come or your UniServ Staff person and volunteer watch the 3-minute video). You’ve also before the new state legislature: public your two hours – two hours to call fellow heard of the setbacks in Ohio, Alabama, school funding, instructional materials, members, stuff envelopes, put up yard Michigan, and . The loss of school postponement of class-size caps, merit pay, signs, walk your neighborhood or write programs, curriculum, payroll deduction retirement swaps/fi xes, teacher evaluation, post cards to fellow members. student testing and public money for private Page 6-7: and due process in Arizona; of collective THAT’S IT – TWO HOURS? bargaining in the Midwest; the loss of schools just to name a few. Our ability to Celebrating members’ job rights or even the right to be stave off the bad things and push for the Yep! Think of it. In Las Cruces with their Read Across America a member in Alabama; and the loss of local good things these last two years rested on two locals, that’s over 3000 NEA volunteer New Mexico Style elected bodies, such as school boards to a razor thin margin in the NM House and hours; In Santa Fe over 1000, in Las Vegas operate in Michigan are ALL consequences always faced the specter of a Governor’s with their 3 locals over 500, and in our of losing pro-public education advocates in veto. Lose that razor thin margin and all newest bargaining local, Loving, over 70 state legislatures. of these current attacks on our public hours. That would be 20,000 hours IF each YOU are the one to make sure these kinds schools and public school employees will and every NEA-NM member is asked to of consequences aren’t carried out in New be amplifi ed and then extended to include volunteer two hours to help themselves Mexico. YOU are the one who can preserve, those indignities suffered by our colleagues get POSITIVE consequences out of these protect, and enhance the commitment to in other states. elections. our public school funding, local decision- WHAT’S THE ASK? FINAL THOUGHT making; including the ability to bargain, How much more can we ask from YOU? Need more hours for your local? Need and safeguard our strong, fair, and impartial What can you do as you are busy ending more people to infl uence? Then, don’t forget due process and employee rights. YOU are this school year to impact very important to organize your potential members to join the one who will cast your vote for those primary races between now and June 5, NEA. That way you have access to more candidates deemed worthy to receive NEA- 2012? How can you balance the start of member volunteer hours, access to more NM’s EdPAC recommendations. a new school year and possibly assist In members and their families to convince to Page 10: But that’s not going to be enough. September/October in the critical general vote for our recommended candidates so “Forgotten Man” It’s going to take YOU convincing your elections on November 6, 2012? that we build on what we have, instead of family to also vote for those candidates losing what we’ve gained. Leads to Finding recommended by your elected colleagues GIVE US TWO HOURS “Family” representing you on EdPAC. It’s going to Give us two hours through your local take YOU, working with your NEA local and between now and November 6, 2012. It can

Registration Fee: Two Days: $90; One Day: $50 Hotel: The Lodge at Sierra Blanca. A group room JUNE 12-14 (Treasurers’ Training Only: No Fee) Registration rate of $89 plus tax, has been secured for a Summer Leadership Fee is to help defray the cost of meals and Double Queen Deluxe room. Please call the must be received by June 5, 2012. Cut-off for hotel directly to reserve your room at 888-323- Academy, training registration is Tuesday, May 29, 2012. 5216. Lodging costs are the responsibility of Ruidoso, NM Registration fees will not be refunded for the local Association and/or the member. cancellations after that day. Hotel Cut-off Date: May 15, 2012 (this date is Send Registration Fee To: NEA-NM: c/o Edie fi rm so please make your reservations early!) Topics Include: Collective Bargaining, Brycelea, 2007 Botulph Road, Santa Fe, Political Action & Treasurers’ Training NM 87505 Visit www.nea-nm.org for details & registration

NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees Elections Have Consequences! President Obama recognized that are the middle class, the 99% who work hard every day must ask them the tough questions when they come “It was the labor movement that to make a living, to make life better and safer for others knocking on our doors during the campaign; ask where helped secure so much of what we through their work. They pay their fair share of taxes, they stand on issues that impact our lives every day. We take for granted today. The 40-hour they invest in the local economy, and they live in the must challenge them when they make statements that work week, the minimum wage, communities where they work. are not supported by their voting record, when they say family leave, health insurance, Social Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that “History is they support public education but vote for vouchers or Security, Medicare, retirement plans. a great teacher. Now everyone knows that the labor tuition tax credits, when they vote against funding for The cornerstones of the middle-class movement did not diminish the strength of the nation public education. We must be informed and involved. security all bear the union label.” but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of Most important, we must vote! And yet, since 2011, anti-union bills have been millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry Each of us makes a difference. Every vote matters. introduced in state after state. Legislators entertained and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of Every time we stand up against what is wrong, or a lie, proposals to strip public employees of collective production. Those who attack labor forget these simple or an injustice, it matters. I am inspired by these words bargaining and other rights in Wisconsin, Ohio and truths, but history remembers them.” of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “Each time a man stands up Arizona. Lawmakers in several states including Florida, So why these attacks and what can we do about it? for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or Idaho, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Elections do have consequences. In 2010, voters elected strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple Carolina introduced bills to reduce union power or a much more conservative group of policy makers to of hope, and crossing each other from a million different make it more diffi cult for them to sign up workers. As offi ce. These policy makers didn’t campaign on an anti- centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a several other states continue to deal with such anti-labor union agenda. They didn’t speak against the middle current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of proposals, we have also seen supporters of union rights class in their campaign speeches. And yet what they oppression and resistance.” stand up and fi ght back. Ohio voters overwhelmingly have tried to do since being elected is to do just that It really is up to us -- each and every one of us. We repealed the anti-union legislation. The recall election –attack union rights, public education and the middle must be informed and we must be willing to take of Wisconsin Governor Walker is scheduled for June. class. Check out the video of Wisconsin educators action. It is time for us to stand strong together, for it is In other cases, the courts have intervened to at least talking about the consequences of the 2010 Election on together that we will build that current, that our roar will temporarily halt this unprecedented attack on union our website at www.nea-nm.org. And then step up to be heard. Our kids are worth it and we are worth it. rights and on the middle class. make sure that doesn’t happen here in New Mexico! In unity, Who are the members of the unions that are being We must use the roar of our collective voices to attacked so ferociously? For the most part, they are stand up for what is right and just. We must remind public employees, including teachers, education support legislators and other elected offi cials that our working professionals, fi refi ghters, police offi cers, health care conditions are our students learning conditions. We Sharon Morgan, NEA-NM President providers, and other public employees. Union members Breaking News! OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE The Advocate’s Voice Your elected members of NEA-NM EdPAC met April 20-21, 2012 in Albuquerque to make recommendations Offi cial Publication of the in contested primary races for the June 5, 2012 Election. Your EdPAC* recommends: National Education Association New Mexico 2007 Botulph Road United States Senate Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 1 (505) 982-1916 Martin Heinrich The Advocate’s Voice is published during the school year. Items appearing in this publication United States House of Representatives can be reproduced for use by teachers in their classrooms or by local affi liates of NEA-New CD1: Eric Griego1 CD2: Evelyn Madrid Erhard 1 CD3: Ben Ray Lujan Mexico for use in their newsletters. Letters to the editor are welcome, as are news items. The editor reserves the right to determine appropriateness State House State Senate of material submitted for publication. Third-class postage has been paid at Albuquerque, New HD 6: Representative HD 40: Nick Salazar SD 5: Senator Richard Martinez Mexico Permit #1327. HD 12: Representative Ernest Chavez HD 46: David Coss SD 8: Senator Pete Campos National Education Association HD 14: Representative Miguel Garcia HD 50: Stephen Easley SD 11: Senator Linda Lopez New Mexico HD 18: Representative HD 61: Phillip Roybal SD 13: Bill O’Neill Sharon Morgan, President HD 19: Representative Sheryl HD 70: Representative Richard Vigil SD 14: Eleanor Chavez Betty Patterson, Vice President Kathy Porter, NEA Director Williams-Stapleton SD 26: Jacob Candelaria Mary K. Parr-Sanchez, Alternate NEA Director HD 25: SD 36: Senator Mary Jane Garcia Charles Bowyer, Executive Director Eduardo Holguín, Editor HD 26: Lesley Myers, Graphic Designer HD 35: Representative Antonio Lujan Greg Maxie, Photographer

Member of NEA PR Council & NEA State 1: These three recommendations are pending fi nal action by the NEA Fund on 5/3/12. Education Editors *EdPAC studies incumbent voting records and voluntary responses to education issues on candidate questionnaires returned by those interested in par- ticipating in the NEA-NM recommendation process. EdPAC also held interviews with Congressional candidates who wanted to participate in the process. NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! 2 Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees ou Have Elected… STAFF MENTIONS Y …In a Related Matter… …NEA-NM Election Results Congrats are in order for Edie Brycelea and Julie Gonzales, NEA-NM staff members, who both NEA-NM members voted in two new members NEA-NM EdPAC celebrated their fi rst 25 years of work for NEA-NM to NEA-NM’s leadership team in the recent Region members elected the following and 25 years of service to NEA-NM members. A tip statewide elections. colleagues to represent them on NEA-NM’s o’ the hat, a sip o’ the bubbly and then…, back to NEA Director & Alternate Director political action committee which is charged with work you two. Elected to a 3-year term as NEA Director making recommendation decisions for federal representing NM on the national NEA Board congressional races, statewide races, and state of Directors is Geraldine Franco from NEA- legislative races: Carolyn Serafi n-Abeyta, NEA- Carlsbad. She will also be on the state leadership Belen representing Central Region for her team and on the NEA-NM Board of Directors. Her last 3-year term, Carol Cutler-Linder, NEA- term begins on September 1, 2012. Elected as NM Highlands University representing NE/ Alternate Director to the NEA Board of Directors NC Region; 1st 3-year term, and Beverly for a 3-year term is Rosemary Carrasco from NEA- Whygles, NEA-LC representing CSEC-LC and Carlsbad. She will also join the state leadership NEA-LC in the SW Region; 1st 3-year term. team and the NEA-NM Board of Directors. Her Their terms begin on July 15, 2012. Farewells and Felicitations term begins on September 1, 2012. NEA-NM Retired Retired members re-elected Betty Madrid, Since our last issue, NEA-NM staffer, Nancy Sheehan, NEA-NM Board of Directors Roswell and Carol Teweleit, Alamogordo left NM for a similar staff position in our NEA affi liate Region elections produced re-election wins for to represent them on the NEA-NM Board of in Oregon. Nancy is an accomplished and effective a fi nal 3-year term for Laura Vazquez, NEA-Belen Directors for another 1-year term. They elected unionist who did much to further the cause in our in Central Region and David Chester, NEA-Las Donna Stromei, Belen to a 3-year term on NEA- Northwest Region. We wish her well in her new role Vegas City in NE/NC Region. Their term begins NM EdPAC representing retired members. Their and also welcome Tony Masser, who was hired right on July 15, 2012. terms also begin on July 15, 2012. at press time to assume the UniServ staff duties in that corner of NM. NEA Representative Assembly- A Capitol Idea 2012 NEA Representative STATE Delegates CATEGORY TWO Delegate 1 Rosemary Carrasco, NEA Carlsbad 1 Kathie Davis, NEA Las Cruces 2 Geraldine L. Franco, NEA Carlsbad Alternates 3 Trish Ruiz, NEA Hobbs 1 Mary Lou Cameron, NEA Deming 4 Lucille Martinez-Holguin, Española NEA 2 Sabina Aguilar, NEA Las Cruces 5 Laura Vazquez, NEA Belen 6 Mary Yazzie, NEA Bloomfi eld 7 Ann Meyer, Farmington Education Association CLUSTER Delegates This year’s NEA Representative Assembly (RA) makes its 8 Keith Rall, NEA Hobbs 1 Brandy Blanchard, NEA Loving quadrennial stop in the nation’s capitol as it does every presidential 9 Pattie Burnam, NEA Las Cruces election year. Washington, DC hosts this year’s annual business 2 Cynthia Miranda, NEA Gadsden 10 Bobbie Stratton, NEA Bernalillo meetings, recognized as the world’s largest deliberative body, 3 Rosalie Gonzales, NEA Pojoaque where any and all of the 10,000 delegates (including the 40 or 11 Paula Spencer, NEA Roswell 4 Nancy Harding, NEA Artesia so from NM!) can speak to their colleagues on new business 12 Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, NEA Las Cruces 5 Sue Holland, NEA Raton items, resolutions, ESEA Reauthorization, the continuing attacks Alternates on public schools, and other business placed before the body. 13 Sarah Cook, NEA Las Cruces You have elected 15 state delegates (3 are statewide offi cers) to RETIRED Delegates 14 Beverly Whygles, NEA Las Cruces represent you in DC from June 30 to July 5, 2012. The remaining 1 Betty Madrid, Roswell 12 delegates are listed to the right in descending order according 15 Write-in, Brandy Blanchard, NEA Loving to votes received. They, along with the elected cluster delegates 16 Write-in, Terri Judah, NEA Carlsbad Alternates (members in locals with fewer than 76 members), will be called in 17 Write-in, Patricia Duran, NEA Las Vegas City 1 Carol Teweleit, Alamogordo that descending order to ascertain their availability to attend. See 18 Write-in, Paula Aguirre, NEA Hobbs 2 Donna Stromei, Belen side bar for the list of alternate delegates who will be called in the 19 Write-in, Irma Valdespino, NEA Las Cruces CSEC order listed as long as there are vacancies in delegate slots. 20 Write-in, Lynn Strickland, NEA Carlsbad Locals with 76 or more members are eligible to send local 21 Write-in, Tammy Maxie, NEA Lovington Student Delegate delegates to the RA and should have already held open 22 Write-in, Peggy Stielow, NEA RRSEU 1 Myra Alvarado, Hobbs nominations and secret ballot elections for those delegates. 23 Write-in, Diana Jackson, NEA Alamogordo attending ENMU-Portales Contact your local president if you want more information 24 Write-in, David Chester, NEA Las Vegas City about your local delegate elections. NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees www.nea-nm.org Spring 2012 3 Feathers or Not, NEA-New Mexico Keeps Hope Alive Mark Your Calendar By Charles Bowyer Register at: www.nea-nm.org employees and helped craft a health care refl ected over multiple years. It did MAY 2012 system for public employee retirees. base half of evaluation on student 6-11 • Teacher Appreciation Week achievement; however, that student 8 • Teacher Appreciation Day In every major issue facing public achievement had to be based on 28 • Memorial Day (NEA-NM Offi ces schools we have managed to make valid and reliable measures of student Closed) sure NEA-New Mexico and school growth and achievement that have a employees have a seat at the table. valid and reliable connection to teacher 29 • Registration Deadline for Woody Allen lampooned Emily Summer Presidents’ Academy & Our founders called for the creation of effectiveness. Teachers would have Dickinson by stating, “How wrong Summer Leadership Academy Emily Dickinson was! Hope is not ‘the the Association by stating “advancement continued to have the full protection of the school personnel act. thing with feathers.’ The thing with of educational interests in any state or JUNE 2012 feathers has turned to be my nephew. community can best be accomplished Even though this compromise 12 • NEA-NM Summer Presidents’ & I must take him to a specialist in through regular organized efforts.” didn’t pass the legislature and teacher Treasurers’ Academies, Ruidoso Zurich.” Funny, but, especially when evaluation changes are now in the Albert Einstein said, “Learn from 13-14 • NEA-NM Summer Leadership spring birdsong is in full swing, I still hands of the Secretary designate of yesterday, live for today, hope for Academy, Ruidoso like Dickinson’s original better: tomorrow.” the Public Education Department, 13-14 • ELC Session “Hope is the thing with feathers through her rule making authority, That perches in the soul, we will continue to be engaged so 15 • NEA-NM Board Meeting And sings the tune without the words, Our hope for tomorrow that changes happen with us, not to 21 • Summer Begins And never stops at all.” us! We will never support a system of relies on those evaluation that is not based on multiple JULY 2012 The women and men who have been measures of teacher effectiveness or June 30 - July 5 • NEA: We Educate NEA-New Mexico for the last 125 years “regular organized one that is tied to a single-standards America Representative Assembly, have, even without feathers, embodied based assessment. Washington, DC the idea of hope for the children of efforts” that caused New Mexico. From the handful of our founding. Our hope for tomorrow relies on those 4 • Independence Day (NEA-NM men who founded our organization in “regular organized efforts” that caused Offi ces Closed) December of 1886 to the thousands our founding. Organized efforts require 19-21 • NEA-NM Board Retreat of men and women who are today’s Today, our Association and our members to be organized. These times members, we have been responsible members are content to sit by and are not the time to “go it alone.” Offer AUGUST 2012 for public education in New Mexico allow others to make decisions a colleague the opportunity to join us. 4 • All Committee Day, Santa Fe Tell him or her that you know they join for a very long time. affecting the lives of our members, that 25 • EdPAC Meeting includes the current efforts to create a you and the other members in NEA- 31 • Registration Deadline for NEA- One scholar writing in an unpublished new teacher and principal evaluation New Mexico in believing: NM Region AR Training history of New Mexico education in system for New Mexico. We worked the late 19th and early 20th centuries • every child deserves a fair shot at a hard in the 2012 Legislative session to good education; SEPTEMBER 2012 fl atly stated that, “the Association was, craft a system that protected the rights ipso facto, responsible for education of teachers and met the requirements • public school employees deserve 3 • Labor Day (NEA-NM Offi ces in New Mexico.” to allow New Mexico to get out from respect and a decent living; and Closed) under the burden of the Adequate 15 • NEA-NM Region AR Training In the mid-twentieth century, we • working together, we can change Yearly Progress standards of NCLB. 17 • NEA-NM Board Meeting (6 pm forged the concept of due process rights the world, one child, one school Conference Call) for teachers and forced the state to That plan, contrary to what some and one community at a time. create a retirement system for education legislators and leaders of other OCTOBER 2012 employees. In the 1970s we helped organizations have said, did not base Only by working collectively can craft the most equitable school funding teacher evaluation only on test scores we make these beliefs New Mexico’s 15 • Deadline for NEA-NM to system of any state. In the 1980’s NEA- or base student achievement on one priorities. It wasn’t some unorganized receive list of delegates to attend New Mexico was the lone voice against test. Instead, it included, and I quote group of employees that won all those NEA-NM Annual Delegate Council stripping teachers of the due process for the compromise legislation that past struggles and created public schools 19 • NEA-NM Board Meeting & Hall rights won decades before. we helped craft and support, a “focus in New Mexico; it was a strong unifi ed of Fame Reception, Albuquerque NEA-New Mexico. Only by gaining on measures of student growth and 20 • NEA-NM Annual Delegate We kept hope alive through slow, members can we increase our collective steady progress to not only regain the achievement that are valid and reliable, Council, Albuquerque common and uniform and not solely strength. Tell that colleague just how lost rights of teachers but to achieve much we need them in the struggle and 20 • Deadline for All Nominations them for classifi ed employees as well. In based on a single state assessment. for NEA-NM Offi ces and RA If a valid and reliable measure is not double your own voice and collective the late twentieth century, we advanced strength when they say, “Yes”! Delegates the idea of creating a stable statewide available, a school district shall submit health insurance system for school its proposal for a local measure to the department for approval.” It also required that student growth be NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! 4 Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees President Profi le: NEA-Cobre Ten minutes with...

Jorge Avalos Position: High School Educator Jackie Grijalva: Local Association: Deming Education Association Years worked in Education: 7 United “Mind” Worker in Copper Country Born into a mining family steeped deserved break. Her goals this year What is a typical school day for you? in the culture of unionism and then have been to increase membership, I wake up at 5 am and get on the road to Deming- 65 miles from my home in moving to the site of one of the world’s unite/involve current members and Las Cruces. I get to Deming about 45 minutes before class starts and read the daily largest open pit copper mines, Jackie build a good working relationship with load of emails. Then, I prepare my class for the students. I greet ALL my students Grijalva melds her talents: love of administration. Her strengths come with a smile when they come to my door. When the bell rings, the magic starts; I family, knowledge of her community, from her strong work ethic, being a teach history to 30+ students with different learning styles and abilities, keeping and belief in collective action into her good listener, and her strong family ties them engaged for 85 minutes. I repeat this process all day. During my prep period classroom and her NEA local. Jackie is to unions and union members in her I work on my curriculum mapping and, if time allows, I grade papers. When the fi nishing her fi rst year as local president community. Speaking of family, Jackie fi nal bell rings, we head home and if it’s not my turn to drive, I’ll grade papers all for NEA-Cobre (Spanish for copper) proudly lists her three children, Samuel, the way back to Las Cruces. I get home around 5pm and get ready for dinner. After in NEA-NM’s Southwest Region. She Amber, and Cassie, along with her dinner, it’s back to grading papers until it’s time for bed. also serves as a SW Region elected husband of 28 years, Gilbert. representative to NEA-NM’s Education Jackie fi nds her relaxation in two What do you like about your job? Political Action Committee (EdPAC). diametrically opposed fashions: one is She was born in Grants, NM where going to her in-law’s apple orchard in I like the positive interactions with my students and seeing my students succeed. her father was an underground uranium Mimbres where she’ll go out to read; I like when my students become life-long learners; when they come back to me miner and a strong, proud union and the other, well, that’s getting in the after they graduate and talk about their successes out of high school. member. After the mine closed, the truck and heading to Albuquerque or family relocated to Bayard, NM where Glendale, AZ to the next Professional What is hard about your job? she attended and graduated from Bull Riding event where she loves to Dealing with the non-teaching aspects of my profession makes it diffi cult; for Cobre Schools. She went on to receive cheer for Marchi and Palmero (riders or instance, all the meetings, curriculum mapping, testing and other non-teaching a BS in Secondary Education and bulls…or both?) high-stress requirements mandated by the district or the state. Accounting before going back to obtain There’s a proud and well-recorded her Masters Degree in Education. history of unionism (“Salt of the What are the most fun and unusual things that have happened on She views herself as a strong believer Earth”-1954) and the strife, heartache, the job? in education because education brings and unity this mining community has power; a power she has imparted for seen in the ebb and fl ow of the copper One of the most fun occurrences in my job was when on the last day of school a the last nineteen years as a teacher in industry. As one can imagine the answer group of students came to my room and put on an impromptu musical performance. the Cobre Public Schools. When asked of asking a miner why he or she is a The students sang and danced to Mariachi music. why she became local president, she union member, Jackie responds in kind, promptly responds that it was time for “As a professional educator, I believe How has being an Association member been helpful to you? her to step up and give her predecessor that being an NEA member is just It has helped me to be treated like a professional. Administrators began to give who’d done an eight year stint a much- part of the job.” me more academic freedom in my classroom because of what the Association did personally for me.

MEMBER MENTIONS and a hearty “Well Done” for NEA-MdeS, leaders 37 years. Gone but not forgotten… and their hard-working crew as they work to fi nish Loving That Advocacy their fi rst-ever contract. Early April brought us the unexpected news of the passing of Johnnie Archibeque, NEA-Bernalillo. NEA-Loving reports 67% of its staff signed cards In Memoriam Johnnie was an NEA ESP member who was wanting the local to be their exclusive bargaining instrumental in getting bargaining rights in his local We remember the lives and contributions of these agent in mid-March. Congrats to NEA-Loving in the 1990s. He also served two separate 2-year NEA-NM members who are no longer with us: Irma President Brandy Blanchard and her crew! terms in the NM House of Representatives and was Tessneer, ESP member in Las Cruces where she was in the NEA-NM Hall of Fame. As recently as this year Let the Sun Shine retired as an Educational Assistant from Booker T. he rode the Rail Runner daily to the Capitol to lobby Washington; Connie Contreras, retired as a NEA- Monte del Sol Charter in Santa Fe had their voluntary on behalf of AARP and NEA-NM. His gentle, friendly, Las Cruces member and AR; and Don Casados, a recognition approved on 3/21/12 by the NM Public considerate demeanor will be greatly missed by all retired member of NEA-Santa Fe and educator for Employee Labor Relations Board. A pat on the back fortunate enough to have known him.

NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees www.nea-nm.org Spring 2012 5 2012 Read Across America Today a Reader! Tomorrow a Leader! This year, NEA-NM’s Read Across America broke new ground as the Cat sauntered into middle school territory for the fi rst time and also shared the spotlight with a Truffula Tree hugging, mustachioed Lorax. From Belen to Las Cruces, to Hobbs, to the Santa Fe Indian School and the Cat’s homebase at Gonzales Community School in Santa Fe, EVERY day is a good day to sit with a book and read to a child.

Gil Sanchez Elementary, Belen, NM Feb. 29, 2012 Santa Fe Indian School Santa Fe, NM A Visit from the Lorax and Senator Mar. 2, 2012 Michael Sanchez at the school named for his father. It was the Cat’s fi rst-ever visit to a middle school. He was accompanied by Harlan McKosato, the 2012 NEA-NM Read Across America Chair. Mr. McKosato spoke to the 7th and 8th grade classes.

Photos taken at SFIS by Danielle Brycelea.

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary Gonzales Community School Las Cruces, NM Santa Fe, NM Mar. 2, 2012 Still want to celebrate end-of-year reading awards? Mar. 1, 2012 Lupe Morneau was the fi rst to wear Contact Elizabeth Martinez ([email protected]) and The Cat’s yearly home away the Cat suit way-back-when. She’s schedule the Cat to come and visit. Go to www.nea-nm. from home in Santa Fe. retiring at the end of this year. This org and view the plethora of pictures from the Lorax and Cat hopefully is not retiring too. Cat visits across New Mexico. Be sure and see Cindy Loo Who and her grinch. Photos taken at Cesar Chavez sent to us from Marcia Brown.

Photos on this page taken by Lesley Myers & Sharon Morgan NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! 6 Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees www.nea-nm.org Spring 2012 7 S ummer Slummin’ in the Sacramentos 2012 Summer Leadership Academy

Cool pines surround you. Fresh air astounds Tuesday, June 12 in time for the welcome reception. you. Duffers start their eighteen holes by After a great night’s sleep and sumptuous breakfast greeting you on your sweater-weather morning buffet, you kick off your SLA with a general session walk and deer meet you as you trek the trails at before your skills sessions. Freshen up after class, dusk. Interested? Intrigued? before having a memorable time at the annual NEA Come join us at NEA-NM’s Summer Leadership Fund Reception/Dinner/Raffl e. If that’s not enough Academy (SLA) in Ruidoso June 12 through June for the evening, drive into town for some dancing, 14. Contact your local President and get on the shopping, or slot playing. Thursday sessions start team being sent to participate in the Collective at 9am and fi nish by 3pm giving everyone plenty Bargaining track or the critical and timely Political of daylight driving as you head home. Action track. Enhance your knowledge and skills Find out more information and registration in either of these two areas so you can assist your instructions by going to www.nea-nm.org . Click on local to be more successful and responsive to your SLA and check out the offerings and schedule and members in the upcoming year. then talk with your local President about attending. Arrive at the beautiful and comfortable confi nes Locals and Regions will assist in paying most, if not Friend Us on FaceBook of The Lodge at Sierra Blanca, nestled among the all, your registration, lodging and travel. Join NEA-New Mexico FaceBook page and connect forested hillsides of Ruidoso and adjacent to the We’ll be looking for you at The Lodge! with colleagues on matters that matter to YOU! golf course and Convention Center. Get there on California Casualty Awards Grant for Hatch Valley High School Athletics

Hatch Valley High School, Hatch, NM, recently received Shrinking state education budgets, pressure on schools a grant for $2,000 from the California Casualty Thomas R. to focus efforts on academics, and diminishing funds for Brown Athletics Grant Program. The school joins 58 other athletics inspired California Casualty President and CEO Beau high schools from across the country sharing a $75,000 Brown to establish the grant program in honor of his father – grants pool for their struggling athletics programs. Chairman Tom Brown, a lifelong athlete and sportsman. Like many public high schools, Hatch Valley High School For more information about the Thomas R. Brown Athletics has been impacted by education cuts that only seem to Grant Program, visit www.CalCasAthleticsGrant.com. worsen every year. “Extras” like new uniforms or equipment California Casualty is proud to partner with NEA-New upgrades slip out of reach. The school will now use the Mexico as a trusted source for home and auto insurance grant money to help the girls soccer team purchase since 1986. Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service new vests, balls, goal and other training equipment, Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California and assist the football team in improving its training Casualty is a 98-year-old company providing auto and equipment as well. home insurance products, and others, to educators, law Jo Erickson (left), George Shapcott and enforcement, fi re fi ghters and nurses in 44 states. Learn Doug Goldberg (Right) present the $2,000 more at www.calcas.com. California Casualty check to NEA-Hatch President, Kathy Franzoy. “Forgotten Man” Leads to Finding “Family” Our NEA-NM 125th Anniversary book featured past We had the pleasure of meeting Cindy and president George I. Sanchez (1935). Which led to an presenting her with her copy of the anniversary book AP story in the ABQ Journal on 2/13/12 about how along with a compilation of her grandfather’s writings he became such a prominent national educational from the NMEA journal, “NM School Review”. presence while receiving nary a mention in his home (His offi cial compilation of papers and research are state. The article identifi ed his granddaughter, Cindy housed at the University of Texas and UC Berkley.) Kennedy, as a teacher in Santa Fe. A little investigative So not only are we fortunate to meet his family, we reporting of our own, led us to fi nd out that not only are glad to know she is part of our NEA family also. is she a teacher at El Dorado School, she is also a And, just to keep it ALL in the family, the day member of NEA-Santa Fe. As her “Tata” might have the article was printed, NEA-LC leader, Rosalinda said, “De tal palo, tal astilla,” which roughly means Carreon-Altamirano, was named as this year’s “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” recipient of NEA’s George I. Sanchez award- the fi rst NEA-NM member to ever receive this award. NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! 8 Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees www.nea-nm.org Spring 2012 9 NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! 10 Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees eleher and McLeod Scholarship Award

K (This form can be downloaded at www.nea-nm.org) APPLICATION All eligible NEA-NM certifi ed and educational support members are invited NAME ______If no, where and in what capacity do you expect to be em- to submit an application for the Keleher ADDRESS ______ployed next year? ______and McLeod Distinguished Scholarship Award for 2012. The award is presented ______yearly to a NEA-New Mexico member or LOCAL ASSOCIATION ______Is this your fi rst application for the NEA-NM/Keleher and McLeod members who will be taking classes (on- line or on campus) at the University of PHONE (home and/or cell) ______Distinguished Scholarship Award? ______New Mexico. How long have you been a school employee? ______If not, when did you last apply? ______The Keleher and McLeod Law Firm created an endowment at the University Where, and in what capacity? ______Please provide your total estimated cost for tuition, books and any of New Mexico, earnings from which ______other anticipated costs. ______are to assist an NEA-NM member or members in furthering their education What is your current position? ______On a separate page, please state why you are applying for this scholarship. Include any information you think will help the NEA- each summer. The fi rm represented the ______Public Service Company of New Mexico NM Education Issues Committee make its decisions/selections. in a lawsuit against several natural gas How long have you been an NEA-NM member? ______Please use no more than one typewritten page. You may also at- tach a resume. producers in the San Juan Basin in the For what coursework will you be enrolling at UNM? ______early 1980’s. The seven original plaintiffs Guidelines for the Scholarship: in the suit included fi ve NEA-NM leaders ______• To be eligible, applicants must attend UNM or one of its branches (Valencia, Los Alamos, Taos, and Gallup). who, with the support of the Association, Are you working toward a degree? ______desired to see the price of natural gas • Scholarship funds may be used to pay for UNM on-line reduced for residential customers and If so, what degree? ______courses, but will not be adjusted to cover any additional fees associated with on-line coursework. school districts. Have you been selected into a graduate program? ______The NEA-NM Education Issues • Scholarship funds may not be used for coursework at other institutions even though credits may be transferred to Committee has been designated as If so, what program? ______UNM later. the body to choose the scholarship University of New Mexico Student ID: ______• NEA-NM will notify recipients and the scholarship offi ce at recipient(s). The scholarship will UNM as soon as the recipient(s) is selected. consist of a sum to cover the cost of Will you be returning to your current employment position next summer school tuition and books for Completed applications and supporting documentation are due at year? ______NEA-NM Headquarters, May 18, 2012. coursework that will be benefi cial to Send application to: Edie Brycelea, NEA-NM, ______school employees in the performance 2007 Botulph Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 of their jobs. Deadline for submission [email protected] is May 18, 2012.

DID YOU KNOW – Snookie Krumbie- - Enter online at www.schoollounge- gram: Offers members low pricing – used gel – NEA NM’s NEA Member Benefits makeover.com cars always priced below Kelley Blue Book Specialist and the Editor of “Snookie’s • Create Real Impact Distracted Driving – members average savings $3729 – visit Snippets” retired? Contest for Youth Ages 15-22 www.neamb.com/autobuying As this is my last column for “The Advocate’s - Submit creative entries in four catego- • Red Roof®: 20% nationwide discount Voice” – I wanted to convey my thanks to ries: art-writing-music-video for members – visit www.neamb.com, go From: Eleanor Lesley Myers for including my Member Ben- to Red Roof for Promo Code - Deadline – April 27, 2012 – Rules, “Snookie” efi ts’ column in NEA New Mexico’s state • Costco Membership Discount Krumbiegel publication! In addition, I want to convey my regulations & information on how to sincere appreciation to the NEA NM staff and enter, visit www.createrealimpact.com • NEA Hearing Aid Savings Plan NEA Member Benefi ts Affi liate leadership for the support and opportunities NEA Academy: Online learning for your • NEA Moving & Storage: Reasonable Relations Specialist they consistently provided for inclusion of life™ (neaacademy.org) pricing of 67% off interstate moving ser- NEA Member Benefi ts’ Program information Lesson Planet®: The Search Engine for vices & 45% off storage with one-on-one with their locals and constituency groups; as Teachers customer service provided by Bekins Van well as, participation in NEA NM state events Lines NEA MEMBER BENEFITS Lesson Planet offers educator-tested, reli- over the past several years. Lastly, a “Special “YOUR DEDICATION DRIVES able resources – choose from 400,000+ • Jenny Craig: 30 days Free Thanks” to Charles Goodmacher who was a OURS!” standards-correlated, teacher-reviewed les- • Snap Fitness: 10% discount on monthly great NEA MB State Contact to work with! son plans using the Lesson Planet search dues and no enrollment fees neamb.com REMINDER: California Casualty, provider tool. NEA Member Exclusive: Receive NEA Click & Save “ Buy-Lights” for April of the NEA Auto & Home Insurance Pro- 20% off the one-year membership fee Find the latest deals at www. gram®…is providing two opportunities for of $39.95. Check it out at: www.neamb. SwimSpot: 25% Off facebook.com/NEADeals educators and students to win great prizes: com/1209_5382.htm Solstice: 25% Off sunglasses 1-800-Flowers.com: 15% Off • Win a $7500 School Lounge Makeover NEA Click & Save: Member savings totals Kmart: $25 Off $125 Need Help? for Educators - 4 Winners over $6,000,000 Kohl’s: 15% Off orders over $100 Go to [email protected] - Entry due date is April 30, 2012 • NEA Auto Purchase Advantage Pro- Cooking.com: 20% Off

NEA-NM: Great Public Schools Begin With Us! • Putting Kids First • Promoting Professional Excellence • Improving the Well-Being of School Employees www.nea-nm.org Spring 2012 11 Prst Std US Postage ppp PAID Permit No. 1327 Albuquerque, NM 2 Elections Have 125 Consequences! by Years of Service Sharon Morgan National Education Association - New Mexico You Have Elected... 2007 Botulph Road • Santa Fe, NM 87505 3 NEA-NM Election Results Feathers or Not, NEA- 4 NM Keeps Hope Alive by Charles Bowyer Presidents Profi le: 5 Jackie Grijalva Keleher & McLeod 8 Scholarship Award Summer Slummin’ in 10 the Sacromentos

Spring 2012 www.nea-nm.org

...The Fight Goes On: A Look Back at 125 Years of Service April 1975 • NEA-NM Advocate, pg. 11: dues was not one of the items. The bill Anti-Teacher Legislation - The Association was tabled twice in the Senate and died had to fi ght to defeat several pieces of there upon adjournment. legislation. 1) SJR 11, introduced by Sen. April 1986 • NEA-NM Advocate, pg. 1: John Irick, which would have prohibited teachers from running for the legislature. Council Issues Warning to U.S. Teachers 1886 to 2011 2) HB 410, introduced by Rep. Dan - Warning: The State of New Mexico Berry, which would have prohibited may be hazardous to your professional school boards from paying an employee health. That’s the essence of the message any of his paycheck while serving in the the NEA-New Mexico Delegate Council legislature. Both were soundly defeated voted to share with the nation’s teachers by strong Association pressure. 3) HB 266, as part of the business conducted during introduced by Rep. H.B. Barnard, which its spring meeting in Santa Fe March 22. repeals the tenure law. Teachers from his The Council passed the resolution to district in Clovis sent him over 250 letters “inform the nation’s teachers of the current and telegrams saying what he should lack of statutory professional security and do with the bill. He never requested stature afforded teachers” in the state as Spring 1977 a committee hearing of the measure a result of the passage of S.B. 106 - the Spring 1974 New Mexico School Review, Cover probably because Association lobbyists education reform bill passed by the 1986 New Mexico School Review, Cover quickly secured more than enough votes which abolished to assure its demise. 4) The fourth teacher tenure and replaced it bill was Senate Finance Committee with a limited and confusing Spring 1977 • New Mexico set of due process provisions. School Review, pg. 11: “The substitute for SB 426 which listed those items which a public “Teachers need to know what Turtle Queen” in a seventh happened in our state and how it grade skit (Kelly Murray) crows employee could have deducted over her reign of the lowly from his paycheck. Association will impact them professionally,” young turtles below. It’s all part said President Mason. of the world of imagination that is explored in Chales March 1978 • NEA-NM Advocate, cover: March 1978 • NEA-NM Advocate, Lewis’ drama classes at Court President Watkins and Annadelle Sanchez, pg. 6: “We are Different!” caption: Junior High School. Lewis, at Administrative Assistant, admire ceramic apples Stella Raught uses the Mastery far right, waits for his cue to presented to them by NEA Director, Catherine Reading Approach. provide the music. Smith, for outstanding service to NEA-NM.