HSEA - What's Up?
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HSEA works to connect teachers with teachers while advancing the profession of teaching.
April 2016....Will April showers bring May flowers?
Words From Our President...
Painful! As you know, I often share personal stories to illustrate a point. So, today will be no different. I started writing this column while participating at the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) Representative Assembly. Teachers across the state serve as delegates. Such events offer you an opportunity to connect with colleagues you have not seen for awhile. What do you do when you see such a colleague? If you're me, you greet them with a smile, and you might offer a hug and receive one in return.
Painful! Hugs were painful for me at that meeting. I will explain more by the time you get to the end. . . you know it is very important to "read until the end." Let's talk about education and how painful relates. I will share some factual information.
Painful! It will be truly painful for our HSE family if the referendum fails. Higher class sizes will be painful. Since I've been at HSE, I have had a few classes over 35 with the highest 39. Those numbers are painful and a disservice to the students.
Painful! It would be painful to see support staff and administrators lose jobs. They feed their families just as teachers do.
Painful! Reduction-in-Force (RIF) would be painful. Loss of teachers causes everyone pain, but especially those teachers who lose jobs and then teachers not riffed experience higher class size.
Painful! This situation causes discussions in whose ox will be gored. You hear stories of discussions about program cuts, groups of positions that could be eliminated in order to save others.
Painful! The hours of testing students have endured this year in standardized exams has been truly painful for those students. Another day, another test.
Painful! It has been difficult to watch some policy makers who have created a vision for public education without experience in the trenches. (As a history teacher, I can assure you that trench warfare is painful!)
Painful! As a government teacher, it has been painful, to see that some potential voters fail to exercise their vote. Don't let that be you! Don't cause me more pain!
Painful! Last year, one of my high school friends advised me to get a shingles vaccine. I failed to heed her advice. Last week, I received a shingles diagnosis. This malady feels as if you have knives gouging into your skin and then twisting a bit. Now, you understand why the hugs have been painful at the ISTA RA.
Painful! The Health Center told me it will take several weeks for improvement just as it will take a week or so for us to have referendum news to avoid other potential "painful" solutions I outlined above.
Painful! My pain tolerance remains high. Hugs are most willingly accepted--especially on my right side, as of now!
HSEA OFFICERS 2015-2016
President - Janet Chandler
Executive Vice-President - Karin Foster
Vice-President Membership & Elections - Deb Jackson
Vice-President Politcal Action - Ben Yoder
Vice-President Communications & Public Relations - Leslie Brown
Treasurer - Mary Carson
Secretary - Terri Zabonick
Delgates Named For The NEA Representative Assembly!
NEA-RA Delegates: NEA-RA held in Washington D.C., July 2nd - July 7th, 2016
Janet Chandler
Shelley Feeney
Deb Jackson
Kim Kennedy
Connie Larocco
Bob Rice
Ben Yoder
Spring ISTA - Representative Assembly
Leslie Brown
Janet Chandler
Ben Yoder
Ruth Everett
Shelley Feeney
Karin Foster
Deb Jackson
Kim Kennedy
Tonya Kneller
Connie Larocco
Michael Teal
Terri Zabonick
Thank you to all! And THANK YOU for making TEACHERS a top priority!
Celebration Of Teachers! May 2nd-May 4th! National Teacher Week!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Always remember - we treasure you ALWAYS, just not during this special week!
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In the coming newsletters, remember, anyone who is a HSEA member is welcome to make a submission, or send information that you would like to see in the newsletter!
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Send any submission, articles, etc. to: hseateachers@yahoo.com
Only a couple more newsletters before our year ends! TIme flies when you're having fun!