Next Bargaining Session Wednesday, October 2nd, 4:45 pm, AHEM Office: Our next session will include our proposal on class size and caseload issues and a response to the district's last economic offer. Hope to see you there!
Red for Ed on Wednesdays: Remember to wear red on Wednesdays to show your support for our bargaining process and public education in general!
Online Voter Registration: You can finally register to vote in Minnesota online! If you need to update your voter registration or register to vote for the first time, all you need to do is fill out an very short form at https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationStep1.aspx . Want to double check that your registered so you can vote this November 5th? You can do that there as well.
Teacher of the Year: Teacher of the Year nominations open October 1st. It takes just a few minutes to nominate a colleague. Even if your nominee chooses not to go on with the process, your compliment will mean a lot to an educator who is doing great work for students. Here are the details: http://tinyurl.com/lowewys
Good Question: Where can I find AHEM's statement on the Eleanor & Park book issue? If we make statements on behalf of AHEM to the school board or public, we post them on the Weekly Update page. Here's the link to our statement we read at Monday's School Board meeting supporting our Media Specialists: http://ahemweekly.blogspot.com/2013/09/statement-to-a-h-school-board-on.html
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Statement to the A-H School Board on Eleanor & Park Book Selection
Chair Heidemann, members of the
board, and Superintendent Carlson:
My name is Julie Blaha and I am
president of Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota, our local teachers union.
At the public work session of
September 9th, members of this board questioned the judgment of our
high school media specialists. Specifically, the board members criticized the
choice of “Eleanor & Park” for the summer community reading program called,
Rock the Book, which for our high school students.
Those comments by members of this
board were reported by the local paper. National Public Radio has subsequently
reported the story on its website.
Our library media specialists were
shocked to see their work disparaged.
They followed every policy set by
this board.
They went above and beyond their
required duties to encourage students to read.
They recommended a book that has been
widely praised for its high quality and relevance to teens.
And most bewildering of all, was that
a board that prides itself on collaboration, would make snap judgments (like
declaring the book age inapporiopriate in the paper before completing the book
challenge process) without talking with media specialists themselves, or even
reading the book.
If the board members had read the
book, they would know that it’s a story about two students who fall in love,
make the right choices and beat the odds. They rise above bullies, poverty and
domestic abuse.
To ignore that is to ignore a
powerful, positive message for every teen who ever felt awkward or isolated in
high school. As Linda
Holmes wrote for N-P-R, focusing only on the profanity of bullies and abusers,
“makes the act of telling a story about rising above misery a miserable thing.”
A deeper concern in our community is
that the reaction by the board harkens back to issues surrounding LGBT bullying
in our district.
About four years ago, we came to you concerned
that district policies created a chilling atmosphere regarding LGBT issues in
our classrooms. Some of you questioned, or flat out dismissed, our assertion
that teachers were unsure if they would be supported for standing up for LGBT
students. Some of you wondered what kinds of specific school board actions
could cause that kind of atmosphere.
Well, this is the kind of thing we
were talking about.
Knee jerk reactions to complaints
cause a chilling effect that stifles creativity, innovation and student
engagement.
We need to know that our school board
can stand up for us when we exercise good professional judgment. At minimum, we
need to know that you will at least talk with us before making decisions.
If you won’t stand up for us, it is
harder for us to stand up for our students.
Before you make any further decisions
on this topic, I hope you will talk with the professionals working directly
with our students.
Beyond that, it is clear that we need
further discussion on how we as professionals use our judgment. We look forward
to working with you so that you can understand the work we do.
Julie Blaha
President, Anoka Hennepin
Education Minnesota
Email: julie.blaha@educationminnesota.org
Friday, September 20, 2013
Negotiations, CAT, Part Timers & Q-Comp, Book Controversy, Schedules
Negotiations: We held our 7th bargaining session on Wednesday. Over 80 members joined us to see the process first hand, continuing the trend of increasing attendance each time. Basically, things moved around, but little moved forward. For more info, visit www.ahemnegotiationsnews.blogspot.com.
Contract Action Team (CAT): The next CAT meeting is Wednesday, September 25th, 4:45 pm at the AHEM Office. This group helps take action to achieve a fair contract settlement – they plan things from the root beer float tailgating before the last bargaining session to messages that help members understand complicated contract issues. Hope you can join the team!
Book Selection Controversy: You may have heard some controversy regarding the choice of the book "Eleanor & Park" for the high school "Rock the Book" summer reading program. We at AHEM proudly stand by the professional judgement of our librarians. Here is an eloquent commentary that describes some of the many reasons we trust our colleagues in this matter: http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/09/18/223738674/true-love-book-fights-and-why-ugly-stories-matter
Part Timers and Q-Comp: We are getting a lot of questions and concerns about how part time members work with Q-Comp, particularly regarding pro-ration of incentives and workload. We have heard many valid points and will be discussing them at our Q-Comp Steering Committee meeting next week. If you are a part timer and want to weigh in, email us at ahem@anoka.k12.mn.us.
Good Question: Is my schedule right? This is a good time of the year to deal with schedule issues. If you have a concern that you may not be getting the right time for lunch, prep, travel, duties, etc. please call the office at 763.421.9110 and ask for David. He'll check out your situation and make sure we nip any errors in the bud.
Contract Action Team (CAT): The next CAT meeting is Wednesday, September 25th, 4:45 pm at the AHEM Office. This group helps take action to achieve a fair contract settlement – they plan things from the root beer float tailgating before the last bargaining session to messages that help members understand complicated contract issues. Hope you can join the team!
Book Selection Controversy: You may have heard some controversy regarding the choice of the book "Eleanor & Park" for the high school "Rock the Book" summer reading program. We at AHEM proudly stand by the professional judgement of our librarians. Here is an eloquent commentary that describes some of the many reasons we trust our colleagues in this matter: http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/09/18/223738674/true-love-book-fights-and-why-ugly-stories-matter
Part Timers and Q-Comp: We are getting a lot of questions and concerns about how part time members work with Q-Comp, particularly regarding pro-ration of incentives and workload. We have heard many valid points and will be discussing them at our Q-Comp Steering Committee meeting next week. If you are a part timer and want to weigh in, email us at ahem@anoka.k12.mn.us.
Good Question: Is my schedule right? This is a good time of the year to deal with schedule issues. If you have a concern that you may not be getting the right time for lunch, prep, travel, duties, etc. please call the office at 763.421.9110 and ask for David. He'll check out your situation and make sure we nip any errors in the bud.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Bargaining, Red for Ed, Mini-Grants, Q-Comp Funds
Welcome to the first Weekly Update of
the year. We'll be sending these out regularly to keep you apprised of
the latest news in our union.
Bargaining and Tailgating: Our next bargaining session is Wednesday, September 18th, at the ESC in room 118. You are invited to meet us in the parking lot that is along Ferry Street for a little tailgating beforehand. We'll bring root beer floats at 4:00 pm to touch base before the 4:45 pm bargaining session. Stop by if you can for a little camaraderie or meet us inside for the bargaining session.
Comparison of AHEM and District Proposals: To see a side by side comparison of what the district and AHEM have proposed so far in bargaining, visit http://ahemnegotiationsnews.blogspot.com . It's a good way to get up to speed on where we are so far and be ready for our next session Wednesday, September 18th.
Wear Red for Ed: We are tapping into this national movement to show support for public education and educators during bargaining. As a show of unity as we negotiate and support for public schools, please wear red on Wednesdays. Not only is it our local union's color, it's one that those who are standing up for our schools all across the U.S. are sharing.
Mini-Grants for Your Classroom: The Kappa chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, a national honor society for women educators, is again offering a mini grant of $300 for this school year. These funds are available to a teacher in the district who would use them for enriching curriculum, providing specialized learning opportunities, or improving classroom materials. To apply, simply write a short paragraph explaining how this grant would be used to improve student learning or increase teacher effectiveness and send to: Marcia Johnson via email at johnson.marcia@gmail.com. Applications must be recieved by September 27th and the grant will be presented at their October meeting. The recipient will be asked to write a short paragraph at the end of the year to state how these funds made a difference.
Good Question: Did the district provide all the funds for Q-Comp? In our superintendent's back to school message, when he mentioned the funds for Q-Comp, some people understood that he was saying they came from our district's regular budget. He didn't intend his comments to come across that way. Q-Comp funds come in part from a separate grant from the state and in part from a separate local levy that school boards can assess without a referendum. Just as the funding is separate, we also consider Q-Comp separate from bargaining. We do not include Q-Comp in our financial offer or the costing of our compensation package.
Bargaining and Tailgating: Our next bargaining session is Wednesday, September 18th, at the ESC in room 118. You are invited to meet us in the parking lot that is along Ferry Street for a little tailgating beforehand. We'll bring root beer floats at 4:00 pm to touch base before the 4:45 pm bargaining session. Stop by if you can for a little camaraderie or meet us inside for the bargaining session.
Comparison of AHEM and District Proposals: To see a side by side comparison of what the district and AHEM have proposed so far in bargaining, visit http://ahemnegotiationsnews.blogspot.com . It's a good way to get up to speed on where we are so far and be ready for our next session Wednesday, September 18th.
Wear Red for Ed: We are tapping into this national movement to show support for public education and educators during bargaining. As a show of unity as we negotiate and support for public schools, please wear red on Wednesdays. Not only is it our local union's color, it's one that those who are standing up for our schools all across the U.S. are sharing.
Mini-Grants for Your Classroom: The Kappa chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, a national honor society for women educators, is again offering a mini grant of $300 for this school year. These funds are available to a teacher in the district who would use them for enriching curriculum, providing specialized learning opportunities, or improving classroom materials. To apply, simply write a short paragraph explaining how this grant would be used to improve student learning or increase teacher effectiveness and send to: Marcia Johnson via email at johnson.marcia@gmail.com. Applications must be recieved by September 27th and the grant will be presented at their October meeting. The recipient will be asked to write a short paragraph at the end of the year to state how these funds made a difference.
Good Question: Did the district provide all the funds for Q-Comp? In our superintendent's back to school message, when he mentioned the funds for Q-Comp, some people understood that he was saying they came from our district's regular budget. He didn't intend his comments to come across that way. Q-Comp funds come in part from a separate grant from the state and in part from a separate local levy that school boards can assess without a referendum. Just as the funding is separate, we also consider Q-Comp separate from bargaining. We do not include Q-Comp in our financial offer or the costing of our compensation package.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Special Update: Chicago Teachers' Strike
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike yesterday for the first time in 25 years.
We all understand that the decision to pursue a work stoppage is not an easy one. However, we also know that it is sometimes the only remaining option to ensure a just outcome for both educators and students. The CTU members’ courage, determination and unity are an inspiration to all of us.
No one wants to strike, and no one strikes without cause. A strike is a last resort, but it forces policymakers to focus on the issues at hand. CTU’s members know that collective action sometimes is the only way to improve their schools, their communities and their students' education.
This strike comes on the heels of numerous steps that left CTU members feeling disrespected, including:
The strike comes only after long and intense negotiations failed to lead to an agreement that would give CTU members the tools they need to help all their students succeed. Teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions.
CTU members — the women and men who spend every day with Chicago's children — want to have their voice and experience respected and valued. They want to be treated as equal partners in making sure every student in Chicago succeeds. That has been the CTU's guiding philosophy throughout these negotiations, and it remains so on the picket lines.
The students, teachers and educational support staff — and the city of Chicago — deserve a school system that works for everyone. In the end, that is what this strike is all about.
You can show their solidarity with your colleagues in Chicago in a number of ways:
Let’s stand together with our colleagues in Chicago!
We all understand that the decision to pursue a work stoppage is not an easy one. However, we also know that it is sometimes the only remaining option to ensure a just outcome for both educators and students. The CTU members’ courage, determination and unity are an inspiration to all of us.
No one wants to strike, and no one strikes without cause. A strike is a last resort, but it forces policymakers to focus on the issues at hand. CTU’s members know that collective action sometimes is the only way to improve their schools, their communities and their students' education.
This strike comes on the heels of numerous steps that left CTU members feeling disrespected, including:
- Unilateral decisions to strip teachers and paraprofessionals of an agreed-upon increase
- Imposition of additional terms and conditions of employment
- Increase in class sizes
- Addition of a teacher evaluation system based solely on student test scores
The strike comes only after long and intense negotiations failed to lead to an agreement that would give CTU members the tools they need to help all their students succeed. Teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions.
CTU members — the women and men who spend every day with Chicago's children — want to have their voice and experience respected and valued. They want to be treated as equal partners in making sure every student in Chicago succeeds. That has been the CTU's guiding philosophy throughout these negotiations, and it remains so on the picket lines.
The students, teachers and educational support staff — and the city of Chicago — deserve a school system that works for everyone. In the end, that is what this strike is all about.
You can show their solidarity with your colleagues in Chicago in a number of ways:
- Wear red on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to show your support for the CTU and strong public schools in Chicago.
- Send messages with letters or resolutions of support (with the subject line, “Letters or Resolutions of support for CTU from (union name, location)” to ctscpress@gmail.com.
- Take a photo wearing red and send it (with the subject line, “Solidarity with CTU pictures from (location)” to ctscpress@gmail.com and to photos@aft.org (copy us too at ahem@anoka.k12.mn.us).
- Post expressions of support on the CTU’s Facebook page here: http://tinyurl.com/9h6vyur
- Make a contribution to the Chicago Teachers Union Solidarity Fund here: http://tinyurl.com/9m24g4x
- Keep up with the news on the CTU by visiting their website at www.ctunet.com.
Let’s stand together with our colleagues in Chicago!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Welcome Back, VIVA Project, Suggestion Box, Schedules
Welcome Back! We at Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota are looking forward to another year of serving you and supporting your work. This is the first of our Weekly Updates for the year, our quick look at union news. Remember, when you have a question or idea, call us sooner than later. You can connect with us at 763-421-9110 or ahem@anoka.k12.mnus. When in doubt, give us a shout.
VIVA Project Wants Your Ideas on Teacher Evaluation: From the MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and ED MN President Tom Dooher: As part of Minnesota's bid to close the achievement gap, the Minnesota Department of Education is working to create a model teacher evaluation system. We want to hear from you about what makes a great teacher and how to measure that. MDE and Education Minnesota have once again partnered with VIVA Teachers to gather your ideas via the VIVA Minnesota Teachers Idea Exchange.
Getting involved is easy. Simply go to http://vivaMN.socialsphere.com, register and post your ideas in answer to our questions: What makes the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher? How would you measure whether a teacher is "good" or "great"?
Your ideas will become a key resource for the MDE Teacher Evaluation Work Group, and a group of you will be invited to discuss your recommendations with Gov. Dayton and both of us. The site will be available 24 hours a day for the next two weeks. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to help shape the model teacher evaluation system for our state.
AHEM Suggestion Box: Have an idea for your union? Drop it in the suggestion box. Visit the AHEM home page at ahem.locals.educationminnesota.org for a place for your ideas. Scroll down and you’ll see an embedded Survey Monkey window you can use whenever inspiration hits. You can leave your ideas on topics such as Q-Comp, negotiations and contract issues, member rights, community connections, public policy, or add your own category. Leave your name so we can credit you or follow up, or send your idea anonymously if you prefer.
Good Question – Is my schedule right?: The most common questions we get the first weeks of school pertain to schedules. Am I getting my duty free lunch? Do I have enough prep time? Is my travel time adequate? Do I have too many extra duties? These are all good questions - the best way to answer them is for you to give us a call at 763-421-9110. If you think you are short or long on time in a key area, please check with us. Remember, a call to us does not obligate you to anything, and we keep our discussion confidential. We'll take a look and let you know what your options are.
VIVA Project Wants Your Ideas on Teacher Evaluation: From the MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and ED MN President Tom Dooher: As part of Minnesota's bid to close the achievement gap, the Minnesota Department of Education is working to create a model teacher evaluation system. We want to hear from you about what makes a great teacher and how to measure that. MDE and Education Minnesota have once again partnered with VIVA Teachers to gather your ideas via the VIVA Minnesota Teachers Idea Exchange.
Getting involved is easy. Simply go to http://vivaMN.socialsphere.com, register and post your ideas in answer to our questions: What makes the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher? How would you measure whether a teacher is "good" or "great"?
Your ideas will become a key resource for the MDE Teacher Evaluation Work Group, and a group of you will be invited to discuss your recommendations with Gov. Dayton and both of us. The site will be available 24 hours a day for the next two weeks. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to help shape the model teacher evaluation system for our state.
AHEM Suggestion Box: Have an idea for your union? Drop it in the suggestion box. Visit the AHEM home page at ahem.locals.educationminnesota.org for a place for your ideas. Scroll down and you’ll see an embedded Survey Monkey window you can use whenever inspiration hits. You can leave your ideas on topics such as Q-Comp, negotiations and contract issues, member rights, community connections, public policy, or add your own category. Leave your name so we can credit you or follow up, or send your idea anonymously if you prefer.
Good Question – Is my schedule right?: The most common questions we get the first weeks of school pertain to schedules. Am I getting my duty free lunch? Do I have enough prep time? Is my travel time adequate? Do I have too many extra duties? These are all good questions - the best way to answer them is for you to give us a call at 763-421-9110. If you think you are short or long on time in a key area, please check with us. Remember, a call to us does not obligate you to anything, and we keep our discussion confidential. We'll take a look and let you know what your options are.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Summer Hours & Work, Pride, Who Are My Candidates?
Summer Hours: The AHEM office is open throughout the summer. Our summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. We can still be contacted at 763.421.9110 and ahem@anoka.k12.mn.us.
Summer Work:
During the break,
AHEM leaders will work on a number of infrastructure items for our
organization. A big part of effort will include putting pieces in place for
Q-Comp. Next year we will finalize
Q-Comp’s components, so this summer is the time we put the Steering Committee
together and develop the timeline for items like hiring evaluators. We are also adding two new negotiator positions
to our bargaining team, one of which will focus on Special Education. Over the summer we will set up the timeline
for choosing those people this fall.
With the election coming up in November, we will also be supporting good
education candidates. If you are
interested in helping with any of these efforts, let us know at
ahem@anoka.k12.mn.us .
Pride: You can be proud of the work
you’ve done this year. We’ve worked
through challenging levies, bargaining, media scrutiny, and site level changes
this year. Through all that, we’ve seen
increases in student achievement and strong public support for your efforts.
Your tireless advocacy for your students and commitment to your craft shows in
those results. All of us at AHEM are
honored to serve you and look forward to what we will do together next.
Good Question: Who Are My Candidates? Filing for office closed yesterday, so the
field of legislative candidates is pretty much set for the fall. To find out who’s running where, try this
interactive map from MinnPost: http://tinyurl.com/8y5fnce.
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