A Message from HSTA President Corey Rosenlee on Employee Rights, posted 3-30-2016

Teachers are deeply committed to the success of every student. View this email in your browser Dear Colleagues, It was a good day for unions and workers across the United States.  In Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association the Supreme Court rendered a tied, 4-4, decision. When the Supreme Court is evenly split on a case, the ruling in the lower case stands. In this instance the appeals court had earlier ruled in favor of the California Teachers Association and against the appellants.  The core of this case lies in the fact that ten California teachers wanted the union to represent them in negotiations, but did not feel they should have to pay union dues for those services. In the Washington Post NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia stated, “The U.S. Supreme Court today rejected a political ploy to silence public employees like teachers, school-bus drivers, cafeteria workers, higher-education faculty and other educators to work together to shape their profession. In Friedrichs, the court saw through the political attacks on the workplace rights of teachers, educators and other public employees. This decision recognizes that stripping public employees of their voices in the workplace is not what our country needs.” It was a victory, but it does not end here. There are other cases in the federal court system that are trying to erode union and workers’ rights. In recent years several states have been attacked by foes and lost collective bargaining. In those states both salaries and workers’ rights have diminished. We must keep our guard up.  Together we are a formidable force. Together, we, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, can do great work for Hawaii’s public schools.  Aloha, Corey Rosenlee HSTA President   HSTA:  United in the pursuit of excellence for Hawaii’s public schools. Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

HSTA Welcomes Keoki Kerr to Staff as Communications Specialist, posted 3-24-2016

We are proud to announce that veteran reporter Keoki Kerr will join the HSTA staff as communications specialist. He will oversee media relations and communications with HSTA’s 13,500 members. His appointment is effective April 15. A lifelong journalist who began working in radio while a junior in high school, his career spans 30 years in the news business. Since 2012, Kerr has been an investigative reporter at Hawaii News Now where he concentrates on government and politics. Prior to that, he served as a government reporter and fill-in anchor at KITV for 21 years. Kerr has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, earning 21 first-place awards in government, business, investigative and breaking news reporting in recent years. He also received a national award from the Associated Press TV and Radio Association for ongoing coverage. Kerr is an accomplished vocalist and has performed in operas, musicals and revues at Hawaii Opera Theatre, Manoa Valley Theatre and the Army Community Theatre. For more than 15 years, he has served as a co-artistic director and performer in the Society of Professional Journalists’ political satire fundraiser, the Gridiron Show. Kerr also volunteers his time as a vocal coach at Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center. He writes and emcees programs for various educational, nonprofit and professional association fundraisers, awards ceremonies and other events.  Born and raised in Hawaii, Kerr received his bachelor of arts in government with a concentration in U.S. politics from Hamilton College in New York. Please help us to welcome him on board.   Keiki Kerr is HSTA's new Communications Specialist.

Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Direct Contract Negotiations: Take the Committee Survey, posted 3-24-2016

Please Take the Survey to Make Your Voice Heard

Aloha HSTA Members,

Your HSTA teacher contract expires on June 30, 2017. In preparation for bargaining a new contract, your Negotiations Committee is conducting a very important HSTA Membership survey focusing on “working conditions.”  Future surveys will ask about teacher evaluation, and compensation/benefits. The “working conditions” survey ends on March 31^st.

Take the survey

Also, a new pdf fillable bargaining proposal form was created. It allows you to submit contract proposals directly to your Chapter Negotiations Committee Member. Their email address can be found on the form.

Download the bargaining proposal form

Should you have questions about the form, please email your Chapter Negotiations Committee Member.

Mahalo!
HSTA Negotiations Committee

HSTA and NEA Recommend Hillary Clinton for US President, posted 3-23-2016

Hillary Clinton is the best choice for US public schools After a lengthy process that included nationwide member surveys, candidate interviews, and a thorough review of the candidates’ positions on issues of importance to educators, the NEA and HSTA confidently recommend Hillary Clinton to be the next United States President. “Clinton is a strong leader who will do what is best for America’s students. For more than four decades, Clinton has fought to make sure all children have a fair opportunity to succeed regardless of their ZIP code,” Said NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia. “Clinton will continue to advocate on behalf of students, educators and working families because she understands the road to a stronger U.S. economy starts in America’s public schools.” Teachers are strongly encouraged to attend the caucus in their area on Saturday, March 24 at 1:00pm, to show their support for Hillary Clinton. Clinton on the issues that matter to educators On Testing:  Hillary Clinton supports reducing the role of standarized tests in public education and supports NEA’s push to create an opportunity dashboard understanding the multiple measures that we must address and monitor to truly close the achievement gap.  On Equity: Clinton is committed to providing equal opportunity to have access to arts education, school nurses, librarians, counselors, and funding so all students can succeed.  Early Childhood Education: Hillary Clinton would put a heavy emphasis on pre-K/early education. She recently offered a proposal on early childhood education that endorses universal pre-K and would double the funding for Head Start and the Early Head Start Partnership grant program while cutting taxes to ease the burden of child care costs on families.  Frequently asked questions What is NEA’s process for selecting a recommended candidate?  To be considered for a recommendation, a candidate had to complete a questionnaire and sit for an in-person, videotaped interview with NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia (NEA members can view the interviews here) The questionnaires were sent to all viable presidential candidates and included Republicans, Democrats and third-party candidates. The only presidential candidates to complete this process were former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Governor Martin O’Malley (D-Maryland), and US Senator Bernard “Bernie” Sanders (I-Vermont) Why did NEA/HSTA not recommend a Republican candidate? No Republicans asked for NEA’s recommendation Why not wait until the General Election to recommend a candidate? Candidates need early support from groups like the NEA to make it over and through the myriad obstacles and challenges they face on the campaign trail. When elected, candidates remain loyal to those who showed early support. In 2008 NEA did not endorse a primary candidate and was ignored when it came to selecting Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. If you remember, Sec. Duncan’s reign created Race to the Top and teacher evaluations tied to test scores. We need a President who will listen and involve teachers in the decision-making process. Says Secretary Clinton, “You can see where I have been and where I will be, and I’ve already said that I will not make any policies or important decisions about education without literally having teachers in the room and listening to the advice and the ideas that you have to help me be a better President for education.”  How do I vote in the upcoming caucus? Voting is on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. Caucus officials recommend arriving early as latecomers may not be able to vote. You can register as a Democrat on the day of voting or you can register ahead of time using the link below. Find your precinct here Register as a Democrat Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819

Member Matters, posted 3-14-2016

Negotiations Survey Now Underway PLEASE TAKE SURVEY – MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! Your HSTA teacher contract expires on June 30, 2017.  In preparation for bargaining a new contract, your Negotiations Committee is conducting a very important HSTA Membership survey focusing on “working conditions.”  Future surveys will ask about teacher evaluation, and compensation/benefits.  The “working conditions” survey begins today, and ends on March 31st. Take the survey   State Delegates to NEA RA Revealed HSTA members voted to send 15 members to the NEA Representative Assembly as state delegates. Another 15 were named alternates. View the election results Learn about the NEA RA   Start Planning for Next Year Teacher Institute Days Set for 2017 Oahu:  Monday, February 13, 2017 Molokai: Tuedsay, February 14, 2017 Maui/Lanai: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Big Island: Thursday, February 16, 2017 Kauai: Friday, February 17, 2017

Waiakea Intermediate School's Teacher of the Year, posted 3-10-2016

Waiakea Intermediate School's Teacher of the Year is

Kim Aburamen

CONGRATULATIONS

Miss Kim will be honored at the Teacher Excellence Luncheon at Hilo's Nani Mau Gardens on 
Sunday, May 1, 2016. Please see Tabitha Booth to reserve your ticket(s) for the buffet lunch. 

Member Matters, March 7, 2016

2016 Election Results HSTA members have spoken and the results are in for the 2016 HSTA elections. You voted for your chapter leaders as well as HSTA Convention delegates and NEA Representative delegates. View the election results   $500 Reimbursement HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union members who took classes in 2015 can apply for a reimbursement of up to $500. Read More   Oahu Teachers:  Early Career Teachers Needed for Focus Group The Hawaii Young Professional Educators (HYPE) is hosting a focus group on Monday, March 14 at the HSTA office. Teachers in their first five years of teaching are invited to attend to share feedback about the challenges and opportunities you have faced. Get more information    Hilo Chapter:  Excellence in Teaching Luncheon Hilo Chapter's Excellence in Teaching Luncheon will be held May 1 at the Nani Maui Gardens. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $17.00 for children under 12. Let your Head Faculty Representative know if you want to attend so s/he can arrange your tickets. Also help by electing your school's honoree and preparing a list of teachers retiring at the end of the school year.   The students of Ka'u High and Pahala participated in their first HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) District competition held at UH Hilo and later the State competition in Hilo. Their topic was Dengue Fever and a PSA on promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles.  Learn more 2016 Election Results Get a reimbursement for credits taken in 2015 Early Career Teacher Focus Group Ka'u Students to Represent Hawaii in National Competition

Copyright © 2016 Hawaii State Teachers Association, All rights reserved. Mahalo for your engagement. Our mailing address is: Hawaii State Teachers Association 1200 Ala Kapuna Street Honolulu, HI 96819