hsta updates : Posted 8-29-2017, (August 17, 2017) 21 hours, PD and reclassification update; Resources to talk to students about racism and hate after Charlottesville; Kishimoto takes live questions

Know your rights: 21 hours, PD credits and reclassification

HSTA would like to provide the following information for teachers about earning job-embedded professional development credits and the reclassification process.

21 hours of job-embedded professional development

Are there any changes to the 21 hours for this school year?
Yes. The DOE issued a memo with a lot of information about the use of 21 hours. The main thing teachers need to know is that the use of the hours for the next two years has been expanded to include anything that falls within the BOE’s and DOE’s strategic plan.  A copy of the current contract language outlining the use of 21 hours can be found here.

Does my school still need to turn in a form outlining the use of the 21 hours to the complex area superintendents?
Yes. See this template that schools can use or modify with complex area superintendent (CAS) approval. Each CAS decides the due date of the form, but generally they are not due until around the start of the school year.  More information about the 21 hours of job-embedded professional development can be found in these DOE FAQs.

Awarding of the three professional development (PD) credits earned last school year from 21 hours

What about the three PD credits, how do they work?
PD verification forms were pre-populated with teachers’ names and sent to the schools at the end of last school year. The principal has to verify which teachers completed the PD hours and should be awarded the three PD credits. According to the DOE, by this time almost all the schools have been returned and inputted into PDE3. Teachers should already be able to find the credits posted in their accounts. All credits for school year 2016-2017 will be given a completion date of June 30.

What about charter school teachers, does the DOE do anything for their credits?
DOE can award PD credits to charter school teachers for the 21 hours. However, because the DOE does not have full access to charter school teacher rosters, it is not able to pre-populate spreadsheets for them. The DOE asks charter school directors to send a list of their teachers and manually load credits for them. However, because many charters do not follow the DOE reclassification process, they do not submit anything, so this would generally only apply to those charters that use the DOE services/reclassification system.

Reclassification – How do I apply my credits? And how does “reclass” work?*
* If you are employed by a charter school, check with your school administrator for the system used; charter schools may or may not use the DOE system for reclassification.

How do I apply my credits earned from the 21 hours for reclassification?
Once teachers have their credits posed in PDE3 https://pde3.k12.hi.us/ , the credits can be submitted to the Teacher Reclassification Unit and applied towards the next change in classification. Please refer to the DOE’s Memos and Guidelines for Reclassification of Teachers, which were recently posted by the DOE.

Shouldn’t my credits just automatically be processed for reclassification?
Unfortunately, the PDE3 system and the Teacher Reclassification system don’t automatically sync. Teachers have to actually take the time to download credits and submit to the reclassification office.

What are the most important things to know about reclassification?  READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY
The reclassification process is controlled by the employer, HSTA can’t force the employer to accept credits if the teacher didn’t follow the guidelines. Failure to follow the guidelines could cost the teacher not only the time and money spent on coursework, but the reclassification as well.

#1 - CREDITS MUST BE PRE- AND POST-APPROVED BY YOUR PRINCIPAL – Teachers actually have to have the credits signed off twice – once before taking the class and once after to submit to the reclassification office. If teachers don’t get classes/credits pre-approved, they will not be able to use them for reclassification.

#2 – Academic Credits (credits from a university) have special rules – no educational administration credits, nothing outside the teachers’ assignment or licensure or area of preparation (with a few exceptions). And the university has to be accredited and the program recognized by the DOE.

#3 – Credits have to be submitted – there is NO AUTOMATIC reclassification. Due date for fall processing is Oct. 30 and spring is March 30.

#4 – Once placed on the schedule, teachers move across each class – there is no leap frogging of classes – meaning if you are placed on class III with a master’s degree and earn a doctorate, you don’t automatically move to class VII. Submit credits along the way – 15 at a time. Do not wait until all the credits are “saved up” – teachers have to move through each class, maximum of one movement per semester.

Pay increases: What to expect the next four years

A number of members have reached out to HSTA asking if we could re-post information on the new contract pay increases. The printed contracts should arrive at schools this week or next and teachers can access the PDF version here. If you want to reference the salary tables, they start on Page 80 of the new contract. Click here to look at the salary schedules.

10-month teachers should always refer to the single-letter schedules (A, B, C, D)

12-month teachers should always refer to the double-letter schedules (AA, BB, CC, DD)

The pay increases starting this year are as follows:

1st Year – School Year 2017-2018

Start of school year – all teachers received a 1.8 percent across-the-board increase and continuation of the 21 hours of job-embedded professional development – see exhibit B/BB
Start of 2nd quarter* - step movement (exhibit B/BB) for all teachers, except new hires and teachers on 14B.
Teachers already on 14B receive $1,500 on Oct. 20, 2017.

* Generally teachers will see the increase reflected in their Nov. 5paycheck, unless they are multi-track or at a school with a non-traditional start date for 2nd quarter.

Read about pay hikes over the next three years and other compensation for which teachers may qualify.

HSTA members can find a PDF searchable copy of the new 2017-2021 HSTA Collective Bargaining Agreement (contract) at this link.

United Against Hate!

Here are resources for students, educators, and families to address and engage in the national dialogue about racism, hate and bias in the wake of recent events in Charlottesville. Together we must foster safe spaces to move towards justice in education.

In a Facebook post this week, HSTA President Corey Rosenlee said, "Hate must be challenged whether it comes from a Nazi, a white supremacist or a president. Our diversity, our love and our tolerance are what give us strength as Americans. And our aloha in Hawaii makes our state a place where we embrace and celebrate each other’s uniqueness regardless of race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation."

New superintendent answers questions on public radio

Christina Kishimoto, Hawaii's new public schools superintendent, told Hawaii Public Radio Thursday that a standardized test won’t give “rich and deep data that authentic assessments or teacher-created "assessments can." She also said she wants to “empower teachers and principals at the school level," during the hour-long "Town Square" program on KHPR, during which she took call-in questions from listeners, including teachers.

Listen to the hour-long live interview with Hawaii Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto on KHPR.

Join HSTA Speakers Bureau and speak out for education; Training Sept. 17 and 18

Help bring the message of Schools Our Keiki Deserve to the Hawaii Legislature, Board of Education and our community! Join HSTA Speakers Bureau and get trained right away in crafting testimony, media outreach and community organizing. We have immediate openings for one-day training sessions on Sunday, Sept. 17, and Monday, Sept. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at HSTA's Oahu headquarters. Breakfast, lunch and neighbor island transportation provided, plus release time is available for the Monday training. Sign up by Saturday, Sept. 2, and email the date you'd like to attend, your name, school or work station, personal email and phone number to info@hsta.org.

Volunteer opportunity: Waianae Elementary to receive Labor of Love work Oct. 14

Please consider joining in the Labor of Love movement to help lift up students and create a better community by volunteering from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 14 for a half work day of campus improvement at Waianae Elementary. In addition to making improvements to the school's facilities, the effort by unions in Hawaii intends to fund Waianae's merit program to engender good behavior and academic success as well as provide each student with a school uniform t-shirt for their field trips. We need YOUR support as 300 volunteers are necessary to help make this Labor of Love a success. Most of the volunteer work will be painting. The skilled labor will be carried out by members of trade unions. Sign up through the link below. Lunch is included.

Membership Services

SY16-17 Membership Services Committee

HILO
HSTA New Teacher Dinner
An evening filled with good food and information on the many benefits you receive as an HSTA member. You will also be able to meet our Hilo Chapter officers who are there to support you in your teaching profession.

Friday, Sept. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Nani Mau Gardens
RSVP by Sept 1 to Debra @ deblani29@yahoo.com

KONA
Benefits of Belonging
Thursday, Aug. 31, 5 p.m.
Kealakehe Intermediate Cafeteria
RSVP at bitly/konabob2017

Come find out how HSTA can help you invest in yourself through our HSTA and NEA member benefits. In addition, meet your HSTA Kona Chapter leaders and fellow HSTA members, Island Insurance representatives and hear from the state-approved deferred compensation company, Island $avings Plan.

21^st Century Classroom (Google Apps)
Saturdays, Sept. 2, 16 and 23
Waikoloa School
This is a three-credit professional development course. Register at www.pd.hsta.org

Whine & Dine – HYPE Event
Wrap up your work week with Pau Hana Friday. Enjoy free food and network with our new educators and chapter leadership. Come with questions about your first two months of teaching and get them answered.

Kona Brewing Company
Friday, Sept. 29, 5 - 7 p.m.
RSVP to bit.ly/929KonaBrew

LANAI
HSTA VEBA Trust
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 3 p.m.
Classroom D-2, Lanai High and Elementary
Come hear about your HSTA VEBA Trust benefits from Brenda Shiroma.

Financial Planning 101
This seminar introduces members to the basics of financial planning. We will talk briefly about the State of Hawaii ERS pension, Social Security, the importance of the bank (savings and emergency funds), an introduction to insurance (life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance), and investing (pre-tax vs. after-tax investments, the power of compound interest, dollar-cost averaging, and NEA 403bs).
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 3 p.m.
Lanai RA, Classroom D-2, Lanai High and Elementary

MAUI
Are you on track to retire? (Designed for those close to retirement)
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m. (dinner provided)
Maui Arts and Cultural Center

Getting Started (Designed for millennials)
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. (lunch provided)
Maui Arts and Cultural Center

Hosted by our NEA MB Retirement Specialists, come find out about ERS, Social Security and other investment options. Seats are limited so please RSVP to Iris @ 808-951-7185 ext. 15.

OAHU
Are You On Track To Retire? seminar
Hosted by our NEA MB Retirement Specialists for you and your spouse.

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. (dinner provided)
Oahu Country Club

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. (lunch provided)
Hawaii Prince Waikiki, Naio Room

Hosted by our NEA MB Retirement Specialists, come find out about ERS, social security, and other investment options. Seats are limited so please RSVP to Tereen @ 808-951-7185 ext 21.

Central New Hire Ice Cream Social and School Supply Swap
Come enjoy a cool treat and get to know our new educators. Plus, bring in supplies you are no longer using and trade them in for something you can use.

Thursday, Sept. 14, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
HSTA
1200 Ala Kapuna St.
RSVP by Sept. 11 to https://centralnewhiresocial2017.eventbrite.com

Benefits of Belonging
Let's face it. We all could use extra help when it comes to our financial planning, income protection, long term care, and insurance needs. Meet the Specialists who will help you understand your HSTA benefit programs.

Thursday, Sept. 21, 3:30 p.m.
Ho’okele Elementary
511 Kunehi St.
RSVP by Sept. 14 to https://tinyurl.com/y9446jun

Thursday, Sept. 28, 4 p.m.
HSTA
1200 Ala Kapuna St.
RSVP by Sept. 21 to https://tinyurl.com/ycwoa42b

Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar
Everyone dreams of retirement. Come find out how it’s possible from our HSTA-Rs and representatives from the State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS).

Thursday, Oct. 5, 4 p.m.
HSTA
1200 Ala Kapuna St.
RSVP by Sept. 22 to https://oct2017preretire.eventbrite.com

HSTA Baby Shower

Are you expecting or thinking about starting a family? Questions about how long you can stay home with your baby? Let our UniServ Director share helpful information about the use of your sick leave, personal leave and family leave and the Maternity/Paternity Leave Sharing Program and Leave Without Pay for childcare so that you can plan and prepare for your time with your baby. Do you need substitute teacher plans? We can cover that as well!

Thursday, Oct. 12
Vendor fair from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Speaker at 11 a.m.
RSVP by Oct. 2 to https://rsvphstababyshower2017.eventbrite.com

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