BOE, superintendent favorably respond to teachers’ testimony on SPED difficulties
Nine teachers from around the state testified before the Board of Education Tuesday night about a wide variety of serious problems with special education in Hawaii’s public schools, and BOE members as well as the schools superintendent said fixing those problems is a priority.
Renee Wood, who teaches at Waihee Elementary on Maui, told the BOE, “I love being able to advocate, support and teach students of all abilities. But year after year, I’m given impossible tasks.”
“I am done,” Wood said, her voice choked with emotion. “I am burned out and I am not the only teacher. We need to find solutions to keep highly qualified teachers from burning out and leaving this profession. We need to come together to make sure every child is learning to the best of their ability. Our Hawaii keiki need more.”
Juliana Romero, an autism consultant teacher for Oahu’s Central district, routinely works with teachers and students at 16 schools.
“Public school teachers do not have the resources to effectively teach special education students,” Romero testified.
Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto told the teachers “I believe we’re all on the same page in terms of having this (special education) as a number one issue,” prompting applause from the teachers and parents of special education students.
The superintendent is conducting a special review of special education.
Membership card update
We have heard you. Recently HSTA members were mailed a welcome back letter which included a temporary membership card. The card can be cut out and used at various businesses that give teachers or union members’ discounts. Over the last week, members contacted us concerned about the “professionalism” of the paper card and that merchants would think that it is a fake. This is a change from previous practice, when we issued union members a plastic membership card via our contract with Access, a company that provides discounts.
Why did we go from a plastic card to a paper one anyway? Cost. In the past, we have printed cards for 13,500 members every two years at a cost of roughly $25,000. In addition, the HSTA decided not to renew our Access contract, since we are working on a digital membership card that can be accessed on the web at all times, from your smart phone and printed out as needed.
We always strive to be conscious of how and where we spend our members’ union dues, especially in anticipation of the court case Janus v. AFSME. In this case, the Supreme Court is expected to decide the future of public unions and by extension our ability to negotiate your contract, support you in that contract and be your advocate. With the addition of the new Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, the high court will most likely decide that people do not have to pay their fair share fees. Instead, they will receive the benefits of a union because their co-workers will pay their costs to get those services. In anticipation of this case, HSTA has looked for ways to save money, while still being a strong advocate for our members without cutting vital programs and services.
The new HSTA digital card is projected to be ready in several months, as part of the relaunch of our website. This will save our members’ dues dollars while at the same time giving members updated information on demand.
We appreciate your feedback about the temporary cards and thank you for your patience as we strive to serve you better.
"Be a hero. Be a teacher." campaign encourages students to pursue teaching
The University of Hawaii has launched a multi-media campaign aimed at addressing Hawaii’s teacher shortage. “Be a hero. Be a teacher.” encourages high school and college students, as well as working professionals, to consider the importance and benefits of the teaching profession. The “Be a hero. Be a teacher.” campaign also uplifts current teachers and reminds everyone how important teachers are to our society.
Click here for the complete UH news story about the "Be a hero. Be a teacher." campaign.
Watch the 30-second public service announcement version
Watch the two minute, 29 second-long slam poet version
Fern Elementary students get new books
Third and fourth grade students at Fern Elementary in Kalihi were the recipients of a new set of books by diverse authors as part of the National Education Association's Read Across America campaign this week.
Michele Sasaki, a kindergarten teacher at Hickam Elementary, also stopped in to read the students a story by a Hawaii author.
NEA Associate Director of Communications Steven Grant visited the classroom of teacher Louise Cayetano at Fern Wednesday, dropping off the books and calendars.
Mahalo to NEA Hawaii Director Cliff Fukuda who organized the visit and a second one next week on Maui.
Offer valid Sept. 26 at all McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii. Present your valid 2017-2018 school ID and receive a free medium hot or iced coffee.
Do you offer professional development to your colleagues? This free workshop is for you!
HSTA invites you to a free, one day workshop, to help you learn how to manage and grow your educational services business. This course is designed to support you in creating a platform to offer your expertise in a way that compensates you accordingly. The focus of this workshop is on the business side of operations, NOT adult learning theory or how to write professional development courses.
The course will take place on Monday, Oct. 9 at the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership at the Richards Street YWCA downtown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a working lunch included. The topics that will be covered by a variety of experts include:
- Big Picture: Emerging Trends in Educational Consulting
- The Consulting/Independent Contractor Model
- Financial Management and Taxes
- Cost, Pricing and Invoicing
- Business Registration and Licensing
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by Oct. 1 at bit.ly/HSTAMINK Space is very limited and seats will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact Jessica Kato at jessicakato80@gmail.com with any questions.
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
KONA
Kona Chapter members: RSVP today for the Island $avings Plan workshop and receive a bento at the workshop Oct. 19.
LANAI
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?
Hosted by our NEA MB Retirement Specialists for you and your spouse.
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.
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
Subscribe to and follow HSTA's social media accounts
Be sure to subscribe to HSTA's YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram for the latest videos, photos and news about our Association and public schools in Hawaii.
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