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Saturday, January 12, 2019
Posted 1-12-2019 (Dated 1-11-2019) Union dues and taxes; Two new HSTA faces: teacher lobbyist and communications specialist; Wear red Tues. to support LA teachers Inbox x
Represent your fellow members at NEA RA; Jan. 18 deadline
Looking for a way to get involved in the leadership of our association? Run for election as a state delegate to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly. It’s the largest democratic legislative body in the world, where thousands of educators from across the country come together to decide on policies and priorities of our union.
This year’s NEA RA will be held in early July in Houston.
Nominations for NEA RA state delegates close Jan. 18.
Check with tax preparers for advice about state deductions
The union dues paid in 2018 are no longer deductible on Miscellaneous Deductions for federal taxes. But it’s still unclear whether the state of Hawaii will continue allowing union dues to be deducted from taxes.
Because of numerous tax changes, the best advice the HSTA can give our members is to seek professional advice when completing their tax returns. Since we are not tax experts, we need to defer to the tax professionals on these kinds of questions.
The dues amounts for HSTA/NEA bargaining unit 5 members (teachers) who had continuous payroll deductions for the entire year in 2018 are:
Full-time: $806.32
Part-time: $722.84
If you became an HSTA member part way through 2018, please contact the HSTA at (808) 833-2711 and ask for the Membership Department. Tell them you need them to calculate the specific amount of dues you paid last year.
Now some good news. The IRS did not touch the deduction of teachers’ educational expenses. So those kinds of expenses continue to be an “above the line” deduction meaning that you can deduct this amount before computing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). That means teachers can still deduct up to $250 from their federal taxes for classroom expenses, provided they have original receipts from those expenses.
HSTA welcomes Teacher Lobbyist Christine Russo
How a school lockdown led a physical science teacher on a path toward change
As HSTA’s new teacher lobbyist, Christine Russo is excited by the unique opportunity to advocate for teachers and students. She is on temporary leave from her position as a certified physical science teacher at James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach, and will be working full time with HSTA’s Lobbying Team for the duration of the 30th legislative session. Her first day was Monday, Jan. 7.
Nearly nine years ago, Russo was substitute teaching when police activity was reported near campus and her school went on lockdown.
That’s when she began to realize things needed to change.
Teachers in Los Angeles may go on strike Monday and the HSTA wants them to know we send our support and aloha from across the ocean. On Tuesday, Jan. 15, please wear red for ed, and if you're able, snap a photo of yourself and some coworkers and post a message of solidarity with our friends in California. Use the hashtag #WeAreLA
Meet HSTA’s new Communications Specialist Terri Inefuku
HSTA welcomed its new communications specialist this week.
Terri Inefuku steps into the role formerly held by Keoki Kerr, who now serves as HSTA’s director of communications. Media Specialist Chris Schubert rounds out the newly expanded communications department.
“I’m excited to bring Terri on to solidify an impressive team that will be working to promote HSTA not only in the community but among our nearly 14,000 members,” said HSTA Executive Director Wilbert Holck. “Our ultimate goal is to not only share the activities of our union and staff, but also spotlight the incredible accomplishments of our teachers.”
Inefuku brings more than a decade of journalism and storytelling experience to HSTA. She was most recently KHON2’s digital executive director, where she helped shape the station’s digital news strategy, developing content for a variety of platforms, including KHON2’s website, mobile app and social media channels.
She also serves as a mentor for PBS Hawaii’s HIKI NO, a weekly student news show that features video stories by students from dozens of public, private and charter schools across the state. She works closely with teachers to oversee the production process, offering guidance on everything from story development to interviews, writing and editing.
On Monday, Jan. 21, HSTA will be marching in parades on Oahu and Maui for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
It's a time to reflect on the principles of interracial cooperation, equality, and social change through nonviolent resolution of conflict, dedication to global peace, social justice, economic security and the eradication of poverty.
Please wear your red HSTA shirt and join us! Mahalo to our Human and Civil Rights Committee for organizing our involvement.
Nominate a Hawaii teacher for the prestigious STACY award
Each year, each NEA affiliate nominates one outstanding educator for the NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. These prestigious awards recognize, reward and promote excellence in both teaching and advocacy for the profession. They also honor public education and the dedicated members of the National Education Association. HSTA gives our state-level winner the STACY Award, named in memory of the beloved late HSTA Deputy Executive Director Stacy Nishina, a former public school teacher from Kauai.
4th grade teachers: Register for free environmental ed workshop
Moanalua Gardens Foundation and the state's Division of Forestry and Wildlife are pleased to offer their second FREE workshop of the school year for fourth grade teachers for their Huaka`i o Kamananui, Aloha Aina Moanalua place-based environmental education curriculum on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Moanalua Middle School Library and Kamananui (Moanalua) Valley. The workshop includes a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, student activity sheets, rubrics, CDs, a DVD and other resources.
Moanalua Gardens Foundation will provide all materials plus meals and refreshments. The foundation will open the workshop to interested teachers from other grades upon request.
Register for our "Planning Your Financial Journey" webinars
These webinars are designed for teachers who are in the beginning to middle of their careers and want to learn the foundations of their financial journey.
Our next webinar will be held Thursday, Jan. 24, at 3:30 p.m. and should last about 30-45 minutes.
This webinar is live via Zoom conference call with NEA Retirement Advisors and will also be held on the following dates:
HSTA VEBA Trust is offering Accident Insurance in February 2019. Your benefits enrollment begins during Open Enrollment (that means it's guaranteed issue with no medical screening and lengthy forms to fill out). Learn more about Accident Insurance: text #HSTAVEBA to 87487
Spring 2019 HSTA PD courses
Sign up now to improve your skills and reclassify for a raise
Beyond the Exit Pass (Online) Section #294310/294311 Dates: March 18, 2019 - July 19, 2019
This 3-PD credit online course is designed for teachers of all content areas in grade levels 3-12. Teachers will learn a variety of strategies to formatively assess student learning and respond to student needs quickly and effectively. The following three approaches to formative assessment are: academic discussion, checks for understanding, and targeted analysis of student work. Disclaimer: This course was previously listed as course number PD181769 and cannot be repeated for credit. This asynchronous online course will begin on March 18. Participants will receive instructions from the instructors on how to access course content prior to the start date of the course. The deadline to pay for this course is March 10. Only HSTA Members are eligible to take this course.
MA184043 Numbers Make Sense(Hilo Hybrid Course) PDE3 Section #293850: HSTA Spring 2019 Dates: February 23, 2019 - May 31, 2019
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