Posted 2-22-2019 (Dated 2-22-2019) Elections update; free financial guidance, retirement resources

MEMBER MATTERS Presented by the Hawaii State Teachers Association

FEBRUARY 22, 2019 Ballot counting to take place this weekend On Saturday, Feb. 23, ballots that were cast on Teacher Institute Day will be counted, and the results will be sent to each chapter's executive board for certification. Look for complete results to be released sometime next week. Congratulations to our members! Waiakea High School teacher Joel Wagner-Wright was honored with the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council's 2019 Global Educator Award this week for "enriching students' knowledge of global issues and inspiring them to reach for international learning opportunities." The social studies department chair has been teaching PAAC's Afterschool Global Studies Class for 12 years, and led students on study tours to Japan and Vietnam. Get the full story HAMLE's Educator of the Year Kapolei Middle School teacher and Leeward Chapter president Shirley Yamauchi was "honored, humbled and speechless" to receive the top honor at the annual conference. Read more Do you know an amazing educator? We want to highlight our members' accomplishments inside and outside the classroom. Are they using innovative techniques, ideas and resources to motivate and educate students? Are they contributing to the community in interesting ways? Tell us Reminders and resources HSTA VEBA is offering active members an open enrollment period for Long Term Income Protection, Critical Illness Insurance and Accident Insurance. Open enrollment is the perfect opportunity to sign up, because you are guaranteed issue with no additional medical forms to complete. The deadline to enroll is Thursday, Feb. 28. Sign up Is your money working for you? Take advantage of free seminars offering financial guidance, whether you're a teacher close to retirement or just getting started in your career. Register now Ready for retirement? Do you have questions about how it works and, more importantly, will you have enough money to retire? Here's what you need to know. Be prepared Manage, reduce your student loans As an educator, you may be able to have all or part of your federal student loans forgiven. A new online tool shows you how. Get the details More stories and links US Census Bureau hiring for 2020 Census Special education teacher brings Cubelets to the classroom Union dues deductible on state taxes, not on federal taxes Click here to view recent stories on HSTA's website. Have you entered? You have until midnight to take our communications survey. Two lucky participants will win a 10.5-inch iPad Pro (and you get to pick the color)! You must be an active member to qualify. Enter now

Posted 2-22-2019 (Dated 2-8-2019) Hawaii teacher honored in D.C. | Get ready for Institute Day

MEMBER MATTERS Presented by the Hawaii State Teachers Association

FEBRUARY 8, 2019 Get ready for Teacher Institute Day  HSTA's Teacher Institute Day is the single largest professional development day on the school calendar and allows you to network, work on school-related issues, and pursue professional and personal growth. You will also vote on your chapter officers and state NEA delegates. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your day: Know where to park We've listed parking options for nearly all chapter Institutes, however carpooling is strongly suggested. Oahu members, if you plan to park at Ala Moana Center near Atkinson Street, you must download and display this pass on your dashboard. Bring your photo ID According to HSTA's voting procedures*, you need to show your photo ID to receive a ballot. *You must be logged in with your registered account to view these procedures. Plan your workshops You'll have the opportunity to attend two free workshops on Teacher Institute Day. There are a variety of options to choose from, including educational resources, and financial and retirement planning, all designed to help you grow in and out of the classroom. Stay for the door prizes All chapters are giving away amazing prizes. You could win an iPad on Oahu or a Hawaiian Airlines prize on Kauai, but for most of these giveaways, you must be present to win. Go to our full Institute page Or jump to island-specific information: Oahu | Hawaii Island | Kauai | Molokai | Maui and Lanai Hawaii teachers receive top honors Tonight, Ewa Makai Middle School teacher Cynthia Tong, left, was honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. She was one of five educators to receive the prestigious Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. View our full recap from Washington Earlier this week, Ala Wai Elementary Title I coordinator Sara King was surprised with the Milken Educator Award, known as the "Oscar Award of teaching," during a school-wide assembly. Teachers meet with state lawmakers for Lobby Day Members of HSTA's Government Relations Committee, which includes teachers from every island, gathered at the State Capitol to meet with lawmakers from their districts. View the full gallery. More stories and links Hawaii's union gains among top in the nation, defying national trend First-year Radford High School teacher wins classroom makeover Hundreds of volunteers bring Labor of Love to Hawaii Island school Click here for all recent stories on HSTA's website.

Posted 2-8-2019 (Dated 2-5-2019) Message from Rae Re: Teacher Institute Day, Tuesday Feb. 12 at Hilo High School; 10 Ways to take advantage of Teacher Institute Day

HSTA Teacher Institute Day 2019 Page updated: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 Teacher Institute Day began in the 1960s as a day for teachers to meet and work on school-related issues. In 1972, HSTA negotiated this important time into the contract to guard against it being taken away. In the early years, the Association used Teacher Institute Day to inform teachers about negotiations, lobbying, political action and grievance processing. As time progressed, HSTA introduced workshops to help teachers with their jobs and personal concerns such as retirement and health care. Teacher Institute Day is the single largest professional development day on the school calendar, covering a variety of topics – for professional and personal growth – and featuring noteworthy keynote speakers. In 2017, the focus of Institute Day was to inform teachers about negotiations and their contract. Thousands of teachers united and rallied and made their voices heard at the Hawaii State Capitol. As a result of strong collective action across the state that spring, the HSTA negotiated a nearly 14-percent pay hike over four years. We look forward to seeing you! Mark your calendar for Teacher Institute Day 2019 on your island during the week of Feb. 11 to 15. As a professional day, it is a work day, and teacher attendance is expected. It’s your professional obligation to be there! Hilo Chapter is also collecting non-perishable items for the Hawaii Island Food Basket.  Please encourage all your teachers to bring at least one canned good.  Collection will be at Rae’s table at Institute. Volunteers are still needed to help with registration.  Please contact Adrel Vicente at adrelv@gmail.com if you can assist. Thanks, Rae 2019 Teacher Institute Day Tuesday, Feb. 12, Hilo High School

We're just one week from the Hawaii State Teachers Association’s Teacher Institute Day in Hilo!

Teacher Institute Day is the single largest professional development day on the school calendar. Teachers use this day to network, work on school-related issues, and pursue professional and personal growth. You will also vote on your chapter officers and state NEA delegates.*

Teacher Institute Day is a chance to connect. We never want you to think, 'I hope you do this for us.' I’m very proud of the work we do as a union, but to be truly great, we must all take action together.

—HSTA President Corey Rosenlee

Here are 10 things you'll want to do when you get there:

Have a voice in HSTA leadership by exercising your right to vote.* Attend free workshops designed to help you grow in and out of the classroom. Visit exhibitors to score educator swag and take advantage of exclusive discounts. Network with fellow teachers and build camaraderie. Learn more about future EES changes and how they could impact you. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and coffee, while supplies last. Enter to win donated prizes from community businesses. Connect directly with HSTA leadership. Donate canned goods and/or non-perishable items to The Food Basket. Understand why we are #StrongerTogether as the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Visit our website for everything you need to know about Teacher Institute Day, including where to park, a list of workshops you can attend and much more!

Click here for more information

*Please bring your photo ID to receive a ballot. View HSTA's voting procedures here.