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