Good evening President Szymczack, Board Members, and Dr. Cain. As we move into the election season, the association hopes that the administration will assist us in encouraging all district employees and citizens to get out and vote. These are critical times and it is important that our students and citizens take the time to get familiar with the candidates and other items on the ballot. This is a huge race and we are looking forward to the candidate’s forum taking place at Klein Forest High School on October 21.

            The district Walktober Challenge is in full swing and doing well. We have a walking course at Doerre where I teach, and I’ve been using my smart phone as a pedometer to record my steps. I find that I’m walking between two to three miles a day while teaching. This is just one program we’ve engaged in as part of the wellness program. The association is supporting Mr. Stockton and the Benefits department in promoting the benefits of this plan to our employees.

            As we move into 2011 it is important that we give thought to the uncertain financial times ahead. Texas is looking at an 18-21 billion dollar deficit. We all know this is going to have a huge impact on public education. If we do not experience better economic times it is very possible that Klein ISD will be confronted with the dilemma of having to reduce staff.

            If Klein ISD is faced with the hardship requiring a reduction in force, then we need to be prepared. If a RIF is necessary, then on behalf of nearly 1000 members in Klein, I would like to chair a committee of educators and community members to research and prepare a report on the most equitable method of approaching a district wide reduction in force. We believe that the key stakeholders to be affected should sit on this committee, so their perspective can be presented. We hope that we would have this support of Administration and the Board of Trustees if this need were to arise.

            The association is currently presenting workshops to our members to provide educators the tools they need to improve their methods of instruction in the classroom. We want to do all we can to support our students and teachers. The association has teamed up with Sherry Matula, an educational consultant focusing on the new science curriculum. She will be presenting a Science Curriculum Workshop in November. Sherry is also a consultant of the PDAS evaluation system and will be proving PDAS Workshops.      

            As a member and a leader in the world’s largest education association, I am here to ensure that our members and others understand our purpose and why we exist. We exist to ensure the following: Our members believe that there should be a great public school for every child. We will work to make education a great experience for our children and their parents. Thank you.

Without exaggeration, this election is the most crucial for Texas’ public schools and educators in many years.  Hundreds of school districts around the state are financially strapped, thanks to an inadequately funded school finance system. And, with the Legislature facing a revenue shortfall as high as $21 billion when it convenes in January, the situation will become much worse, unless we elect new leadership in Austin.

At the behest of Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Education Agency already has proposed $261 million in cuts from the next public education budget, including $48 million for new textbook purchases, $35 million for science labs, $12.9 million for teacher mentoring, more than $16 million for dropout prevention programs, $11 million for middle school physical education and $42 million for the Student Success Initiative, a program designed to give special help to struggling students.

What’s more, a move already is underway to lift the 22-1 class-size limit on grades K-4, a key, longstanding reform that has helped promote quality teaching in the primary grades.

Think we sound alarmist? Ask one of the hundreds of Texas educators who already have lost their jobs. Hundreds more – including maybe you or someone you know – will follow them, if this slash-and-burn attack on the public schools isn’t stopped.

The halt can start on Election Day — but not without the help of educators.

Check out TSTA’s list of endorsed, pro-education candidates in the “Members Only” section of our website, www.tsta.org. Registration is required. There, you will find our choices in the governor’s race as well as state legislative, congressional and State Board of Education races. Our endorsements also are listed on page 8 in the new issue of the Advocate.

It is essential that educators who value their jobs, who care about their students’ futures, make phone calls and knock on doors for pro-education candidates…and then get out and vote! They also need to bring friends and family members with them to the polls. There is simply no excuse not to because too much is at stake.

Early voting will run from Oct. 18-29. Election Day is Nov. 2.

It also takes money:
Political campaigns are expensive, and TSTA’s candidates are competing against candidates heavily funded by voucher advocates, private school boosters and other interests who would undermine public education. Please consider contributing to TSTA-PAC, so we can help our candidates stay competitive.

Many school districts have discontinued the practice of deducting PAC contributions from employee paychecks since Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a legally questionable opinion earlier this year banning the practice. TSTA is developing an online way to make PAC contributions using your credit card. Please check www.tsta.org for updates. Click on the “Legislative” section.

It’s the last day to register to vote!

http://www.votexas.org/register_to_vote.html

As a TSTA member, you are a part of three organizations: the NEA, the state TSTA, and your local TSTA. Klein TSTA/NEA is committed to providing members with quality programs, opportunities, and events. Klein TSTA is your organization and you have the opportunity to get involved and shape what direction Klein TSTA/NEA takes.

The General Meeting is one of those events. At this meeting, we will discuss what new business we have coming up, such as the 2011 TSTA Representative Assembly in El Paso. Other topics will include  our bylaws, PAC contributions, the 2011 elections, and political events that may effect our classroom environment.

If you can attend this meeting, even if it’s only for a half hour, we’d really appreciate your presence and feedback. Even though our motto is “One Vision. One Voice,” it was never meant to be the vision of just a small group of people. Come out and be a part of a movement – be an active part of Klein TSTA

ESP Conference is Sept. 25 at Cy-fair

The Address for the ESP Conference in Houston is: Cy-Ridge High School, 7900 Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX 77041. A second conference will be held later in the year in Dallas. Click here for the registration card.

Agenda:

8:30-9:00am -Registration

9:00-9:30am -Welcome, Opening by TSTA President

9:30-11:30am -Concurrent Workshops

11:45-1:00pm -Lunch and Paula Monroe, Keynote Speaker

1:00-3:00pm -Concurrent Workshops

3:00-3:30pm – Closing by TSTA President

TSTA Houston ESP Conference Workshops:

Organizing in the Digital Age – A discussion-based workshop with samples from various media sources used in association with organizing (excel, group e-mail, texting). An introduction on how basic communication tools are used on a daily basis by our union members to quickly spread information to other members and worksites.

Working with Children of Diverse Backgrounds: The ESP Role – ESP’s interact with children on a daily basis; whether that is in the classroom, on the bus, in the cafeteria, classroom or office. Their role is key to the overall education process since they oftentimes get to know students personally. This training will focus on obtaining insight into tapping into the student’s personality and learning to use their strengths to enhance greater achievement in a variety of school settings.

Essential Rights that Public School Employees Should Know – Understanding your rights as an educational support professional -Discussion format with Help Center Staff. Topics to include Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Board Policies, State laws that impact the workplace.

NEA-Training: ESP Leadership and Assertiveness Workshop – Understanding the behaviors needed to be more assertive as a leader. Communications styles and leadership skill training for educational support professionals. This workshop is designed to help the ESP learn how to become more assertive and recognize the true asset they are in the public school setting and in their community.

We are looking forward to an active and lively board of trustees election this November. Currently, there are eight (8) people running for two (2) positions.

Information about the Candidates:

Position 6
Paul Lanham
Mark D. Taylor
Larry Allen (incumbent)
Johanna Ramos Dawson

Position 7
Steven E. Smith
W.R. (Rick) Mann (incumbent)
Kevin Weido
James B. Robinson

Important Dates:
July 25 – August 24, 2010
Time period to apply to have name placed on ballot

August 30, 2010, 5:00 pm, Central Office
Drawing for Ballot Placement

September 23, 2010
Candidates’ Workshop

October 18 through October 29, 2010
Early voting at designated Harris County precinct polling locations

October 21, 2010, 7:00 pm, Klein Forest High School
Candidates’ Forum

November 11, 2010, 7:00 pm, Central Office Board Room
Canvass of votes and swearing in of candidates

December 16, 2010, noon to 4:00 pm
New trustees’ orientation

Good evening President Szymczack, Board Members, and Dr. Cain. As a member and a leader in the world’s largest education association, I am here to ensure that our members and others understand our purpose and why Klein TSTA/NEA exists. Our Vision is a great public education for every student. Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent society. The following principles guide our work and define our mission.
Equal Opportunity: We believe public education is the gateway to opportunity. All students have the human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, independence, and character.
A Just Society: We believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society.
Democracy: We believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic. Public education provides individuals with the skills to be involved, informed, and engaged in our representative democracy.
Professionalism: We believe that the expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success. We maintain the highest professional standards, and we expect the status, compensation, and respect due all professionals.
Partnership: We believe partnerships with parents, families, communities, and other stakeholders are essential to quality public education and student success.
Collective Action: We believe individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. As education professionals, we improve both our professional status and the quality of public education when we unite and advocate collectively.
At this time I would like to introduce the Klein TSTA/NEA officers:
Vice President: Darlene Sentesi
Treasurer: Cynthia Lyman
Secretary: Vanessa Riley
ESP Director: Deborah Hays
The recession has presented some interesting challenges for all the stakeholders involved in public education. Administration had to tackle serious financial matters to keep the district afloat. Educators, parents and students are doing a lot more with less to meet the expectations established by the state and district. As we move into the new school year we hope to establish a collaborative working relationship with Dr. Cain and his staff to ensure the success of our students.
Student success is a product of motivated teachers and education support professionals. It is essential that classroom teachers and all education employees are supported in all facets of the learning process for our students. It is critical that any directives placed on an educator are reasonable, because our educators are parents of young children and caretakers of family members. We also have those with supplemental employment in order to pay bills and support their children in college. On behalf of the Klein TSTA/NEA I would like to thank you for this opportunity to speak.

Join TSTA and Sherri Matula for a presentation on the new science curriculum!

Here is a short breakdown on what will be covered:

part 1:  the basics – how the curriculum is set up with a Q/A time
part 2: the curriculum – possible stacking of curriculum K-12 into strands for understanding before and after concepts
part 3: the vocabulary – working with vocabulary and how to plan out year in 2-3 week blocks to complement district curriculum
part 4: the lesson plan: – Planning out a lesson or unit study using 5E
part 5: Q/A and wrap up

This event will take place on Saturday, September 18th at the Cy-Creek EMS – 7111 Five Forks, Spring, TX 77379 (map can be found here).

Klein TSTA is looking for social butterflies to serve on the 2010 Social Committee! All interested members are encouraged to attend the fist general meeting of the year to sign up. You can also leave a comment and we will get back with you!