May 10, 2011 Jefferson County Education Association Volume 36, Issue #8

The JCEA Insight

Stay informed! Visit: www.jcea-cea.org

Democracy in action at AssemblyCEA Delegate Assembly

Hundreds of teachers and classified staff, including more than 70 elected JCEA delegates, gathered at the DTC Marriott last week to participate in CEA’s 85th annual Delegate Assembly. Delegates discussed and voted on a number of resolutions that will shape the future of our association and elected future leadership of CEA including at-large representatives for the CEA Board of Directors.

Delegates voted on and approved several resolutions including one that gives the CEA board the ability to lower dues in times of economic crisis and continuation of both the Every Member Option (EMO) and the Public Relations special assessments to help increase awareness and increase support for public education.

CEA launches fiscal campaignOne of the most exciting

presentations was the unveiling of CEA’s ‘Take the Lead’ campaign — a coordinated campaign to improve school finance in Colorado by 2012 — by Tony Salazar, CEA Executive Director. The goal of the campaign is to pass a statewide ballot measure by 2012 that will increase school funding in Colorado.

The campaign will involve educating members about the state fiscal crisis, building public awareness about the importance of education

funding, mobilizing our members to help get it passed, building coalitions and increasing our local capacity.

“We have an incredible opportunity to increase our organizational capacity and change the public education funding structures in Colorado,” said Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President.

JCEA’s Dallman announces candidacy for CEA PresidentJCEA President Kerrie Dallman

announced her candidacy for CEA President. Elections will take place next April at the annual CEA Delegate Assembly. Colleen Heinz, the current CEA Vice President, and Jody

Dosher from Cherry Creek Education Association also announced their candidacies for president.

Ami Baca from Adams 12 and Kim Wass from Greeley, announced their candidacies for CEA Vice President.

“Delegate Assembly was an exciting and energetic experience.” said Kay Evans, Arvada HS Social Studies teacher and JCEA board member. “It felt good to be among fellow educators and supporters of public education. It gave me tremendous hope for the future of my profession and motivated me to get more involved in the political processes that directly affect my students and my colleagues.”

It has been a challenging year for JCEA’s bargaining team, which is still at the table finishing up non-economic issues, following the Employee Summit in March. The whole contract is up this year and we’ve been dealing with a number of issues that don’t always get to the table in off years. Below is a summary of what we are currently working on at the bargaining table:•The development of a task force to

study SB 191 and determination of how to best implement this legislation. We will start that work over the summer.

•New processes for collaborative decision making in line with District professional development such as Adaptive Schools and Success in Sight.

•Watching the Strategic Compensation pilot and other innovative systems for lessons learned that could affect compensation district-wide in the future.

•Staffing decisions are always a part of bargaining discussions, and with the budget pressures, efficient use of staffing dollars is more important than ever. We continue to discuss staffing and how to manage larger class sizes.

•Workload is always a perennial issue and is more difficult to address with increasing class sizes and fewer dollars. The team hopes that more early release days for K-8 will be helpful. JCEA and the District are describing “best practices” for

the use of these days. Part of the days will be used for collaborative planning and data analysis with the Leadership Advisory Team participating in the planning. These days are not intended for additional duties or stand alone professional development such as book studies.

•Smaller groups within JCEA such as Nurses and AMP teachers have brought their issues to the bargaining team. We also have a small number of teachers working exclusively in Virtual Academy — an environment very different than a bricks and mortar school.

•We will change contract language and sign a memorandum of understanding to implement budget cuts agreed to at the Summit. We reduced the number of contract days to 183 to reflect the four non-contact days we will not be working and not be paid for next year. This ensures that the District will have to “buy back” those days in the future.

•The two student contact furlough days will be part of an MOU and will be readdressed next year for 2012-13.

•The reductions in elementary teachers will be reflected in an MOU agreement to increase elementary class size ranges by one additional student (two additional students from what is in the published contract language). The salary schedule will be

published with the 3% pay cut to reflect

the four fewer non-contact days and the two student contact furlough days. [To figure your annual pay for next year, take THIS year’s per diem (annual salary divided by 187) and multiply that by 181.]

As is always the case, the tentative agreement is subject to JPS Board approval and ratification by JCEA members. As soon as bargaining is completed, we will send ARs a copy of all language changes and all MOUs which will also be posted on our website.

Contract ratification voting will be held in all buildings as soon as possible. Voting will be on paper ballots for this important ratification of a new four-year agreement. We urge all JCEA members to read the documents and vote when the voting window is announced.

Your bargaining team thanks all JCEA members and leaders for their support through a difficult process.

Bargaining Team members: Stephi Rossi, Chair, Wheat Ridge HS; Erin Watzel, Vivian Elem.; Ryan Cole, Jefferson HS; Kristy Parsons, Carmody MS (currently serving as coordinator of Strategic Comp pilot); Barbara Taylor, Pomona HS; Mary Bivens, Mitchell Elem. (currently working in Strategic Comp); Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President; and Lisa Elliott, JCEA Executive Director.

Bargaining continues after Summit

Elected JCEA delegates exercise their voting rights during one of many opportunities to shape the future of the Association at the 2011 CEA Delegate Assembly the last weekend of April.

Briefly NotedA summary of news items of

interest to our members

Strategic Comp schools categorized in May

Mathematica, the external project evaluator for the Strategic Comp pilot, will name the 10 design schools and the 10 control schools in May. See details on page 2.

District clarifies child abuse stance

Last month The Insight reported on the district’s child abuse policy and, after further discussion with JPS, is printing a clarification of district policy on page 2.

OpinionsPresident Kerrie Dallman writes

about the Association “owning what it says.” Executive Director Lisa Elliott relates the question “What has JCEA done for me?” to the statement “Look at what we’ve accomplished together.” And Insight cartoonist Craig Gessen provokes with his end-of-the-year cartoon. See page 3.

Retirees recognizedRetiring JCEA members were

recognized at the the May 10 Council and are listed on page 6.

Time to get involved in school board election

It’s not too early to start thinking about next fall’s JPS school board election. See why this election is so important, what you can do to help, and how collective action can “shape tomorrow today.” Page 9.

Columnist takes us through her year

Find out why columnist Amy Thomas says “Teaching is a job I cherish.” Page 11.

For Your InformationLast chance for Professional

Growth Funding, EAP comments for the end of the school year, opportunity for discounted ABBA tickets, how you can help Save Outdoor Lab, Debbie Benefield gets CEA Friend of Education award, CEA-R Lifetime dues bargain, JCEA’s newly elected leaders, and JCEA says goodbye to longtime employee Sue Dowdy. Details on page 12.

Page 2 — INSIGHT — May 10, 2011

Contract News & Information

Teacher representatives and principals from pilot schools worked with district staff this year to develop significant details of Jeffco’s new strategic compensation plan, which focuses on best practices and teacher collaboration to help students succeed.

Teacher input from an online survey last May (2,367 licensed staff responded) and two rounds of follow-up focus groups informed those details.

Yet one significant detail is out of our hands — the designation of the 10 pilot schools that will be design schools and the 10 that will be control schools. That’s the role of Mathematica, the external project evaluator that will measure and report the results of Jeffco’s pilot to the U.S. Department of Education.

This month Mathematica will announce the control and pilot schools. In the next four years, teachers in design schools will have the opportunity to earn financial stipends for achieving outstanding results with students and earning excellent evaluations. Teachers in control schools will receive a 1% annual participation stipend.

Teacher Input For example, teachers said a

priority of the new plan should be to help educators share their expertise and collaborate with each other with mentoring other teachers as the top priority.

All pilot schools will have master and mentor teachers who will share their expertise with colleagues — as well as support teachers who will cover classes so teachers in these schools can meet in teams to work toward student achievement goals.

The highest paid teachers in pilot schools will be top performers who lead their colleagues as master and

mentor teachers, work a longer school year and provide support to help their peers increase student achievement.

Regardless of the designation, licensed staff in all pilot schools will receive more instructional support and release time as follows: Mentor and master teachers for instructional support and data analysis; job-embedded professional development; one additional planning period each week for collaboration with colleagues; and four to six observations annually for more regular feedback

“One of my hopes for the pilot is to research the impact of peer observations so teachers receive regular feedback that helps them grow as educators and adjust their instruction to improve student achievement,” said JCEA President Kerrie Dallman.

Action researchLast fall the U.S. Department of

Education awarded $442 million in this round of Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) grants. Jeffco was one of 62 awards nationwide — and one of only two in Colorado.

Lessons learned from the first round of TIF award grantees shows those alternative compensation systems that make a difference for student learning encourage the spread of teaching expertise; honor teachers as individuals and teams; involve teachers, principals, district staff and community members in design and implementation; and create teacher leader positions with significant additional compensation to analyze data, provide instructional support and evaluate staff.

This information has driven Jeffco’s approach to strategic compensation. We’re investing our TIF grant to research what makes the most

difference in improving student learning.

“We’ll learn as we go, and we may make changes based on teachers’ experiences about what’s working and what’s not,” Dallman said. “Through this pilot, the district will determine best practices that all schools can implement in the future.”

CollaborationResearch from the Center for

Adaptive Schools indicates that who teachers are to each another is as important as who they are to their students. In high-performing and improving schools, studies show that collaboration is the norm (Little, 1982; Newman & Associates, 1997).

Collaboration is a hallmark of Jeffco’s new strategic compensation plan. In fact, in our research last May, 89% of online survey participants said more time to collaborate with other educators was among their top two hopes for strategic compensation along with more public support for teachers. Eighty-four percent said improved student achievement was a best hope.

In focus groups, teachers said they recognize there is a lot of expertise and brilliance in classrooms and they want to learn from sharing strategies with colleagues.

“I hope that the additional planning time each week provides teachers working in teams the time to solve problems and have thoughtful RtI conversations,” said Dallman.

Watch for more updates next year as pilot schools begin to test the impact of Jeffco’s strategic compensation plan on increasing student achievement — and attracting, retaining and rewarding top educators.

For information, visit: www.JeffcoStrategicCompensation.org

Strategic Compensation design, control pilot schools to be announced in May

Involuntary Transfer Process

The involuntary transfer process this year has been especially complicated.

Due to budget cuts and timing of hiring into the Strategic Compensation schools, we have more people on the involuntary transfer list than ever before.

As a result, many teachers have been placed in temporary positions. The intent is for all teachers to eventually be placed in ongoing permanent positions.

Because teachers have to interview for the Strategic Compensation positions, there is a lack of ongoing openings at this time. Once the Strategic Compensation positions are filled, more ongoing permanent positions will be vacated (by those teachers filling the Strategic Compensation positions), which will allow permanent teachers currently placed in temporary positions to be placed in ongoing positions.

We also anticipate other ongoing positions to open as a result of later notifications of retirements and resignations.

JCEA has waived the April 30 deadline for involuntary transfer placements in order to provide an opportunity for members who are currently in temporary placements to get placed in permanent ongoing positions.

The Trans fer Overs ight Committee is also convening and can help address member concerns about this process. For more information, please contact the JCEA office.

Selection CommitteesAs positions become open in

your building, it is important to clearly understand Article 34-3.

This section requires that a committee be formed for each vacancy in a building.

Fifty percent of the committee shall be comprised of teachers and at least 50% of the teachers need to be chosen by the faculty in the department, grade level or team in which the vacancy exists.

JCEA strongly encourages faculty to elect all teachers on the selection committee.

If your building will be completing hiring over the summer you should select your committee before the end of the school year to ensure proper representation.

Somet imes a se lec t ion committee cannot come to consensus regarding an applicant. Pursuant to Article 34-5-4 the committee may re-interview the top two candidates to attempt to reach consensus. If consensus still cannot be reached, then majority rules, which is why it is important to have an odd number of people on the committee. Only when there is a tie does the Principal make the final decision.

Last month JCEA reported on a number of teachers who had been placed on administrative leave due to child abuse allegations. After further discussion with the District, we would like to clarify the District’s position (and dilemma).

By law, of course, any education employee who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a student has been abused or neglected or who has observed circumstances or conditions which would reasonably result in child abuse must report to law enforcement or Social Services.

So if a parent or child alleges that an employee abused or assaulted a student, the district must report it or face legal consequences for failure to do so. Sometimes another employee makes a complaint about a colleague’s treatment of a student. That area becomes more difficult.

If a child is mistreated or abused in an adult’s presence, that person should intervene in the moment to stop the abuse. Sometimes, however, a teacher will be reported by another employee who witnessed the event but did not intervene at the time. These situations seem more complex.

Sometimes, unfortunately, education employees do abuse children. Other times however a colleague sees something from across a room and reports it. When the investigation determines the

District’s child abuse stance clarifiedfacts and it is not abuse or assault, the investigated employee who has been put on paid administrative leave is returned to duty, but feels that his or her integrity has been called into question.

Allen Taggart, the District’s Legal Counsel and Executive Director of Employee Relations, noted, “It’s not the job of the school employee to make the determination as to whether the conduct constitutes the crime of child abuse. That is up to law enforcement. If the employee guesses wrong about whether some unusual or agressive physical conduct by another school employee toward a student was child abuse and fails to report, he or she could be prosecuted criminally for failure to report.”

The District is trying to follow the law and keep students safe, while ensuring that a fair investigation puts an innocent employee back to work as quickly as possible.

If you are placed on administrative leave, call JCEA immediately so we can assist you and refer you to legal counsel at CEA if necessary.

You may have JCEA representation at investigative interviews by District personnel, and you may want to seek legal counsel, especially if interviewed by law enforcement.

Anytime you are faced with a potential criminal charge, CEA recommends you speak to an attorney.

Also remember that even if law enforcement determines no criminal act took place, you may be subject to District disciplinary action for violation of District policy.

Frequently teachers are advised to not touch students at all. That is good advice, but difficult to follow. Use common sense. Do not touch a student in anger, even if it is to gently lead him to the office.

Affection is best demonstrated by a smile — perhaps a touch on a student’s head or arm — but be sensitive to students who do not wish to be touched at all.

Comforting a student in distress should be age and gender appropriate. Frankly, male teachers need to exhibit an abundance of caution. Even young children should not sit on a teacher’s lap. Helping students after school should occur in rooms with the doors open or, better yet, in the school’s library.

Never take a student home in your car. If a student seems stranded, help call a parent, or even call law enforcement. If an elementary student is still stranded at school after hours awaiting pickup.

Unfortunately, students are harmed by trusted adults at school. Fortunately, though, that is an extremely small minority. The rest of us, however, must face additional scrutiny because of the few.

May 10, 2011 — INSIGHT — Page 3

Editorials & Opinions

by Kerrie Dallman JCEA President

Our Association owns what it says

What has JCEA done for me lately?

by Lisa ElliottJCEA Executive Director

The JCEA Insight is the official publication of the Jefferson County Education Association,

1447 Nelson St., Lakewood, CO 80215Phone: 303-232-6405; FAX 303-238-2215

Web site: www.jcea-cea.org.Affiliated with the

Colorado Education Association and National Education Association.

Production staff:Kathy Michienzi Rendon: Director of CommunicationsMaryann Trembath: Editor

Jon DeStefano: Advertising Manager (303-987-3994)The opinions expressed in The JCEA Insight are not necessarily those of the editorial staff or JCEA. Responses of less than 350 words are welcome as Letters to the Editor. JCEA also does not necessarily endorse the advertisers.

The JCEA Mission Statement

The Jefferson County Education Association exists to empower

educators to advocate for professional rights, responsibilities and practices to achieve educational excellence

within a changing society.

In my opinion a coward hides behind anonymity. If you have something to say and you believe in it you ought to own it, at least so others can engage you in a dialogue.

The recent launch of “Step Up for Colorado” and their super slick television and radio commercials is a great example of an individual/organization with a lot of money whose only interest is to paint a poor picture of teachers and their associations.

In case you’ve missed the commercials they go something like this…. “You wouldn’t want a below average mechanic fixing the brakes on your car. You wouldn’t want a below average surgeon taking out your child’s tonsils. So, why do we risk our child’s future by employing below average teachers?” Then the image of a sleeping teacher with her legs propped up on her desk in her classroom fills the screen.

Never mind the obvious fact that a proportion of any group has to be “below average” (unless you live in Lake Wobegon!), but the people behind this ad aren’t really interested in improving public education. They desire to destroy it, and they know that the strongest protection public education has is teachers and their union.

It’s a shame that the people behind such a “great” tag line missed the opportunity to bring various stakeholders together and is instead pulling at people’s emotional heartstrings and then pointing the finger at the teachers’ unions for creating the problem. And who is behind this group? I can’t tell you because no author, funder, etc., is listed on their website.

What I can tell you is that most of the links on their website trace back to super conservative economists who have made a living out of blaming the National Education Association and its members for all that is wrong in public education.

It is ad campaigns like “Step Up for Colorado” that remind me why it is important to belong to the NEA. I entered teaching because I wanted to make a difference in the life of a child and I belong to JCEA/CEA/NEA because they share my beliefs and I know that collectively we can make a difference for our students and our members.

I am proud to be a union member and equally proud that my association doesn’t hide behind anonymity. We are an organization that owns what it says. Take a look at NEA’s vision, mission, and values and decide who you think is working for the benefit of all of our students.

The National Education Association Vision, Mission, Values

We, the members of the National Education Association of the United States, are the voice of

education professionals. Our work is fundamental to the nation, and we accept the profound trust placed in us.

Our Vision is a great public school for every student.

Our Mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

Our Core Values are principles that 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.

NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. In pursuing its mission, NEA has determined that we will focus the energy and resources of our 3.2 million members on improving the quality of teaching, increasing student achievement and making schools safer, better places to learn.

Someone asked me that question the other day. And while I think it’s a fair question, I think it exposes a central misconception about union membership and how unions work. Our critics are persistently trying to separate “The Union” from our educator members. Teachers are OK; it’s those nasty unions that are to blame for education’s woes. But it’s impossible to separate the two. The union IS its members. JCEA is not the four people who work in our office; it’s not just Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President. The union is all our members, working together to improve both our working conditions and our students’ learning conditions. While some members go to more association meetings than others, and some are politically active while others less so, all of us contribute to the success or failure of our goals.

I frequently tell people that I left my magic wand at the office. I have to repeat this because many people assume if they share a problem or concern with a JCEA staff person or leader, we will be able to “pouf” fix the problem. While we can and do troubleshoot and call District employees to try to solve problems, the most difficult issues require that members at the affected building organize themselves to push administration to collaboratively solve issues. Our success depends on a number of factors, including the relationships we (members and staff) have developed with building and District administrators and the ability of a group of members to act in solidarity towards a shared goal. JCEA staff is here to support and educate our members around goal setting and tactics, but ultimately the members have to decide what they want and what they are willing to do to get it.

I’m amazed at what people are willing to put up with — years of no duty free lunch or planning time; working full time on a half time contract; abusive treatment from colleagues or a supervisor. It doesn’t have to be this way! Are the solutions easy? Not always. But the solutions are there and they are certainly easier to find when you’re working with your colleagues and your union.

While you are hard at work teaching all day, there are CEA and JCEA staff working on your behalf. Maybe we don’t do a good enough job of keeping you posted of our progress; but then, we know you are too busy to read umpteen emails. But here are some of the things that happened (or did NOT happen) at the state capitol, due at least in part to CEA/JCEA efforts, both staff and countless members who lobbied, emailed, or made phone calls.

• K-12 funding was cut, but in the end not as deeply as originally feared.

• PERA was not weakened by ill-conceived laws, including one that would have increased your PERA contribution and decreased your take home pay by 2.5%.

• The PERA board will still have strong representation from participating groups (like school employees).

• Tax credits for private school enrollment or home schooling was defeated.

As we know, we don’t win all our battles, whether in Washington D. C., the state capitol, or at the Jeffco Ed Center. But the better we communicate and organize, the greater our chances of success will be. And maybe next time, instead of the question of what has JCEA done for me lately, we’ll have a conversation about “Look at what we’ve accomplished together this year!”

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Thank you for your dedicated service to JCEA, JPS and our profession!

2011 JCEA RetireesAnn O’Brien, Teacher, Librarian, Belmar Elementary

Anne Keen, Occupational Therapist, Bergen Meadow Primary

Annette Acevedo-Martinez, Teacher, Foothills Elementary

Arlene Kester, Teacher, Shelton Elementary

Arthur Aspinall, Teacher, Oberon Middle

Autumn Montgomery, Teacher, Ralston Elementary

Beth Kramer, Teacher, Lakewood Senior

Betty Beck, Teacher, Welchester Elementary

Bonnie Baumgart, Teacher, Bradford Primary

Candace Birch-Sterling, Teacher, Chatfield Senior

Carolyn Durgin, Teacher, Foothills Elementary

Cheryl McDowell, Teacher, Adams Elementary

Christie Spanarella, Instructional Coach, Fitzmorris Elementary

Claire Holtgrewe, Teacher, Fairmount Elementary

Clara Alexander, Teacher, Stober Elementary

Dean Speliotes, Teacher, Secrest Elementary

Deborah MacCary, Counselor, Summit Ridge Middle

Debra Kamens, Teacher, Ute Meadows Elementary

Debra Miller, Teacher, Pomona Senior

Diane Hitpas, Instructional Coach, Peck Elementary

Donna Bucholz, Teacher, Child Find/Preschool Services

Dorothy Murray, Teacher, Bradford Intermediate

Dorsee Johnson-Tucker, Teacher, Lakewood Senior

Duncan Guild, Teacher, Child Find/Preschool

Edward Weinell, Teacher, Golden Senior

Eileen Robinson-Lien, Teacher, West Jefferson Elementary

Elizabeth Hofmann, Coordinator - Diverse Learners

Ellen Cowan, Teacher, Arvada K-8

Ellen Ehlers, Teacher Librarian, Sierra Elementary

Gina Deal, Teacher, Powderhorn Elementary

Gwendola Vann, Teacher, Little Elementary

Harry Beerman, Teacher, Columbine Senior

Heidi Langdon, Teacher, Stott Elementary

Jacalyn Miller, Teacher, Conifer Senior

Janelle Ward, Teacher, Deane Elementary

Jeffery Ingram, Teacher, Oberon Middle

Jennifer Davenport, Teacher, South Lakewood Elementary

Jill Brazil, Teacher, Powderhorn Elementary

Jonova Mattox, Teacher, Ken Caryl Middle

Judy Zimmerman, Teacher, Mitchell Elementary

Karen Carter, Teacher, Chatfield Senior

Karen Horn, Counselor, D’Evelyn Junior/Senior

Kathleen Milano, Teacher, Lakewood Senior

Kathleen Schafer, Teacher, Fremont Elementary

Leslie Haase, Teacher, SIED

Linda Husson, Teacher, Fitzmorris Elementary

Linda Kunhart, Teacher, Moore Middle

Linda Omdahl, Teacher, Ute Meadows Elementary

Lorena Poppleton, Teacher, Shaffer Elementary

Luanne Todd, Instructional Coach, Evergreen Middle

Luba Pyrih, Teacher, Mandalay Middle

M. Kay Newcomer, Instructional Coach, Bear Creek Senior

Marcella Hiebert, Teacher, Wheat Ridge Senior

Mark Collings, Teacher, Chatfield Senior

Mark Leachman, Teacher, Bear Creek Senior

Michael Mattingly, Teacher, Standley Lake Senior

Michelle Lieberman, Teacher, Normandy Elementary

Michelle O’Laughlin, Teacher, Wilmot Elementary

Nancy Snyder, Teacher, Bradford Primary

Patricia Davis, Teacher, Stein Elementary

Patricia Fochi, Teacher, Wilmore-Davis Elementary

Patricia Maxwell, Speech/Language, Foothills Elementary

Patricia Rhodes, Teacher, Prospect Valley Elementary

Patricia Seibert, Teacher, Prospect Valley Elementary

Patricia Taylor, Teacher, Dutch Creek Elementary

Richard King, Teacher, Mandalay Middle

Richelieu Hastings, Teacher, Green Mountain Senior

Robin Rommerdahl, Teacher, Kullerstrand Elementary

Ronald Lawrence, Teacher, Bear Creek Senior

Rosalyn Munsart, Teacher, Kyffin Elementary

Royce Gupton, Teacher, Maple Grove Elementary

Ruth Arnold, Teacher Librarian, Mortensen Elementary

Sandra Davidson, Teacher, West Jefferson Middle

Sandra Lott, Instructional Coach, Jefferson Senior

Sheralyn Heffner, Counselor, Bear Creek Senior

Stephen Spoor, Teacher, Vanderhoof Elementary

Susan DeCamp, Teacher, Shelton Elementary

Susan Graim, Teacher, Green Mountain Senior

Susan Leviker, Psychologist, Slater Elementary

Tamra Carpenter, Counselor, Arvada Senior

Tara Masonier, Teacher, Dunstan Middle

Thomas Adorney, Teacher, Ute Meadows Elementary

Valerie Montano, Teacher, Edgewater Elementary

Valerie Myers, Teacher, Falcon Bluffs Middle

Vicki Olson, Teacher, North Arvada Middle

Virginia Champlin, Teacher, Ute Meadows Elementary

Virginia Zachman, Teacher, Maple Grove Elementary

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You can ‘Shape Tomorrow Today’ through your collective action

Thanks to the hard work and lobbying of many JCEA and other CEA members, the original state funding cuts for 2011-2012 were reduced over $100 million! That means the cuts Jeffco needs to make in 2012-13 will be reduced.

The governor’s budget proposal in January included cutting Colorado schools an additional $330 million on

Jeffco’s future at risk with 2011 BOE electionsCan you guess which Jeffco

Board member voted in favor of the elimination of teacher due process rights, described school as “stupid,” publicly stated her support for three ballot initiatives that would have bankrupted schools and has been

advocating that teachers take a 10% pay cut each year for the next three years?

If you guessed Laura Boggs, you are correct. Now, can you imagine what our district would look like if the majority of the Jeffco school board were just like Boggs?

This depressing scenario could become our reality this November if we aren’t successful in getting quality pro-public education candidates elected. Two school board seats are up this fall and we’ve heard that Laura Boggs supporters plan to invest $3 million in local Jeffco races involving the school board and city council. Don’t let out-of-state partisan groups buy a non-partisan election.

While we can’t match that kind of money, we do have power in the number of people we can mobilize to educate voters about which candidates will save our school district and which may seek to destroy it.

It is estimated that 70% of Jeffco voters do not have children in public schools, which raises the level of urgency with which we need to think about this campaign.

Typically, local elections have very low voter turnout, which means that a small group of people can make a huge impact.

So far, only one candidate — retired JPS teacher and administrator Jill Fellman — has launched a

campaign.The deadline for candidates to file

and declare their candidacy is August 26. JCEA’s political action committee will convene at that time to interview candidates and determine which are the best for the future of our school district.

“We have so much at stake that now more than ever we must mobilize and make sure that pro-public education candidates win,” said Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President.

If we lose the two open seats to “too extreme for Colorado” candidates, we could become the next voucher district and could lose our contract.

What can be done right now?Although the election isn’t until

November, it’s not too early to get involved.

JCEA is asking that each building recruit a Collective Action Captain who can help communicate with members in their building and coordinate voter education events in the area surrounding their schools.

It is urgent that we put in the necessary effort to save our school

district and our contract. Here are three simple things you

and your fellow members can do to save our schools:

1. Commit to take action: Send your name and home email address to Diane Shelley at dshelley@coloradoea.org and commit to working just 4 hours for JCEA recommended board of education candidates in the late summer and early fall. If every JCEA member volunteered just 4 hours, we could contribute nearly 1,600,000 hours working

top of the $260 million they were cut for 2010-11.

With CEA member pressure, the 2011-12 cuts were reduced to $250 million in the senate and an additional $22.5 million in the house education committee.

Your JCEA legislative liaisons and other JCEA members have lobbied your legislators, wrote hundreds of emails explaining how the funding cuts are hurting their students and walked and talked for pro-public education candidates. Their collective action has helped reduce the cuts to K-12 education.

We must continue this trend and increase the number of members who are participating in collective action to save our schools. For more information on how you can get involved, contact Larry Spotts at lspotts@coloradoea.org.

for supporters of great public schools in Jeffco.

2. Promote power Power allows us to achieve member goals. Sign up a new member today! Contact your Association Rep (AR) for the forms.

3. Speak out and speak out often: Tell how your students are being hurt. It is easy to do. Just go to CEA website at www.coloradoea.org and click on ADVOCACY.

If every JCEA member did a little to shape tomorrow today, we could accomplish a lot.

‘We have so much at stake that now more than ever we must mobilize and make

sure that pro public education candidates win.’ Kerrie Dallman, JCEA President

Association members testify at a House Education Committee hearing

Page 10 — INSIGHT — May 10, 2011

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May 10, 2011 — INSIGHT — Page 11

Note: Ads have been removed prior to posting on the website

Amy Thomas is a veteran elementary teacher at Witt whose opinions are her own and not necessarily those of JCEA. Her column alternates monthly with Mike Deeble’s, who will be writing from a secondary teacher point of view. By definition, columnists provide provocative perspective. They make us react, laugh and get angry, but mostly they are written to make us think! Responses are welcome as “Letters to the Editor” and will be published as per Insight policy.

We’ve come full circle

by Amy Thomas

Everything in August is crisp and clean. Clothes, haircuts, school supplies, desks…and everyone is on their best behavior.

I’m introduced to my new set of sprouts full of potential and eager to grow. They hang on to their mother’s pant legs for as long as they can, tentatively smiling at me. They are all so sweet I coo.

True to Mrs. Spitzer I tend to them, nurture them and provide them the sustenance they need to grow — all the while accounting for their differences. Our time together is brief, and to make optimum impact on their future growth I must adjust to their learning styles, strengths and weaknesses.

Momentarily, they believe everything I say. They think I’m kind, smart, artistic and pretty. They’ve a lot to learn. We spend days working on building community and mutual respect. We role play making new friends and learn how to handle conflict. In just a few weeks we are one big happy family touting bumper sticker wisdom.

It’s more than a bit tumultuous as we learn to work together. It’s not a happy day when kids realize they don’t know nearly as much as they thought they did. They look at me in sheer disbelief when the sum of their efforts is challenged. How dare I ask for more!

Then the bloom comes off the rose — we’ve been actors playing roles and we’ve tired of our audience.

One by one the kids realize they’ve been hoodwinked into working, really working. They take pride in their accomplishments but secretly wish me ill and dream of a younger more fun-loving teacher who teaches skills by osmosis.

Drawing families into our circle is not my forte. Parents let me know my behavioral and academic expectations are too high. They question my considerations for their child’s special needs. I have to convince parents that 2nd graders can responsibly do most anything and that we need not give them constant guidance and reminders. They’re going to fall down, I tell them, and get up all the stronger. When we run interference, I explain, they miss opportunities to grow. It’s really my job, I insist, to push them out of their comfort zones — educators call that the zone of proximal development.

Yes I recognize their child is unique. I might well know their quirks; but when all is said and done, their darling needs to work in concert with groups of kids. I used to work more on improving my tact with parents. Currently I’m going with the pull-off-the-bandage-fast model so we can move forward. I’m hoping I’m the kind of influence parents appreciate more in retrospect than in the moment.

Winter arrives and with it my period of malcontent. Student improvement isn’t matching my efforts. Desks look like they’ve been bombed. I take deep

breaths when students make offbeat comments, convincing myself “I can do something with this” and muscle through. I try to remind myself to enjoy my kids — I want to hit the fast forward button to June.

I’m interchangeably frustrated/exuberant, enthralled/fed up, exhausted/energized, tongue tied/verbose, boring/engaging. I’m disheartened. Their needs are too severe and too many. I’m working way more hours than my husband wants me to, and I’m not even short of being behind.

And then — just when I need it most — there’s an awakening. A microcosm for the definition of community which we worked so hard to instill in August begins to rear its head. It’s subtle. Kids change their pronouns from I to we. One peer credits another for giving him/her a kernel of an idea when sharing something phenomenal. A class project takes on an energy all its own. Kids’ ideas for extending on lessons are far superior to what I’d envisioned. My worries lesson; my hopes soar.

We collectively laugh more and have a communal pride. When one hurts, we all do. Kids begin to recognize and compliment peers on their growth. We all say “we” more than “I.” Kids stop short of asking me something they realize they can solve. We listen to each other — evidenced by referencing others as we speak. Some students (I dare say) learn more

from the community than they do from my instruction.

The tone of conversations around my inquiries “What went well?” “What do we need to work on?” or “Name something you’ve just done that you want to do more of” reflects a maturity I’m convinced is well beyond their years.

The kids surprise me time and again. I find myself conducting handwriting analysis on a writing piece to confirm the author, science notebooks are comprehensive and beautifully organized, a reserved child excels on an oral presentation....I savor the moments.

I no longer dismay. My sprouts are uncurling their little leaves and growing buds. Some are undeniably blooming. My engine is more than refueled. I pack memories away and close the door on another chapter. Teaching is a job I cherish.

Page 12 — INSIGHT — May 10, 2011

For Your InformationProfessional Growth Funds

Professional Growth Funds are a negotiated benefit for JPS educators to attend professional and instructional conferences in accordance with Article 15-2 of the Master Agreement.

Applicants must submit three (3) copies of Form #942 (available from school secretaries or on the “teaching” page of the JCEA website) and a personal letter outlining the request. Registration forms and other conference information should also be included.

Application deadline for July/August conferences was April 29 with an appeals deadline of May 13. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

Send completed applications to the following Professional Growth Funds Committee members: Elementary—Denise Cook, Zerger; Middle School—Jennifer Widdowfield, Carmody MS; High School—Heather McAdams, Wheat Ridge HS; and SERS/Special Education—Jen Marquez, Wheat Ridge HS.

Please, do not send applications to the JCEA office!

To maximize the money available, the committee will fund conferences according to the following priorities: release days will be funded first, registration second, and travel last.

As you consider attending professional conferences and applying for funding through Professional Growth Funds, please keep the budget and funding priorities in mind.

Please direct all questions to Peggy Muhn, Human Resources, 303-982-6546 or by email at pmuhn@jeffco.k12.co.us

JCEA says farewell to Sue Dowdy

On April 29, JCEA said goodbye to Secretary Sue Dowdy. Sue spent the last 29 years working for CEA and JCEA, 24 of them at JCEA. She was a dedicated staff member who provided critical support to the JCEA office.

Sue has taken a position working at the nursing home where her mother lives. She will be greatly missed by many members and staff.

If you would like to send her your well wishes, please contact the JCEA office and we will pass on your message.

Enjoy ABBA discount, help Channel 12

What a deal! Buy your tickets at a savings and support public television.

You are eligible to get tickets for the ABBA concert, Saturday, July 30 at 8 pm at Red Rocks at an incredible low price of $28, plus a low-cost service charge of only $3 per ticket through Channel 12.

Call 303-296-1212, Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm or online at http//www.cpt12.org//abba_concert

CEA Retired Life Dues At its June 11, 2010 meeting, the

CEA Board of Directors adopted a retired lifetime dues increase for the 2011-12 fiscal-year. CEA retired lifetime dues will go from $125 to $175.

CEA’s annual retired dues is $20, unless and until the CEA Board votes to change said dues. So, now is the time to save money by joining for life at the old rate.

CEA will accept retired lifetime dues for the 2010-11 year until the end of this fiscal year, August 31, 2011. Provided the dues payment is accompanied with the 2010-11 membership form and in the hands of the CEA headquarters’ Membership Department, Kallie Benjamin, by close of business August 31, 2011.

All membership lifetime dues coming in after the close of business on August 31, 2011 must be submitted on the 2011-12 membership form and accompanied with the new dues amount of $175 or they will be returned to the member for the additional amount.

JCEA election updateLast month JCEA members elected

the following members to leadership positions in the association.

Kerrie Dallman, PresidentAmy Pritchard, Vice PresidentConnie Jones, NEA RA DelegateJulie Friedemann, NEA RA DelegateJohn Genova, NEA RA DelegateWendy Sangaline, NEA RA

DelegateErin Watzel, NEA RA DelegateJudy Cheatham, NEA RA DelegateThe NEA RA delegates who were

elected will be funded by JCEA to attend the NEA RA annual assembly. The other members who ran are still able to attend the assembly as delegates but will not be funded.

End of the school year suggestions from EAP

Working in a school district is a unique environment. At the beginning of each school year we are introduced to a whole new group of students who become part of our family for a short period of time.

Getting settled in can be exciting and stressful, but soon we fall into a routine and the year begins to pass. Finally, spring rolls around and things get hectic. There are so many things to accomplish and so little time remaining before the end of the school year!

The end of the school year may bring a wide range of emotions. We are saying goodbye to many students and some beloved staff who won’t be with us in the fall.

At every school level and in every school-based position, our lives are connected to the progress and accomplishments of our students. Even if they are not moving from elementary to middle or middle to senior levels, they will be moving on to other teachers and other classrooms.

If we work at the high school level, we have the joy and satisfaction of seeing our students graduate. We also realize that these young people are moving forward in their lives. There is pleasure and a feeling of

accomplishment as we watch their success, and there is sadness as we say our good-byes.

Aside from this transition, we are also planning for the summer months. Some of us are planning to travel while others will go back to school. Some will continue working during the summer months while many of us are preparing for company — family and friends who love to visit Colorado. Whatever your plans, remember to make this time relaxing and rejuvenating, you deserve it!

As you look back over the past year and consider the next few months, pause and reflect on your successes. What things went well for you? How did you make a positive difference in the lives of others? Be specific when you think about these things. Congratulate yourself and others on accomplishments!

Summer vacation can also bring to the forefront any personal or family problems. Or perhaps you’ve been struggling with something all year but haven’t had time to address it until now.

Employee Assistance Program services are available during the summer months. Employees, retirees, and their family members over age 15 can contact the EAP for help with any personal or work related problems.

Our office is located at 5290 W. Ohio Avenue in Lakewood, about a mile south of 6th Avenue and Sheridan Avenue. Office hours are typically 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. EAP services are confidential and provided without cost to the employee.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 303-982-0377 or visit our website at http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/eap

Best wishes for a great summer!

Community makes effort to save Outdoor Lab

Saving Outdoor Lab will take the whole community.

Some people will prefer to make a direct contribution by writing a check directly to the Outdoor Lab Foundation (write Save Outdoor Lab in the memo) and mail to Outdoor Lab Foundation, PO Box 746626, Arvada, CO 80006-6626. Or you can

donate directly online at http://www.outdoorlabfoundation.org/Fundraising.html (100% goes to Outdoor Lab).

Here are a few more ways to contribute:

Visit either Abrusci’s — 3244 Youngfield in Wheat Ridge or 300 Fillmore in Cherry Creek — between Sunday, May 15 and Thursday, May 19, and they will donate 15% of the ticket before tax to help save Outdoor Lab.

Dine at California Pizza Kitchen in The Mills any Monday or Wednesday in April and they will donate 20% of the check to Outdoor Lab.

Book your meeting, event or group at the Denver Marriott West and they will donate 10% of sales to Outdoor Lab.

Buy a “Save Outdoor Lab” bracelet for $5 at dayna.oehm@gmail.com

Smart Cow Yogurt Bar will open at 88th & Wadsworth in May and donate 25% of all sales during one of its opening days to help save Outdoor Lab. Look for more details.

5280 Wine Tours will donate $10 for every summer tour booked: www.5280winetoursco.com

The Crazy Merchant will donate 10% of your purchase to Outdoor Lab: www.thecrazymerchant.com

Donate your scrap metal — aluminum cans, other aluminum, copper pipes and wires, aluminum blinds, brass, lead, stainless steel and other non-ferrous scrap metals — to Golden Recycling and 100% or the funds will go to Outdoor Lab: www.goldenrecycling.org

Debbie Benefield receives CEA award

For her many years of work in the Colorado legislature and the Jeffco PTA, JCEA nominated former Representative Debbie Benefield for CEA’s Friend of Education award, which she received at the 2011 CEA Delegate Assembly.

This award honors a public official who has made a significant contribution to public education in Colorado.

During her six years in the State House, Representative Benefield was a member of the House Education Committee where she fought for public education funding. And during her 30 years of work in the PTA, she provided leadership in Jeffco mill levy elections and the passage of Amendment 23.