Attack on Teacher Quality-ABCTE

ABCTE, commonly referred to as the "Any Body Can Teach Everything" certification process, is raising its ugly head in Oklahoma. This is a total lack of respect for our profession and is a slap in the face to our quality teachers across our state.

According to the respected Education Week, Oklahoma teachers are ranked 7th in the nation when it comes to teacher quality. We have a very good process for alternative certification. Why would we want to diminish our standards?

Voice your opposition to this bill at http://www.okea.org/LPO/Legislative/legup.htm.

RAA at Horace Mann, Shawnee

My second visit to Shawnee this week was last night to Horace Mann Elementary School for their initial Family Reading Night. I was greeted by Building Representative Glenna Jackson and a number of costumed faculty. After a welcome and introduction about the evening program,

a skit on Green Eggs and Ham was presented. The narration was on CD recorded by David Hyde Pierce (Dr. Niles Crane on Frasier) and Jason Alexander(George on Sienfeld). After the skit, I was one of a number of guest readers for the kids and their parents. The night was a great success. 90 of the 100 scheduled people made it for the program.

RAA at Adams, Norman

The next Read Across America stop was in Norman at Adams Elementary School. I was greeted by a large red banner, a number of upper elementary students, and Mrs. Teresa Paine. After spending a few minutes talking with the kids about their school, they escorted me to 4 different kindergarten rooms where I got to read Hop on Pop and Go Dog Go.

The kids really got into the reading and I did too. After I finished reading, Doug Folks and I donated about 50 books to the Adams library. Accepting the books for Adams' were Ms. Megan Trujillo, Building Representative; Mrs. Paine, President-elect of PEN and Building Representative Tanya Lasater.

Congressman Lucas Visit

This afternoon, Teaching & Learning Specialist Larry Miller and I met with Congressman Frank Lucas to discuss NEA's Positive Agenda for the reauthorization of ESEA. As you know, we agree with the goals of the law, but we believe in order for it to be successful, positive changes need to be made in order to meet the law's lofty goals for our kids, teachers and schools.

We addressed the areas of Accountability/Assessment, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), Teacher Accountability, and Funding. We also told Congressman Lucas that our teachers were against the proposal from the Aspen Institute that would create "Highly Qualified Effective" teachers, thus creating another hoop for teachers to jump through. This proposal guarantees that 25% of all teachers would fail every year.

The Congressman wants to hear your stories and opinions. You can email him at http://www.nea.org/lac/index.html.

RAA Visits Bridge Creek

During our Read Across America programs, I've been involved with a variety of different activities. When the Cat in the Hat (Teaching and Learning Specialist Bonnie Hammock) and I showed up at Bridge Creek, we were in for a special treat. The teachers, led by Tammy Long, the Media Specialist, asked us if we would do the morning announcements on BCTV.

Three times a week BCTV is aired to the students. Along with the Pledge of Allegiance, the Oklahoma Pledge, and the school creed, a special word, and it's definition, are given to the students. While the Cat and I were more than willing, it wasn't as easy as it looked. We had live microphones and information we had to get out to the kids. After getting our nerves settled, Bonnie and I became naturals. We even "shot from the hip" a few times to add our own touch to the program. We were feeling pretty good about ourselves until Bonnie asked one little girl if she heard us. She said yes, and when Bonnie asked her if she thought we were good, she replied "no". I guess we won't be quiting our day jobs.

We then went to the cafeteria where Bonnie read a couple of Seuss books to the Pre-K children and I led the kids in the reading pledge. They all had a great time and it's always enjoyable to visit our members and their students during our Read Across America program.

MEA Meeting in Muskogee

I spent Saturday morning in Muskogee, as the Muskogee Education Association held their local meeting before spending the rest of the day in professional development opportunities. They met on Saturday because of all the days missed due to the extreme ice storm that made the national news. The drive up Highway 69 was incredible. The closer I got to Muskogee, the more damage you could see. While these photos don't really do the storm damage justice, you can see some of the damage in the trees. From some minor tree damage by the HS sign, to major damage by a home in Muskogee.

I would be insulting our members and the community if I said I understood what they experienced. I've only been without power for a few hours while many of these people endured for days. Despite all of the problems and inconveniences, school is back in session, hundreds of teachers were getting their professional development, and the year is back on track; albeit with a few changes.

Mark Peters is the President in Muskogee. The MEA has over 90% membership and because of its solidarity, Muskogee teachers are the highest paid in the state. After I finished talking, a number of them gathered for a picture before joining their colleagues in their professional development meetings.

I met a large number of our members and had a great time with them.

2007 Advocacy Conference

My Friday ended at the 2007 Advocacy Conference "The Oklahoma Centennial" held at the Waterford Marriott. The conference is a two-day opportunity for people to deal with a variety of issues relating to advocacy for schools and teacher/support professional issues.

As I welcomed the attendees, I encouraged all of them to email their representatives at both the federal and state levels dealing with NEA's Positive Agenda for the reauthorization of ESEA and the supplemental appropriations for schools.

After the welcome, Gary Caimano, of Celebrate Productions, Inc., discussed Oklahoma's Centennial Celebration plans and the opening extravaganza in Tulsa. We then watched part of a documentary of the planning and celebration. It was a tremendous show and I wish I could have been there in person.

For more information on our state's centennial, use the link at http://www.oklahomacentennial.com/. In the photo on the left, Gary meets with Mike McIlwee, Chisolm and Linda Hampton of Pleasant Grove. The photo on the right shows a full house for the evening program.

AG's Opinion on Salaries

During contract negotiations with local school districts last summer, questions arose about the application of the teacher pay raise provided for in the legislation. As a result, Senator Stratton Taylor requested clarification of these issues from the Attorney General in the form of two questions:

1) Must a state-paid teacher, employed by a public school district in Oklahoma for the 2005-06 school year, receive a minimum $3,000 increase in salary level for the 06-07 school year, plus an amount equal to the applicable experience step increment on the statutory minimum salary schedule?

2) Under the language...may a public school district substitute non-salary benefit payments or employer contributions for part or all of the mandated salary increase?

School districts and locals have been waiting on the opinion and it was released on Friday afternoon. The answer to question 1 is yes and the answer to question 2 is no.

We believe the AG opinion issued on Friday accurately interprets the legislation and intent of the legislature in providing teacher pay raises during the last legislative session.

Will Rogers Elementary--Shawnee

After the NEWS 9 segment, I traveled to Shawnee's Will Rogers Elementary school where I met up with Teaching and Learning Specialist Larry Miller. We brought lunch for the faculty at WR.
They are near 100% in membership and a very strong part of our Shawnee local. I had the privilege of talking to many of WR's teachers including Building Representative Jeannie DeYoung. Jeannie told me that he daughter is teaching in Tulsa. What a great way to honor Mom's profession--by following in her footsteps.


Will Rogers has this year's Shawnee Teacher of the Year in Stephanie Canada, a Physical Education teacher who paused to take a picture with local President Mandy Hillhouse and me.

RAA on NEWS 9

Friday came early for the OEA and our Read Across America partners as we appeared on the early morning program on Channel 9. The annual appearance on Channel 9 officially kicks off the 2007 Read Across America campaign.

This year the OEA, the Pi Beta Phi Alumni Association, and the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County, Staples, and Bob Moore Saturn of OKC have joined together to conduct our 2007 program "Read Across America, a Centennial Event". Our 2007 Honorary Chair is Lt. Governor Jari Askins.

Each day for 2 weeks, and then next week, after an introduction by the Cat in the Hat, a different Seuss book has been read by the Pi Phis at the Boys and Girls Club. On March 2nd, the culminating activity at the B & G Club will result in backpacks, certificates, books, medallions, and more for the almost 200 OKC public school students who have participated in the Read Across Oklahoma program.

Also on March 2nd, the 2007 "Outreach to Teach" project will be held at Taft Middle School. This is a beautification project sponsored by the Student OEA and the OEA. Our student members, from campuses all across Oklahoma, will help paint, rebuild, and construct a variety of areas within the school.

The Pi Phis will be at Taft too, where books will be given to over 1,000 students. The books were donated by the Oklahoma City Hornets, the Christmas Connection, and the SOEA.

Early morning risers for the segment on Channel 9 included Joan Hess, President of the Pi Phis, The Cat in the Hat (OEA's Bruce Tredaway), SOEA President Patricia Gorgas, and Doug Gibson, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County. Too shy to appear in the picture was Teaching and Learning specialist Floyd Cox. (Floyd was gracious enough to take the picture.)

For more RAA information go to http://www.okea.org/RAA/index.htm. To learn more about the 2007 Outreach to Teach go to http://www.okea.org/SOEA/index.htm.