As the 2016-2017 school year begins, Santa Rosa EA’s weekly newsletters have returned. While summer for many is a time to sit back and relax, Santa Rosa EA has been busy working on the next steps to benefit teachers and Education Staff Professionals alike.
Local News
Santa Rosa EA Attends FEA Summer Academy for Leadership Foundation
Soon after school ended in June, several Santa Rosa EA Core members attended FEA’s annual Summer Leadership Academy, where they participated in a weeklong track for emerging leaders, learning how the Association works and how they can create a responsive and effective organization.
Leadership Retreat Builds Santa Rosa EA Core
Later in July, Santa Rosa EA Core members embarked on a 2-day leadership retreat at Adventures Unlimited. This rustic setting allowed team members to set aside daily routines and develop a plan to recruit potential members and to increase organizational influence. The teams also learned about leadership throughout the retreat and shared their observations from their pre-reading assignments. In the afternoons members met in their small groups and developed the Santa Rosa EA vision, mission, and goals to shape the action plan for 2016-2017.
Santa Rosa EA Vision
To inspire, inform, and involve members creating an innovative and inclusive organization.
Santa Rosa EA Mission:
- Engage and embrace community through collaboration and professional development to improve student performance.
- Empower members to advocate for self and students.
- Elicit support from stakeholders to become innovative in today’s climate and promote the values of a strong public education system.
Your Voice, Your Choice!
Santa Rosa EA’s main objective for this year is to organize the members to win bargaining rights for the teacher and Education Staff Professional employee groups. The Association is currently engaged in a “Your Choice, Your Voice” card campaign in which employees will be signing Showing of Interest cards indicating that they want to choose which organization will bargain for employees in a future representation election. If you are interested in having an election to determine who will represent you effectively and efficiently, please complete the form, and send it one of three ways:
- Mail to Central Panhandle Service Unit, 2655 Capital Circle NE, Suite 7, Tallahassee 32308
- Scan and email to [email protected]
- Email us at [email protected] to arrange for your card to be picked up at your worksite
Attention New Teachers! Cultivating a Culture of Success in Your Classroom
Santa Rosa EA is conducting a workshop designed to address the strategies for building a successful classroom for all learners. Research-based practices will be shared, and questions are encouraged! Please join us at either of these Tuesday workshops: August 23rd, Navarre HS, 4-6 pm; September 13th, Avalon MS, 4-6 pm.
State News
Regional Bargaining Roundup
Congratulations to Okaloosa and Jackson associations which have already completed bargaining for 2016-2017! Teams from Escambia, Walton, Bay, and Washington are still at the table but expect to be done this fall. Stay tuned!
Did You Know?
Did you know that teacher associations in Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Jackson, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, and approximately 25 additional other associations have negotiated automatic contract renewal for Annual Contract teachers who are rated “Effective” or “Highly Effective” on their teacher evaluations. Hats off to these locals for providing assurances of re-employment for their AC teachers despite the Legislature’s move in 2011 to remove the ability to obtain Professional Service Contracts.
New Locals Affiliate
Congratulations to the newly-formed Association of Calhoun Educators, DeSoto County Education Staff Professionals Association and United Faculty of Florida – Tallahassee Community College Chapter for winning bargaining rights in recent months and choosing to affiliate with the FEA and its national affiliates, AFT and NEA. With these additions, FEA now has affiliated organizations in 66 Florida counties.
National News
Teachers Divided Over Controversial ‘No-Zero’ Grading Policy
Should a student’s “good faith” effort be enough to avoid a grade below 50? A growing number of school districts think so.
Educators Look to Unions to Lock in Paid Family Leave
In the absence of parenting leave, some educators in California had to pay for substitute teachers.
Educators Call Attention to Racist Stereotypes in Textbooks, Impact on Students
A new Mexican-American Studies textbook highlights how politics and the “white redemption narrative” block diverse perspectives in the classroom.