Author: IEA Communication

School nurses are asking for help fighting a bill they fear could reduce safety for all school children, especially those with diabetes.

They are urging their fellow IEA members to contact their legislators to fight against HB 6065/SB 3822.

House Bill 6065, which passed the Illinois House in March, and its companion Senate Bill 3822, would allow unlicensed individuals with no educational requirements to serve as “delegated care aides” to diabetic children.

These individuals would be responsible for delivering care to the diabetic child without liability including administering insulin, checking a student’s blood sugar and responding to emergency situations within the school.

If necessary, the “aide” would be authorized to contact healthcare providers to modify the diabetic plan of care for the child. These are all the essential functions of a school nurse.

To contact your legislator: Go to our “Contact Your Legislators” page, then scroll down to the “My Elected Official” section and fill in your address. Your lawmakers’ names will appear. Click on your lawmakers and you can see information about them, including how to contact them.
 
            Nurses are the qualified healthcare professional taught to care for children with complex chronic illnesses in a school setting. Only nurses have the requisite education in assessment, planning and intervention to assess a child, administer insulin, communicate with providers, and respond in emergency situations for all children within the school.

The Coalition for Safe Health Care Management of School Children, which includes IEA members, urges everyone who is concerned about the safety of students in our schools to contact your state senator today and request they vote “no” to HB 6065/ SB 3822.

To further the safety of school children, urge your legislators to support school nurses in all youth educational settings across Illinois. Every child deserves a school nurse.

The Coalition for Safe Health Care Management of School Children include: The Illinois Nurses Association, Illinois Association of School Nurses, Illinois Chapter- American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Education Association, Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Chicago Teachers Union and Campaign for Better Healthcare have come together as a coalition to oppose the language of HB 6065/SB 3822 and the implications it bears concerning the public safety for all school children, especially diabetic children.

Here’s an idea – use facebook to lobby our state legislators. Just a small number of members can create a wave of action. The 3,147 IEA page fans can produce a tidal wave!

The strategy is simple. Many state legislators have facebook pages. Even Gov. Quinn has one, but his friends list is full. So start by finding your legislator, or any one or more that you’d like to lobby. Click to become their friend. (Of course, if your legislator isn’t on facebook, this won’t work.)

Once you receive your notice that your friend request has been accepted it is time to act. Go back to the legislator’s facebook page and post your message on their wall. For instance, I recently posted on one legislator’s page the message:

“Unless the legislature wants the state to fall off the cliff this summer, it is critical that a fair funding bill such as HB 174 be passed this spring. Now that the legislature has addressed the pension issue, it is time to address the real problem, revenues. I hope you will take the lead in this effort.”

Because I first clicked on the legislator’s “Add a Link” button, I was also able to add a link to a news article by Ralph Martire that explains why an increase in state revenues needs to happen now.

Once posted, the legislator sees the post, all of your friends see the post, and all of the legislator’s friends see the post. If more than one voter posts to that legislator’s page, all the better!

Here are some other cool lobbying ideas that are being tried by members throughout the state:

• Members are attending and asking questions of legislators at town hall meetings. Some meetings are sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition. These meetings are listed at www.abetterillinois.com. Check your legislators’ websites for other dates.
• Have pink-slipped members attend these meetings wearing pink shirts.
• Region 38 purchased the billboard pictured with this post.
• A number of regions are organizing legislative breakfasts, luncheons or dinners during the spring recess.
• Associations in the Rockford area have organized or participated in protests with parents and students directed at legislators.
• The Champaign office plans on handing pink slips to their legislators.
• Organize mass phone call campaigns to legislators, keep calling, leaving multiple messages about job losses and program cuts.
• Coordinate local lobbying efforts with your area’s central labor council and other unions including IFT, SEIU and AFSCME.

IEA’s Living Library has been awarded a $300,000 federal grant that will allow the program to expand its reach and enhance its technological capacity.

The Living Library has established a website where teachers and retired teachers post lesson plans, teaching tips and other useful items to share with new teachers and college students studying education.

Now the program will be able to expand and will allow more teacher profiles, new professional development material, improved lesson-search functions, training students how to use the Living Library and more.

“The benefits to our members – students, active and retired – include a system to store teaching resources electronically to those building file cabinets and free access to best practice teaching resources to all members in one place that will be growing and expanding with the grant,” said Janet Kilgus, an IEA-Retired member and Living Library coordinator.

Kilgus said the Living Library applied for the grant after research showed that half of all K-12 teachers will reach retirement age in the next 10 years, creating a need for further professional development. Often, feeling as if they are left flailing with little support, many new teachers leave the field for other professionals.

The grant money first will go toward technology upgrades that will make it easier and faster for teaching professionals to place larger items such as photos, videos, power points and more into their online storage cabinets.

“Then funds will be used for activities with students at the college in using the resources of the Living Library to aid them in their preparation to become teachers and activities in select public schools to support new teachers,” Kilgus said.

Those schools have not yet been chosen.

The Illinois Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities, a not-for-profit higher education association serving 58 institutions, will partner with an Illinois private college to expand the reach and effectiveness of the Living Library across Illinois and, ultimately, across the country.

The as-yet-unselected college will develop “best practice” strategies for getting students and new teachers involved and then assessing how the program is going.

“We are happy to be working with other educational groups to use, test, promote, grow and improve the living library,” she said.

The IEA-Retired and Student Programs will make up half of the communications/planning team and all but one are active IEA members.

Planning is still ongoing and the official start date for grant activities is this fall.

“This grant is funding we’ve been trying to find to help us move forward with the (Living Library) project we started in 2005. NEA student members across the states have heard about (it) from our IEA student members and have been asking to be included. Now the future includes that possibility,” Kilgus said.

“IEA-Retired leaders, with the initial NEA-Retired funding, are proud to have started this program which is growing to become a resource to improving education in Illinois and eventually nationwide.”

Approximately 110 Morrisonville High School students staged a silent sit-in last week to protest suggested cuts to the school’s support staff, lining the halls and posting homemade posters on lockers showing their support for beloved staff members.

The list of prospective RIFs has not yet been posted but in a town the size of Morrisonville, 1,068, word has circulated about who might be on the chopping block, said Steve Knipp, a National Education Association director and teacher.

Knipp said the students organized the Friday morning event themselves and scheduled the sit-in to last until lunch.

The school’s principal, Ann Little, told the students that as long as they were quiet and not disrupting anyone, they were free to protest. She also suggested that the students write their legislators, who were at fault for the cuts, and school board members.

“Papers and pens started flying,” Knipp said. “It is a tremendous statement from out students who recognize how this will affect them and they are taking action.”

If you know of, or hear about, any other demonstrations of support for teachers, staff or faculty who are losing their jobs due to budget cuts brought on by the state’s budget crisis, please let us know at [email protected]. Photos also are greatly appreciated.

And, please see the RIF Resources section on the IEA website for further information that RIF’d employees might find helpful.

This week, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved legislation that will drastically overhaul many of the state’s public pension systems. This is a move IEA vigorously opposed not only because the legislation, we believe, will be detrimental to public education in Illinois, but also because the organization was not brought in to discuss the proposed changes.

We are hoping you will take a moment to either call or e-mail (e-mail addresses will pop up when you click on a legislator’s name) those lawmakers who stood with us. The following list of senators and representatives voted either “no” or “present” on the bill.

The IEA appreciates your time and thanks you for following up with these lawmakers for showing us their support.

Here is some suggested text, but you should feel free to thank them in your own words:

“Thank you for supporting public education and voting ‘no’ on SB 1946.

Although the bill passed the House and Senate with overwhelming support, you realize the negative impact that this proposal will have on future teachers and the profession.

Thanks for your support.”

NO VOTES                         SPRINGFIELD             HOME

Sen. Larry Bomke 217-782-0228      217-782-0228

Sen. Mike Frerichs 217-782-2507      217-355-5252

Sen. Mike Jacobs 217-782-5957      309-797-0001

Sen. Dave Luechtefeld 217-782-8137      618-243-9014

Sen. John Millner 217-782-8192      630-351-9340

Sen. Dale Righter 217-782-6674      217-235-6033

Rep. Bill Black 217-782-3992      217-431-1986

Rep. Dan Brady 217-782-1118      309-662-1100

Rep. Rich Brauer 217-782-0053

Rep. John Cavaletto 217-782-0066      618-548-9080

Rep. Will Davis 217-782-8197      708-799-7300

Rep. Paul Froehlich 217-782-3725      847-985-9210

Rep. Careen Gordon 217-782-5997      815-634-3096

Rep. Jay Hoffman 217-782-8018      618-345-2176

Rep. Eddie Jackson 217-782-5951      618-875-9950

Rep. Bill Mitchell 217-782-8163      217-876-1968

Rep. Don Moffitt 217-782-8032      309-343-8000

Rep. Rich Myers 217-782-0416      309-836-2707

Rep. Brandon Phelps 217-782-5131      618-253-4189

Rep. Raymond Poe 217-782-0044

Rep. Al Riley 217-558-1007      708-799-4364

Rep. Chapin Rose 217-558-1006      217-348-7673

Rep. Jim Watson 217-782-1840      217-243-6221

PRESENT

Sen. Deanna Demuzio 217-782-8206      217-854-4441

Sen. Kirk Dillard 217-782-8148      630-969-0990

Sen. Gary Forby 217-782-5509      618-439-2504

Rep. Mike Bost 217-782-0387      618-457-5787

Rep. Roger Eddy 217-558-1040      618-563-4128

Rep. Jerry Mitchell 217-782-0535      815-625-0820

Rep. Randy Ramey 217-558-1037      630-876-0703

Rep. Dan Reitz 217-782-1018      618-443-5757

Rep. Skip Saviano 217-782-3374      708-453-7547

Rep. Pat Verschoore 217-782-5970      309-558-3612

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Charlie McBarron

Phone:  217/544-0706

Educators say General Assembly out of excuses for revenue boost

March 25, 2010 – Springfield, IL – When the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday passed legislation that unfairly and unnecessarily slashes pension benefits for future participants in the state pension systems, lawmakers ran out of excuses for avoiding fiscal reality.  That’s according to the leader of the state’s largest education employee organization.

Ken Swanson, president of the 133,000-member Illinois Education Association (IEA), today said the lawmakers who long insisted “something has to be done about pensions” now have no excuse for opposing the tax increase needed to pay for education and state services.

“Education employees are the victims of the General Assembly and past governors, whose fiscal irresponsibility caused the state’s pension and financial crises.  That’s not just my opinion; it’s the opinion of Senate President John Cullerton and other legislators who admitted as much just before they voted to punish teachers and state employees for legislators’ own sins,” Swanson said.

According to the IEA president, with the pension vote went the last argument against lawmakers addressing the revenue needs of the state.

“No more excuses, the people of this state are demanding responsible action from the legislature and the Governor,” Swanson said.

“We will not emerge from this recession if we lay off as many as 20,000 education employees in the next school year.  The state needs to invest to get back on track and that means passing a meaningful revenue bill, such as HB 174, during this session.  No more excuses,” Swanson said.

# # #

The Illinois Education Association is a state affiliate of the 3.2-million member National Education Association.  IEA represents more than 133,000 education employees in Illinois, including teachers, education support professionals, higher education faculty and staff, retired education employees, and students planning to become teachers.

Arriving to the thunderous chants of “SOS (Save Our Schools)” from 1,268 pink-clad member delegates, gubernatorial candidates, Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Bill Brady squared off in a lively forum at the IEA Representative Assembly.  The two came to Rosemont at the invitation the state’s largest education employee organization.

In the packed session moderated by IEA President Ken Swanson, each of the candidates pledged support for quality education initiatives, but they came at school funding and pension issues in very different ways.

Quinn reiterated his immediate support for a 1 percentage point income tax increase, with funds dedicated solely to education.  Sen. Brady contended his ability to attract jobs and businesses to Illinois would lead to stabilization of the state’s finances and adequate education funding in the long term.

Both candidates acknowledged that the state’s pension systems have been unfairly underfunded for years.

“We need to make sure we invest in our education system from early childhood to grammar school to high school to community college and universities,” said Quinn.  ”We need to go to the people of Illinois and say, ‘We’re not going to cut our education budget.  We’re going to invest in education because that’s the best way to save our education system and save our schools.’”

Brady, noting his past support for retired teacher health insurance, said fairness would be his guide in dealing with financial problems in the state.

“You deserve to be treated fairly,” said Brady, “and as governor of this state I will continue to do what I’ve done as a legislator, working with your association, working with local school officials and faculty, administrators and boards to give you the resources as best we can and let you make the decisions that are so important.”

Highlights of Quinn’s remarks included his support for working in partnership with the IEA to secure federal Race To The Top funds, pension fairness and stabilization measures, rebuilding the economy through job creation, and opposition to school voucher programs.  He also indicated support for House Bill 174, a measure to raise state revenues and enact property tax relief, “if properly drafted.”

Brady, meanwhile, reiterated his plan to force new teachers into a defined contribution retirement plan, such a 401K program from the private sector.  He said he supports cutting taxes, with the state living within its financial means and balancing the state budget, school vouchers if passed by local school district referendum and local control of school curriculum issues such as the teaching of creationism.

Both candidates pledged their desire to work with the IEA and its members in addressing legislative initiatives on school issues.

In closing remarks, IEA President Ken Swanson called on the candidates to elevate the debate during their respective campaigns and be role models for future political campaigns in the state.

“This was an outstanding event for our delegates and for all those who tuned in during the live video stream,” said Swanson. “We are grateful to both the candidates for their participation and candor.  I know the delegate learned a great deal.  We will certainly be hearing much more from them during the rest of their campaigns.”

Watch highlights of the session with Gov. Quinn and Sen. Brady.

The IEA Representative Assembly recognized nine local association members and other advocates for public education as award winners this year.  The Association extends its appreciation and congratulations to:

• Irma Lott, Springfield Education Association, recipient of the Educational Service Professional of the Year Award.
• JoAnn Kenner, South Suburban Chapter, IEA Retired, recipient of the Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Award.
• Mary Ellen Guest, former executive director of A+Illinois and current director Historic Bungalow Association, recipient of the IEA Friend of Education award.
• Kerri Elliott, Antioch High School Education Association, recipient of the IEA Human and Civil Rights Award.
• Brian Sievers, Faculty Association of District #205, recipient of the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence.
• Nicole Kurtovich, IEA Student Program, Illinois State University; and, Amanda Meiners, IEA Student Program, Western Illinois University, recipients of the Bob Haisman Student(s) of the Year Award.
• Tron Young, Centralia Elementary Teachers Association, recipient of the Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year Award.
• Sheila Bowens, Edwardsville Education Association, recognition for service as a member of the Illinois Teacher Certification Board.
• Katherine Brown, Unit 5 Education Association, student at Illinois State University, Mary Lou Haugh Scholarship Award.

IEA Awards Scholarships

IEA scholarships are awarded to selected students (children of IEA members) who plan to enter the teaching profession.  The IEA extends its congratulations to the following scholarship winners who were recognized at this year’s Representative Assembly.

Ashley Bozarth, region 1; Catherine Siefert, region 2; Erika Collier, region 3; Kate Cox, region 5; Sydney Machuca, region 8; Emily Barnes, region 10; Christina Helding, region 10; Katherine Brown, region 14; Sarah Weigel, region 16; Samantha Albrecht, region 17; Jaclyn Harrington, region 17; Laura Hofer, region 17; Benjamin Torrisi, region 21; Molly McKenzie, region 23; Tomas Franquelli, region 25; Ciara Carter, region 27; Heather Hughes, region 28; Jessi Stapp, region 28; Sydney Ayers, region 30; Cody Boland, region 32; Hannah Clark, region 32; Kenneth Dollaske, region 34; Anthony Solmo, region 35; Joanna Swidzinski, region 36; Elizabeth Meyer, region 37; Erin Olinger, region 39; Alanna Drufke, region 42; Emily Alexander, region 43; Jessica Yonke, region 44; Hannah McDowell, region 48; Derek McAnally, region 51; Kayla Truffa, region 51; Jana Williams, region 52; Dylan Good, region 53; Emily Roth, region 53; Eric Swanson, region 53; Brooke Rickerd, region 54; Christina Orengo, region 59; Rachel Sager, region 60; Mindi Turf, region 60; Elizabeth Alberts, region 62; Shari Steidinger, region 62; Mollie Kiesewetter, region 64; Kristina Garcia, region 65; Julia Coad, region 66;

The Illinois candidates for U.S. Senate addressed delegates to the IEA Representative Assembly Saturday, both pledging, if elected, to work with the IEA and education employees to improve public education through their work at the nation’s Capitol.

See what he had to say.

Current Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias spoke in person.  Congressman Mark Kirk addressed the delegation via recorded message.

Both candidates pledged their support for protecting teacher pensions and repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions that reduce retirement benefits for Illinois teachers.  Repeal of the GPO is a top legislative priority for the IEA.

Giannoulias acknowledged the essential role of public education in building a strong economy.  He also reiterated his support for a state income tax increase to provide much needed new revenues for the struggling schools and the state.  The Democrat has said any income tax increase needs to be coupled with lower property taxes.

“Quality education has always been the foundation of the American economy.  Every dollar we invest in our schools and our students yields enormous dividends long term.  I’m going to fight every single day for teachers across the state of Illinois.”

In his pre-recorded video address, Kirk pointed to his work with the IEA and NEA in developing a “practical agenda for improving education” through amendment to the ESEA.

“I believe working together is essential for improving America’s schools.  Working with the IEA in the last Congress, we offered key proposals to amend No Child Left Behind, focused on highly qualified teacher requirements, determination of annual yearly progress, and NCLB sanctions.  As we look toward reauthorization, we must invite all stakeholders to participate in crafting a bill that provides the full resources necessary for our schools to meet our requirements.”

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel had high praise for the IEA Thursday for the organization’s efforts to secure federal Race to the Top funds for Illinois schools.

Speaking before the delegates to the IEA Representative Assembly, Van Roekel said IEA’s significant role in shaping the state’s initiative to secure the federal funds would yield significant positive results for IEA members.

 “IEA … not only got to the table but influenced the outcome and is going to make a difference for every single member of this organization in the year ahead.  That’s power.  That’s the ability to use collective action for good.”

Van Roekel added that the NEA is continuing to “fight the good fight” in its significant lobbying efforts:

• To change the federal “No Child Left Behind” legislation to reduce its reliance on single high stakes testing. 
• To use collaboration and involvement of educators to help struggling schools.
• To protect the rights of educators and school employees in school reform efforts.

Click for Van Roekel’s speech

Click for Blueprint for Race to the Top

A group of female Illinois leaders are urging state legislators to pass a budget that does not unfairly cut social services around the state, an action, they say, will disproportionately harm women.

Kathy Ryg, president of Voices for Illinois Children, presented at the Illinois Statehouse today a letter signed by more than 200 women leaders in Illinois urging legislators and the governor to cooperate with each other to find some funding solution that will better serve everyone in Illinois.

“A state budget is not just a set of numbers but a reflection of how we view our (people),” she said, adding that in 2008, the child poverty rate in Illinois was at 17 percent. Due to the economic downturn, the poverty rate for the state’s children is expected to jump to 22 percent by 2012.

“That’s one in every five children in Illinois living in poverty,” she said.

Cinda Klickna, IEA secretary/treasurer, and Patti Hodges, IEA field services director, joined the group in addressing the state’s financial situation.

“This is not a responsible budget,” Klickna told those gathered. “We are looking for money for education. We also realize that there is still so much more need out there. There are programs being cut that our students rely upon.”

She added that there is not a school district in the state that is not facing budget cuts this year, forcing teacher and support personnel layoffs as well as cuts in programs and the end of preschool programs.

Other women, and female lawmakers, spoke about the needs of the elderly and the disabled noting that it’s not fair for the state to try to make up for years of irresponsible bookkeeping by cutting services to those who are society’s most needy.

The group of women sent a letter urging Gov. Pat Quinn, Senate Pres. John Cullerton, House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and House Minority Leader Tom Cross to act now to pass a comprehensive tax reform package in HB 174 that would provide “adequate revenue to vital services supported by the state of Illinois.”

They asked leaders to put aside their differences, political agendas and to support tax revenue restructuring that will help Illinois crawl out of its budget deficit hole.

In addition, they asked that anyone interested sign a petition of support for their message.

Gov. Pat Quinn today in his budget address announced a $1.3 billion cut to education, but also proposed a 1 percent income tax surcharge designed to make up those losses, saying Illinois should not harm its future by harming education.

See some of the analyses here:

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun-Times

State Journal-Register

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Christopher Koch, Illinois’ school superintendent, told a Senate appropriations committee today that he believes there will be more than 13,000 layoffs in the upcoming year.

This is no surprise to IEA members who are reading and hearing daily about people they know being handed RIF notices, about money currently owed to their districts by the state and the dire predictions for what could happen next year.

Perhaps one of the most ominous parts of Koch’s testimony was where he noted that the 13,000 figure was based on only 75 percent of districts reporting their expected losses. There is still 25 percent of the districts in the state who have yet to report.

You are being given a first ever opportunity by Gov. Pat Quinn to weigh in on the budget he plans to present next week. Check out this video from Jim Reed, IEA’s government relations director, on how to post comments.

After watching the video, you just go to the Governor’s budget website and submit comments.

It’s important to be courteous, honest and, most importantly, real. Tell Quinn what you are seeing happen in your schools and what it means for your district, your school, its students, the community and for you.

And, it’s important that you take advantage of this first-ever opportunity. It’s crucial you allow your voices to be heard! Take a moment and tell the Governor how much you care.

For the first time ever, Gov. Pat Quinn has posted the state’s budget online and is looking for public comment.

It is imperative that IEA members let the Governor and state legislators know how the state’s budget crisis is impacting their local districts.

Share your personal stories: Ways the budget crunch is affecting your district, the students in it, you and your family.

Please join Jim Reed as he walks you through the process of filing comments on the Governor’s site. 

After watching the video, go to the governor’s Website and tell him what the children of Illinois and the whole state will lose if we fail to invest in education and fail to support the agencies that help Illinois’ children, our sick and our elderly.

It’s very important that your voice be heard. And, if you want it to be heard even louder, join thousands of your fellow IEA members at Lobby Day on April 21.

Feitshans Academy celebrated Read Across America early this year, serving students in the Pre-K through five Springfield school, green eggs and ham for breakfast and inviting community members in to read to students.

The events happened Friday. Dixie McQuality, Feitshans reading teacher, said the school felt it was important to expose students to examples of success within the community. So, in addition to inviting an ever-growing list of local celebrities and business people into the school to read, they also allow students to ask them questions about their lives and jobs.

“If you don’t learn how to read, you aren’t going to be able to survive in the world,” McQuality said. “If we don’t teach them now in the elementary school, then in high school and beyond, they won’t have those skills.”

Let us know what you’re doing for Read Across America. Feel free to send pictures, post comments below with your school name and what you’re doing. We’d love to hear from you. And, if you need some ideas on what to do to celebrate, plenty abound.

Grow Your Own teachers held a lively rally Tuesday in the state Capitol building, pushing the legislature to fully fund the $3.4 million program that encourages parents, school employees and community members to study education and return to their home districts to teach.

The group heard from a variety of legislators, including Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, and people involved in education, including IEA Secretary/Treasurer Cinda Klickna.

Madigan and Klickna both emphasized to the crowd how important what they do is for the kids in their schools.

Members of the organization cheered during the rally and also met with individual legislators, urging them to continue to fund the program.

More than 100 potential Grow Your Own teachers were in attendance. Most come from low-income communities where they are identified as being active in the school. GYO then helps them afford to go to college.

In exchange, they come back to teach where their ties are, making for stronger schools and a variety of role models for students in that district.

Organizers of the rally say the program is worthwhile and imperative for the legislature to fund. They note:

• Teacher retention saves money: TYO teachers-to-be live in the low-income neighborhoods where they will teach. They will stay, once hired, saving their school districts the estimated $50,000 spent to recruit, hire, induct and mentor each new teacher.
• Racial/cultural diversity benefits low-income students: GYO is a pipeline of teachers of color. Eighty-five percent of TYO candidates are people of color (compared to 13 percent of teacher graduates of color from all Illinois universities and colleges, 2008). They understand the language, community and culture of the students they will teach, critical to academic achievement.
• GYO candidates are preparing for hard-to-fill positions: Forty-three percent of GYO candidates are preparing to be special education or bilingual education teachers, positions historically difficult to fill.

There are 16 GYO partnerships in Illinois, eight of which are in Chicago. The rest are in Alton, East St. Louis, Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, the south suburbs, southern Illinois and Springfield. There are 450 GYO candidates. Twenty-one people have graduated from the program that was first funded in 2007.

By the numbers: Who are GYO candidates?

• 83 percent female, 17 percent male
• 39 is the average age
• 53 percent are African-American, 32 percent Hispanic
• 63 percent are employed full-time, 13 percent part-time
• 64 percent have dependents
• More than half have family incomes below 30 percent
• More than half work in schools. 60 percent are parents or volunteers.
• 81 percent began with college credits or an associate’s degree.
• 3.01 is the average GPA, with many making the dean’s list or winning academic honors.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss was right that people can guide themselves on any path in life. And, those who are good navigators are almost always good readers.

Why not take a few minutes March 2 (Dr. Seuss’ birthday) to celebrate reading in your classroom, your school or your community and encourage kids to become avid readers, strong thinkers and good “steerers” in life.

There is a huge amount of helpful hints, suggestions, reading lists, etc. on the National Education Association’s website to help you get started.

We’d love to hear what you’re doing. Please feel free to drop us an e-mail and let us know. Look what Washington Elementary in Dixon did last year. Can we come visit you this year?

Do you need some help getting started? How about a list of the top 100 kids’ books or the top 100 teachers’ picks for kids books? Looking for tips on the best Spanish-English bilingual book list? There’s information on that, too.

Or, if you’re looking for help with the logistics on creating an event or simply some activity ideas, those items are plentiful, too. The NEA website is full of resources and materials for Read Across America.

Creating a school culture of success for all students is a challenge for high schools in even the most affluent areas.  The challenges are multiplied in some of the financially struggling areas in Chicago’s south suburbs.

But progress can be made.  The students, teachers, support professionals and administrators at Rich East High School in Park Forest are proving it every day. (Watch the accompanying video.)

In the last two years, school improvement and student success at Rich East have been profound and measurable.  Test scores are way up.  The atmosphere in the school is one of achievement and success.  Teachers, support staff and administration are united in their goal to make sure each student achieves and that Rich East is recognized for its high standards.

Progress so far is more than encouraging.

• In 2007, less than 40 percent of students were making AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in reading.  In 2009, the percentage rose to 60.2 percent.  In the same time period, math scores climbed to more than 55 percent from 33 percent achieving AYP.
• Most recent test scores in math and reading for “economically disadvantaged” students are also keeping pace with the achievement levels for all students.
• In 2009, Rich East reading and math scores exceeded state averages – most notable when more than 70 percent of all students at Rich East are in free and reduced lunch programs.

“We’ve developed a culture of pride in our school,” says Don Hagemaster, a chemistry teacher and IEA region chair who has been at Rich East for five years.

“Our principal is absolutely supportive of teachers.  He cares about the kids and wants teachers to have what they need to succeed.  The entire staff knows he’s going to do everything he can to support them.”

Principal Mark Kramer came to the school at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.  He says a great staff of teachers, support professionals and administrators was already in place on his arrival.  His immediate focus turned to fostering a positive school climate – creating an entire school culture of high expectations.

“You can’t change instruction overnight,” says Kramer, “but you can change school climate.  We started by making sure students were in class when they were supposed to be.  We did hall sweeps and got them in class.  We made it clear to the students that classes would start on time, that they needed to be there, that their achievement was important to us, and that they had to be present in class in order to be successful.”

Kramer also credits the entire staff for setting high academic standards and holding themselves as well as students accountable for achieving goals.

Mark Zaban, a veteran math teacher, contends that a supportive principal has been a key to school success.

“He (the principal) cares about us.  He certainly cares about the kids.  He’s very accessible to the faculty and the student body.  He asked the question: ‘What can we do for you to make it better?’ When we told him some of the things we needed, if he could, he got them for us.”

Others at the school cite a variety of specific programs that have contributed to student achievement progress:

• Alignment of curriculum with state standards.
• Accountability standards for students and staff.
• Consistent standards for discipline.
• Mentoring for newer teachers.
• Advanced use of technology.
• Gender-based structures for freshman academies.
• Saturday programs for students, parents and community members.
• Corporate-sponsored mentorship programs for students.
• Rising membership in school booster club.

Each of these established programs plays an important role in student success.

Math teacher Stacy Dunn cites curriculum alignment and teamwork as key contributors.

“We’ve really come together with our curriculum and made it a district-wide curriculum,” says Dunn.  “We work together and focus on our Prairie State Achievement Exams.  We align our curriculum to that.  That involves working with other teachers and having professional learning communities where we bounce ideas off of each other.  We’ve also seen a change in the climate in our building.”

English teacher Kamaelah Jones says camaraderie at Rich East has fostered a learning atmosphere throughout the school.  The students recognize it and appreciate it.

“There’s a really strong bond and that has a lot to do with our success,” says Jones.  “Our students do want to accomplish, they do want to do things.  They want to go beyond where they are right now.  We help make that happen.

“It seems like we are at a point now where we can really see the light.  I am just excited to see what the end will be.”

Principal Kramer agrees.  He also cites the education association in the building as a positive contributor to school atmosphere.

“Association leaders stay in touch about school issues,” he says.  “But we don’t see much separation of administration and teachers.  It’s the teacher in the classroom that makes education happen.  As an administrator, I’m there to support that and make sure they have everything they need.  That’s what counts.”

Still looking for proof that the social networking site “twitter” can benefit your classroom?

Last week we told you how you could follow astronaut T.J. Creamer as he tweeted from space and even answered questions.

This week, there’s more:

How about an easy 7-step start-up guide for educators on twitter?

Or, battling student apathy?

Or, the 100 best blogs for tech-savvy teachers?

These are just some of many ways joining twitter can benefit you. Links to all of these stories popped up on IEA’s twitter feed just today. In addition to following an astronaut’s journeys through space or professional tips, you can link with educators across the world who are teaching the same subjects as you, or your own coworkers, students, friends and family.

And, you can keep up with the latest news from the Illinois Education Association. You can find us at @ieanea.

Twitter is a FREE social networking site where you update what you’re doing, post links to interesting articles, share pictures of a project or just keep in touch – all in 140 characters or less.

Just go to the top, right-hand social networking toolbar on the IEA website and click on the “t” in the blue-green square. To sign up, you just put in your name, a screen name, a password and your e-mail address and you’re ready to start. (Be sure to make ieanea the first thing you follow!)

You can also get twitter on your phone. Just go to the twitter website or to your phone carrier’s application store and search for “twitter” to find the app that works best for you. Then you can get all your news on the go. Or, you can twitter through texting.

Here are just a few ways you can use it:

–Get updates from IEA about important news and events (and with the legislative session that’s ahead of us, this will be imperative).

–Follow other instructors who teach the same subjects as you and share ideas, experiences.

–Encourage students to communicate with each other, essentially creating virtual study groups.

–Remind students of their homework assignments.

–Tell your fellow bus drivers that school has been cancelled due to weather problems, or about an upcoming meeting.

–Follow your favorite news outlets and get breaking news updates from them.

–Do a search and you can follow your favorite movie stars and athletes, or even your favorite athletic teams or bands.

There are countless online tutorials for twitter.

–This video by Common Craft explains twitter in plain English.

–This resource helps you find new and innovative ways to use twitter in education.

And, for ALL THINGS twitter, visit this twitter wiki.

Good luck and have fun!

Parenting magazine this May will convene the first Mom Congress on Education and Learning at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in hopes of encouraging parents to become more involved in their children’s education.

If you or a mom you know has made a real difference in improving schools, nominate them. Parenting wants to hear about it.

The magazine will be selecting one outstanding mom advocate from every state and the District of Columbia to attend the two-day conference.

The goal is to create Parenting’s Lesson Plan for Change, which will help empower parents nationwide to get more involved in schools.

The moms will receive round-trip airfare, a two-night hotel stay and the opportunity to connect with other mom’s across the country.

Applications will be accepted through March 15.