The retreat was planned and facilitated by new teachers who had previously attended a Sparks retreat.  The facilitators/trainers at this summer’s retreat were Alicia Bradshaw, Kjirsten Lawton, Kelli Cullen, Brenda Castle, and Summer Radke.

Teachers invited to attend were asked to answer a survey so that the agenda could be built on the common needs and concerns of the group.  The new teachers attending the retreat slept in bunk beds and sleeping bags, ate s’mores around a campfire and created personal collages on a balcony overlooking the Payette lake, all while discussing issues like classroom management, staying organized in the classroom and finding ways to manage their time and their stress.

Jennifer Weddel, a first year teacher at Andrus Elementary shared her experience at the Sparks retreat. “The Sparks retreat was an amazing opportunity to not only learn about my chosen craft but to connect with others. Being surrounded by other caring, compassionate, creative minds inspired me to push myself even more.  This retreat showed me that the teachers of this area are full of passion to help children and the skills we learned and the connections we made will only help us to be better teachers.”

“Sparks was both rejuvenating and informative.  I’m not normally one to enjoy large groups of people, but I found individuals who I hope to keep up with for a long time.  I’m so glad I went and would recommend it to any teacher, no matter how on top of their game they might be.” Rebekah Marquez, Rocky Mountain High School

“My experience at SPARKS this spring was very positive.  It was great to get to know other new teachers who were going through the same “growing pains” of being new to the profession.  There are only one or two newer teachers at my school, so it was good to get viewpoints from teachers from other schools in other districts.” Mandy Hansen, Lewis and Clark Middle School

You can see some pictures from this retreat here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/meridianea/sets/72157624350338942/

For more information about Sparks, contact MEA/IEA Region 9 office at 888-1192 or twaltner@idahoea.org.

“IEA recognizing the MEA Task Force was a wonderful opportunity to share the message of what the Meridian Education Association is trying to accomplish.  The work started in 2007 is just beginning.  We continue to grow and evolve.  We continue to take on the issues that affect Educational Support Professionals every day.  We cannot wait to see what the future holds for the task force and ESP’s, not only in Meridian but all over Idaho.” – Mary Frances Booth, MEA-ESP Task Force, Computer Lab Technician, Ponderosa Elementary

“I felt we (the group attending DA) were just “the tip of the iceberg”. There were so many indispensable members of the Task Force that weren’t able to attend. We were proud to stand up there and receive the award, but were representing the entire team.   I wished they had all been there.  We’d need a ‘bigger bus’ to get us all there!” – David Swingle, MEA-ESP Task Force, Head Custodian, Lewis and Clark Middle School

“We have spent the last year working on a Living Wage Campaign and trying to connect teachers and ESPs together.  It is a compliment to our efforts that we were awarded the Edythe Crowe award.” – Jeanne Taylor, MEA Vice President of ESP, MEA-ESP Task Force, Resource Room Assistant, Peregrine Elementary

“I feel like we’ve made great gains this year in managing to successfully merge the monthly B-team meetings and local ESP meetings into one.   It was so wonderful to be rewarded with this honor of the Edythe Crowe Award. “ – Tawni Berryman-Hull, MEA Vice President of ESP, MEA-ESP Task Force, Resource Room Assistant, Peregrine Elementary

Edythe Crowe was a food program manager at Orchards Elementary School in Lewiston for over 25 years. Edythe was involved in the beginning of the membership movement of the ESP (Educational Support Professional) bargaining rights.

Edythe was actively involved in committee work of the IEA and she marched from Julia Davis Park to the Capitol with the teachers and staff from many school districts in support of funding and bargaining rights for ESP. The Edythe Crowe Award was started to honor Edythe for her involvement in encouraging classified staff to become members of our local, state and national associations and her involvement in the struggle for bargaining rights for Educational Support Professionals.

President Sherri Wood announced that Region 9 far surpassed its colleagues in neighboring regions, raising an unprecedented $615.52 per delegate!  IEA members from around the state contributed nearly $30,000 through the silent auction, center pieces, and cash contributions at this year’s 2010 Delegate Assembly.  Meridian delegates played their part in the silent auction, through an array of baskets donated by their individual schools and buying, buying, buying in the auction frenzy!

This marks the fourth year in a row that Meridian won the IEA trophy for collecting the most money for the Children’s Fund.  Throughout the school year, buildings across Joint School District #2 raised funds through silent auctions, bake sales, change collections, jean and hat days, and various other creative means.  Special recognition goes to several schools that passed the $1000 mark through their school fundraisers and gracious cash donations: Christine Donnell School of the Arts, Discovery Elementary, Pepper Ridge Elementary, Ponderosa Elementary, and Summerwind Elementary.

Sue Colvard, Central Academy; Sheila Saunders, Lowell Scott Middle School; Chris Hiroto, Star Elementary; Carrie Goicoechea, Lake Hazel Middle School; Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary; and Adam Collins, Eagle High School.

This year, the MEA and the Meridian School District will begin using the IBB (Interest Based Bargaining) Process using a 3^rd party facilitator trained by the FMCS (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service).   For more details on the Interest Based Bargaining Process, you may access the document: Key Elements of Interest Based Problem-Solving and Steps in Interest Based Negotiating.

“In these challenging economic times, we will need to take a creative approach to negotiations.  Interest Based Bargaining will afford us the opportunity to do so.  The problems we will be facing will require all parties to think outside the box and tackle the problems in new and innovative ways.  IBB is the process through which we can accomplish that.” – Sue Colvard, Central Academy

“Receiving the grant and embarking on the IBB process offers us an excellent opportunity to work towards a more collaborative bargaining process with the school district.” - Shannon Nicholson, MEA President

The Idaho Education Association, Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Administrators Association have partnered with the FMCS to provide the week-long training for IBB facilitators throughout the state.  These facilitators are now ready to train school district and association teams at the local level.  For more information on what a facilitator does, you may access the document, The Role of the Facilitator and Facilitator Responsibilities.

“I am looking forward to working side by side with the district for a contract that is positive for our students, personnel and district.” – Kim Jones, Seven Oaks Elementary

“IBB will require true collaboration from both sides of the negotiation table to be successful.  The IBB approach to collective bargaining will hopefully result in a joint partnership to achieve District and MEA goals and desires.” – Chris T. Hiroto, Star Elementary

The MEA hopes to hold the first initial joint training session sometime in March and then begin bargaining in earnest shortly after that.  This year we will focus on making contract language changes that affect you every day.

“I look forward to the Interest Based Bargaining Process and anticipate that it will enhance both the efficiency and equity of the negotiations process.” – Adam Collins, Eagle High

“The training helped to reinforce my feelings regarding seeking a Living Wage in this time of economic hardships.  It is not our responsibility to carry the burden of these times on our shoulders and we have the right to be able to “afford to live.” – Jeanne Taylor, Peregrine Elementary, Resource Room Assistant

Participants learned about the role of networking and relationships in any successful organizing effort and practiced these one on one conversations with their colleagues in attendance.

“The Living Wage training gave us some good information – I especially liked coming up with statements that people would likely say to us and then coming up with replies (as a group).  I think this will be very helpful.  Furthermore, it reinforced the belief/fact that we do “deserve” a living wage and we should be paid a wage that we can support ourselves on.” - Tawni Berryman-Hull, Resource Room Assistant, Peregrine Elementary.

For more information on a Living Wage in Idaho, check out the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations (NWFCO), a regional federation of four statewide, community-based social and economic justice organizations located in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington: Colorado Progressive Coalition, Idaho Community Action Network, Oregon Action, and Washington Community Action Network. Collectively these organizations engage in community organizing and coalition building in both rural and metropolitan areas, including Denver, Seattle, Boise, and Portland.   www.nwfco.org.

To view photos of this meeting go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meridianea/sets/72157623228285353/

Just click on the link for the nomination form, print it out, and send it to the MEA through district mail; or you can email the information to Tricia Waltner.

Outstanding Member Educator Form 1109 for web

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