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.

One of the many wonderful mirrors auctioned for the IEA Children's Fund

Christine Donnell Elementary held a very creative fundraiser for the IEA Children’s Fund this spring.  Here is what Amber Armstrong had to say about this annual event at her school.

We called this our “Mirror, Mirror” project.  Blank wood mirrors were available for “check-out” to families, staff, and our community members.  The only stipulation was that they be returned “decorated or transformed” somehow.  People surprised us with their creativity and vigor for the project.  We ended up having 35 beautiful mirrors to put into a silent auction during our school arts fair.  People who came were excited by the project and jumped to sign up for a mirror next year.  In it’s “pilot year” we collected $838 for the IEA Children’s Fund!

To see more pictures of these wonderful mirrors click here.

Left to Right: Eric Taylor, Centennial HS; Brandy Nelson, Ustick Elem; Deborah Fisher, River Valley Elem; Shannon Decker, Ponderosa Elem.

The MEA is proud that 28 Teachers of the Year and 8 Classifieds of the Year in Meridian are Meridian Education Association members!

These MEA members were chosen by their peers throughout Joint School District No. 2 as Teachers and Classified of the Year for their schools.

Here is what they have to say on why being an IEA/MEA member has helped them become better teachers and education support professionals.

“I could not educate children without the support of the MEA and IEA. With the IEA advocating for students’ needs at the state level and the MEA advocating for students’ needs at the local level, I am able to advocate for students’ needs at the local level. I am able to concentrate on being the best possible teacher for my class and students at our school when I have others working to promote education throughout the school district and the state of Idaho.” – Shannon Decker, Ponderosa Elementary

“Being an MEA/IEA member helps me to be a better teacher because I know they are looking out for my best interest.  This enables me to put my instruction at the forefront of my thinking, and not stress about the quality of my working environment.  I rely on them to take care of me, so I can take care of children!” – Angel Larson, Fifth Grade, Lake Hazel Elementary

“I have been a proud member of the MEA for my entire career.  This association has enabled me to perform my job at the highest professional level, because this association consistently informs its members of current trends that are taking place in education both locally and nationally.” – Eric Taylor LAT, ATC, Head Athletic Trainer, Centennial High School

“Being part of the MEA helps me be a better teacher because I know I will always be supported in what I do. The MEA provides numerous workshops that teachers can attend to develop skills!” – Jessica Ekegren, Paramount Elementary

“By being an active MEA/IEA member I have been able to be a stronger advocate for my students.  My active membership makes it possible for me to be informed on possible changes to the classroom that may affect students’ achievement.  Additionally, being an active member has given me added professional security which enables me to devote a greater percentage of my energy and abilities toward the success of my students.” - Brandy Nelson; 1st Grade – Ustick Elementary

“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.

This is the meeting where building representatives learn about the latest MEA and IEA news and events, learn more about the MEA budget, and let the MEA know about the concerns, questions and conditions throughout the Meridian school district. The MEA leadership shares information about Children’s Fund, Membership, Education Support Professionals (ESP), the Legislature, the Master Contract and more.

All B Team members and their guests are welcome to attend.  Please RSVP to Tricia Waltner.

Please RSVP to Tricia Waltner.

The MEA lobbyists were: Luke Franklin, Sue Darden, Shane Stevenson, Kathleen McCarter, Derek Bernier, Cindy Wilson, Shannon Decker, Caya Snethen, Janet Hargis, Duane Dixon, Debbie Lichter, Nate Ned, Tanya Perry, Robyn Coulter, Jerel Thomas and Shannon Nicholson.

“Idaho is in a precarious situation, it’s like a ball of semi-tangled yarn, you pull on the thread and you either tangle it more or you realize it MAY be on the way to being un-tangled.   If you realize that teachers pay taxes and support the state, too, you realize that the 70,000 that are unemployed are being taken care of by un-employment compensation, food stamps, and other state services.  To cut teacher salaries, jobs, etc. would put EVEN MORE in the unemployment lines and put a “strain” on Idaho’s “precarious” state.” Nate Ned, Pioneer Elementary.

“I was saddened by the direction our leaders are trying to take us.  Yes, times are hard, but one thing is always true.  “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”-Benjamin Franklin” Debbie Lichter, Ponderosa Elementary.

The group also attended an IEA hosted legislator luncheon at the James A. Shackelford (IEA) Building.

“I was happy to see that our state legislators are looking at many alternatives to help ease the cuts that education is projected to take.  I heard several interesting ideas on finding money in places where we do not usually think of looking,” Luke Franklin, Meridian Elementary.

The legislators joining the Meridian delegation for lunch were Senators Chuck Winder (R-Boise) and Russ Fulcher (R-Meridian) and Representatives Mike Moyle (R-Star), Joe Palmer (R-Meridian), Marv Hagedorn (R-Meridian), Rich Jarvis (R-Meridian) and Cliff Bayer (R-Boise).

“The grassroots lobbing experience is like nothing I’ve ever done before.  It was thrilling to see our state government in action. At the end of the day, Senator Andreason summed it up nicely (to paraphrase) when revenue is cut from one branch of the state budget, then the workload is also cut.  However, in education when you cut the revenue you cannot cut the students.  So education is different than any other aspect of state budgeting. I hope other legislators begin to appreciate that point of view.” Shannon Decker, Ponderosa Elementary.

Luke Franklin, MEA’s Representative on the IEA’s Government Relations and Political Action Committee informed, inspired and challenged the crowd to become active participants in the political process – starting with becoming GR-PACE contributors.

“I was amazed by how much money we were able to raise in such a short period of time.  Our fundraising success speaks to the importance of being involved in the political process.  PACE is the easiest and possibly one of the most effective ways to ensure that pro-public education candidates succeed in their elections.  I hope more members will be inspired to join in our efforts!” Laura Walter, Second Grade Teacher, Chaparral

“The dessert feeding frenzy was fun and motivating, but more importantly, the money raised will help us all by being able to back a candidate that is a friend of education.” Becky Turner, Extended Resource Teacher, Meridian High School.

In the end, almost every meeting participant walked away from the meeting with an appreciation for what their GR-Pace contributions can accomplish as well as a cake or some cookies or cupcakes.

“Ummmm, yummy lemon bars?  It was a great activity for a great cause and motivated  people to give-if only a little.  It seemed like every little dollar mattered.” Amber Armstrong, Christine Donnell School of the Arts.

Click here to see photos of the Dessert Feeding Frenzy!

“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/