A Word of Encouragement

To coincide with the most recent, education-profession-bashing, article in Time Magazine, I think it is important to send a clear message to all of you who have committed your lives and careers to positively impact the lives of your students on a daily basis.

It is too often a thankless task. I know that a majority of our members are elementary teachers and they are setting aside each afternoon this week and one really long evening, to meet with the parents of each of their students. Those conversations will be unique; pointing out the learning styles, strengths and challenges of every student. Each conference will be a living example of the 'Learning is Personal' vision our district strives to achieve.

Do you get the impression I could go on and on?

Thanks to the debate coaches, whose students engage in relevant, critical thinking at every turn.

Kudos to the vocal, instrumental and visual arts teachers who consistently provide opportunities for their students to engage in 'the arts' as a daily way of looking at and understanding the world around them.

A shout out goes to science teachers who use current events and ongoing projects like the Nautilus, deep-sea exploration to inspire their students to ask questions and to test theories.

Much gratitude goes to athletic coaches, of all sports, who foster a healthy understanding in their athletes about what it really means to participate as a team member and to work together toward a common goal.

Each of us knows that many of our students wouldn't come to school at all if these opportunities weren't available to them. It is the dedication and expertise of our educators that keeps many students involved in school each day.

Please know that it would have been easy to keep on writing; listing the amazing ways that counselors, nurses, librarians and all of you meet the needs of the students in our community.

Thank you!

Kittilu Maxson

Springfield NEA President

 Springfield School Board Update

Study Session, 10.7.2014

 

 

Highlights:

 

* Parker McKenna made a recommendation for the board to renew the District's contract with Mercy as the Preferred Provider. The new 5-year contract will save the District approximately $4 million dollars, according to a re-pricing analysis of last year's claims. The board will vote on the recommendation at it's next regular meeting, Oct. 21, 2014.

 

* The board is considering a 3rd party contract to cover Crossing Guard responsibilities. There was much discussion about partnering with both the city and county, but the total cost to the district could be as much as $67,000 if those groups do not contribute toward the costs of keeping our children safe.

 

* Dr. Jungmann presented a draft of the district's 2015 Legislative Agenda, to be voted on at the next meeting. The document stresses legislative support of local control, revenue increases, the positive correlation between strong public schools and our community's healthy economic development, a commitment to fully funding the formula and an expectation that local legislators will use the Missouri Public Education Vision Project to direct their work for our children.

 

* Board President, Dr. Denise Fredrick presented to the Chamber's Good Morning, Springfield about the importance of defeating Amendment 3. She also volunteered with other local educators at the Protect Our Local Schools phone bank to call voters across the state to ask them to join us in voting against this harmful amendment.

 

* All board members agreed that more focused, one-on-one advocacy needs to take place between each of them and our local legislators. They expressed frustration that many candidates run on an 'education' platform and then can't be found when it's time to vote in support of our local education issues. There may be a reception for local legislators before the Dec. 9th board meeting.

 

One of my favorite moments of the meeting, which lasted until after 8:00 p.m., was when Dr. Jungmann referred to ,"Creativity and our other C's...", as he shared out experiences from his Listening/Learning Tour. Many of us have  thought that Creativity should be the first of the 4 C's and it was inspiring to hear the word used so naturally by the vision-maker of our district!

 

Submitted by Kittilu Maxson

SNEA President