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For the latest news, go to AUGUST 2022 nea.org/NEAToday or sign up for our e-newsletter at nea.org/signup. NEA TODAY for NEA-RETIRED MEMBERS An edition of NEA Today How to Launch a Second Career FOLLOW A DREAM. PURSUE A NEW PASSION. RETIREMENT CAN BE A NEW BEGINNING. SEE PAGE 28 Retired teacher Sherri Barber owns a barbershop in Louisiana.

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August 2022 VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 FOR NEA-RETIRED MEMBERS 24 38 28 COVER F E AT U R E S Take This Job and Love It 38 As many educators leave the profession, How to Launch a What I’ve Learned Second Career 24 Retiree Marilyn Warner shares her story find out why so many more have stayed. 28 As much as you loved being of gratitude, determination, and lessons 2022 Teacher of the Year a teacher, did you ever dream of learned as she recovered from a stroke. 42 Ohio history teacher Kurt Russell fosters following a completely different path? Learn how retired educators The Time Is Now to Protect open conversations about race. have pursued new passions and Democracy built second careers—including 32 Members vowed to3fi4ght for freedom at Censored! as a mayor, writer, and barber- 44 Find out how educators are fighting shop owner. the 2022 NEA-Retired Annual Meeting. back against gag orders and intimidation. The 2022 Elections Are Coming! 34 This cheat sheet explains how Solving for X 48 Paid leave, LGBTQ+ rights, and child candidates up and down the ballot can impact students and educators. care are just a few of the problems that union members are solving together. SPECIAL SECTIONS DEPARTMENTS EDUCATION SUPPORT First and Foremost 7 FROM THE NEA-RETIRED PRESIDENT PROFESSIONALS 10 Education news and trends. Issues and Impact 8 BECKY’S JOURNAL Spotting Students’ Mental 14 Educators and allies fighting for Health Struggles 22 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 18 “ESPs … can see patterns in public schools. 52 RESOURCES students’ lives that teachers can’t People and Places see,” says educator and author Lori 20 Meet the people making news 54 2022 NEA REPRESENTATIVE Desautels, who writes about the A S S E M B LY important role education support in education. Vice President Kamala Harris, NEA professionals can play in recognizing leaders, and many others celebrated mental health concerns. The Bulletin Board and inspired educators. 26 NEA-Retired members across 56 NEA IN ACTION the country are making a difference. NEA is working every day for great public schools for all students and educators. JOIN THE Get the NEA Today App Sign up for NEA Today news! CONVERSATION Available in the App Store and on For timely news about issues impacting educators, visit nea.org/ 2 Google Play. NEAToday or sign up for NEA Today’s biweekly e-newsletter at nea.org/signup. COVER PHOTO: TIM MUELLER; PHOTOS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JOSHUA BEECHER, COURTESY OF MARILYN WARNER; DOUG GRITZMACHER

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mission, vision, and values NEA-RETIRED PRESIDENT OUR VISION IS A GREAT DEMOCRACY. NEA TODAY (ISSN 0734-7219) is PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR published ve times a year by the Sarah Borgman EVERY STUDENT. We believe public education is the National Education Association, cornerstone of our republic. Public 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, VICE PRESIDENT OUR MISSION education provides individuals DC 20036-3290. Periodicals with the skills to be involved, postage paid at Washington, D.C., Jean Dobashi To advocate for education informed, and engaged in our and additional mailing of ces. professionals and to unite our representative democracy. Postmaster: Send address changes to SECRETARY members and the nation to NEA Today, Attn: NEA Membership ful ll the promise of public PROFESSIONALISM. Management Services Address Marilyn Warner education to prepare every Change, Suite 510, 1201 16th St., student to succeed in a diverse We believe that the expertise and N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3290. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL and interdependent world. judgment of education professionals Copyright 2022 by the National are critical to student success. We Education Association of the United Meg Gruber Janice Poirier OUR CORE VALUES maintain the highest professional States. All rights reserved. Roberta Margo JoAnn Smith-Mashburn standards, and we expect the status, Telephone: 202-833-4000 Linda McCrary Tom Wellman These principles guide our compensation, and respect due to NEA Today for NEA-Retired Members, work and de ne our mission: all professionals. is mailed to all NEA-Retired members BOARD OF DIRECTORS as a bene t of membership. Ed Foglia Judy Rohde EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. PARTNERSHIP. Advertising within NEA Today for Anita Gibson Barbara Schram NEA-Retired Members is screened, but Julie Horwin Mae Smith We believe public education is We believe partnerships with parents, the publishing of any advertisement the gateway to opportunity. All families, communities, and other does not imply NEA endorsement of Janet Kilgus, Alternate students have the human and civil stakeholders are essential to quality the product or views expressed. Diane L. Larson, Alternate right to a quality public education public education and student success. To change your address and/or stop Diccie L. Smith, Alternate that develops their potential, receiving print materials from NEA, Stephen Gorrie, Elections Chair independence, and character. COLLECTIVE ACTION. visit nea.org/about-nea/contact-us, or call 202-833-4000. NEA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A JUST SOCIETY. We believe individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common Kim A. Anderson We believe public education is vital good. As education professionals, we to building respect for the worth, improve both our professional status and THE NATIONAL EDUCATION dignity, and equality of every the quality of public education when ASSOCIATION individual in our diverse society. we unite and advocate collectively. We, the members of the National Education Association of the United States, are the voice of education professionals. Our work is fundamental to the nation, and we accept the profound trust placed in us. TOP OF THE CLASS! Now you can earn Cash Back while★“Salutes the school When a sassy drummer starts kindergarten, the rules community and the of school cramp her style. deals withpositive role it ourplays in What’s a young rock star to you shop great kids’ lives.” all-new do? —Booklist (starred review) “Schu invites readers into a school community NEA Discount Marketplaceinwhichallvoicesare heard.” with Cash Back powered byAges4–8•$17.99($23.99CAN) —Publishers Weekly Also available as an e-book Ages 3–7 • $17.99 ($23.99 CAN) Also available as an e-book A picture book Playful poems and countless You asked, we listened!encouraging children to hours of mind-blowing, choose words well—and mathematical fun Now it’s even easier to findutshe ethebmeswtisedlyis—ctoo unts and get eSxhcolpusdievealCsafsrohmBaocvkero2n ,y5o0u0lsropvrfteeaoavpdokrrienitdtenaeinslsea,rjmosy,e, oa-nbndrliannedsptororedsu,cts. local restaurants and more—all in one place! Ages 4–8 • $17.99 ($23.99 CAN) neamb.com/marketplaceStart earning Cash Back now atAlsoavailableasane-book Ages 8–12 • $18.99 ($24.99 CAN)

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president’s viewpoint NEA RETIRED PRESIDENT NECNAECAIBEWIBEW SARAH BORGMAN Demand for employees in the [email protected] electrical industry continues 574-849-5580 to grow. Help Get Out the Vote Your Students Deserve a August—this tells me the association year Debt-Free is drawing to a close, and we keep hoping Career Option to say goodbye to this pandemic. Reality says we’ll continue to see this horrible illness Powering America’s seep in, but hopefully not in its past gravity. apprenticeships offer hands-on and classroom instruction, college Well, that also means we are about to start credits, and wages and benefits a new association year. New challenges, new during training. Certified electrical goals, new activities lie before us. Look for new apprenticeships are the first step membership outreach, more communication and in the path leading to careers in involvement with members, more positions lled this industry. Powering America’s on our virtual committees, new leadership in apprenticeships offer a superior some NEA-Retired positions, and YOUR renewed education—at little or no cost to interest in activities with your state and local. the students—and full-time work as electricians, line workers, and And the midterm elections are already upon telecommunications technicians. us. With early voting, the election actually starts long before November’s of cial Election Day. Get-out-the-vote efforts are already in full swing. What are you planning to do? Please volunteer, ask your association president for a job, and DO something to create positive results. The NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, with combined virtual and in-person attendance, took place in June. (See Page 32 for the latest on the meeting.) It was great to be together again in-person, exchange ideas, and advance the work of NEA-Retired within our NEA family. Once again, our PAC auctions successfully raised money to elect lawmakers who help protect our pensions, Social Security, health care, and, of course, public education—which really means our profession and our grandchildren. A special thanks to the thousands of NEA-Retired members who sent messages, made phone calls, and held virtual meetings with legislators for our Day of Action on May 24. You sent a message loud and clear that Congress needs to repeal laws that reduce Social Security bene ts for public service employees (read more on Page 26). Join in your association’s efforts, remembering we are NEA-Retired. Our commitment continues, because we are needed NOW more than ever! Scan this code with your mobile phone to win free children’s books, or go online at nea.org/sweeps. N E AT O D AY PUBLISHER AND EDITOR PROGRAM AND DESIGN AND SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION ART DIRECTION CENTER FOR Robin Terry Brown SPECIALIST COMMUNICATIONS Groff Creative LLC SR. WRITER/EDITORS Tammy Funderburk Ramona Oliver ADVERTISING SALES Brenda Álvarez NEA.ORG/NEATODAY ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Mary Ellen Flannery Carson Helsper AND DIRECTOR Amanda Litvinov Tim Walker [email protected] Cindy Long 301-527-2195 Anitrá Speight SR. CONTENT STRATEGIST, NEA.ORG CONTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR COPY EDITOR EDITORIAL AND Michelle Chovan James Paterson PUBLICATIONS Judy Rowe Steven Richardson Marilyn Warner Steven Grant WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK: Learn more at MAIL: NEA Today, 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036 PoweringAmerica.org/careers EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 202-822-7207 FAX: 202-822-7206 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/neatoday

Becky Pringle NEA President Dear NEA members, I am honored Face to Face with NEA Members to serve as your president. This spring, my Joy, Justice, and Excellence Tour brought me to Cedartown United, we will reclaim public Middle School, in Polk County, Georgia. In a state with some 4,000 teaching education as a common good and vacancies, this school had not one vacancy! The educators I met, including transform it into a racially and local president Dorothy Welch, credited their new four-day school week, socially just system that actually which dedicates Mondays for teacher planning and student remediation. prepares every student—not one, And, unlike other places that have rushed into four-day weeks for the wrong not some, but every single stu- reasons, Polk’s schedule has not led to pay cuts for school bus drivers or dent—to succeed in a diverse and other education support professionals. They’re even making sure to send interdependent world. Onward! meals home on Fridays. Student achievement is up, and so is educator well- being. And do you know what I love most about it? Everyone—union leaders and school district officials—came together to make it happen! “You are our reminder of (Top) That’s me with Dorothy Welch, an amazing educator in Cedartown, Ga.; the power and promise; the (Bottom) This Philly girl just had to take a photo of this rural school’s chickens! creativity and commitment; the resilience and resolve PHOTOS: TOM SMARSH that incredible humans, like you, tap when humanity faces unimaginable challenges and seemingly insurmountable odds. You are a reminder of the determination of those who have made that decision to be a teacher.” — BECKY, AT NEA’S ASPIRING EDUCATORS GRADUATION, MAY 24 8

JOY, JUSTICE, In the News AND EXCELLENCE “In this country, the richest country on Earth, it’s not a matter of whether we have the JOIN ME resources. It’s a matter of whether we have the will [to pay teachers what they deserve].” Three things to do for your students BECKY, IN POLITICO, APRIL 27 and your union! What I am saying It’s a new school year! To get things about gun violence started right, I’m asking you to take these three actions: In June, three days before I marched with educators who survived the Check your voter registra- shootings in Columbine, Colo., and tion, ASAP! Two years ago, NEA Oxford, Mich., I addressed members members elected President Joe of the U.S. House of Representatives Biden, and his administration has on the gun violence epidemic. Here provided us with the largest, single is what I told them: “Every single investment in public schools in his- day that politicians fail to take meaningful action, every single day tory. Now, midterm elections are that politicians ignore the majority of Americans who want stricter approaching—and we need to be gun laws, you are telling our children: Protecting your lives matters prepared (again!) to stand up for less to us than protecting the status quo. I ask you: Who are you public schools. serving?” That question is easy for us, as educators, to answer. We’re serving our students, every day. But we can’t help our students Read a banned book. The top soar, while wearing body armor or carrying weapons. Thanks to our three “most challenged” books collective e orts, in June, Congress passed the most significant gun of 2021 feature young LGBTQ+ safety legislation in decades. It’s a good step, and the bill will save people—and it makes me wonder lives, but we cannot stop there. Take action at nea.org/gunviolence. why people are so afraid to see and support our LGBTQ+ students. @BeckyPringle September includes Banned Books Week. This is a good time to open a window or shine a mirror into our students’ lives. Greet your new colleagues and in- vite them to join us! Being the new person can be hard and lonely. Make sure they know we welcome them, support them, and invite them to join our movement. In fact, you might just hand them this magazine and circle this website: nea.org/join-our-movement. Find out how NEA is working every day for educators, 9 students, and public schools in “NEA in Action” (Page 56). PHOTO: PATRICK RYAN

EDUCATION NEWS AND TRENDS. There are many educators who would be mortified at the thought of Q&A: How Educators Can contributing to educational injustice Help Dismantle the School- for students of color. What are some to-Prison Pipeline practices and behaviors educators need to recognize and/or adopt to During the 1990s, many school districts adopted zero-tolerance ensure they’re a part of the solution, policies, mandating suspensions for what school o cials called not the problem? “willful defiance” for minor o enses such as cursing, chewing gum, or refusing to take o a hat. This gave way to unjust disciplinary MRW: One thing educators can actions that disproportionately put students of color on a path toward do is think about alternatives to dis- the criminal justice system. cipline and punishment. There are a whole set of restorative practices and In the recent book, Willful Defiance: The Movement to Dismantle restorative justice approaches that the School-to-Prison Pipeline, researcher, author, help with student misbehavior. and NEA higher education member Mark R. Warren spotlights the voices of parents and students of color What would also be helpful is for who are organizing and building movements to stop the educators to look at the adults who school-to-prison pipeline. have set up this system of discipline and punishment in schools and in our larger society. Who is being disci- plined and punished? What do the disparities look like? What are the attitudes and habitual practices, such as calling the police or school resource o cer for minor issues, or when there is a disagreement over whether a student has a cell phone on their person? It’s the larger system, not just student misbehavior, that needs to be addressed. NEA: The book describes how kids are getting ex- Willful Defiance chronicles how, in the pelled based on willful defiance or subjective judgments, past, teachers unions were in favor of such as “disruptive,” “annoying,” and “boisterous” behav- zero-tolerance policies. How do you iors. What’s really at the root of these suspensions? envision unions being better partners? Mark R. Warren: First, we must understand zero- MRW: It’s the same question for tolerance discipline and policing in our schools. The the union as it is for an individual term zero-tolerance started in the 1980s with the war educator. Are you acting in a way that on drugs and then was transferred into schools during the 1990s. It’s is supporting a school-to-prison pipe- a part of what civil rights lawyer and author Michelle Alexander called line, or are you working to dismantle “the new Jim Crow” and the rise of mass incarceration and criminaliza- it? In the book, I document how many tion in communities of color. teachers’ unions opposed e orts The general public and many teachers had attitudes rooted in racist by Black community members who stereotypes. They targeted African American and Latino young people were fighting for educational justice as superpredators, criminals, or bad people who must be disciplined for their children. That’s the reality and controlled and, on the basis of any small misbehavior, removed we must face. Rather than opposing from our schools. parents and young people who are or- ganizing to change racist policies and To help drill down, what questions should teachers and school sta practices, unions should find common consider before taking any action toward a student? ground and start to listen. MRW: When teachers are sitting in a classroom, one of ATACKTEION the questions to ask is, “Am I acting in a way that’s part of Find out how you can the system that’s criminalizing our young people, or is there advocate for racial and social a di erent way of thinking about what’s going on in front of justice in our schools at me and supporting our students and their families?” neaedjustice.org. 10 PHOTO: WEB IMAGE

FIRST AND FOREMOST VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS MISSING: Dinosaurs, gems, animals, and 10,000 Future Teachers in Colleges of Education other natural wonders. When it comes to the U.S. teacher shortage, the candle is burning at Book today. both ends. More stressed-out teachers are leaving the profession, Scholarships available. and, at the same time, the number of college students preparing to carnegiemnh.org/vft teach is still falling, according to a report from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE). 412-622-3131 Among AACTE’s findings: 11 • In 2019, U.S. colleges awarded fewer than 90,000 undergraduate degrees in education, down from nearly 200,000 per year in the early 1970s. • In the last 10 years alone, the number of people completing traditional teacher-prep programs has dropped by 35 percent. • The number of students earning degrees in science and math education—high-need subjects in U.S. schools—has fallen by 27 percent. None of this is surprising to NEA members, who have been talking for years about the escalating educator shortage, which has now grown to encompass other positions such as bus drivers, school nurses, and food service workers. + QUOTED “Forcing American taxpayers to fund private religious education—even when those private schools fail to meet education standards, intentionally discriminate against students, or use public funds to promote religious training, worship, and instruction—erodes the foundation of our democracy and harms students.” NEA PRESIDENT BECKY PRINGLE REACTS TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT’S CARSON V. MAKIN RULING, WHICH COULD EXPAND THE REACH OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS ACROSS THE NATION PHOTO TOP: ADOBE STOCK; BOTTOM: PATRICK RYAN

Why Students Play School Sports–or Don’t Student participation in school sports tends to dip by the time young people reach high school. A recent survey asked nearly 6,000 high school students why they chose to play, or not to play, school sports. Top Reasons Students Engage in High School Sports 81% Having Fun 79% Exercise 66% Learning and improving skills 64% Playing with and making new friends 59% Competing 53% Winning games Top Reasons Students Don’t Play High School Sports 42% Schoolwork 32% Don’t enjoy sports 26% No sports offered that are of interest 25% Don’t think they’re good enough 22% Work schedule 21% Family responsibilities SOURCE: NATIONAL STUDENT SURVEY ANALYSIS, ASPEN STUDENT AND RESONANT EDUCATION, 2022 BY THE NUMBERS U.S. Public Schools 48,847,268 3,192,309 $14,360 $15,047 STUDENTS TEACHERS EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE In fall 2020, U.S. public U.S. public schools Per-student expenditure schools enrolled employed 3,192,309 The national average is projected to increase teachers during the per-student expenditure by 4.8 percent to $15,047 48,847,268 students, a 2020 – 2021 school year. during the 2020 – 2021 decrease of 2.7 percent The number of teachers in 2021 – 2022. is expected to increase school year, based on from fall 2019. From slightly by 0.1 percent fall enrollment, was SOURCE: 2022 NEA RANKINGS the 2020 – 2021 school for the 2021 – 2022 $14,360—a gain of AND ESTIMATES year to the 2021 – 2022 school year, enrollment is school year. 5 percent from expected to decline by an 2019 – 2020. estimated 0.1 percent. 12 PHOTO: FATCAMERA; SDI PRODUCTIONS

FIRST AND FOREMOST Media coverage drives public opinion on K–12 teachers 2/3ABOUT OF TEACHERS SAY THE NEWS MEDIA SUBSTANTIALLY IMPACTS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THE TEACHER PIPELINE. Communities valuing teachers: 79% 71%OF TEACHERS and OF PARENTS believe the news media substantially impacts how much communities value K–12 public school teachers. Government policies affecting teachers: 77% 69%OF TEACHERS and OF PARENTS say the media substantially impacts government policies affecting K–12 education. People pursuing teaching careers: 64% 54%OF TEACHERS and OF PARENTS say the media impacts how many people pursue teaching careers. SOURCE: TEACHERS IN THE NEWS: A PUBLIC AGENDA PROJECT; ILLUSTRATION: HARU_NATSU_KOBO

EDUCATORS AND ALLIES Why is collective FIGHTING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. bargaining under attack? 5 Big Reasons to Unfortunately, anti-union politi- Strengthen Bargaining cians and their backers have for Public Employees worked to erode these rights in recent decades. Some states have gutted their public sector collective bargaining laws and have severely restricted bargaining rights for edu- cators and other public employees. WE NEED A FEDERAL LAW THAT PROTECTS In 2011, the Wisconsin state legislature passed just such a law EDUCATORS’ RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING prohibiting public sector workers, including educators, from bargaining on any employment issue except base BY AMANDA LITVINOV wages. Many other states—includ- The pandemic has underscored the vital contributions of educa- ing Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, tors and other public employees who support our communities Arkansas, Kentucky, and Montana— every day. Time and again, we’ve seen these brave workers— followed Wisconsin’s lead, either curtailing or eliminating collective including nurses, social workers, child care providers, firefighters, bargaining rights. sanitation workers, and millions of educators—put themselves at risk Across the country, NEA a li- to care for the most vulnerable among us. ates are working to reverse this trend Yet in many places, educators and other public employees don’t by working with state legislators to have a say in their working conditions or the jobs they do. Often they establish, restore, or defend collective can’t weigh in on what they need to get the job done, despite their bargaining. expertise and experience. NEA also supports a bill in the U.S. A patchwork of state laws—developed over the decades in varying Congress called the Public Service political climates—determine whether or not public servants have the Freedom to Negotiate Act, which right to bargain collectively. Public employees deserve a federal law would ensure that public employ- that guarantees them the right to form a union and to bargain for the ees can exercise importan, t workers’ raises and working conditions they deserve. rights, such as: How does collective bargaining help • Joining a union that they select. students and educators? • Having clear dispute resolution procedures. Collective bargaining rights give educators a seat at the table • Bargaining over wages, hours, to negotiate fair wages, working hours, and benefits, including and terms and conditions of health care, pensions, and paid leave. During the pandemic, employment. some locals bargained for more nurses, counselors, and ATACKTEION literacy specialists to support students and make caseloads more manageable. Studies also show that collective bargaining decreases wage inequality, especially for People of Color and women. Ask your representatives in the In other words, collective bargaining for public employees U.S. Congress to support the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, is good public policy. and tell congressional leadership to bring it to the floor for a vote. Go to nea.org/publicservice to make your voice heard. 14

ISSUES AND IMPACT 1 The Benefits of 2 Collective Better school days for Educator-led answers educators and students Bargaining for to student needs Public Education • Guaranteed recess periods. • Smaller class sizes and • Time for teachers and Learn more at nea.org/bcg. caseloads. paraeducators to share best • More specialized instructional practices. support personnel, such as • Educator input in their own social workers, occupational professional learning. therapists, library media specialists, and many other positions. • Bolstering arts curricula. 3 5 4 Tool to help retain high- Bargaining for the Safer school buildings quality employees Common Good • Agreements to address the • Higher salaries. This innovative approach to safe return to in-person • More teacher preparation. bargaining brings together educator learning during the pandemic. • Mentoring and induction unions, parents, and community allies to improve schools. The far-reaching • Lead and radon testing. programs for new teachers. results can include: • Air quality monitoring. • Better working conditions. • Repair and upgrades to • Contract campaigns that ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCKPHOTO benefit educators and the address unsafe conditions. broader community. 15 • Changes that do away with racist policies and practices. • Communities standing together to demand change.

ISSUES AND IMPACT BE LIKE JILL: Get active in your union JILL GRIMM, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER AND Jill Grimm (left, and above, center) DEPARTMENT CHAIR, CROFTON MIDDLE rallied with colleagues in October. SCHOOL, GAMBRILLS, MARYLAND educators because they’re not speaking out.” When we write NEA Today: What inspired you to become active in letters, make calls, attend board of education meetings, or your union? testify at public hearings, we can influence important things like school start times or how pandemic relief money should Jill Grimm: When I was first hired, I joined the Teach- be spent. ers Association of Anne Arundel County (TAAAC) without a second thought. Then I had a powerful experience teach- For example, our school board told us, “We’re $110,000 ing labor-movement history to my eighth graders, and it short, we can’t pay teachers more this year.” And the year inspired me to get more involved in my local beyond just before, they couldn’t do it because of uncertainty around the voting once a year and paying my dues. I have been a build- economic picture due to COVID-19. But we had research ing rep for many years and served on the negotiation team. I reports and knew that Anne Arundel County had enough also joined the board of directors this year. money to pay us more. So we started reaching out to school board members, the county executive, and members of the Why did you say yes to joining the negotiations team? county council—not just the negotiations team, but TAAAC JG: Since I got to Anne Arundel County, I was very members—saying we know this is possible and here’s why it is necessary. passionate about making sure we speak out about profes- sional wages. It’s basically expected that teachers earn a Our negotiated agreement was approved and passed by master’s degree, but we can’t a ord graduate programs on both parties, not only because of the bargaining team’s work, our salaries. We have new teachers who can’t a ord to live but also because of all the members who wrote a letter and in the county we work in because their salaries don’t match wore a T-shirt and attended a meeting and made their voices the cost of living. heard. Every show of solidarity makes a huge di erence. I also thought it was important to make sure middle How can “rank-and-file” members support their local? school educators are represented on the bargaining team, JG: If we all do small things, together we make big because elementary and high school concerns are often quite di erent. changes. I am so excited because of how many people got involved and saw that we can really move the county council Why is it important for educators to make their voices with our collective voice. heard with school boards and district administrators? JG: If you’re not being seen and heard, you’re allowing decision-makers to say, “Oh, whatever we do is fine with Learn more about have collective bargaining rights, Find out more at nea.org/ educator voice collaborative practices have helped collaboration. educators raise their voices and Students and student-centered achieve important wins such as: issues are at the heart of NEA’s bargaining, organizing, and • Educator participation in engagement e orts. A growing decision-making committees at number of locals engage in labor- the school and district levels. management collaboration, a formal process of shared decision-making • Improved teacher evaluation between educators and administra- processes. tors. Whether or not states currently • Better discipline policies for students. • Transparency among stakehold- ers in times of crisis. 16 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF JILL GRIMM

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WE MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE STUDENT. Spotting Students’ in the classroom,” says the author, Mental Health Struggles who is an assistant professor at Butler University’s College of Education and a EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ARE former school counselor. OFTEN THE FIRST TO NOTICE CHANGES IN STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOR She created the Applied Educational Neuroscience certification By Cindy Long program at Butler to help educators recognize and address student H olding the hot, syrupy co ee with both hands, adversity and trauma. she walked down the gravel path to Bus 94. She climbed the three deep steps leading “ESPs are critical touchpoints in up to the torn vinyl driver’s seat and turned to scan the e ort to help our students cope the narrow and dark aisle, gra tied seats, and endless with behavioral concerns,” she says. memories. e rst stop—seven blocks away.   If you see something, is stop always activated a prayer of desperation. say something Would he be waiting by the driveway kicking rocks? Or would she feel the stillness from the unseeing windows This driver shared what she saw of a house whose … painful secrets she would never with administrators, but not all ESPs learn? She dreaded the stillness most.  have a mechanism for communicating these concerns to their districts, Desautels says. COVID-19 has shone a light on the gaps in our policies and protocols. Schools don’t often ask ESPs to contribute information that can help address these red flags. “We need to find a way to intentionally include ESPs in creating This is a school bus driver’s account of her experience each morning Author and educator Lori Desautels as she approached the first house on her route, which she called “the house of stillness and secrets.” The driver told her school about the first-grade boy she picked up there, who sometimes wore the same clothes several days in a row. The house was always dark, even in the dead of winter, and she suspected they had no electricity, or that power had been cut o for lack of payment. She shares her story in Lori Desautels’ upcoming book, Intentional Neuroplasticity, Our Educational Journey Towards Post Traumatic Growth, which comes out in January 2023. Through this moving story and many others, Desautels shows how bus drivers and other educational support professionals (ESPs) have unique and critical insights into the lives of students.  “All ESPs, including bus drivers, food service professionals, and custodians, can see patterns in students’ lives that teachers can’t see 18 PHOTO: COURTESY OF LORI DESAUTELS

EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS a full picture of our students’ lives and well-being,” she says. Having these protocols in place can reap many rewards. ESPs can provide details to counselors or social workers to help raise awareness and possibly connect families with resources. And, with training, ESPs can provide social and emotional support on the bus, in the cafeteria, and in the hallways or front office. “The more caring adults offer consistent support the better we all are at helping ease stress and anxiety among students,” Desautels says. How to connect containing simple phrases like, “I that.” These small gestures can help with students care about you,” or, “I’m giving you students feel a sense of purpose and a big hug. Can you feel it?” or, “You connection. Desautels developed strategies that are an important part of our school bus drivers can use to build strong community.” TIP #4: relationships with students, help young people regulate their emotions, and “These are like the cards you see THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN  create a culture of unified support for at Starbucks that say things like ‘You When students board the bus, everyone on the bus. These sugges- Are Enough,’” Desautels says. “Parents tions can also work for other school could get involved by working on cards they can check in with drivers to share employees, including a custodian in the for the bucket together. They can be so how they’re feeling through a quick hallway, a secretary in the front office, a fun to create with kids, and there are so thumbs-up, thumbs-down, or sideways food service professional during lunch, many simple affirmations that families for a neutral show of emotion. This is a or a teacher in the classroom. can hand the driver stacks of them.” great way to notice patterns and foster a connection. TIP #1: The second bucket is a place where students can leave a note or drawing “A lot goes on in the hallway or SPECIAL HAND GREETING with a worry or problem. The driver can lunchroom that our ESPs can take Develop a few greetings, such check in later with a student if the note note of, and transportation personnel seems like cause for concern. see the home environments of our as a fist bump, exploding fist bump, students,” Desautels says. elbow bump, or high five, and ask each A bus driver can also share student to pick one as their special celebrations such as a good grade, After spending the last year work- greeting to share with the driver. This a win at a game, even losing a tooth. ing as a co-teacher in an Indiana middle makes a student feel seen as a unique If a student checks the box for school, she says she has never seen person and usually prompts a smile. sharing, the driver can then read the such fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and announcement to the whole bus even hopelessness among education TIP #2: before the kids get off in the morning staff. That’s why connection strategies or after they’re seated in the afternoon. can be so beneficial. SHARE BUCKETS  At the front of the bus, the driver If there’s no time, the driver can “It’s what Harvard researchers ask students to volunteer to read the call a ‘Serve and Return.’ It’s a rhyth- can keep two buckets or containers. celebration announcements. mic and bouncing back and forth, The first can be labeled, “Grab a pick- a gentle, fun and uplifting active me-up!” The second, “What’s on your TIP #3: listening and communicating, which mind? Share a worry or a celebration!” lifts up the student and the educator,” CATCH ME!  she says. When students feel like they need Drivers can “catch” students doing a little support, they can reach in the “When we feel purpose and first bucket for a note card affirmation or saying something kind. When that compassionate presence, and we student gets off, they get a sticker share that, we feel like we are seen or a simple, “Thank you for doing and we are heard.” PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO 19

MEET THE PEOPLE MAKING high school’s first Mexican American NEWS IN EDUCATION. studies course and a dual-language middle and high school algebra cur- Meet the 2022 NEA riculum for the district. Human and Civil Rights Award Winners To make math more relevant to her students, Abundis engaged them CELEBRATING CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE, in a yearlong challenge to create INCLUSION, AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM a 2,500-square-foot mural in their school’s neighborhood. The unit was When elementary school teacher Turquoise LeJeune Parker rooted in civic engagement, art ther- checked out at her local Costco in December 2021, her gro- apy, and real-world math application. cery bill tallied $103,079.70. The staggering figure was not At the end of the project, students re- an error. This was the actual amount she spent to buy food for families garded math as something they could create with their hands and hearts. in her Durham, N.C., school district, so they wouldn’t go hungry during Protecting academic winter break. freedom and faculty rights The story of how she ended up with a hundred In 1968, the United Faculty of Florida (UFF), which represents the grand to help needy families goes back to 2015. That’s state’s higher education faculty mem- bers, was born out of the fight to pro- when a student’s family came to her for help because tect academic freedom, defend civil liberties, and end racial discrimination they didn’t know how they were going to eat during win- at the University of Florida (UF). Since then, it has remained a vigorous and ter break. She soon learned that thousands of students e ective agent for academic freedom and faculty rights. And that is why UFF in her district relied on school meals and faced hunger was honored with the Rosena J. Willis Memorial Award. during school vacations. In fall 2021, UF administrators She had to find a way to help. So she launched prohibited three UFF members from testifying in a lawsuit brought against the Bull City Foodraiser. It started as a small project to the state of Florida to challenge a new voter suppression law. UFF organized help students in Parker’s class, but today the fundraiser to call out this violation of freedom of speech and academic freedom, de- serves more than 5,000 students in her district who manding that the university reverse its decision. The university backed down. Turquoise LeJeune receive free or reduced-priced lunches. And, after hearing from the professors, Parker For this work and more, Parker was honored in June a judge struck down the law. The activ- ism of UFF members directly influ- with the Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights (HCR) Award. The award enced the university and enabled this important win for Florida voters. is named after a classroom elementary school teacher and former NEA Teaching inclusively president who was known for paying out of At the start of her teaching career pocket to buy a student a winter coat, a meal, nearly 30 years ago, Connecticut’s Valerie Bolling went beyond teach- or school supplies. ing lessons in poetry and championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As Celebrating diverse cultures a Black woman, she would comb the Adriana Abundis, a high school, dual- libraries for books that reflected her ex- perience and that of her students, the language math teacher in San Antonio, earned majority of whom were People of Color. the George I. Sánchez Memorial Award for her Years later, a former student reached out to her. “I want you to know inclusive approach to bilingualism and biliteracy as well as academic success and social-cultural Adriana Abundis competence. Abundis is a founding teacher and organizer for the dual-language program at Sydney Lanier High School, where her students are celebrat- ed for mastering two languages and two cultures. She also developed the 20 PHOTOS FROM LEFT: ALEX BOERNER PHOTOGRAPHY LEJEUNE PARKER ; NEA

PEOPLE AND PLACES that YOU had a HUGE “menstruation station” on 57TH ANNUAL NEA HUMAN AND influence on us all,” the campus. All students can CIVIL RIGHTS AWARDS student wrote. “Having now get free period prod- CALL FOR 2023 NOMINATIONS a Black woman as a ucts if they need them. Know of an individual, or- teacher and role model This spring, Milianta- ganization, or affiliate that champions racial and social early on in our lives … Laffin and her students justice and civil rights within their community? Support their good brought attention to top- worked with Hawaii State work through a nomination for a 2023 Human and Civil Rights (HCR) ics that we would have Representative and former Awards. Honorees are recognized during the annual HCR Awards pro- never addressed.” teacher Amy Perruso to gram, held in July prior to the NEA’s Representative Assembly. Today, as an in- Valerie Bolling pass a state law requiring structional coach for public schools to provide HELP US: the Greenwich school district and an free period products in bathrooms. For • Identify and honor exemplary individuals, organizations, and author of children’s books, Bolling her work in gender equity, she earned affiliates for their contributions to human and civil rights, racial continues her work in DEI. the Mary Hatwood Futrell HCR Award. justice, and social justice. In 2021, a far-right community group Honoring an education • Celebrate NEA’s multicultural stirred up public outcry against teaching activist, gone too soon roots and commitment to justice. an honest and accurate education. The • Recognize today’s human and group sought to defame Bolling by at- Jorge González of Kings Mill, Ohio, civil rights victories and chart the path forward. tacking her character and reputation in seemed to do it all. A husband, father, • Honor the rich legacy and the community and in children’s litera- passionate advocate for students, and history of the American Teach- ers Association (ATA) and NEA ture circles. These actions of intolerance committed edu- merger from whence the HCR Awards program began. and intimidation did not deter Bolling, cator of 34 years, The work of civil rights and and she continues to work steadfastly he taught high social justice heroes is as critical today as it was yesterday. Let’s work to celebrate the voice and agency of all school Spanish, together to remind everyone that the cause endures, the struggle students. For dedicating years to DEI, and served as a goes on, and hope still lives! Bolling earned the H. Councill Trenholm coach as well as Identify your nominees now! It is never too early to begin profiling Memorial Award. a diversity and nominees and potential HCR Award winners! Find information on past Championing gender equity inclusion coor- winners at nea.org/hcrawards. dinator. He also Nomination forms and Sarah Milianta-Laffin, who Jorge Gonzáles organized blood instructions for the 2023 HCR teaches in Ewa Beach, Hawaii, set drives and trips Awards will be available on Oct. 11, to Dec. 5, 2022, at nea.org/hcrawards. out to become a science, technology, to serve children in Latin America. FOR MORE INFORMATION, engineering, and math (STEM) teacher Tragically, González’s life and please email [email protected]. to help increase career were cut short on October 18, 21 the number of 2021, when he died after a brief battle girls and students with COVID-19. He is being honored of color in these posthumously with the NEA President’s classes. When she Award for his activism and dedication started teaching, to public education. in 2017, about As a strong unionist, González 75 percent of served for eight years on the Ohio students in her Education Association (OEA) Board of science classes Directors. He advocated for students Sarah Milianta-Laffin were boys. and educators on several legislative After much issues, and once led a march to the networking with local elementary Statehouse to protest high stakes schools, attending career day presen- standardized tests. tations, and bringing students to speak He also worked to ensure diversity at school board meetings, almost 50 within his own union and was one of the percent of her students are now girls. founding members of the OEA Hispanic Her work on gender equity in STEM Caucus, where he served as treasurer. goes beyond the classroom, too. After The Kings Mills community and a student was bullied for bleeding the OEA Hispanic Caucus have created through clothing during a menstrual a scholarship fund to help continue cycle, Milianta-Laffin worked with his legacy. her student clubs to start a free — BRENDA ÁLVAREZ PHOTOS: NEA

+ member spotlight The Advice That Changed My Student’s Life BY STEVEN RICHARDSON Fast forward to June 2016. A AcwzmsowfddkhwcdwfdomhdhpbIhgtmhuanhtlioeifriiihoeiaeeeeanaohhamdtddmsttaaeetmfptiyseusyterwwwtryogen.knneIIOAATLehrsneai.sntilr,rKenrend’edlgiiheaaavstHeehtnaedaityyosecncrsbosibgodesssss.et.aenarovdtthnt1aeIewsalet.nHseeWoocbifclauddl7eWbtsiowddictnsHceercawcaldlsntnaehrconyeisahuoonaejkheeityalhhttaagoaaseoghoaelalvtsohufovhtuxehsuisysnniayIfch.oaelbssneossoctmraiateaoatalbastHhocsngeniocnuieoy.oadgid.nhsredtateltyr3tfhdadriaMnlgdnosnfHmeelwm.nvrhwec”isdeh0nyoitDvhro.mgortttdswehiaoleewgekeeteaeaeHhtaaoiioymteeparodsrrhtlais.nnrroearsewhfdweawsddalhhthlnefWordyecitesrpenduyeuafrDgisin,,aif..aralian.-DigaaeawmoroabaDtdrethanneyhdGaHsessvh.slncMiprdrusaeytfeebggweasDetlnhrmomdmqdhshseabennaatshlaanacm,swwMwuaoeouograaircerIstwnlbatnyors,eoosrcksownrirsrhicfeeacaonIiunooaacugyodkpkraweecd,oalroylhssv,tknwawteitlgarlessdlIepthnkennofdoitaai,ehrmoib.tinIodfnwoweaaaweaind,dDflnelssnaeseodhtiuredyardsgmsrsiertb’dathilehaothsrn.admen,uit.mwh,hdhissaoehlekD.anhithanHihIldnammsilrsHdnihdouaetioDenkeemioaitsecakemansswdetgt,tfeikiahnelraahwtieshdbnrbdhwbnlxsla:amfigyminexibllaeuestttuot“osnte,oaaat*oredDhlhtyauedtebtt.sovdyojyoTloaohiocicsdiaoddnnensdanahlboadna..elgtfrr’dhe.kutHIewsdr“koeihychA.ienscbwnmnsteaalItm.tkogmsahoehodiHsatahmirscweraeyatnalesoasaeafkornndtkideeerlvenctemncsdeouddshe.kdadSmaoadcoadeeatsnhtielhatmhydl.eenwddiioyt.toImsavhdoohlheterpfyinsIta,Rcwticewhdearwwrr“ddwbmHmfswWroDeeeorerahoeaoedhammaieibeynoranmnrslanlmnHATAArelohndvoaieoktyto.rnhe’tetfassrsmesint.aHaIrttnrdt,avoatT”.ahye.eibhmihepbgeenDlbherhdsatwehatad.leodkweaioswdruaaacdTsatarreyef.vonoccleuvehowympjeesTefseaneonmedosl-taosnawdeyltbbeterayotmiiooeefeandei,tobioofopantrkadonawtt,easrvlnnurym,hocitoeo,AecIstkhoed.shewvvtrtrpwWbwcgrbLmssHyhkwonahlareaoheectetearemsardefeioertlogeetaahralimonoreeolaooctehsnsaoavtsedow.rgsdsraachstrwcglekh,IWHoitenheatesa.ooamstIsoatnDiedhrlohaeeedfgo.hHtdoioddeyatnalmiswtdldshheir-Wdnowatwy.eienidoemugmsasedjcnksiIIaemnaoGooomdeksemnemtrwnaasatinghgwptrsauhihrtFnnioraoErtfnoasfAnorke.aapeDpicapleioeadldarhdsvenhnHoDphetotiswnngrtnrogeylaslnaee,tenkdowiaoyodritaeudae.enohmaogbrhhtssDsghiietmdugntptedannntpaewnemaesegjteasdaMioaiehtodnayhuat.ydmg.dencnioD”sssadaolntsfesbenHmt,o,e—rkeekwtgoneuectnhItaho,ehvsacckueNrhlwieoieedaahagogbnsdaiuonahlneaetndnvgbnadntashoruedamrwteitlohsltoeohulpotheanvggoiihttoscriowtowtwbfisrawnsabensyeioicefomkitittnf.ntfwwusaemenarh,hncyooio.phkod.oaH.dtcetdadlnegee.drtemseikhsnaeshsewnebtkse.sdnhedueohhunms.ehdcerucHadendeotoWonieeiwgowhuiiycNpnisohsoaerenfldmmhhm.uotpiepptthagsweGnahoeowtitetlmt.sesaaasedvpoeeiogddhnHIalnlantlytrelna,seeuoesegml.h,rtetmtfmcogefeagetotimafthlrhe.nhoylyteHeaaeduetdter.. the school office to report the conversation. *Name has been changed to protect the student’s identity. 22 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STEVEN RICHARSON

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What I’ve Learned FIRST MY LEG GAVE OUT, THEN EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE CHANGED. THIS IS MY STORY OF PERSEVERANCE, RECOVERY, AND STAYING ME. BY MARILYN WARNER Let me begin by saying that I am doing great. My I wish there were a magic pill that would instantly life has returned to normal, and there is very heal me, but until it is invented, it is up to me. little I cannot do. That’s the bottom line and I am glad I exercised regularly. what matters most. For several years, I have gone to the gym regularly, and I have had a trainer twice a week. This is one of the best I am grateful to say that I have successfully things I could have done. Just to brag a little, I was able recovered from a stroke. I am normally a very private to do three sets that amounted to 18 chin-ups and 60 person, but I want to share my story with you. If this push-ups (while balancing on a BOSU ball). Exercising helps just one person as they go through something and working on balance and strength gave me a head similar, that’s enough for me. start for my rehabilitation. I would complain with every exercise, but now I am so glad that it has been a regular I wrote this column as I was going through rehabilitation last summer. I had already made a lot of part of my life. progress; and I still had a ways to go. These are my I don’t always have to be happy. lessons learned along the way: Life can change in a second. This is a big adjustment and, if I want to be sad, it’s okay. If I want to You’re okay and then suddenly you feel frustrated with the slow progress, are not. I was fine and had been it’s okay. What is not okay is if I dwell attending a Zoom meeting all afternoon. on what is negative and make that While cooking dinner (will I ever make the center of my life. hamburgers again?) my leg gave out and I’m thankful for what I have. then my arm. My husband, Ed, and I I could have a glass that is either half-full or knew immediately what it was. I took my half-empty. I decided that mine is half-full. There blood pressure, which was very high. Then I took some is a lot to be thankful for: aspirin and a blood pressure pill, and we headed to the The stroke could have been a lot worse. I am hospital. I was scared. I did not know what would lie fortunate that my speech and brain were not affected. ahead, but I knew my life would be different. I was in a wonderful rehab facility, and I continue to I am stubborn and determined. have terrific therapy. I have family and friends who have been extremely This has proven to be a good trait with the supportive and understanding. It is terrific to have rehabilitation. No one is going to improve for me, so I such great cheerleaders. have to make sure I do the exercises. I spent two days I am more than fortunate to have Ed. He has been in the hospital and nine days in a rehab center. I told encouraging and has stood by my side every step of them I would come to rehab more often if someone the way. He has endured my good days and my bad did not want to be there. I don’t miss my rehab days. He has been the chauffeur, the shopper, the sessions, and I do exercises at home several hours a day. I want to be the best I can be, but the PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO improvement is something that only I can do. 24

(Above) Retiree Marilyn Warner says or avert their eyes or even ask if I wanted to go in physical therapy was invaluable in front of them in line. I may have looked pathetic, helping her recover from a stroke; but I knew how far I had come, and that made all (right) Warner relied on her children for of the difference. support during her recovery. I no longer use the walker. I finished five weeks cook—whatever has been needed. Everyone needs with the heart monitor, and the toilet seat is in the an advocate and supporter. Everyone needs an Ed attic. I may not be able to wear my 5-inch stilettos in their corner. anymore, but I have no problem shopping for Every achievement is a milestone. other shoes! I have truly appreciated the thoughtfulness This is almost like being a toddler. Basically, of others. I had to retrain my brain to do the things I could automatically do before the stroke. Going from the The emails, texts, cards, phone calls, flowers— wheelchair to the walker to walking unassisted was a everything has meant so much and has helped boost big step. Before the stroke, cooking a holiday dinner my spirits. It is nice to know that others are thinking of and putting out the good china and crystal was you and wishing you well. normal. After, being able to use a fork without dropping it was an achievement. And I was thrilled On days when I feel a little down, I will look at when I could tie my shoes! the cards, and they are a great medicine to make me feel better. I am blessed to have wonderful people What I learned, and so did the people around me, around me. was that I have to try. Everything takes me a little I’m still me. longer, but I have to try and ask for help if I need it. As I said, I am like a toddler who says, “I do it myself !” This is the most important thing I have learned. Some things are not as important as I thought Life is full of changes and challenges. I may have to they were. do some things differently now, but I am still me and, good or bad, that has not changed. I went into so many stores using the walker, with a heart monitor very visible. People would stare at me I am still able to participate in activities and do all of the things I did before, maybe a little differently and PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MARILYN WARNER a little slower but I can do them! I am still me. Marilyn Warner is the secretary of NEA-Retired. She also served for five years as an NEA-Retired representative on the NEA Board of Directors and is the immediate past president of the Florida Education Association-Retired. 25

The Bulletin RenteTiawrhreocsedouolumnanndteeNtmtrsEhytbAee-rs Board DAY OF ACTION: And WEP currently reduces earned Social Security bene ts for people who also receive a public pension Thousands of NEA- from a job not covered by Social Security, such as a Retired Members part-time or summer job. Demand Fair Retirement Benefits As a result of the Day of Action, the chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black NEA-Retired members across the country joined Caucus, Congressional Asian Paci c American Caucus, together in a Day of Action, giving Congress an and the House Democratic Task Force on Aging sent a earful about the need for better Social Security letter to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to bene ts for public servants. On May 24, members sent bring the Social Security 2100 Act to the House oor for a 6,200 emails and made 486 phone calls to Congress. vote. Read the letter at bit.ly/GPOWEPLettertoCongress. At press time, a congressional committee was expected And some members went straight to the seat of to consider and vote on GPO and WEP in July, for the power. NEA-Retired organized some 50 virtual meetings in which retired educators met with congressional sta , rst time in 30 years. speaking up loud and clear about the need to repeal the Government Pensions O set (GPO) and the Windfall Raise Your Voice ATACKTEION Elimination Provision (WEP). As part of the Social Security Act, these measures unfairly reduce or eliminate Go to nea.org/GPO-WEP to Social Security bene ts for millions of Americans who contact your U.S. representative have devoted their careers to public service. and demand the repeal of GPO and WEP through NEA-Retired delivered this message to Congress: Bring the “Social Security 2100 Act: A Sacred Trust” to a passage of the Social Security 2100 Act. vote! Stop penalizing public servants by doing away with GPO and WEP. GPO reduces by two-thirds the bene ts received by a surviving spouse who also collects a government pension. Retiree’sTherapy Dogs Bring Comfort toYoung and Old Alen Ritchie was a dedicated teacher “We provide home obedience training, take in Redlands, Calif., for 40 years, and a them downtown … for socialization,” he says. passionate union member, serving in many “We also introduce them to loud noises, like leadership positions, including president of the motorcycles, reworks, and dropped pans.” Redlands Teachers Association, president of CTA/NEA-Retired, and most recently as a member The dogs visit nursing homes, children’s of the NEA-Retired Executive Council. Now he’s hospitals, and schools to help students who need turning his passions to new projects: Elliott, an social and emotional support. 8-year-old labradoodle and Juniper, a 15-month- old goldendoodle. He and his wife, Carolyn, have “We like to have the student read to the dog, trained their dogs to become therapy dogs. without adult intervention,” Ritchie says. “The dog never corrects mistakes!” Alen Ritchie (on right) and therapy dog Elliott visit a nursing home. 26 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MEMBERS

Retired teacher finds new home for children’s museum Pat Longly (right), a retired teacher from Lexington, Neb., always loved taking her grandchildren to the closest children’s museum she could find. When she retired, it became her mission to open a children’s museum in her hometown. In 2019, after eight years of fundraising—and using a local library and church as temporary locations—she finally found a building to house the Dawson County Children’s Museum. Her board of active and retired educators and other volunteers painted the walls and erected displays, such as a toddler area, a tea party center, and a tree house reading center. Then, this spring, the landlord raised the rent, forcing her to relocate again. In May, the mu- seum reopened in a new location—an old Pizza Hut that volunteers again transformed into a safe place where young minds can flourish. “Our little people need a non-tech (Museum displays from top) A pretend environment where hands-on learning takes boat and stream, a tree house reading place and it’s safe to explore.” —Pat Longly nook, and an arts and crafts area. Help elect champions like President Biden! President Biden has already made the single largest investment in students and public education ever. Your contribution to the NEA Fund helps elect champions like President Biden! Donate today at neafund.org 27

How to Launch a Second Career FOLLOW A DREAM, PURSUE A NEW PASSION. RETIRING FROM TEACHING CAN BE A NEW BEGINNING. BY JAMES PATERSON When she finally retired from her work as an educator, she joined her father in his business, Maybe it was destiny that led Sherri Kelley eventually taking over and moving the shop to a new Barber to her second career. location. But it was still a family affair. She trained and First, there’s her last name. After 23 years hired her nephew, and her dad still helps out from as a second-grade teacher, teacher-mentor, and time to time. instructional coordinator in Louisiana’s Caddo Parish Public Schools, Barber became … a barber. She even “This was sort of meant to be,” Barber says. owns her own shop, complete with a striped pole. Kansas retiree Mary Geier had always dreamed of Her name isn’t the only reason she followed this selling real estate. She sold her first home in a week. path. Her father, Anthony Kelley, has been in the profession for 70 years and owned a barbershop in their hometown of Keithville, La. A few years before Barber retired from teaching, her father started talking with her about joining his business. The idea appealed to Barber. She had always liked hanging out at her dad’s work. The place teemed with jokes, stories, friendships, and support as her dad trimmed and cut. “I think it is important to work and find something you love when you retire, because life doesn’t stop,” Barber says. “In order to keep your mind sharp and stay happy and fulfilled, you may have to do some- thing else, and it doesn’t have to be just an extension of what you were doing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try something new. You should find joy.” Barber also believes her work cutting hair keeps her connected to education. She gets to advise young people and their parents. And she keeps up with news about the local school district so she can pass infor- mation along to customers She started preparing even before she retired, signing up for barber college, taking classes after school, and getting lessons from her father. After getting her license, she worked on Sundays at a barbershop at nearby Barksdale Air Force Base and then joined her dad at work. 28 PHOTO: JOSH BEECHER STUDIOS

Former teacher Sherri Kelley Barber’s barbershop (above), in Louisiana, is a family affair. She cuts and trims alongside her father and nephew (right). Preparing for a second act Geier, who After years of fulfilling—and exhausting—work in lives in Weir, Kan., had invested in schools, many educators dream of lazier days and land at one point empty schedules. But many find they have more to and enjoyed the contribute. A second career may give them an oppor- negotiation and tunity to explore a passion, give back to their commu- the feeling of owning property. She liked the idea of nity, keep their mind and body active, or just bring in educating people about what they could own and how some extra money. they could develop the land. “Educators are well positioned to take on second So during spring break last year, just before she careers for a number of reasons,” says Chris Farrell, retired, she formally began to work as a real estate author of five books on personal finance, including agent. By the end of the week, she had sold her first most recently Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding property. Meaning, Money, and Happiness is the Second Half of Life. He writes and broadcasts for public radio and “I love looking at floor plans,” she says. “I really writes about retirement finance. enjoy going through a home with a prospective buyer and helping them see how they could remove a wall … “Educators … have a lot of skills, a lot of energy, and or change the look of the place. It’s still teaching, in a they often miss the sense of community that they had way, but so different.” in a school,” he says, adding that retired educators may also miss feeling needed by their students. “I like that there are people of all ages and stages Reenvisioning your future of life in my office,” Geier says. “It is nice to be around that. You end up learning new things and For former special education teacher Mary Geier, staying young.” retirement was a chance to pursue the real estate career she had always dreamed of trying. Bill Maas, who is 81 and had a 40-year career teaching science, math, and computer science, is “I’d seen my husband retire, and in a month he was serving his fifth two-year term as mayor of the resort bored and went back to work,” says Geier. “I knew I community of Orleans, Iowa, which is nestled between couldn’t sit for long either. This was something new three scenic lakes in the northern part of the state. and really exciting for me.” PHOTO: TIM MUELLER PHOTOGRAPHY 29

SECOND CAREERS “I always felt I gave a lot to my kids in school but Bill Maas used to teach science and math. Today, he’s didn’t have time to be involved in the community,” he mayor of the small, lakeside town of Orleans, Iowa. says on a day when he was up at 7 a.m. responding to a contractor’s call and at City Hall most of the day. His felt more stimulated than others (55% compared with day included answering citizens’ phone calls about 38%), more connected to others (62% versus 45%), and everything from a mistimed traffic light to parade more proud of their lives (67% versus 57%). permits to listening for updates on storm warnings. This certainly holds true for Anne Hanigan-Kotz, a “I was just going to run for City Council,” he says. retired English teacher who became an author in her “But the mayor decided not to run just before the retirement, fulfilling a lifelong dream. election, and I got written in—and that was that. I was mayor. And I have no regrets.” She completed her first book during her last year of teaching in 2021, and is now at work on her third. Maas was a popular teacher and active in the tiny town of Orleans, population 620. So it wasn’t a surprise Her passion is writing historical fiction that takes that he won, and his easy style and understanding of place in the area around her hometown of Adele, Iowa. the community keep his constituents satisfied. She carefully researches local history at the library and through historical societies, and often pens her novels “They seem to appreciate what I’m doing, and late into the evening. that’s what counts,” Maas says. “I get a lot of satisfac- tion from helping my community.” This summer, she even traveled around the state on a book tour for the first time. “I always looked out for my kids and put them first,” he reflects. “Now I have an opportunity to do that for this town.” Exploring a creative pursuit About half of retirees say they are working during retirement or plan to do so, according to research by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave. And nearly three-quar- ters of people over 50 who have not yet retired, say they intend to work during their retirement. While longer life expectancy and the elimination of pensions are driving this trend, the researchers found that staying employed after retirement has other benefits as well. People who worked after retirement 30 PHOTOS: ROCKY THOMPSON

“I’ve loved books since I was a young child, and I Similarly, Beverly Ledbetter’s 36 years as a social spent my entire career teaching students about studies teacher in Pasco County Schools, north of literature and writing. In a way, I had been preparing Tampa, Fla., led her straight to her next opportunity. myself to become a writer,” she says. “It has been a dream of mine, but I was also a practical person, Ledbetter always felt strongly about helping knowing that I needed to have a stable career that prospective teachers. So in retirement, she expanded brought a secure income.” work she had been doing at nearby Saint Leo Univer- sity, eventually leading method classes for teachers, In her “retirement,” she worked for a textbook survey classes for first-year students, and supervising company for a while and as a student teacher supervi- student teachers and helping them find mentors. sor at nearby Drake University to support her writing, but now writing books is her primary job. Education programs at colleges are often specifi- Putting teaching skills to work in new ways cally in need of people to train or supervise new teachers, she explains. A seamless pathway also led Toni Smith, president of the Georgia Association of Educators–Retired, to a “It is a great opportunity to contribute without second career. having to be in a school,” she adds. “A lot of teachers feel strongly about supporting education, and this During her time as an Atlanta middle school and is a way to do that. I think when you retire, if you high school teacher, Smith’s interest in social justice want to work, you have to find something you are and individual rights led her to become a member of passionate about.” the NEA Safety, Bias, and LGBTQ+ Training Cadre. Later, she became a facilitator for the Human Rights Florida retiree Beverly Ledbetter trains teachers at Campaign (HRC), offering guidance to schools on her local university. issues related to bias, particularly as it impacts LGBTQ+ students. When Smith retired from teaching after 25 years, she was given an opportunity to train teachers and administrators for HRC and serve as a consultant, presenting and writing about HRC’s mission. “I’ve always thought it was so important to get the message out to educators that schools need to be inclusive and accepting, and children need to be encouraged to be who they are,” she says. “I was so lucky to have an opportunity to spread that message now in retirement.” Jumpstart Your Next Career Want to launch a second • Keep an open mind. Consider • Weigh how much time and career? Retirement your skills and interests—even energy you want to invest in a planning expert Chris if they don’t seem “practical.” A job. Some employers may be Farrell offers these tips to love of art could lead to a career more flexible than others. help you get started: in art galleries or teaching art history. Do your research, and • Be realistic. People often • Think about what you might shadow someone in the field. fantasize about retirement. want to do even before you Your new career probably retire. Consider taking training • Consider your financial needs won’t be perfect. It will have or working in your new career and how working can impact pros and cons like all jobs. on the side as you prepare your health insurance, pensions, to retire. or social security. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BEVERLY LEDBETTER 31

TPrhoeteTcimt DeeismNoocwractoy AT THE 2022 NEA-RETIRED ANNUAL Contribute to the NEA Fund for Children and Public MEETING, MEMBERS FEEL THEIR POWER Education—a political action committee (PAC) that helps AND PURPOSE elect candidates who stand with public schools. To contribute, go to neafund.org. BY ROBIN TERRY BROWN Democracy is on the ballot “I t’s about time for us all to be together!” proclaimed Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria saluted our nation’s NEA-Retired President Sarah Borgman, as she veterans, saying, “Our veterans represent every geographic addressed the first in-person NEA-Retired Annual corner of our nation and every shade of humankind. … They Meeting in two years. Gathering in Chicago, on July 29 and have always believed that freedom is for everyone.” At the end of the day, it all comes back to elections, said 30, some 316 delegates participated in a hybrid format—in Mary Kusler, director of NEA’s Center for Advocacy. “The person and virtually—representing the 324,000 members of [November] elections are truly at their core about the life and NEA-Retired. death of democracy,” she said. The meeting convened against a complex backdrop of national issues: June Supreme Court rulings that overturned Support for the next generation of educators Roe v. Wade, expanded school vouchers, enabled school NEA-Retired also awarded five aspiring educators with prayer, and loosened gun laws; the Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarships of $3,500 per May school shooting in Uvalde, student. The winners are: Jaclyn E. Deal, Wingate Texas; ongoing election denials; and University, North Carolina; Hannah St. Clair, Univer- organized attacks on democracy and sity of Oregon; Roman Trejo, Saint Xavier University, honesty in education. Illinois; Sofia Vandersluis, University of Wisconsin, With these disturbing events Madison; and Dajsha Williams, Ohio State Univer- on everyone’s minds, Borgman said, sity. To donate, go to donatekinnaman.com. “it’s about time” for state and local associations to take on racial and New NEA-Retired leaders social justice, and “it’s about time Some top positions in NEA-Retired were up for to stop the insane murdering of our election this year: vice president; two seats on the students and teachers. … We can- executive council; and two NEA-Retired positions on not give up, because our children, the NEA Board of Directors. Because some attended grandchildren, great-grandchildren the meeting remotely, voting took place by mail. At are at stake.” press time, voting for these positions was still under- NEA-Retired President Sarah way. Check nea.org/retired for results. ‘Progress is never linear’ Borgman delivers the keynote Congratulations go to Diane Larson, from Min- NEA leaders echoed these address. nesota, who ran unopposed for the NEA-Retired themes. “You know that the battle from one generation to the alternate position on the NEA Board of Directors, and to the next continues, progress is never linear,” NEA President Becky newly elected NEA-Retired members of the NEA Resolutions Pringle told the crowd. “In this critical moment, we should Committee for 2022 – 2023: Ginny Boss, from Wisconsin; Pat all remember that it was educators who led this nation to the Jordan, from Connecticut; Gary McGrane, from Maine; Bobby polls in 2020 and put a friend of public education in the White J. Pierson, from Alabama; Kathleen Purdy, from Ohio; and House,” she continued, noting that the Biden administration’s Karen Solheim, from Georgia. American Rescue Plan delivered the single largest investment NEA-Retired shared many moments of celebration, in our public schools ever. but none more meaningful than on the second day of Pringle also credited the nearly 60,000 NEA and NEA- the meeting—at noon on June 30—when the assembly Retired members who emailed Congress, urging passage of paused as Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in to be the bipartisan gun safety legislation that President Joe Biden the first African American woman to serve on the U.S. signed into law on June 25. Supreme Court. One phrase sums up this historic moment: It’s about time. Three Things You Can Do NEA Vice President Princess Moss called on NEA-Retired members to do three things to save democracy in America: 1) Think about running for public office; 2) Become an ATACKTEION To find out how you can protect election observer or serve on a local election board; and 3) democracy, download NEA’s EdActivist app at nea.org/edactivist. 32 PHOTO: JACK DELULIO

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The 2022 Elections Are Coming! IF BOOK BANS, EDUCATION FUNDING, AND CIVIL RIGHTS MATTER TO YOU, THEN HELP ELECT DEFENDERS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. BY AMANDA LITVINOV Do you want smaller class “I wasn’t content to Member of U.S. Congress sizes that enable more sit idly by and watch the one-on-one attention for destruction. I will do what Who will give the best students? Are you con- it takes to elect friends of performance on behalf of cerned about your civil public education!” students and schools? rights, union rights, and voting rights? Elected officials at every level—local, Bird has been known That’s the question voters should state, and federal—affect the everyday to wear fun costumes and ask before electing their senators and lives of students and educators. They perform skits to get out the representatives. It matters that the can- decide everything from education fund- vote and raise money for the didates you vote for understand their ing levels to school start times to how Michigan Education Asso- role in supporting students. Enough bad and where residents will vote. ciation’s election fund. Now, actors can blow the whole picture for she’s working to help re-elect public schools. Retired Michigan teacher Jo Bird Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, became politically active in the 1990s who stood with #RedForEd Education voters must elect U.S. when her governor was pushing for- and has listened to educa- leaders who are willing to work across profit charter schools and vouchers. tors about what their students need. party lines, listen to educators, and make public education a priority. Mem- “We saw attacks on collective bar- Whitmer championed and signed bers of Congress have the power to: gaining, assaults on pensions and health a $17-billion bipartisan school aid • Set federal standards for education— care for school employees, and drastic bill that provided a historic increase cuts to funding for everything from in school funding and closed the gap like the Every Student Succeeds Act, preschools to universities,” she says. between rich and poor districts. She which put an end to the punitive, expanded early childhood education for low- and middle-income families and created a tuition-free path to higher education and skill-training for Michigan residents over 25. Educators across the country need more governors like her, as well as dedicated supporters of public educa- tion at all levels of government. Read on to learn more about the powerful role elected leaders can play in your state— and how they can make or break your public schools. Retired teacher Jo Bird dressed up as Superman for an election fundraiser. 34 PHOTO: COURTESY OF JO BIRD; ILLUSTRATION: DAVID CLARK

standardized testing frenzy of voices of educators and listens with a goal of relying on 100 percent the No Child Left Behind era. to them before making a play. clean energy by 2050. • Determine education spending A governor can: through critical programs such as • Sign helpful bills into law, But when opponents of public Title I and IDEA, which help shrink schools take control, you’re bound inequities in public education. or serve as a “goalie” for to hear some sour notes. Just look at • Support schools and universities public schools by vetoing what happened in Iowa, where the loss in times of crisis, most recently by potentially damaging of a single state senate seat in 2016 passing the American Rescue Plan legislation, such as pro- led to the loss of collective bargaining pandemic relief package—which voucher bills. rights for educators and other public includes more than $170 billion for • Change statewide education employees. K–12 schools and higher education policies and programs and create institutions. new ones via executive orders, execu- Here are three more things to know • Expand or infringe on our civil rights tive budgets, and legislative propos- about state legislators: They write and (by curtailing Title IX protections, for als. For example, New Mexico Gov. vote on laws impacting every aspect example) as well as our voting rights. Michelle Lujan Grisham expanded of public schools—from funding to her state’s school lunch program, standardized testing to educators’ Check out NEA’s Legislative ending co-pays for reduced-price rights to organize and advocate for Report Card, at nea.org/report-card, lunches and easing the burden on their students and their own working to find out where your member of lower-income families. conditions. Congress stands. • Appoint state officers. In some states that includes the superintendent of Their votes are supposed to be Governor public instruction, who oversees the informed by constituents like you, not distribution of state education funds, special interest groups from outside the Vote for the strongest player sets teacher licensure standards, and state. One of the most dangerous is the in the field who will protect carries out the policy of the state well-funded American Legislative Ex- public schools. department of education. Some change Council, which pushes extrem- governors also appoint the state at- ist, anti-public education and anti-labor In different political climates, torney general, who plays a key role positions. Rock star state legislators are governors may play both offense and in education (see next page). not members of groups like that. defense. A governor like Wisconsin’s • Use their platform to help the public Tony Evers will take on a combative understand critical education issues, Instead, your legislators should be legislature to defend resources for such as vouchers, school privatiza- accessible to educators and parents, education, block potentially damag- tion, and education spending. listening to their concerns and priori- ing legislation, and propose laws and ties before they open their mouths on budgets that will actually help public State Legislator education policy. schools. But a governor who doesn’t value public education can push an Choose rock star policy- ?DID YOU KNOW agenda that strips away resources makers who can turn up and punishes schools. The key is the volume in support of Voters in 12 states also elect whether the governor values the public schools. their superintendent of public instruction. Seven are up for The makeup of your state re-election in 2022, in Arizona, legislature matters. You want it California, Georgia, Idaho, filled with legislators who are ready Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wyoming. to sing the praises of educators and public schools. In Virginia, for example, a pro-public education major- ity lifted the 40-year ban on collective bargaining for public employees in 2020. And, in Illinois, legislators passed a first-of-its-kind bill to make all public schools carbon-free, ILLUSTRATIONS: DAVID CLARK 35

The 2C02o2mEleicntigon!sAre State Auditor State Attorney General Select an investigator who School Board Member will keep a sharp eye on Cast your vote for an the books. Support community honorable candidate who members who will uphold will safeguard educators is role is too often overlooked, the promise of public and students. but 24 states elect their state auditors, education. who act as supersleuths on behalf “ e people’s lawyer” can help of taxpayers. ey audit the nancial Do you want a school board that protect your state’s K–12 schools and operations of state and local govern- manufactures controversies and bans institutions of higher education—if ments—including public school books, or one that cares about the you have the right person in o ce. systems—to hold them account- concerns of educators and parents? Twenty-three state attorneys general able and ensure that education Make sure you know who is running for (AG) famously sued former funding is properly allocated. State your school board and get out the vote U.S. Secretary of Education auditors have: for pro-public education candidates! As Betsy DeVos for protecting • Uncovered and spoken out about you know, they a ect your everyday life predatory for-pro t and that of your students. ey will: colleges in 2020. massive waste, abuse, and fraud in • Determine the overall vision and the for-pro t charter sector. State AGs have also • Taken a stand when governors day-to-day operations of your school de ected anti-LGBTQ+ misuse funds. Last year in Iowa, for district, including the hiring and policies and racist example, State Auditor Rob Sand re- disciplinary tactics. AGs vealed that Gov. Kim Reynolds used ring of administrators. in uence public education millions in pandemic relief money to • Make key budget decisions, such in many other ways, too. pay for computer system upgrades that did not qualify for the funding. as setting salaries and purchasing ey can: textbooks and technology. • Serve as legal advisors to state • Approve contracts and decide whether to expand legislatures and agencies—including or close schools. the department of education, board of education, and institutions of ATACKTEION Interested in running higher education. for o ce? • Investigate for-pro t colleges that engage in predatory practices or The See Educators Run program brings together NEA experts and in ate job placement rates. top political consultants to help NEA members develop the skills to • Assemble task forces to examine run a successful campaign, including: school safety, bullying, and the overuse of standardized tests. • How to prepare to become a candidate for o ce. • How to communicate e ectively with voters. • What to say on the campaign trail. • Fundraising basics. • How to recruit volunteers and run a field operation. Find out more at nea.org/seeeducatorsrun. 36 ILLUSTRATIONS: DAVID CLARK PHOTO CREDIT:

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TTLahAoNkiDsveJeobit THERE’S A NATIONWIDE EDUCATOR SHORTAGE, BUT MANY ARE STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR WORK—AND THEIR STUDENTS KBY CINDY LONG But this is a story about those who stay and why. These evin Adams has moments when he consid- educators, too, have powerful insights to share. Listening ers packing up his classroom and starting a and learning from those who choose to continue could help new career. He realizes no job is without its end the shortage and lift up the profession, for teachers and challenges, but the education profession is in- for education support professionals (ESPs). ordinately demanding without much financial reward. Heap on the problems the pandemic created and, When NEA asked members, “How satisfied are you with Adams acknowledges, it can start to feel hopeless. your job?” and, “How satisfied are you with conditions facing educators these days?” educators said they were very satisfied “Sure, I flirt with the idea of leaving,” says the Denver so- with their jobs but very dissatisfied with the conditions. And cial studies teacher. “It’s especially tough when you don’t feel not by a small margin—there’s usually a 40 to 50 point differ- your work is respected by the community, or even sometimes ence in the responses. by the people you work for. You wonder, ‘Do they realize the sacrifices we educators make? Do they know what we’ve The lesson is easy to understand for those who pay atten- given up in order to give our all to this job?’” tion: Improve working conditions and educators will stay. But then his thoughts go back to his students. He remem- So what do educators want most? Time to connect and bers what it’s like to watch them grow and evolve, to see the collaborate with trusted colleagues; the agency to create sparks of understanding light up their faces, to interact with lessons that work for their students; the autonomy to make their spirited young minds, and even to hear their silly jokes. job-related decisions based on their expertise; and, of course, There’s joy and fulfillment in each day at his middle school— gains in professional pay. They also want to feel the power enough of it to tip the scales. And so he stays. of their voice and the strength of the union behind them to improve conditions. “That is the number one reason I’m still here, hands down,” Adams says. “It’s the kids.” Most educators are called to the profession because they love working with students. But feeling trusted, respected, Last year, record numbers of educators left the profession. and valued is what will keep them there. In a 2022 NEA member survey, 55 percent said the pandemic A need for representation made them more likely to leave the field at the end of the school year. Some educators were so fed up that they made As a Black male educator, Adams says he feels a the tough call to leave midyear. responsibility to remain in the classroom for the benefit of his students of color. The educator shortage has reached crisis levels, threaten- ing to push even more people from the profession because of “It’s important to have folks like me in education,” he stress and exhaustion. Policymakers can learn a lot by listen- says. “I understand that they might not get another teacher ing to the experiences of educators who have hit their limit. who looks like me, who connects with them and advocates for them the way I have.” 38

“It’s important to have In 2015, Adams launched a podcast, Too Dope Teachers folks like me in education. and a Mic, with colleague Gerardo Muñoz, the only other I understand that they male teacher of color in their school. They had long traded might not get another recommendations for podcasts, often discussing comedy teacher who looks like me, and insights from a favorite weekly show, Denzel Washington who connects with them Is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period. and advocates for them the way I have.” “The hosts engaged in very silly, esoteric conversations, but also spoke in a serious way about race and —KEVIN ADAMS, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER (ABOVE) representation in Hollywood,” Adams says. Kevin Adams (far right) Similarly, race and representation in education is launched the podcast top of mind for Adams and Muñoz, and they often Too Dope Teachers found themselves exchanging a lot of glances during and a Mic with staff meetings. colleague Gerardo Muñoz (on left), the “Sometimes things that were said were inequitable, only other male sometimes even a little racist,” Adams says. “After the teacher of color in meetings, we’d carry on the conversation in one of our their Denver school. classrooms, talking about things we noticed, how people talked about the students, and how it impacted us and our experiences as male teachers of color.” It soon occurred to the friends that others might want to listen in on these conversations. Muñoz did a lot of research on how to produce a podcast, and before long, Too Dope Teachers and a Mic was born. Connection and collaboration The ability to talk about his experiences has been cathar- tic for Adams, and he says carrying on the work of education- al equity by reflecting and sharing on a deeper level has also PHOTOS: DOUG GRITZMACHER 39

TTLahAoNkiDsveJeobit contributed to his staying power. “It calls me to think about “We need to reduce gatekeeping and have more shared my role as a teacher differently,” Adams says. responsibility and inclusion,” says special education teacher Niels Pasternak. “It helps with retention and recruitment.” That kind of reflection creates deeper meaning and pur- pose for educators, which helps them build resilience. Another her calming state of “flow.” It’s second nature and stress reliev- factor in staying power, Adams says, is finding your people. ing, says the Grenada, Miss., middle school teacher, who is also the music director at her church. “You might not always agree with them 100 percent, but if you have similar philosophies about the work, colleagues can She knows the term “self-care” is overused, and it isn’t a really push you to do something different and new,” he says. cure-all, but finding a way to divert attention from the nega- “I’ve changed as a teacher in my practice and how I interact tive and focus on something you enjoy helps a lot. with students. That kind of relationship [with colleagues] holds you accountable.” “[Music] puts my mind in a better place,” she says. But a big raise has given her even more reasons to sing. Not everyone has to be in your inner tribe, Adams adds. Last year, thanks to the advocacy of the Mississippi Associa- Even more casual relationships can make a big difference. tion of Educators and members like Smith, Gov. Tate Reeves “I rely on those times when we come together to talk What do about our struggles honestly and openly,” he says. “When you educators realize, ‘Oh, they’re having the same problem! Oh, it’s not just really want me,’ it helps a lot. to feel appreciated? “There are so many times when we feel we’re in isolated silos, so when you can connect with colleagues, you get that We know teachers want the respect and bigger perspective that makes you feel less alone.” the compensation they deserve. NEA asked Creative license members around the country what else they would like for public school teachers and Niels Pasternak is an Oregon special education teacher support staff. This is what they had to say: who works with students who have profound needs. Among them are teenagers and students in their 20s who are learning PHOTO: ROBERT WILLIAMS to walk or talk, feed themselves, use the bathroom, or oper- ate wheelchairs. It is arduous work for both educator and student, but the rewards are immense. His positive relationships with students—and the joy of watching them hit new milestones—are what keep him com- ing back year after year. Making a difference in someone’s life is at the heart of education, and that inspires and motivates Pasternak and many others in the field. He also has self-designed strategies that help his students learn and progress. And, importantly, he has the freedom to use them as he sees fit. “When we’re able to tap into our creativity, educators are going to be happier and more fulfilled,” he says. “We don’t want to be told our students must consume information this way, and teach these standards that way, and have every 15 minutes planned for us. Our systems fail when we try to cre- ate obedient drones out of students and educators. We need to trust educators with creative control.” Pasternak is aware of how frustrating the system is; how quickly it can grind you down. “Assembly line education is soul-crushing, and that trick- les down to the kids,” he says. “Rather than a model in which everyone teaches and learns the same things and passes the same tests, we should adopt a model where educators can al- low students to pursue what lights a fire inside their imagina- tions and sparks curiosity. Success is about developing our strengths, not eliminating our weaknesses.” ‘You’re worth it’ Suzanne Smith sometimes finds herself singing in the hallways without even thinking about it. That’s how she finds 40

signed into law the largest teacher pay raise in the state’s Back in Denver, Adams is a recent history. member of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association bargain- Teachers in the state, long among the lowest paid in the ing team. He says the process is nation, will receive an average increase of more than $5,000 in sometimes disheartening, but it’s the 2022 – 2023 school year, which is about a 10 percent pay also empowering. He and his col- hike on average. Teacher assistants will receive a $2,000 raise leagues are determined to create in the same school year. an environment that will make educators want to stay—better “It’s huge,” Smith says. “In all the 30 years I have been working conditions, more resourc- teaching, this is the largest we’ve ever gotten at one time. I es for schools and student mental also appreciate the fact that our legislators appreciated us health, and bigger paychecks. Suzanne Smith says the and cared for us enough to push for that.” “That becomes the inspiring raises for educators in Mississippi will Smith, too, has considered leaving, wondering if she thing—working for what it could be be life-changing. needed a change from the strain of teaching. She stayed in public education,” he says. “The because it’s what she’s wanted to do ever since she was world I want to work in doesn’t yet a little girl, and she couldn’t imagine a career she would exist, but the work I’m doing with my union and my colleagues enjoy more. is to create the right systems for teaching and learning, the ones we dream about seeing.” But having her union work with her legislators to finally And so he stays, feeling ever more optimistic as we head recognize educators’ value does wonders for morale and back to school. the desire to stay. Some educators had been commuting to “Around the corner there’s hope,” he says. “Things get Alabama to work. Soon after Mississippi’s raise, Alabama better and change.” raised its own teachers’ salaries to compete and try to ease that state’s shortage. ATACKTEION Speak up for education funding! Under the new Mississippi law, teachers will also receive annual step increases of at least $400, with larger increases in Go to nea.org/InvestInEd to tell your U.S. every fifth year and a more substantial bump at 25 years. The senators to support President Joe Biden’s increase will not only attract more people to the profession, Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which would make a but it will help keep them there. historic investment in low-income schools and support students with disabilities. “Some teachers are saying it’s not enough,” Smith says. “Is it ever enough? The fact that we’ve come this far is a milestone and will set a precedent. We’ll only go up from here, and I think we’ve shown what we are worth and why we deserve professional pay. Now the rest of the country is watching.” “We want staff to have “Working in school “For all schooling “I want most to work living wages. We really nutrition allows me systems to make and in a building with the want what’s best for to positively impact create and sustain supplies I need—to our students, best for students while also cultures of learning, have everything I need our families, best for having the protections rather than cultures to do my job.” our communities.” of a strong labor union. of performance.” I’ll always be happy —KATHERINE, NEW JERSEY —QUENTIN, MINNESOTA as the “lunch lady” to —KIRSTIN, INDIANA hungry students, but I “I feel appreciated by “Lower class sizes. feel most appreciated “One thing teachers the students when I Teachers can’t when I’m recognized need is more resources see how my work with adequately do their in the workforce as to support our stu- them, as an ESP in job with such high an education support dents’ social and the central office, can numbers.” professional.” emotional learning and change the direction their mental health.” of their lives.” —KATHY, OREGON —SUSAN, DELAWARE —MARY, SOUTH CAROLINA —MARGARET, NORTH CAROLINA PHOTO: FREDERICK WATKINS 41

Ohio History Teacher Named National Teacher of the Year KURT RUSSELL EMPOWERS STUDENTS WITH AN INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM AND OPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE BY TIM WALKER The 2022 Teacher of the Year, Kurt Russell, doesn’t C shy away from talking about race in his classroom. M High school history teacher Kurt Russell credits his rst Y Black teacher with inspiring him to become an edu- To honor this meaningful work, the Council CM cator. It was a revelation, Russell said, to see a teacher of Chief State School O cers named Russell MY who looked like him. the 2022 National Teacher of the Year, in April. CY CMY e teacher, Larry omas, regularly at- One week later, Russell found himself at the K tended student events, always dressed well, White House, sitting shoulder to shoulder with and was highly respected in the school and in President Joe Biden, rst lady Jill Biden, and U.S. Secretary of their Oberlin, Ohio, community, Russell recalls. Education Miguel Cardona, who honored his inspiring work. A salute from NEA Today, Russell is in his 25th year as an As a member of the NEA-a liated Ohio Education As- educator and teaches at Oberlin High School, sociation, Russell also earned accolades from NEA President the same school he attended as a teen. And Becky Pringle. “On behalf of the NEA’s more than 3 million he has successfully emulated his role model members, we congratulate Kurt for creating an environment throughout his career. Russell emphasizes where every student feels welcome, no matter their race, cultural relevance and diverse representation background, or ability,” Pringle said. “He is building a commu- in his curricula, including African American nity of young critical-thinkers who will enter the world more history; U.S. history; International Baccalaureate History of curious, open-minded, and knowledgeable—who will be able the Americas; and Race, Gender, and Oppression. to see the world as it truly is—and demand more.” ‘Confront the uncomfortable’ For years, Russell has created space in his classroom for Russell appeared on CBS Mornings the day the award was students to confront and examine di cult issues surround- announced. During the interview, he was treated to video ing race and injustice. But in the wake of the George Floyd testimonies from some of his students. and Breonna Taylor murders in 2020, that work took on more “Mr. Russell is such an incredible teacher,” says Oberlin urgency. Russell helped organize the Black Student Union High School senior Ryley Steggall. “He does a really good (BSU) at Oberlin. He now advises the group and has been job of fostering conversations where everyone can have a instrumental in fostering a schoolwide conversation around perspective.” racial injustice. e BSU’s impact on the school climate has Senior Anna Fritz adds, “He wants us to engage with one been far-reaching, Russell said. another and embrace new ideas. … e biggest lesson I’ve learned from him is to confront the uncomfortable.” He also helped organize a restorative justice agenda Russell was one of four nalists for National Teacher of that has helped cut suspensions and behavior referrals at the Year. e others were: Whitney Aragaki, the 2022 Hawaii the school. Teacher of the Year; Autumn Rivera, the 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year; and Joseph Welch, the 2022 Pennsylvania “A signi cant reason for this decrease is the continuous Teacher of the Year. education of faculty by our student members about empathy and positive relationships,” he wrote in his application for PHOTO: CODY YORK PHOTOGRAPHY INC. Teacher of the Year. “Enrollment of White students in the African American history and Race, Gender, and Oppression classes has increased. e school’s overall atmosphere is energized. Barriers and stereotypes are breaking down, and an inclusive community is being built.” “Mr. Russell is such an incredible teacher and person, in general. He does a really good job of fostering conversations where everyone can have a perspective.” RYLEY STEGGALL, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, OBERLIN, OHIO 42

WODNCVWIOALRCYRKBIUAHAYIH’AENT D As to u m nhypc s Non-publishing Notes 1 o k !f r e eyca s o m O es to u o t l i o rsh o! pc sf ry u c o l V s tn ao g w e so sa eet ne! Entries must be received by Sept. 15. Visit nea.org/raasweeps for o cial rules.

nnnnnorssssseoooooCCCdrrrrreeeeeeeennndddddsssoooCCCCCrrreeeeeCeeennnnnedddsssssnoooooCCCsrrrrreeeoeeeeennnrdddddesssooodCCCCCrrr!eeeeeeeeCnnnnndddesssssnoooooCCCrrrrrseeeeeeeeonnndddddrssseoooCCCCCdrrreeeeeeeeCnnnnn EDUCATORS ARE STANDING UP was happening in other states, and they were ready. FOR STUDENTS BY FIGHTING BACK “We knew it was coming and moved quickly,” said high AGAINST GAG ORDERS, BOOK BANS, AND INTIMIDATION school teacher Allison Haley, who helped mobilize hundreds of teachers at the Statehouse. “We fought like hell.” TBY TIM WALKER he hundreds of educators who lined the hallway By late February, momentum for passage had ground to waiting to testify inside the Indiana Statehouse a halt and, to the surprise of many, the bill was soon pulled knew the odds were against them. Inside the from consideration. Senate chamber, lawmakers were debating a bill to ban or curtail the teaching of so-called “divisive “Indiana is a great example of what can happen when concepts” in school. educators, parents, librarians, and others put pressure on moderate lawmakers, help them come to their senses Topping the list of concepts was, of course, “critical race and see how dangerous these bills are,” explains Jonathan theory”(CRT), a decades-old academic concept in higher Friedman of PEN America, an organization that works to education that has never been taught in K–12 classrooms. protect freedom of expression. “Mobilization and awareness This fact hasn’t stopped politicians and some parent groups have an impact.” from distorting the term. Their goal is to stir up outrage at the idea that classrooms should be safe, constructive spaces for The victory in Indiana, unfortunately, has been an outlier. discussions about systemic racism. Since the manufactured controversy surrounding CRT reached a fever pitch in the spring and summer of 2021, right- Like some other states—namely Florida and Texas—that wing politicians—collaborating with well-funded groups had already instituted similar measures, Indiana’s legislation claiming to represent parents—have launched a broad-based went much further. If signed into law, the bill would have assault on America’s classrooms. They aim to root out honest banned “the use of supplemental learning materials to pro- discussions about race, turn back the clock on inclusion, and mote certain concepts regarding sex, race, ethnicity, religion, strip teachers of their autonomy and professional voice. color, or national origin.” “This is a movement to sow distrust in public education For this politically conservative state with a GOP and intimidate teachers—in whatever form is necessary,” supermajority in the legislature, passage of the bill should Friedman says. have been a slam dunk. But Indiana’s educators saw what Exposure to intimidation 44 “Have you Googled yourself lately?” There are few more horrifying questions an individual can be asked—especially if you are a public school teacher in 2022.

eeeeeeeeCnnnnndddesssssnooooorrrrrseeeeeodddddred In 2021, Sarah Mulhern Gross was attacked online for her Romeo and Juliet unit. She worries that many educators, even if they teach in states without gag order laws, will self-censor to avoid harassment and intimidation. But this was the question a colleague posed to an unsus- Gross teaches English at a STEM-focused high school in pecting Sarah Mulhern Gross in late 2021. New Jersey and presents literature through a scientific lens. “This is where my students’ interest lies, and so I’ve always Puzzled and alarmed, Gross quickly went online and tried to angle my instruction that way, including how I teach discovered that right-wing media outlets had been trashing Romeo and Juliet. We talk about brain development, adoles- a School Library Journal article that explores the relevance of cent decision-making, and what we know about the body’s William Shakespeare’s works in today’s classrooms. Gross had reaction to falling in love.” been quoted in the article and was now the target of a vicious assault on social media. Gross believes Shakespeare deserves a critical eye, citing, among other issues, the presence of toxic masculinity in his Allison Haley addresses fellow educators at the Indiana plays, a point she made in the article. Soon the online mob Statehouse as lawmakers debate a gag order bill. started accusing Gross of wanting to “cancel” Shakespeare and sending her hateful messages on social medias. PHOTOS FROM TOP: JEN POTTHEISER; COURTESY OF ISTA After teaching for more than 10 years, Gross says she was suddenly branded a “woke teacher indoctrinating kids.” Although the state where she teaches is unlikely to take on the draconian laws that have gripped other parts of the country, Gross fears that social media leaves too many teachers exposed to intimidation or even threats over their instructional choices. “This is a small, vocal, but well-organized minority,” she says. The perception that hordes of angry parents are con- stantly monitoring educators’ every step has a chilling effect in the classroom. “[They’re] still intimidating teachers, forcing them to avoid certain topics or certain books out of fear of getting in trouble,” Gross says. “It’s the soft censorship that these educa- tors are undertaking that really worries me.” 45

nnnnnnorsssssseooooooCCdrrrrrreeeeeeeennddddddssooCCCCCCrreeeeeeCeennnnnneddssssssnooooooCCsrrrrrreeoeeeeeennrddddddessoodCCCCCCrr!eeeeeeeeCnnnnnnddessssssnooooooCCrrrrrrseeeeeeeeonnddddddrsseooCCCCCCdrreeeeeeeeCnnnnnnddessssssnoooooorrrrrrseeeeeeoddddddred history not only diminish the injustices experienced by generations of Americans, they prevent educators from chal- The ‘Ed Scare’ lenging our students to achieve a more equitable future.” “There is no national uprising among the majority of Almost as an enforcement mechanism, the same states parents, regardless of what the media coverage may suggest,” have been pushing “transparency” bills that require educa- Friedman says. National surveys have also found this to tors to post all of their teaching materials online—including be true. books, articles, and videos—and allowing parents to opt out of certain lessons. Some bills have even called for cameras in According to a 2022 poll by National Public Radio, 76 the classroom to allow parents to monitor a livestream. percent of parents said their child’s school does a good job of keeping them informed about the curriculum, including po- “They call it ‘transparency,’ but what is being proposed is tentially controversial topics. Only 18 percent of respondents quite different,” Friedman says. “We’re talking about radical said that the way their school teaches gender and sexuality is forms of surveillance of teachers.” “inconsistent” with their values; only 19 percent said the same about race and racism. One of the common traits of these proposals is that they are usually sloppily written—probably by design. And a Wall Street Journal poll released in June found that 72 percent of parents believe their local schools’ focus on rac- Case in point: Florida’s notorious “Don’t Say Gay” bill, ism was either “too little” or “about right.” signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March. The law is named “Parental Rights in Education.” What it actually does, This hasn’t stopped certain lawmakers and right-wing however, is forbid instruction on sexual orientation and gen- groups from pushing disinformation over social media, der identity from kindergarten through third grade. disrupting school board meetings, imposing book bans, and passing classroom gag orders and so-called “transparency” Under the law, parents can sue the school district if they laws. All of this has amounted to what PEN America calls the believe the school is in violation. Efforts to amend the bill to new “Ed Scare”—a reference to the “Red Scare” hysteria over provide specific guidelines and clarify its scope have failed. Communism in the mid-1900s. “They wanted that bill to carry this unclear element,” From July 2021 – March 2022, PEN America tracked 88 Friedman explains. “How does it apply to libraries and cur- active bills imposing gag orders on teachers as well as 1,586 ricula? No one knew how a teacher is supposed to answer a book bans in 88 school districts across 22 states. The orga- question from, say, a student who has two same-sex parents nization reports that this onslaught of censorship has been and wants to talk about it.” “unparalleled in its intensity and frequency, and represents a serious threat to free expression and students’ First Amend- The lack of specificity has created a large circle of ment rights.” uncertainty—“a no-go zone” in the classroom, Friedman says. “And that’s very alarming.” Book ban proponents try to maneuver around these concerns by citing potential student “discomfort” at having The difference between right and wrong to confront shameful episodes or realities throughout Octavio Hernandez, a math teacher in Polk County, U.S. history. Florida, wonders if the politicians responsible for the “Don’t But as Samantha Hull, a school librarian in Pennsylvania, Say Gay” law really understand what they have done—and if told a congressional subcommittee in April, “Any discomfort they do understand, do they really care? that arises from what we read is outweighed by the possibility of learning. If the book makes you uncomfortable, it’s time to ““Indiana is a great example consider what it might be trying to teach you and what you are fighting so hard not to learn.” of what can happen when ‘Radical forms of surveillance’ educators, parents, librarians, and others put pressure on Over the past 18 months, a flood of legislation has banned moderate lawmakers, help “controversial” subjects, in effect imposing gag orders on them come to their senses and classroom teachers. These restrictions often include book see how dangerous these bills bans but are usually aimed at restricting actual instruction or are. Mobilization and awareness discussion in the classroom. have an impact.” According to an analysis by Education Week, from Janu- — JONATHAN FRIEDMAN, PEN AMERICA ary 2021 – May 2022, 17 states had passed legislation banning the examination of systemic racism in the United States (packaged as “anti-CRT” bills). In 2022, similar bills silencing speech about LGBTQ+ issues began to emerge. This is a disturbing trend, says NEA President Becky Pringle. “These dangerous attempts to stoke fears and rewrite 46

Octavio Hernandez says his classroom will always be a safe curriculum review committees, along with mechanisms space for his students. for parents to opt out of lessons and activities. Proposals were introduced to penalize teachers who were thought “It really angers me. This is a threat to students’ mental to be in violation. health. They are putting kids’ lives in danger,” Hernandez says. “Kids of all ages come from same-sex households. LGBTQ “We would not have been allowed to teach other students are looking on and are being told that what they perspectives,” Haley says. “We wouldn’t have open discus- are is so bad, so dangerous, that they can’t even talk about sions and learn the truth about history and about people’s it in school.” lived experiences. That’s not fair to students, and it’s strip- ping educators of our professional voice and judgement.” Hernandez says his classroom will always be a safe haven for students. The Indiana State Teachers Association’s (ISTA) cam- paign to defeat the bill was already underway. The union Because educators take that responsibility so seriously, began by assembling a coalition of parents, local busi- Brian Kerekes, a high school teacher in Osceola County, nesses, faith leaders, and other community groups that Florida, hopes the law will ultimately be ineffective. were united in opposition to the bill. “I’m encouraged by the fact that educators know the “We were very intentional in educating legislators, difference between right and wrong,” Kerekes says. “What parents, and other active members of the community,” re- this law is telling us to do is to help them erase the LGBTQ calls Haley. “We were super-proactive in explaining what community. We won’t let them. I think we’ll overcome our the bills actually did and what the impact on students fear and concern and do what is right for our students. That’s would be.” what we’ve always done.” At the first committee hearing, the bill drew over six Still, Kerekes cautions that the uncertainty and fear the hours of testimony. Much of it came from teachers who law has instilled is real and could push more teachers out of said the bill would place an egregious burden on educators, the classroom and prevent others from entering the profes- would stifle student learning, and would worsen the already sion in the first place. He also worries that the legislature will significant teacher shortage in the state. try to expand the law as elections grow closer. Furthermore, educators explained to lawmakers (and to some parents) that systems were already in place that gave “They’re just trying to distract and divide us at the expense parents a good deal of oversight into what teachers do in of the safety of our students and educators,” Kerekes says. the classroom. “We have that in Noblesville,” Haley remarks about her The stakes are too high for students to be used as political school. “We have a process for curriculum review, and par- pawns, Hernandez agrees. “These politicians should go stir ents are on that committee.” the pot somewhere else.” The campaign worked. Soon lawmakers began shrinking ‘A huge motivator’ the list of “divisive concepts” and removing provisions that would have allowed parents to sue school districts and go It was against this backdrop that Indiana lawmakers after a teacher’s license. As the legislation got watered down, introduced the “divisive concepts” legislation. So the state’s the original proposal’s more zealous supporters began to lose educators already knew the far-reaching impact of these interest, and by late February, the bill was dead in the water. laws on the classroom. The bill aimed to establish parent Indiana’s educators celebrated the victory, but remain on guard. Lawmakers will likely resuscitate a new version of the PHOTO: JAY NOLAN bill in the next session. But educators will be ready, Haley says, despite the ex- haustion and frustration of pushing back on an agenda that is so nakedly political and destructive. “I do worry about the toll on the profession. We’re used to fighting for things like salary and negotiating rights,” Haley says. “But when someone tells us ‘I’m now taking away your autonomy in the classroom, your status as a professional,’ that’s personal, and it’s a huge motivator.” KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Want to know about your rights and protections regarding censorship and teaching about racism, sexism, and historical prejudice? Go to nea.org/ know-your-rights. 47

SOLVING FOR X PAID LEAVE, CHILD CARE, LGBTQ+ the robotics teams; advising community service clubs; and helping with after-school events. JUSTICE: WORKING TOGETHER, The stress became so overwhelming that Pescaia even EDUCATOR UNIONS ARE considered moving to the mainland, where the cost of living PROVIDING REAL SOLUTIONS is significantly lower. But thanks to the efforts of the Hawaii State Teachers As- sociation (HSTA), in May 2022, lawmakers approved a budget BY BRENDA ÁLVAREZ that includes more than $164 million to end salary compres- V ictoria Pescaia describes herself as a military brat—one sion and fill other funding shortages. who fell in love while at the University of Hawaii. When “Many veteran teachers like me love our students and her parents relocated to the U.S. mainland, she stayed behind, and decided to become a teacher. love teaching, but we didn’t see hope in making salary gains. And some of us were planning to retire early, making the teacher shortage crisis in Hawaii worse,” Pescaia says. “We are While love may have kept her in Hawaii, the salary here to stay if we can afford it! Addressing salary compression for teachers nearly drove her out. gives us hope and will encourage veteran teachers to stick Until recently, Hawaii paid teachers according to classifi- around. HSTA’s support … has made that possible.” cations based on education rather than years of experience. Pescaia’s story is just one of the many ways NEA mem- All other pay raises were negotiated. bers and their affiliated unions across the country are helping This meant that teachers with decades of experience to solve problems and improve the everyday lives of educa- might make the same salary as new teachers—a pay tors and students. Here are five more union solutions. structure known as salary compression. Pescaia, who recently became a technology coordina- SOLUTION 1: tor on the island of Oahu, earned a master’s degree in 2002 Paid leave for military families and paid to take several continuing education class credits When first-grade teacher Sophia Carter’s son asked her to to help bump up her salary. But still it took be part of his deployment and post-de- her 27 years to get close to the top of the ployment ceremonies at Camp Pendleton, salary schedule, which finally happened in in California, she of course went to sup- February. port him. But she was docked two days’ In 2020, her daughter was a high school pay by her district, in Muskogee, Okla., senior with dreams of attending college in and had $500 taken out of her paycheck to the continental U.S. Her daughter had earned cover the substitute in her classroom. multiple scholarships, but that still wasn’t “I felt that after all that a military enough. family sacrifices, this was unfair,” So Pescaia started looking for a second Carter says. job. But that would have meant dropping her Teacher and military mom She approached her union, the volunteer roles, which included mentoring Sophia Carter with her sons. Muskogee Education Association, 48 PHOTO: COURTESY OF SOPHIA CARTER