December 21, 2018  
Hi all,

Last week I talked about laughter. This week, I've been doing a lot of thinking about appreciation and savoring all the good things life has to offer.

I was lucky to be able to travel to Italy in October. So lucky! One of my favorite moments of the trip was eating gelato on a particular day. It wasn't the first gelato of the trip and it wasn't the last. But it was the best and here's why: I savored that particular dish of gelato. Instead of rushing out the door with cup in hand and walking and talking and eating and getting distracted, I sat down on a bench in the sun. I ate each little spoonful of (pear!) gelato slowly and mindfully. I remember the taste. I remember the texture. I remember the beautiful, sunny day.

My wish for all of you is that you have time to savor your holiday! Think about what it is that you most want to do, enjoy, and savor, and make sure you make some time for it. 

--Peace
Kathy Rohde
Regional Director 





Professional Development



Registration NOW OPEN!
Saturday, January 26, 2019
WR3 Office, 1136 N. Military Ave., Green Bay

This FREE FOR MEMBERS Professional Development Conference will have sessions geared toward all of our members - ESP and teachers - on topics of wide interest for all.


Click HERE for a brochure that details the sessions.

Click HERE for a 1-page flyer that you can use to advertise the Conference in your school.

Click HERE to register!


Also available on Saturday, January 26: FREE 1-hour meetings with WEA Member Benefits Consultants. If you have questions about WRS, retirement, student loans, general budgeting questions, insurance, etc., sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094da8a628a2ff2-weac1


Teacher Licensing Update
All emergency rules around lifetime licensure are now in permanent effect. The two most pertinent are related to the definition of an educational entity and the requirements qualifying a person for lifetime license consideration.

Permanent rule now defines an entity to include:
  • CESAs, charter schools, licensed child care providers under contract with a school district, private schools, school districts, the Wisconsin center for the blind and visually impaired, and the Wisconsin educational services program for the deaf and hard of hearing.

  • This rule also defines the successful completion of six semesters of teaching or pupil services experience (a qualifying requirement to obtain a lifetime license) as being "regularly employed in education." Regularly employed in education means employed as an educator providing services directly to students, families or fellow educators in a prekindergarten through college setting for one hour per day per semester or its equivalent. There is no link to qualifying experience and Educator Effectiveness.

Background Check
While provisional license holders may now able to apply for a lifetime license, there is currently no mechanism in place for lifetime license holders to complete their required background check.

The Science of HAPPINESS


In Milwaukee at the MTEA office on Tuesday, February 5th!

In Green Bay at the Region 3 office
on Wednesday, February 20th!





"Join your colleagues across the state for this blended learning opportunity examining the science of happiness. This unique course focuses on character strengths, positive emotion, resilience, purpose, positive relationships, and creativity. When educators model qualities of compassion, gratitude and mindfulness, and integrate them into lesson plans, we increase students' joy and engagement while contributing to a healthy classroom environment."

Check the WEA Academy calendar  for statewide  professional development events, including other dates/venues for "The Science of Happiness."


What's Your Best Story?


BUILD YOUR FUTURE!


Add to Your Local's Strength
and
Plan for Your Personal Financial Future!

If you sign up 3 new members in your Local Association, you can earn $250 toward an individual financial planning session with WEA Member Benefits.

Deadline: April 15, 2019

Click HERE for the flyer and application form.
Click HERE for a brochure that details WEA Member Benefits fee-based financial consultations.


2018 Tax Law Changes

WEAC Region 3 has received a couple of questions regarding the deductibility of union dues. To ensure that everyone is aware of one of the changes that took place last year with the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017:
 
Union dues are no longer a deductible expense for those people who itemize on their personal tax return. Below is a link to an IRS publication if people need more information.

  
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5307.pdf

Notice of Important Upcoming Deadlines


JANUARY 15 : Nominations are due by January 15 for WEAC President, WEAC Vice President, Alternate NEA Director, NEA Director, Minority Guarantee Representative, and MGR Alternate to the WEAC Board of Directors to be decided at the Representative Assembly in April. All persons desiring to be candidates for these positions shall file their intention in the office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708-8003. Such notice must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2019. Please contact Ann Caruso for paperwork for filing for these positions. She can be reached at CarusoA@weac.org or 800-362-8034, extension 219.

JANUARY 15: The deadline for submitting proposed changes to WEAC Bylaws, Constitution, standing Rules or Resolutions is January 15. Changes should be submitted to the Office of the WEAC Executive Director, P.O. Box 8003, Madison WI 53708.

FEBRUARY 1: The deadline for applying for the four WEAC Scholarships for children of WEAC members is February 1. Scholarship winners will receive grants of $1,450 per year for four years of college or university study, if they remain eligible. Find out more at weac.org/scholarships.

FEBRUARY 1: February 1 is the deadline for nominations for several WEAC awards: the Education Support Professional Award; Friend of Education Award; Lewandowski Award for Humanitarian Activities; Tenia Jenkins Activist Award; and the Cunningham, Dickinson, Watson Staff Award. For details, go to weac.org/awards.


MORE Professional Development!

Dare to Think National Board Writing Retreat is March 1-3 in Wisconsin Dells
Join  Wisconsin National Board candidates for a weekend of mentoring and component writing March 1-3 in Wisconsin Dells. Many NBCTs will be available to provide guidance and direction as you prepare for component submission in spring of 2019. Registration includes access to mentors, breakout sessions, materials, double occupancy lodging, snacks and all meals with the exception of Saturday dinner.   Read more and sign up now.

Schedule It!

 
Click HERE to see our Region 3 Calendar. It includes WEAC and Region 3 governance meetings, Professional Development events, and many other workshops, meetings, and events sponsored by our office.
  • WEA Member Benefits Financial Planner, the third Thursday of every month @ WEAC Region 3. To make an appointment contact: Brenda Echeverria 800-279-4030, ext. 3300.
WEAC Region 3
800-472-5582
rohdek@weac.org
www.region3.weac.org