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We will be hosting county wide contract information session online for all PGCEA members. You will have an opportunity to hear from the Contract Negotiations Team about the tentative agreement we’ve reached with the PGCPS. There are over 80 exciting contract updates strengthening your pay, planning time, and so much more! Please click on your respective area link below to register.
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We encourage all educators, students, parents, and community members to walk with PGCEA in the Annual Greenbelt Labor Day Parade. To join us, be sure to RSVP using the button below. |
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We offer standing committees to assist in performing the duties and activities required.
These committees operate per the Association Bylaws. The Association’s President appoints the chairperson of each of these committees and provides them their goals and charges for the ensuing year.
You are welcome to join any of our standing committees.
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MSEA Updates, Trainings and Awards |
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UPDATE: CONDITIONAL TEACHERS GET BREAK; STATE BOARD WAIVES CERTIFICATION DEADLINES
The Maryland State Board of Education (SBOE) voted July 26 for a three-year waiver of the regulation governing conditional teachers to help address some of the dire staffing shortages around the state. However, just extra time is not enough, SBOE teacher member Rachel McCusker and MSEA President Cheryl Bost told the board. They urged the board to make sure conditional teachers get mentoring and appropriate support in addition to time to complete requirements for certification.
Maryland districts employed 3,567 conditionally certified teachers during the 2021-2022 school year, double the number employed five years ago. Several hundred of those desperately needed educators were not able to complete all requirements and teach at the same time.
Bost, local superintendents, and State Superintendent Mohammed Choudhury impressed upon the board that staffing shortages have been exacerbated by the pandemic and the time constraints for conditional educators worsen the problem. The SBOE voted to allow local school districts the discretion to extend conditional certificates for up to an additional two years for conditional teachers and resident teachers to meet the requirements to qualify them to stay in the classroom.
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UPDATED: RACIAL-SOCIAL JUSTICE STRATEGY, ORGANIZING, AND ACTION RESOURCE PAGES
Check out MSEA’s new Racial and Social Justice section on our website that includes many new resources and links, including our new Racial-Social Justice Strategy, Organizing, and Action Resources tool. Members, locals, and anyone visiting the MSEA site can access many resources at a variety of entry levels to help move our RSJ work forward throughout the state. Big thanks to the staff, managers, and members who worked quickly and thoughtfully to provide these resources. Special thanks to Tina Dove, Paula Voelker, Theresa Mitchel Dudley, Vernon Fains, and members of the planning workgroup for helping to gather and vet these resources. You and your members are encouraged to visit the site often as more and more updates will be added.
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DOROTHY LLOYD WRIGHT AWARD: DEADLINE NOVEMBER 1
Take the opportunity to recognize someone in your local association who goes above and beyond. The Dorothy Lloyd Award, sponsored by the MSEA Women's Concerns Committee, is named after the longtime association director of publications. The award honors persons, groups or programs for their accomplishments in the field of girls' and women's rights. Applications for the 2023 Dorothy Lloyd Women's Rights Award are due by 5:00 p.m. November 1, 2022.
For more information and the online application click here!
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WOMEN’S CONCERNS COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP COHORT TRAINING: DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 16TH
MSEA’s NEW Women’s Concerns Committee Leadership Cohort Training focuses on power, purpose, and coalition-building through a year-long leadership development program, providing critical knowledge and skills that will define each participant’s leadership journey as a social justice educator and change agent for quality public education. Training requires attendance at three virtual or in-person trainings and continuous program engagement throughout the year.
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Sick Leave Bank Open Enrollment begins on July 1 and will end on September 30. Click here to access the application. Please submit your completed form to sickleavebank@pgcea.org.
*Please Note: If you are currently enrolled in the Sick Leave Bank, you do NOT need to complete another enrollment form.
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As a new school year begins, we want to show appreciation for your commitment to excel in and out of the classroom. Thank you for all that you do for your students, your colleagues and your community.
Please fill out the form below to help us understand how we can support your association. As a special thank you for your time, you will be entered to win one of ten $100 Gift Cards.*
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More Opportunities for You... |
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Upcoming Webinar: Helping Teachers Afford Comprehensive Pathways into the Profession and Achieve Loan Forgiveness |
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The U.S. Department of Education invites you to an upcoming webinar – “Helping Teachers Afford Comprehensive Pathways into the Profession and Achieve Loan Forgiveness” – on Wednesday, August 31st from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern Time. The webinar will focus on opportunities to learn about significant improvements to the TEACH Grant program and the limited time Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver to support program affordability and decrease student loan debt for educators.
The purpose of this webinar is to discuss how educators can benefit from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, specifically the temporary waiver which provides time-limited changes to rules that allow borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. Borrowers are encouraged to act now since these changes are currently set to expires on Oct. 31, 2022.
The webinar will also highlight recent improvements to the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program and best practices for implementation. These changes provide greater flexibilities and address previous challenges with successfully completing the program. Respecting and honoring teachers requires that we ensure educators receive financial support where eligible from these important federal programs.
The registration link is provided below.
Date and Time: Aug 31, 2022, 1:00 – 2:00 PM Eastern Time
After registering, you will receive a confirmation message containing information about joining the webinar.
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Your work matters so much to so many people, including those running for the highest offices in our state. From the student whose future is brighter and day is easier thanks to your work and attention to the family who finds the services and support they need to get through tough times, you make incredible things happen–no matter your role. Our communities are stronger thanks to your effort, ideas, and commitment day in and day out. Thank you for all that you do.
We all know that these are tough times to be in education. From politicized attacks on what we do, what we teach, and even what books are in our media centers, we’re so often put under the microscope by those looking to score political points rather than do what’s best for our kids. At the same time, all too often we see real issues that impact our schools—the trauma so many students carry every day, the understaffing that stretches school staff thin, the attempt to privatize rather than build our professions, and more.
I believe strongly that the best way we can address these issues is through our strong voice and strong union. Educators should be heard—and our union is here to amplify our collective voice and make a positive difference on the issues that matter to us, our students, and our schools.
We need your help to make sure candidates who understand and appreciate our work are elected into office this November.
What: Educators for Moore Door-Knock
Special Guests: Aruna Miller, Calvin Ball, Steuart Pittman
When: September 10 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Laurel Woods Elementary
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Do you know your UniServ Director?
Our UniServ directors (UD's) are here to assist you with any of your school-based issues or contract compliance needs. To find out which UD is assigned to your school click the button to see their school assignments.
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EDUCATORS' ASSOCIATION | PGCEA.ORG
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