Principal’s Effective Ed
Each year, principals are given 3 days to provide KEA members with opportunities for student growth, multicultural diversity, or instructional methods. The two requirements for principals to be in control of these days are that they must have an initial list including a minimum of sixteen hours of activities and provide the list to KEA staff by November 1.
We are aware that several principals missed one or both requirements. Past practice has been that the principals then forfeit their hours, and teachers get to claim them as their own. We will presume that this will continue to be the case.
Please contact KEA if you have any questions.
Membership Update
With being out of the buildings last year, we have not been able to connect with our potential members the way we have in previous years. Combined with the many new hires this year, we started the school year with around 150 potential KEA members.
Now that we are face to face again, our wonderful building reps have been doing a great job reaching out to their new colleagues, building those relationships, and getting people signed up with KEA. Union leadership has also been able to check in with potential members during our listening sessions and make additional personal asks. In the month of October, with our joint efforts, we have signed up approximately 35 new members and we continue to grow!
Welcome to all our new KEA members!
KSD Values vs Educator Need
Daily, there are many issues that KEA leadership fights making our jobs here a struggle and frustrating for us. With that said, we know that the educators in Kent have it 10 times worse which makes it important for KEA leadership to continue to push forward and not let KSD attempt to rollover the true warriors, YOU!
Both our students and our educators need to not only feel valued but BE VALUED! That begins with treating everyone with respect, providing the needed support, and taking time to walk in the shoes of our educators. Instead, many times it feels as though KSD continues casting judgements and making comments that everything is “normal” while sitting in their cozy district offices not facing the eyes and emotions of our classroom students.
Educators in Kent are doing all they can, and the stress of this work without the proper support from KSD is having its impacts. Educators are leaving this profession at an alarming rate in KSD. It is the stress of the job and the feeling of hopelessness. You are not alone! KEA is fighting daily to try to make it better.
KEA has bargained access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP confidentially helps to connect members to resources of all types that can help in times of crisis. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or have other family or personal issues impacting your daily life please consider reaching out for help. Clicking on this link will take you to the brochure with EAP’s contact information as well as some of the ways this bargained program may be able to help you.
Sick Leave Donations
Member(s) in Need:
Michelle Seeley
If you are in need of sick leave donations please contact HR. They will notify us that you qualify and we can put your request here, in the newsletter.
