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The Connection
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303
920-496-2440
800-472-5582
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Hello friends,
I can't believe it's July already. The summer is flying! I hope you're making time for yourself to rest and reflect.
Lately, I've been learning more about meditation and mindfulness after a union member from Ashwaubenon, Andrea Ciha, presented on mindfulness in the classroom for Winter Recharge. I've grown to value this time so much. I view it as self care and an investment in my mental health. I try to practice daily and I've seen an improvement in the amount of mental space I have to process something before negative feelings get triggered.
One meditation educator I follow is Tara Brach. Her meditations focus on personal growth while also staying current with the world's events. She discusses current events through a progressive lens while also offering a sense of hope, which feels reassuring since the world can be a real dumpster fire sometimes. You can check out Tara Brach's meditations here. Hope you enjoy it and the rest of your summer!
In Solidarity,
Kristin Lytie
Regional Director
WEAC Region 3
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Upcoming Events:
August 17, Tuesday, Zone E Meeting, 5:30PM
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State Budget
Falls Short
Our friends at WPEN issued the following analysis of the state budget that was approved last week:
Governor Evers proposed an education budget that offered a road map to closing the gaps for Wisconsin’s children. His budget invested in closing the special education funding gap, meeting the needs of rural students, addressing mental health needs, and providing adequate aid statewide. Wisconsinites spoke resoundingly in favor of that plan at each of the state budget hearings. It was a responsible, affordable plan made more so by the state’s historic surplus. We applaud the governor for putting forward a strong budget.
Outrageously, the budget passed by the legislature reroutes students to a status quo which underserves them and shifts the state’s responsibility to fund public schools onto local taxpayers. We thank every lawmaker who had the courage to vote against that budget. See how your lawmaker voted HERE.
We thank Governor Evers for doing what he could with this gap-widening budget by committing an additional $100 million in one-time federal aid to students and using his veto authority to free up $550 million in budget stabilization funds for public schools.
Legislators now must reconvene to fix the education budget by:
- increasing special education reimbursement rates,
- providing equalization aid which districts can actually spend on educational needs; and
- increasing revenue limits.
We condemn this gap-widening education budget and invite all who share our outrage to join us. Let your legislators know that we expect them to fix the education budget before they adjourn.
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Share Your Experience Teaching Through Covid-19
Recently our office was contacted by Samantha Ward, a graduate student at Manchester University. Samantha is researching various education methods used during the COVID-19 pandemic in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Her research involves a survey to Wisconsin and Minnesota educators regarding teacher perception of teaching methods during this time and she would like to hear about your experiences to try to understand teachers' preferred practices.
“My interest in this topic was peaked after hearing from family back home of the alternating methods of teaching that have been selected by various school districts. I think if this pandemic has taught us anything, it has shown how much we rely on teachers, not just to educate, but to provide a safe environment for students during the week. This is why I believe their opinions on the varying modes of education used during this time are extremely important to hear.” -Samantha Ward.
All the responses to this survey are anonymous, with no personal information required and takes around 5 minutes to complete.
Please fill out this survey to share your experiences teaching through Covid-19.
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The first Region 3 Roundtable is quickly approaching! The Roundtable will be a space to brainstorm, share best practices, and plan with locals of similar size.
August's topic is Planning Your New Hire Event and Back to School Membership Drive.
In the future they will be held every other month and focus on issues you want to learn more about! Have an idea for a topic? Email your director!
Register for August 10th's Roundtable discussion HERE. |
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Rural school mentors are the first and sometimes only connection some smaller, rural locals have with the union. You’re invited to apply for the WEAC program designed to create a clear union connection among our smaller, rural locals. Mentors are a resource to current leaders and help develop new leaders while strengthening local associations.
Hurry! The deadline to apply is July 26! Apply Now!
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Media & Public Speaking for Educators
Saturday, August 7, 1 – 4 p.m.
WEAC Headquarters, 33 Nob Hill Road, Madison
Join us for an interactive workshop designed especially for educators on effectively communicating about the power to negotiate through collective bargaining. Leave with an understanding about effective messaging and best practices for communication whether talking to the media or to the public.
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Participants are encouraged to attend in-person, but there is a virtual option if you can’t make it to Madison.
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Registration for the 7th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit, hosted by Sun Prairie Area School District and sponsored by WEAC Region 6, is now live! Visit our website at WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit to register for the August 2 Summer Summit and the post-summit dinner catered by Salvatore's at the Loft at 132 in Sun Prairie.
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PDI Presenter Application - Call for Proposals
WEAC is committed to building the knowledge and skills of its members through professional learning that is job-embedded, practical, and connected to both student learning and educator well-being. To that end, you are invited to submit a workshop proposal in an area of your interest or expertise for the annual Professional Development Institute (PDI) November 5-7, 2021, in Oshkosh.
Presenters must be WEAC members or a friend of WEAC in a job category ineligible for membership. Sessions are 90 minutes long and should be interactive and engaging. Presenters typically present twice over the course of the weekend. This is an opportunity to share your favorite unit, pedagogical expertise, or unique school program with your colleagues across the state.
Members selected to present will receive complimentary registration, meals, roundtrip mileage reimbursement, and a hotel room for two nights (if needed). No other stipend will be awarded to presenters. Applications are due Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Please direct questions to baasj@weac.org.
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When Was Your Last Financial Fitness Checkup?
Take an easy, five-minute self-assessment today and gain free access to a personalized playlist of interactive courses on budgeting, credit, managing debt, living within your means, the financial aspects of getting married, financial issues for new parents, buying versus leasing a car, home ownership, and much more.
Bonus! After completing the Financial Fitness Checkup, State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program members will receive a special rewards code to apply toward earning their annual Well Wisconsin $150 incentive. (Note: The Well Wisconsin incentive is not available to those in a Medicare Advantage plan.)
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This is an 11.0101(10)(b)(1) communication with WEAC members |
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WEAC Region 3
1136 N. Military Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54303.
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