Congress In Session

Congress is addressing substitute teaching and they need to hear from you!

The Perfect Opportunity / NCLB and Substitute Teaching

The US House Committee on Education has released its draft of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This is also known as NCLB and there are 5 critical pages addressing substitute teaching. If it passes, Congress then has the potential of impacting school districts by providing assistance to districts in the training of their substitute teachers. See the link below for more details.

This is wonderful news, but we need to ensure Congress knows your feelings regarding how much this will benefit your school district. As you can see, this legislation supports your efforts in training your substitute teachers, faculty, and staff on best practices in substitute teaching.

Please review the first link below concerning this important issue. Then submit a letter from your district to your congressman or simply call their office and talk with the 'education staffer' expressing your support of the proposals in this legislation.

Timing is critical as Congress is moving forward with this legislation. A lot of work has taken place to get this wording in the bill so it would be a shame if it were removed due to the lack of support. Your help will make a difference. Voice your opinion regarding this matter.

Thanks for your help.

Links:
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Substitute Teaching Part)
Sample Letter To Your Congressman
Memorandum of NCLB Talking Points
Link To Find Your Congressman

Substitute Teaching Improvement Act

Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ) has just introduced a bill to the House of Representatives. This new bill is called the Substitute Teaching Improvement Act (aka HR 3345).

HR 3345 will do the following:

1. Establish a program to increase the effectiveness of substitute teaching through a comprehensive training program.
2. Ask the Secretary of Education to authorize demonstration funds for the purpose of training substitute teachers.
3. Evaluate what training programs are most effective for the training of subs.

HR 3345 will provide training in:

a) classroom management
b) effective teaching strategies that address students needs and styles
c) teacher professionalism
d) educational laws and issues; e.g. Liability for subs.
e) best practices for recruiting subs
f) preparing students for subs; and
g) proper planning and follow-up for subs.

HR 3345 is THE MOST promising piece of legislation for substitute teachers in years because it'll actually provide funds to train substitutes to do an even better job with the young people they're responsible for. This is something we subs have always asked for - TRAINING!

In order for this bill to pass it MUST come out of the commitee to the House or it will die.Every substitute MUST phone, write, E-Mail their representative and ask them to support this bill!

Please DON'T let it die!!! Only you can get the message out. If everyone does this then we might have a chance.

Please contact your local representative and all those sitting on the Education and Labor Committe to help push it through. CLICK HERE to view the bill.

Pictures From The Rockville Conference

The 2007 Rockville, MD Conference

The 6th annual NSTA conference was held on July 20 - 22nd at the Montgomery County Education Association in Rockville Maryland. Our thanks to Bonnie Cullison, president of the M.C.E.A for hosting the convention at their headquarters.

After a complimentary continental breakfast at the Best Western Washington Gateway Hotel, officers from various states around the country met for a pre-conference workshop to discuss organizational strategies. We had a very enjoyable cruise around the Potomac on "Spirit Cruise Lines" to help us get to know new members and relax before the conference.

The conference began Saturday with some great "break out" sessions. Judith Keiffer lead the workshop on "Classroom Management" where strategies were discussed by all members as to how we can improve our management skills as professional substitute teachers.

Pat Reilly and Rachel Tudor lead the workshop on "Contract Issues". They discussed the importace of reading, reviewing and interpreting contracts provided by our local unions and educational organizations. When we know the facts about what exists in our contracts, then we can discover ways to make initiatives for positive change, and therefore provide better working conditions for all of us as substitute teachers.

Dale Robinson lead an inspirational discussion about power bases. The question was presented ,"Who really has the "power" in our communities?" The people who we think hold the power may not be who ones who actually have it!

Some new officers were elected, and President Jim Politis, as well as Treasurer Ron Fletcher were re-elected to their respective positions this year.

Thanks to Clara Floyd, President of the Maryland State Teachers Association for her encouraging words to our members. She shared about her perseverance through the struggles of her life and the success she gained by her patience and commitment to the cause for teachers.

Special thanks to Mary Nix and all representatives of "AFLAC" for presenting their alternative plan for health insurance to our members.

Thanks to Ron Denaro, President of College Campus trips, and Virginia Minick, author of the book "Desperately Seeking Humor". Elizabeth Medina shared her web site "Substitutes United" and was appointed web coordinator.

Special thanks to our Vice-president, Rachel Tudor and Pat Reilly, Senior Field Rep. for SEIU 521 for working so hard to organize this conference and make it a success!

We ended with dinner at Houston's Restaurant and looked forward to the work we plan to do this year to improve the lives of substitutes around the nation. Next years conference: TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Welcome To The NSTA's Blog!

Our primary purpose here is to provide easy access to need-to-know information, whether it's on the NSTA or substitute teaching in general. There will also be commentary from time to time on current issues.

If you have a comment, complaint, or suggestion about something you read here on the site, please send it to us. When E-Mailing, please indicate if you don't want your comments publicized.

Again, welcome!

--Jim Politis, NSTA President
--Elizabeth Medina, NSTA Webmaster