PET Gains First College Affiliate...
Carson Newman College recently organized the College Association of Professional Educators. The organization is the first college affiliate for PET. They have 45 charter members, 8 officers, and four faculty members on the advisory counsel. They have completed their constitution and are actively involved. Congratulations!
How many of us meekly joined whatever organization we were told was necessary for our career as a teacher? So many of our future educators do not question those in authority. If we do anything for our future teachers, we should let them know there is an alternative organization.
A student at Middle Tennessee State University who is a member of PET recently reported that she had received a letter informing her that MTSU requires her to be a member of SNEA before she can teach. She has appealed to PET for help. We are pleased to discuss this issue with the MTSU administration and to correct this problem.
We are a grass roots organization. If anything
gets done, it isn't because we let someone else do it. Please
get involved. Be a mentor for a future teacher in your community
or contact your alma mater and inform them that there is an alternative
organization. We will be glad to help if we are contacted. You
can make a difference - you have already!
Billie Sue Hamilton,
President of PET
Years of experience have taught many of us that 'going to the horse's mouth' is the most effective way to move on an issue. Paid lobbyists, group representatives, and polls are not nearly as effective as personal contact. The following article by J.C. Bowman, PET's legislative liaison, teaches us how to lobby our members of the Tennessee Legislature...
Members of the Tennessee Legislature rarely hear from their constituents on most issues. Sometimes hearing from a handful of concerned citizens will cause a senator or representative to pay attention to a particular issue and encourage him or her in that vote choice.
In general the more personal your lobbying contact is, the more effective it will be. While a personal discussion with a member of the state legislature is most effective, a meeting or telephone conversation with one of his or her assistants is almost as good. A personal letter is much more effective than a form letter or postcard.
You do not need to be an expert on the issue to call or write the member's office. All you need to communicate is that you want the member to support or oppose a particular measure. When you call a member's office, give your name and address and ask whomever takes your call to let the legislative member know that you favor or oppose the issue.
It is very important that you lobby both representatives and senators who may support your views and those who may not. Lobbying can change votes, so it is critically important that you lobby those who disagree with you. Lobbying supporters provides them with evidence of support for their position and allows them to be more effective in support of that position.
If you don't know your representative or senator, your county courthouse voter registration office can tell you what district you live in and can give you their names and addresses. Local, state, and Washington addresses are on file.
Above all, remember that your public officials are your paid representatives, and they work for you! Don't be intimidated by contacting them. It is their job to listen to your viewpoints and represent you in government.
PET would appreciate receiving a copy of your
correspondence or a note that you have called on an issue in order
that we may document your effort and perhaps be of assistance
to you. You may contact John C. Bowman at 4005 Old Freewill Rd.
Cleveland, TN 37312 or call: 1-800-471-4867 Home phone: (423)
476-3591
*Following the story from the Associated Press
concerning teacher Jeffery Hudgins's fight to get out of NEA,
we have had numerous calls from teachers around the state who
want out of NEA but fear a confrontation. We suggest that they
ask their local presidents for the dates for resignation and then
see their system's bookkeeper and sign a statement to be taken
off the TEA/NEA payroll deduction rolls. If harassment is a problem,
please contact us.
*The annual Tennessee Educational Technology
Conference (TETC) will be held in Nashville, Tennessee at
the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center. Dates are March 24-27,
1996. One of the sessions will feature Dewey Esquinance, PET's
Technology Director, leading a seminar on using math computer
programs in the classroom. If we are going to help our students,
we must first help ourselves. The amount of information we know
doubles in quantity every 18 months. We need a new paradigm for
education. No longer is it feasible to drill and practice all
important information. Plan to attend. For information call (615)
532-1245.
*Most of us have kept up with the letters to
the editors of several newspapers across our state submitted by
Greg Cain, a teacher in Bradley County and a PET member. We have
marveled at the responses, most of which supported his comments.
What struck us most acutely was the acceptance by parents of his
leadership in the issues he discussed. One parent expressed it
this way..."I will listen to what the teacher has to say,
not someone who resorts to needless name-calling." If ever
there was a clarion call for teachers to accept leadership roles
in school and community, it is now as we try to stem the tide
of all that would corrupt our values and shadow over our examples
to be the best we can be for our families, the children we teach,
and our communities. PET salutes our Teachers!
*Misinformation continues to be circulated
concerning PET's liability insurance. As amusing as this may be
to PET's members who understand the strength of our position and
the higher quality of our product, their are those concerned teachers
who need reassurance. We suggest you call Terry Skinner, the answer
lady for our insurer. (800) 231-1604. We've got the best deal
by far, and we cannot be turned down when we submit our case!
Who determines which individuals will fill the various positions in our local school systems? You may think the superintendent or the school board does the hiring. Yes and no! Actually, the superintendent recommends personnel to the board, who either approves (usually) or rejects the recommendation. In the case of vacancies at the central office or principalships, generally the superintendent chooses whom he wants for those posts. However, as far as teachers are concerned, it is the principal who makes the choice, according to Bradley County Superintendent Jerry Frazier. In two conversations with Mr. Frazier (one of them recent), he told me, "I don't hire teachers." Therefore, apparently the principal, in consultation with the elementary or secondary supervisor, hires the teachers for his school.
This brings up several questions, including the often whispered one about whether positions are already filled before they are posted. Also, what criterion do principals use in choosing among applicants, and is this process fair and objective? Does anyone really know what standards the superintendents or principals use? I am personally aware of some rather petty reasoning in personnel situations. I hope no one's livelihood or right for a transfer has been denied because of trivialities or political games. On the other hand, even if an administrator has the noblest intentions, I doubt if he or she ever hires an applicant without having had some degree of pressure put on him by any number of people. It would take a strong principal indeed to withstand pressure from influential community leaders or school board members. Also, a common situation often leaves a principal little choice -- the position "must" be filled by a coach. As I expressed to our Superintendent in an Association of Professional Educators meeting last year, I am a Bradley High sports fan who has followed the teams all over the state. However, when a half dozen openings occurred at Bradley High School during one summer ('94), I doubt that education or "the kids" were best served by hiring football coaches to fill virtually every one of those positions. I have been and am still a coach (if you count golf) and I have been taught by several coaches. Some of those teacher-coaches did an adequate or better job in the classroom, but to be honest, most were much better at sports. Does this mean coaches who are teachers should not be considered for teaching vacancies? Of course not, but it may mean that there is an overemphasis on athletics with a proportional loss to academics. However, until Bradley County and other systems temper their support of sports at-all-costs, little change is likely.
Returning to my original point, who hires and
what criterion is used in deciding who is hired? Are length and
quality of service, dedication, and professional credentials the
determining factors, or do favoritism, nepotism, and cronyism
rule the day? Isn't it time for some fresh air and "sunshine"
in the hiring, transfer, and promotion of professional employees
in our local school systems? Isn't it time for some type of objective
hiring committee to screen applicants based on a set of fair standards
which properly weighs experience and quality of service in employment
decisions? Isn't it time to shield the superintendent and principals
from unwarranted and intrusive influence, including politicking
and groveling by applicants? It seems to me that our school systems
could do much to erase the perception that "good ole boy"
politics is still in control -- unless it is.
Ken Fortner
Trewhitt Junior High School
Bradley County
My children have watched a children's video about Samson and Delilah on several occasions. As our family was watching one night, it dawned on me that most movie portrayals of Samson depict a colossal figure. Maybe he had a physique similar to Hulk Hogan or Reggie White. But the source of Samson's strength rested not in his physical abilities but in his long hair. Size and might were not factors when the Philistines eventually seized him.
In similar fashion, large does not mean invincible.
Bigger is not better. It is my hope that the source of our potency
is not in huge memberships, political affiliations, or business
partnerships. Yes, it is a tremendous encouragement to have recognition
from the public. But as Zechariah 4:6 states "...'Not by
might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts.
May our delight and strength be in the Lord.
Truth in Him,
Phil Pippenger, BCAPE Chaplain
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The Professional Educator's of Tennessee believe that it is important to help our members keep abreast of retirement needs and opportunities. With savings rates down and Social Security providing less and less as a portion of total retirement income, it is increasingly important that we take advantage of personal savings opportunities to increases our retirement benefits. Financial planners tell us that one of the best plans available to reduce current income taxes and increase retirement benefits is a 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA).
VALIC has been endorsed by PET and is the leading provider for TDA's for public school employees throughout the nation. Advisors tell us the three most important activities in savings and accumulating for retirement are:
In order to help our members save on taxes,
VALIC has offered to provide you with a free Educator's Tax Guide,
if you will take 15 minutes with the VALIC representative in your
area. This will assist you in preparing for your future in retirement.
To contact VALIC call 1 (800) 426-3753 for the representative
in your area.
For further information or comments, please contact us at pet@teacherspet.com
.
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