Welcome to theWelcome to theGloucester CityGloucester City

Education Association Education Association

Welcome to theWelcome to theGloucester CityGloucester City

Education Association Education Association

Angel McDermott, NJEA Consultant

November 20, 2012

What do I get for my Dues Money?

• Membership into: – The Gloucester City Education

Association– The Camden County Council of

Education Associations– The New Jersey Education Association– The National Education Association

What do I get for my Dues Money?

Monetary Benefits Insurance

Travel and Leisure Discounts

ProtectionLocal Representation

Legal ServicesLegislative

Representation

Professional Development

NJEA Convention

Workshops

NJEA Member Benefits

What do I get for my Dues Money?NJEA Member Benefits

InsurancePrudential Disability Insurance

California Casualty

Travel and Leisure

BRAVO Tours

Entertainment TicketsDiscountsBuyer’s Edge

Access

What do I get for my Dues Money?NJEA Member Benefits

Professional Development

NJEA Convention» Largest PD Event in the Nation

Workshops» CCCEA Professional Development

Academy

E-Learning» NJEA Website

Keep ALL PD Documentation for your records.

What do I get for my Dues Money?NJEA Member Benefits

ProtectionLocal Representation

Grievance Procedure

Legal Services

Free 30 Minute Legal Consult

Legal Representation Legislative Representation

Lobbyists in Trenton

Leaves of AbsencesLeaves of AbsencesProfessional Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

EvaluationsEvaluationsProfessional SafetyProfessional Safety

Leaves Of AbsencesTemporary Leaves

Sick LeaveSick Leave

Personal DaysPersonal Days

Compassionate Leave Compassionate Leave DaysDays

AttendanceAttendance• 10 sick days / 12 sick days per year10 sick days / 12 sick days per year• Unused Days carryover to next yearUnused Days carryover to next year• Call appropriate number in a timely Call appropriate number in a timely

mannermanner• Part of Annual Summary EvaluationPart of Annual Summary Evaluation• Administration has the right to ask Administration has the right to ask

for a Doctor’s Notefor a Doctor’s Note

Disability• Not Eligible to collect short term

disability• Consider private Disability

Insurance NJEA Endorses Prudential• You have 120 Days to sign up from

start of employment

See the School Nurse

Fill out an Accident Report

See District Doctor if necessary What happens if you need to miss school?

Workers’ CompensationSole remedy against an employer for

an injury arising out of and in the course of employment except where:

– Willful intent by the employer to cause injury can be shown.

– The employer fraudulently concealed knowledge regarding an already contracted disease or condition.

Entitled to 3 per year by ContractEntitled to 3 per year by ContractFor “Personal Business”For “Personal Business”

Need to give at least 1 Day NoticeWill not be granted prior to or

immediately after holiday*Any that are unused turn into sick

days

UP to 5 Days may be used in the event of death in the immediate family.

Immediate family is defined as:Parents, Spouse, Child, Sibling,

Grandparent, Grandchild, Mother/Father – in – Law, Domestic Partner / Civil Union Partner, Relative residing in the same Household.

Required to accrue PD Hours

In – Services, Workshops, and Committee Work all counts as PD

Continuing EducationTuition Reimbursement

Evaluations• All observations of work performance

shall be conducted openly and with full knowledge of the teacher.

• Post Evaluation Conference shall occur 10 school days after evaluation.

• A copy of the evaluation at least 2 days prior to the meeting.

• Write a rebuttal to refute any areas that you feel are inaccurate.

Evaluations Have Purpose

• Promote professional excellence and improve the skills of staff members.

• Improve student learning and growth.

• Provide a basis for the review of performance.

All Non-Tenured Teaching Staff Need

Three

• First 3 observations/evaluations before April 30th in first year of teaching.

• Next 3 years of evaluations between April 30th of the one year to April 30th of the next year.

Conferences For Non-Tenured Teachers

• No later than 10 days following observation.

• Both parties sign evaluation report at the conference.

• Signature does not mean agreement.

Conferences Have Purpose

• Identify deficiencies

• Extend assistance

• Improve professional competence

• Provide a basis for recommendations regarding reemployment

• Improve the quality of instruction

Non-Tenured Teachers Can Respond

Have the right to submit a written disclaimer of such evaluation within 10 days following the conference and this disclaimer shall be attached to the written evaluation.

Make Your Rebuttal Effective

• Seek advice – Go to your Association Rep (AR)

• Utilize facts

• Get specifics

• Indicate lack of assistance

• Emphasize any violations

• Have your AR read the rebuttal before giving it to the administrator

By End Of School Year All Non-

Tenured Teachers Should Have

• At least 3 observation/evaluation reports• An annual evaluative summary of all the

evaluations/observations for the year

• An individual professional development plan

Control Your Professional

Development Plan• Written statement of actions

• Developed cooperatively by supervisor and teaching staff member

• To correct deficiencies

• To continue professional growth

Know Your PDP• Timelines for implementation

• Responsibilities for implementing the plan

• Plans for 100 hours

• Contents of professional development activities

• Completed PD hours

– Fluid Document

Notice Of EmploymentFor Non-Tenured

Teachers•May 15

• Receive written offer of a contract

• Receive written notice of termination

• Notify the board in writing by June 1

TenureTenure Reform signed by Gov. Christie Aug. 6, 2012

4 years instead of 3 to attain Tenure

Must complete one year Mentorship Program

After first year, must be rated “Effective” or Highly Effective” in 2 of next 3 years.

Does not change Tenure status of currently tenured Teachers nor their Seniority.

Tenure Hearings are before an Arbitrator.

YouYou StudentsStudents

YouYou AdministratorsAdministrators

Weingarten Rights

• The right to have Representation if you believe employment is in jeopardy

• Request for Representation must come from YOU

• Employer CANNOT ignore request for Representation

Child Abuse & School Employees

•You . . . the Observer

•You . . . the Accused

Report Suspicions• Report suspicions to principal.• Follow written district policy.• Try to ascertain accuracy of

suspicions.• Report credible suspicions to

DYFS.

Failure to Report

•Criminal prosecution.•Fine up to $1,000.•Jail up to six months.

• Avoid touching students.• Avoid being alone with students.• Never leave a class unattended.• Use no unnecessary force.• Avoid scolding, ridicule, sarcasm,

excessive school work/homework.• Supervise students adequately on field

trips.

Avoiding Accusations

You . . . The Accused

Immediate reassignment.Immediate reassignment.

Immediate suspension with pay.Immediate suspension with pay.

Reprimand/loss of increment.Reprimand/loss of increment.

Criminal charges.Criminal charges.

Loss of tenure, job, and/or pension.Loss of tenure, job, and/or pension.

Revoked license.Revoked license.

Administrator Investigates

• Do not write anything without assistance.

• Never sign what someone else writes.

Ask if meeting is disciplinary or Ask if meeting is disciplinary or negative.negative.

Know your representation Know your representation rights.rights.

DYFS Investigates• You have the right to representation.

• Do not allow anyone to tape investigation.

• Do not give incriminating evidence.

• Put nothing in writing.

• If necessary, exercise your constitutional rights.

“I intend to cooperate but have no further statement until I have the opportunity to speak with an attorney.” (No further statement - oral or written should be given)

Prosecutor Or Municipal Officer Investigates

• Comply with any court order.• Exercise your right to legal counsel.• Do not speak without an attorney.• Do not put anything in writing.• Do not agree to a polygraph.

Technology SafetyTechnology Safety

Technology is changing how we communicate, teach, and live!

How you use technology, in or out of the classroom, can jeopardize your career.

Theft of ServiceTheft of Service

Board PolicyBoard PolicyAnything passing through

your school’s server:

May be viewed by the district.May be considered public documents.

Keep the Board’s Policy on file.

E-MailE-MailElectronic message sent from one e-mail account to

another

•Un-send is not possible

•Forward only appropriate information

•Create a permanent record

Email Thoughts and Tips

• Remember all email creates a permanent record.

• Be specific – one topic per email. • Be conscious of the audience and purpose. • Read emails before sending them, especially if

you are angry: – Ask yourself “Do I have to send this now?” Consider

putting the e-mail in draft format and wait before sending it.

– Don’t vent in emails.– Ask, “Would I say this to the person’s face?” – Am I putting the receiver in an awkward position?

More Email Thoughts and Tips

• Know when e-mail isn’t the best vehicle. Don’t send an e-mail for a sensitive subject. Misinterpretation could have serious consequences.

• CAPS and boldface may have different meanings for different people.

• Write a specific subject. “Dylan’s third marking period grade” instead of “Dylan.”

• Be careful of “Reply All” and note who is Be careful of “Reply All” and note who is copiedcopied

Communicating with Communicating with StudentsStudents

E-mails and text messages may not be private

Records can be discovered through litigation

Choose your words carefully!!

Communicating with Communicating with StudentsStudents

Use work e-mail address or school-sponsored website or phones for student/parent communications.

Ask the student or parent to use your work phone or email address only.

Notify administrator if concerned about content of a student email.

Text or respond to student or parent text messages unless sent through employer-approved web site or phone.

Instant message or respond to a student or parent’s instant message unless sent through employer-approved website.

DO: DO NOT:

Cell Phones and Cell Phones and TextingTexting Know District Cell Phone Policy

• Individual communications with parents or students are fraught with danger – BE CAREFUL!

• Guard Your Cell Phone!!!

Texting - Sending written messages, digital photos or video between cell phones

Using Cell Phones As A Way To Contact You

What about use of my cell phone for students to contact me during a trip?

District should provide a cell phone for use.Alternate Suggestion from Dr. Megan Jones,

Lenape EA: Use Google Voice– www.google.com/voice/about – She set up a google voice number and programmed it

to forward to her cell phone.– When the trip was done, she turned off the forward

feature.– Saves a record of all calls so if a student is harassing

her, she has evidence.

Social Networking SitesSocial Networking SitesDO:

•Monitor posts on your page

•Delete inappropriate language or content

•Watch friends’ photographs

•If someone “tags” you in an inappropriate photograph, remove the tag and ask for photo to be taken down

Social Networking SitesSocial Networking Sites DO NOT POST:Inappropriate, vulgar,

or obscene language or materials

Photos or links which could be viewed as inappropriate or unprofessional

Ignore

Friend requests from students or their parents

*You may be disciplined based on materials posted to your pages!

U.S. Constitutional U.S. Constitutional RightsRights

First Amendment

Rights are not absolute

Protects public employees’ speech only to the extent they speak as private citizens on matters of public concern

Remember, Sometimes Good, Old Fashioned, Methods Work Best!

Paper letters or memos can have a more significant impact in the age of email.

Face to Face conversations change the communication dynamic.

Be Pragmatic… Ask, What do I want to achieve through this communication? Then ask, “What is the best method to achieve

it?” Then proceed.

Some Final ThoughtsSome Final Thoughts

Google Yourself

Use Common Sense When

Using Technology

The Last Word…The Last Word… A Legal A Legal

OpinionOpinion In practical terms, public school employees must break the

habit of posting their private thoughts on the Internet.  They do not appear to see the danger to their careers, much less their private lives, by doing so. 

Putting aside the obvious problems created by posting their private thoughts on the Internet, they are exposing themselves to identity theft, stalking, etc. as has been documented in numerous articles in a multitude of newspapers and magazines. 

It is truly playing with fire, and I don't think that it is over the top

to say that at times, it is life threatening.Steven Cohen, NJEA Network Attorney

Have A Great Year!

And Remember:

The GCEA Is Here For YOU!