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Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

WEA Calendar

Revised September 3, 2010

9/6/10 Labor Day, Offices closed

9/10-11/10 SE Region Retreat

9/11-12/10 SW Region Retreat

9/11/10 NE Region Retreat

9/25/10 Central Region Retreat - Douglas

9/29-10/2/10 NEA Board and NEA Fund meetings

10/5/10 Retired Regional Meeting - Thermopolis

10/6/10 Retired Regional Meeting - Rock Springs

10/08/10 Program Budget Meeting – Casper

10/8-9/10 WEA Board of Directors Meeting – Casper

10/22-23/10 Committee/Commission Weekend –Casper

10/23/10 SE Region Budget Hearing

11/2/10 Election Day

11/9/10 SW Region Budget Hearing

11/11/10 Veteran’s Day Observance, offices closed

11/14-20/10 American Education Week

11/25-26/10 Thanksgiving Break, offices closed

12/3-4/10 WEA Board of Directors Meeting – Casper

12/8-11/11 NEA Board and NEA Fund meetings

12/24/10 – 01/02/11 WEA Offices Closed – Winter Break

2011

1/7-8/11 Program Budget Committee Meeting – Casper

1/11/11 Legislature Convenes

1/14-16/11 Western Region Minority Leadership Training & Western Regional Leadership Conference – Salt Lake City, UT

1/17/11 Martin Luther King Day, offices closed

1/21-22/11 Committee/Commission Weekend - Casper

1/28-29/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting – Casper

2/9-12/11 NEA Board and NEA Fund meetings

2/13-14/11 Statewide ReBel Conference

2/21/11 Presidents’ Day, offices closed

3/4/11 Legislature Adjourns

3/11-13/11 NEA ESP Conference

3/14/11 – 4/1/11 PAWS Testing

3/19/11 SW Region DA Briefing/ReBel

4/9-11/11 NEA Retired Western Conference,

4/13-14/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting

4/14-16/11 WEA 79^th Delegate Assembly - Cheyenne (Little America Hotel)

4/22-25/11 Easter Week holiday, offices closed

5/2-6/11 Teacher Appreciation Week

5/03/11 National Teacher Day

5/4-7/11 NEA Board and NEA Fund meetings

5/30/11 Memorial Day, offices closed

6/10-11/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting - Rock Springs

6/19/11 Juneteenth Day

6/29-7/1/11 NEA Board and NEA Fund meetings

7/4/11 Independence Day – Offices Closed

8/5-6/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting - Casper

10/7-8/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting - Casper

12/2-3/11 WEA Board of Directors Meeting - Casper

WEA Endorsements for Primary

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Wyoming Education Association

Media Release Contact: Ron Sniffin, rsniffin@nea.org (307) 214-3389

June 25, 2010

Massie, Mead, Petersen Receive WEA-PACE Endorsement

42 candidates endorsed statewide

^{Cheyenne - Mike Massie, Democratic candidate for Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction, was among 42 candidates endorsed by the Wyoming Education Association Political Action Committee for Education (WEA-PACE) during the official WEA-PACE Council meeting held in Casper June 19th. Massie was endorsed for both the primary and general elections. WEA-PACE did not make an endorsement in the Republican primary election for Superintendent of Public Instruction.}

^{"This endorsement is meaningful because it is from the people who know education best in Wyoming, the education employees who work with our children every day," said Massie. "I want to work with educators and make sure they provide the best education possible for all Wyoming students," he added.}

^{Republican candidate Matt Mead and Democratic Candidate Leslie Petersen received endorsement for Governor in their respective primary elections.}

^{"I am pleased and honored to have the recognition of WEA-PACE as the Republican candidate for Governor," responded Mead. "Quality education is not just an economic issue as we prepare students for the workforce, but more importantly a quality of life issue. I look forward to working with educators across the state to provide the best opportunities for Wyoming kids," Mead added.}

^{"I am deeply honored by the WEA-PACE endorsement," responded Petersen. "Education at all levels and for all ages will be a top priority in my administration. I believe in lifelong learning, and that attitude can be nurtured by a pro-education Governor," she said.}

^{WEA-PACE is the political arm of the Wyoming Education Association, a member organization representing over 6000 Wyoming education employees. Every Wyoming candidate who filed for political office in the gubernatorial, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Wyoming legislative races was invited to participate in the endorsement process.}

^{Candidates seeking the WEA-PACE endorsement participated in an extensive process starting with completing a questionnaire, then participating in an interview. Statewide candidates were interviewed at the WEA headquarters in Cheyenne, while WEA members interviewed legislative candidates in their districts. "It is a very intense process that must be completed on a short timeline, between May 28 when the filing deadline closed, and June 19 when the PACE Council assembled," said Kathryn Valido, Chair of the WEA-PACE Council.}

^{Once interviews were completed, the Candidate Interview Teams, made up of WEA members in communities throughout the state, made recommendations to the WEA-PACE Council for endorsements. Candidates could receive endorsement for both the primary election and general election or just for the primary election. In three races, both candidates were determined to be acceptable. The WEA-PACE Council will convene again in August to determine several additional general election endorsements.}

^{In legislative races, WEA endorsed 39 candidates for both the primary and general elections; three candidates for just the primary; and found three races where both major party candidates were deemed acceptable. Twenty-one Republicans and twenty-one Democrats received endorsements for the Wyoming Legislature.}

^{WEA-PACE will provide assistance to endorsed candidates ranging from monetary donations to WEA member grassroots support. "We encourage our members to help our endorsed candidates get elected," stressed Valido. "We know that if we mobilize our members, we can elect friends of public education," she added.}

^{WEA dues dollars cannot be used for candidate endorsements. All WEA-PACE donations are generated by voluntary member contributions. Historically, WEA-PACE is among the largest political action committees in Wyoming.}

^{The following candidates are endorsed for both the Primary and General Elections:}

^{Hans Hunt HD 02 Rep}

^{Bryan Pedersen HD 07 Rep}

^{Gary Roadifer HD 10 Dem}

^{Mary Throne HD 11 Dem}

^{Robert Aylward HD 12 Dem}

^{Cathy Connolly HD 13 Dem}

^{George Bagby HD 15 Dem}

^{Bernadine Craft HD 17 Dem}

^{Owen Petersen HD 19 Rep}

^{Kathy Davison HD 20 Rep}

^{Robert McKim HD 21 Rep}

^{Keith Gingery HD 23 Rep}

^{Sam Krone HD 24 Rep}

^{Dave Bonner HD 25 Rep}

^{Elaine Harvey HD 26 Rep}

^{John Patton HD 29 Rep}

^{Jon Botten HD 30 Rep}

^{W. Patrick Goggles HD 33 Dem}

^{Richard "Rick" Nelson HD 35 Rep}

^{Mary Hales HD 36 Dem}

^{Steve Harshman HD 37 Rep}

^{Wayne Beatty HD 38 Dem}

^{Stan Blake HD 39 Dem}

^{Mike Madden HD 40 Rep}

^{Ken Esquibel HD 41 Dem}

^{Pete Illoway HD 42 Rep}

^{James Byrd HD 44 Dem}

^{Glenn Moniz HD 46 Rep}

^{Terry Kimble HD 49 Dem}

^{Rosie Berger HD 51 Rep}

^{Gregg Blikre HD 53 Rep}

^{Del McOmie HD 54 Rep}

^{Pamela Kandt HD 56 Dem}

^{Mike Gilmore HD 59 Dem}

^{Lori Millin SD 05 Dem}

^{Kathryn Sessions SD 07 Dem}

^{Jim Elliott SD 11 Dem}

^{John Hastert SD 13 Dem}

^{Saundra Meyer SD 15 Dem}

The following candidates are endorsed for the Primary Election only at this time:

^{Ken McCauley HD 08 Dem}

^{Joe Schloss HD 16 Rep}

^{Leland Christensen SD 17 Rep}

The following candidates were considered acceptable for both the Primary and General elections:

^{Aaron Wostrel HD 18 Dem}

^{Allen Jaggi HD 18 Rep}

^{Ogden Driskill SD 01 Rep}

^{Terry Henderson SD 01 Rep}

^{Jodi Guerin SD 09 Dem}

^{Chris Rothfuss SD 09 Dem}

^###

WDE Core Standards

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Wyoming adopts common core standards

WDE Press Release, July 6, 2010

Wyoming State Board of Education Chairman Sandra Barton has announced that Wyoming has adopted the Math and Language Arts Common Core Standards.

The decision was approved by the State Board of Education at its June 16 meeting in Riverton. The new standards will be included in the next revision of the Wyoming Content and Performance Standards, which is currently taking place.

“The board believes that this is the right step for Wyoming,” Barton said. “We have listened to what people had to say, weighed the options and moved forward with what I believe is a good decision for our schools, students and education system.”

Before the adoption of the standards, the board considered recommendations and comments from several sources including a public survey, the Mathematics Standards Review Committee and the English Language Arts Standards Review Committee.

Under the action taken by the board, the Common Core Standards will be included in their entirety in the Wyoming Content and Performance Standards, but additional can and may be added. The standards review committees will continue their work to review and recommend revisions to the common core state standards through December 11, 2011.

After that process is complete, the Wyoming State Board of Education will be asked to adopt the revised Wyoming content standards. Until the completion of the revision process, the current 2008 Wyoming Content and Performance Standards will remain the basis of curriculum and assessment.

“By adopting these standards, the board has raised the bar and I believe that is a good decision,” Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jim McBride said. “These new standards, along with the other revisions that take place, will better position Wyoming students to compete in the global classroom.”

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).

The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare students for college and the workforce.

The standards are informed by the highest, most effective models from states across the country and countries around the world, and provide teachers and parents with a common understanding of what students are expected to learn. Consistent standards will provide appropriate benchmarks for all students, regardless of where they live.

These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

-END-

WEA Election Results 2010

Fri, 14 May 2010 04:00:00 GMT

WEA Election Results

(Winners are in bold and listed first.)

WEA Board of Directors – elected for a two year:

WEA President

Kathryn Valido

WEA Vice President

Debbie Bovee

WEA ESP At-Large Representative

Julie Tucker

Bonnie Matlock

WEA Ethnic Minority At-Large Representation

Kathryn Ferris-Lone Fight

Jennifer D’Alessandro

WEA Higher Education At-Large Representative

Chuck Denny

Central Region Representative

Doreen McGlade

Northeast Region President

Jennifer Black

Northwest Region President

Jeannie Hunt

Southeast Region President

Sue Cochran

Southeast Region Representative

Craig Williams

Tia Reed

SWEA President –one year term:

Jennifer Smith

Non-WEA Board Election Results

Northeast Region Vice President –two year term

Martha Williams

Southeast Region Vice President –two year term

Lisa Esquibel

Karen Bard

Patti Krakow

Judith Wheaton

SWEA Vice President –one year term:

Leslie Wilder

SWEA Secretary/Treasurer –one year term:

Michaela Uhling

Representative Assembly Election Results

State At-Large Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly (Category 1) – two year term

Debbie Bovee

Jennifer D’Alessandro

Mary Smiley

Tanya Smith

Doreen McGlade

Alternates

Jennifer Hicks

Janelle Moore

Aaron Merkin

Patti Krakow

Donna Goetz

Stanley Hahn

Paulette Hahn

Jane Brown

State At-Large Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly (Category 2) – one year term

Bob McCarty

Central/Southeast Region Cluster Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly – one year term

Karen Wambach

There will be a run off between Tess Bandalos and Jane Niemitalo

Tess Bandalos

Jane Niemitalo

Northeast Region Cluster Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly – one year term

Chuck Denny

Northwest Region Cluster Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly – one year term

Tom Bushyhead

Sheila Crowson

Kathryn Ferris-Lone Fight

Carol Harper

Southwest Region Cluster Delegate to NEA Representative Assembly – one year term

No Candidates

Transportation Workers build ramp

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Transportation Workers Help Special Needs Student

On a February Saturday, several school bus drivers from Cheyenne spent their Saturday helping a special needs student by building a wheel-chair ramp at his home. This was the third ramp members of WEA #1, Laramie County School District #1 transportation workers, have built this year.

Bus Driver Gene Brooks noticed that a single mother of a special needs student was struggling to get her son, in a wheelchair, up and down the five steps into their home. He contacted his colleague, Tom Skinner, who had already built two ramps this school year. “We enjoy doing this, helping people,” said Skinner.

Eight members of the transportation department spent about six hours building the ramp. They collected money from their colleagues to pay for the materials, which they bought from Lowe’s at cost. Renee LuMay is an assistant on the special needs bus. “It’s real neat to see folks get together and be willing to do this. It makes me real happy to see my co-workers pull together. Even for the folks that are not here, the ones that just gave monetary donations – it’s great,” said LuMay.

Nick Anastasiou brought his son to work on the project. “There are other things I could be doing at home, but these folks don’t have the expertise [to build the ramp],” said Anastasiou. “If more people did what we do, it would be a lot better world,” he added.

“It’s a blessing. Because after awhile you get to think people don’t care, they’re just cold hearted, but when you got people that will actually go out of their way to do something they really don’t have to do, it makes a difference,” said Lisa Brock, the mother of the special needs student.

Watch a video of this project at:

http://www.youtube.com/weamedia

Wyoming P 16 Council

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Wyoming P-16 Education Council
P.O Box 1766
Laramie, WY 82073
p-16wyo@live.com

March 25, 2010

Nominations sought for Wyoming P-16 Council educator member

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming P-16 Education Council seeks nominations to fill a PK-16 educator position on the Council. The Council is a non-profit organization focused upon encouraging and guiding the development of a seamless statewide system of education in which all levels coordinate, communicate, and educate as one system rather than several. The Council’s vision is that every graduate of Wyoming’s P-12 school systems is prepared to successfully transition into postsecondary study or the workplace.

Council members include people involved in education at all levels, from pre-school to the community colleges and University of Wyoming, as well as representatives of the business sector. The Governor and the State Superintendent are also represented. The Council is currently seeking a member who teaches, or serves in a certified position in close contact with students, such as a counselor, curriculum coordinator, or instructional facilitator.

Examples of Council work include bringing educators together to develop charts for student use showing how instructional practices differ in high school and college; taking an active role in bringing awareness, consistency and quality to state dual and concurrent enrollment programs; and working with the Department of Education to coordinate a longitudinal study to evaluate the impact of the Hathaway Scholarship and the success curriculum.

The Council asks interested PK-16 educators to write a letter of introduction and interest to the Council at P.O. Box 1766, Laramie, WY 82073 by April 20, 2010. For more information, please contact the Council at p-16wyo@live.com or call Kelley Pelissier, Council Executive Director, at 307-340-2431.

Local 1 ramp

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Transportation Workers Help Special Needs Student

Watch a video of this project at:

http://www.youtube.com/weamedia

ESEA Blueprint

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

ESEA Blueprint - Redraft and Get It Right!

For nearly a decade, No Child Left Behind (ESEA*)—the law that dictates how federal money will be spent in our schools—has labeled and punished students and schools. Our children have been tested more, but they haven’t necessarily fared better. As educators, we share the president’s goals—we want well-rounded children, who not only graduate, but who graduate set to take on the world prepared for both college and a career. We can’t make it there, however, if we continue to put test scores first and kids second. We applaud the President’s lofty ambitions, but hope he is open to re-drafting his blueprint for the reauthorization of ESEA (“A Blueprint for Reform”) so we can see real change in our classrooms.

NEA President Dennis VanRoekel said, “The accountability system in this blueprint still relies on standardized tests to identify winners and losers. We were expecting school turnaround efforts to be research-based and fully collaborative. Instead, we see too much top-down scapegoating of teachers and not enough collaboration.”

Andy Weingarten, president of AFT, commented, “This plan will put one hundred percent of the responsibility on teachers while giving them zero percent authority.”

And the National PTA responded, “We are deeply concerned that the blueprint contains no comprehensive plan for meaningful family engagement in education. In fact, the FY11 budget proposes the elimination of the sole federal program (parent resource centers) dedicated to family engagement, and the blueprint removes essential mechanisms for engaging parents in the education of their children.”

So, what’s the big deal? How will all of this impact the classrooms in Wyoming? While there are some positive changes proposed, like the elimination of the AYP system, we have some concerns:

The blueprint requires a statewide definition of effective teachers and principals that is based in significant part on student academic growth.

How will that happen in content areas where statewide assessments are not mandated? We believe that evaluation systems should be developed and implemented at the local and state level using components agreed to by educators that support professional practice and student learning. For the federal government to mandate specific elements of a teacher evaluation or compensation system is a little like the federal government telling all mayors or corporations how to evaluate and pay their employees. It simply is not their role to get involved in a responsibility that should be handled at the local level.

Student accountability will be measured based on two standardized tests and graduation rate.

Research shows that the current test-and-label system is fundamentally flawed. States should be allowed to develop their own accountability systems using student growth models. Those models must set attainable performance goals with all students receiving credit for academic progress and include multiple valid indicators of student learning, including district-level assessments; school-level assessments; classroom-level written, oral, performance bases or portfolio assessments; grades; and written evaluations. All measures must be rigorous and follow common protocols to allow comparisons. Do student mobility or transfer rates, or enrollment in AP, IB and dual enrollment classes tell us anything? I think so! How about enrollment in the Success Curriculum and qualification for the Hathaway Scholarships? Absolutely! A robust accountability system—one that includes consideration of foreign language, creative and fine arts, health and physical education—provides a more complete picture of the performance of our schools, rather than the current system that holds us accountable based solely on how many students reach an arbitrary cut score on a standardized test in reading, math, and science on a given day.

I am increasingly alarmed by the potential misuse of data, both in assessing proficiency and effectiveness. Because something can be numerically quantified doesn’t mean it should be allowed to be liberally applied to meet whatever purpose is determined by the state or federal government. If the “system” has a record of your personal information, does that give government carte blanche to farm that data without specific permission from you? We think not.

It’s time for us to decide who should make critical decisions about public education for students in Wyoming. Is it the federal government? The state government? Local districts? Who knows our “world” and students best, the folks who work with them in Wyoming classrooms every day, or bureaucrats in Cheyenne or Washington? Does it need to be one or the other? Or do we all have something to bring to the “table”?

For me, it comes down to collaboration—everyone focused on the same goal…supporting efforts to transform public schools. Our first priority should be to provide the best possible education to EVERY student in EVERY school rather than creating more winners and losers. “A Blueprint for Reform” in its current form, with its focus on competition rather that productive dialogue to meet the needs of students, educators, and public schools, is not the answer. We need to work together—collaborate—redraft the blueprint, and get it right.

*The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Carrie JOhnson

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Carrie Johnson Biology Teacher of The Year

Carrie Johnson teaches Biology at Lander Valley High School. She was recently named the 2009 Wyoming Biology Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology teachers. “It is my passion to teach biology,” explains Johnson. Ironically, when she started college she was not planning on becoming a teacher. “I went to school to get a wildlife management degree. I worked as a fisheries biologist with the University of Wyoming for several years. It was one summer when I couldn’t find any college students to work for me (I don’t think I paid them well), so I hired some high school students. And I thoroughly enjoyed working with them.”

Johnson’s students say they are not surprised she was named Biology Teacher of the Year. “She makes me understand things that I probably would never get on my own,” explains sophomore Racine Estep.

One of Johnson’s goals is to instill in her students a fascination with science. “I like science because it is all around us. It makes up everything about us, and she teaches us that and helps us use it to help us with what we do,” said freshman Jordon Crane.

While science and biology have always been a standard in Wyoming’s schools, Mrs. Johnson says that now is an exceptional time to be studying the sciences, “because we have super-computers that can work out three dimensional structures of proteins that we never could figure out before. And the way that we communicate our knowledge about science is different now. We can now publish instantaneously on the Internet and share that knowledge with other scientists, which then causes them to look into new avenues as well. I think there is an information explosion, especially in science.”

Johnson represents school employees on the Wyoming Retirement System Board of Directors. She is also an active WEA member, serving on the WEA Board of Directors. “I’m a professional, and WEA is my professional organization,” Johnson explains. She has gradually become more involved with WEA.

“As a local leader I realized what a huge resource WEA is to help us with our specific challenges, and from there I networked and realized I wanted to be more involved in this organization.”

Johnson said she considers WEA, “an incredible family. They support me in some of my frustrations and challenges in being a teacher today.”

Bruce Hunt Hired

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Bruce Hunt is WEA’s New Executive Director

With nearly 35 years experience working for state affiliates of the National Education Association, Bruce Hunt brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Wyoming Education Association. Effective February 1, Bruce began his position as WEA Executive Director. “I am a westerner,” responds Bruce when asked why he chose to apply with the WEA. “I started my teaching career in Colorado. Several people from the NEA contacted me thinking that I would be a good fit with WEA. So, with that encouragement I made my decision to apply.”

Bruce said he believes his experience will be very beneficial to managing the WEA. Most recently he was the Executive Director for the Louisiana Education Association. Ironically, he started that job on September 1, 2005, just two days after Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana. “Some of the school districts in southeast Louisiana were significantly damaged. It took several months to get back up and running.” Despite the devastation and long recovery in Louisiana, under Bruce’s guidance the LEA had membership increases every year.

Among Bruce’s many goals for WEA is membership growth. “WEA is a very powerful organization in Wyoming. We can help build that strength and respect with even larger membership numbers.” Among his short-term goals is for the WEA to be a major player in the recalibration of the school funding model. “We look out for the interests of students and education employees throughout the state, and recalibration has the potential to have a major impact on this system.”

Bruce says WEA should be proud of the advances of public education in Wyoming. “I believe WEA brought the schools to a point that they are the envy of most states in this country, and our goal has got to be to protect our interests in that,” he stressed.

Prior to serving as Executive Director in Louisiana, Bruce worked for the Oklahoma Education Association. He was first hired as a lobbyist, and then advanced to managing government relations, technology, business and finance, and membership processing. He said all of these responsibilities prepared him to become an effective Executive Director.

Bruce said he and his wife, a retired teacher, are looking forward to settling into Wyoming. They have two children and are expecting their second grandchild in July.

Membership Incentive Campaign

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVE CAMPAIGN!

Download the flyer promoting this program by clicking here!

Help continue to grow your Association,
and earn a chance to

WIN $500,
$250 or $100!

There's MORE!

The New Member you recruit will also have a chance to WIN $250 or $50

For each new member YOU recruit, your name will be included in a drawing.

There will be a separate drawing for the names of the members you recruit.
The drawings will take place during the WEA Delegate Assembly in Cody April 17th.

Prizes For The Recruiters Include:
1-$500 prize
2-$250 prizes
5-$100 prizes (See below for prizes for the new member recruited)

New Member Prizes

1-$250 prize drawing for all new recruits.
5-$50 prizes (Prizes awarded to the new member who was recruited by the
$100 prize winners above.)

Act NOW! This campaign ends April 5, 2010

hot links

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Membership Inventive Campaign

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Membership Incentive Campaign

Nominated Candidates for WEA offices

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE LIST

As of April 6, 2010

Position	Candidate(s)
STATEWIDE BALLOT
WEA President	Kathryn Valido
WEA Vice President	Debbie Bovee
WEA ESP At-Large Representative	Bonnie Matlock Julie Tucker
WEA Ethnic Minority At-Large Representative	Kathryn Ferris-Lone Fight
WEA Higher Ed At-Large Representative	Charles Denny
STATE DELEGATES TO NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
NEA RA State Delegate (Category 1)---5 delegates	Debbie Bovee Jane Brown Jennifer D'Alessandro Donna Goetz Paulette Hahn Stanley Hahn Jennifer Hicks Patti Krakow Doreen McGlade Aaron Merkin Janelle Moore Mary Smiley Tanya Smith
NEA RA State Delegate (Category 2)---1 delegate	Bob McCarty
NEA RA State ESP Cluster---(ESP Members with NO Local) ---1 delegate

CENTRAL REGION
Central Region Representative	Doreen McGlade
Central/SE Region Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (Casper College EA, Glenrock EA, Natrona County ESP, Niobrara County EA)---2 delegates	Tess Bandalos Jane Niemitalo Karen Wambach
NORTHEAST REGION
Northeast Region President	Jennifer Black
Northeast Region Vice President	Martha Williams
Northeast Region Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (Crook County EA, Johnson County EA, Newcastle EA, Northern Wyoming Community College District, Sheridan Central ESP, Sheridan East EA, Sheridan West EA, Upton EA)---2 delegates	Chuck Denny
NORTHWEST REGION
Northwest Region President	Jeannie Hunt
Northwest Region Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (Arapahoe EA, Central WY College EA, D-4 EA, Dubois EA, Ethete EA, Ft. Washakie EA, Greybull EA, Hot Springs County EA, Lander EA, Lovell EA, Meeteetse EA, Northwest College EA, Riverton EA, Shoshoni EA, Ten Sleep EA, West Big Horn County EA, Wind River EA, Worland EA)---4 delegates	Tom Bushyhead Sheila Crowson Kathryn Ferris-Lone Fight Carol Harper
SOUTHEAST REGION
Southeast Region President	Sue Cochran
Southeast Region Vice President	Karen Bard Lisa Esquibel Patti Krakow Judith Wheaton
Southeast Region Representative	Tia Reed Craig Williams
Central/SE Region Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (Eastern WY College EA, Guernsey-Sunrise EA, LCCC EA, WEA Local #1)---2 delegates	Tess Bandalos Jane Niemitalo Karen Wambach
SOUTHWEST REGION
Southwest Region Cluster Delegate to NEA RA (Big Piney EA, Carbon County #2 EA, Kemmerer EA, Lyman EA, Mt. View EA, Pinedale EA, WEA Local #2, Western WY College EA)---1 delegate

WEA ESP Award

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

ESP Award Guidelines

Purpose:

WEA will present the Education Support Professional Award to a WEA member whose activities reflect the contributions of education support professionals to public education.The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual who shows outstanding accomplishments in one or more of the following areas:

Worksite responsibilities and personal achievement in his or her classification.
Involvement in the community.
Involvement in the Association.
Enhancement of Education Support Professionals’ image in the Association, worksite, and community.

Award:

Each year, one nominee will receive the WEA ESP of the Year Award. The award winner will serve as an ambassador for ESP members throughout the state, attending local and/or state and national meetings as requested and able.

Eligibility:

Any current Education Support Professional member who has been a WEA member for three years as of January 15 of the award year is eligible.
Individual must be nominated by the local Association (see nomination procedure below).
the ESP At-Large Representative to the WEA Board of Directors is ineligible for nomination while serving on the Board.

Criteria and Selection Process:

Nominations will be judged according to the five criteria listed below. Selection is made by the Wyoming Education Association Board of Directors.

Professional Practice: The nominee has demonstrated leadership, creativity, and innovation at the worksite. The nominee's professional growth has made a difference for the school, the students, and the community.
Advocacy and Association Involvement: The nominee has served as an advocate in the day-to-day educational process, for members, for the profession, and for public education. The nominee's involvement in the Wyoming Education Association and/or the local affiliate has contributed to his/her success as a professional.
Community Engagement: The nominee has been involved in promoting public education in the community. The nominee has been involved in community activities/projects.
Personal Achievement: Involvement in Association and community activities has enabled the nominee to meet his/her own personal goals.
Enhancement of ESP Image: The nominee's activities have enhanced the image of Education Support Professionals at the worksite, in the Association, and in the community.

Nomination Procedure:

To ensure the widest possible participation, the nomination procedure for the award will be as follows:

Each local affiliate can submit one nominee through its ESP award system. A local award system is one developed by a local Association that gathers information through local members and selects one local award recipient. Criteria for the local award will be determined by the individual local and should not conflict with the state or national awards’ criteria and purpose.
If a local affiliate does not yet have an ESP award system in place, a member may submit one nominee directly to WEA with the endorsement of the nominee’s local president, or in the case of nomination of the local president, by the local vice-president.
All nominations must be received in the Cheyenne WEA office no later than January 15 for consideration for that year's award. Nominations received by WEA:
will be checked to ensure that the nominee meets eligibility requirements;
must be submitted on the official nomination form; and
must include supporting materials as described in the application.

Nominee for NEA's ESP of the Year Award:

The recipient of this award will be the following year's nominee from WEA for the NEA ESP of the Year Award.

Nomination for WEA ESP of the Year Award

Nomination form and supporting materials must be received in the Cheyenne WEA office no later than January 22, 2010. All nominations submitted to the WEA will be evaluated on the basis of criteria specified in the instructions.

Nominee Information:

Nominee’s Name: ____________________________________________________________________________

Nominee's Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip Code:__________________________________________________________________________

Work Phone: ____________________________________ Home Phone: _______________________________

School/Worksite: __________________________________________________________________________

Job Title: _______________________________________________________________________________

Number of Years Nominee has been a WEA Member:___________________________________________

Local Affiliate Information:

Important: Only one nomination per local. The individual signing this nomination form must be the local president (or, in the case of nomination of the local president, the vice president may sign).

Local Affiliate Name: ________________________________________________________________________

President's (or other authorized signor's) Name:___________________________________________________

President's (or other authorized signor's) Signature: _______________________________________________

Work Phone: _____________________________________ Home Phone:______________________________

The following documentation must be attached to the Nomination Form:

A) Nomination Letter--The nomination letter must address all of the following five award criteria, citing as many specific examples as possible. Limit of five (5) pages maximum, double-spaced, at least twelve-point type and one-inch margins in all sides.

Professional Practice: The nominee has demonstrated leadership, creativity, and innovation at the worksite. The nominee's professional growth has made a difference for the school, the students, and the community.
Advocacy and Association Involvement: The nominee has served as an advocate in the day-to-day educational process, for members, for the profession, and for public education. The nominee's involvement in the Wyoming Education Association and/or the local affiliate has contributed to his/her success as a professional.
Community Engagement: The nominee has been involved in promoting public education in the community. The nominee has been involved in community activities/projects.
Personal Achievement: Involvement in Association and community activities has enabled the nominee to meet his/her own personal goals.
Enhancement of ESP Image: The nominee's activities have enhanced the image of Education Support Professionals at the worksite, in the Association, and in the community.

B) Letters of Endorsement--The nominee's local affiliate president, colleagues, current or former students, parents, or community members may write letters of endorsement. Letters must note how long the writer has known the nominee and in what capacity the writer is able to comment on the nominee's professional work.

C) Other supporting documents--Newspaper articles, evidence of district or community recognition, etc.

WEA Awards

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA Awards Recognize Leaders in Education

Every year, the Wyoming Education Association Board of Directors reviews nominations for various awards to help honor those who contribute to the WEA and/or Wyoming public education. Following is a list of award categories to help recognize these special people. Recipients will be recognized during the WEA Delegate Assembly in April, 2010. For more information, contact WEA Director of Support Services Julie Schwindt. (800) 442-2395 ext. 103, jschwindt@nea.org.

Gold Key

     The Gold Key is the most prestigious award conveyed by the Wyoming Education Association. It is presented for extraordinary service, which has contributed to the professional development of WEA and to the enhancement and advancement of education in the state of Wyoming.
     To be considered for the award, the individual must be an active or retired member of the WEA and shall be sponsored by a local affiliate. The qualifications, the contributions, and the most appropriate and pertinent reasons why the individual is deserving of this award shall be emphasized in the nominating report.
     The Gold Key is awarded only when a deserving candidate is nominated and selected. No more than one award shall be made in a given year.

Friend of Education

The purpose of the Friend of Education Award is to recognize a person or persons who have demonstrated evidence of exceptional service to teachers, schools, and children. The recipient of the award shall be presented with a Friend of Education plaque. Nominations for this award may be presented to the WEA Board of Directors and acted upon at any board meeting. Past practice has been that this award is presented during the WEA Awards and Recognition Banquet during Delegate Assembly, but it can also be presented at other times.

School Bell

The Wyoming School Bell Award is presented annually to a representative of the news media for outstanding coverage of education news and issues. The Wyoming School Bell Award is an expression of appreciation of excellence in the field of news media pertaining to education in the state of Wyoming.
Eligible recipients are newspapers, editors, special correspondents, news commentators, and radio and television stations. Nominations for the award shall be made by locals, districts, or state committees of the Wyoming Education Association.

Green Apple

The Green Apple Award is for recognition of members who contribute to environmental awareness. This award will help to strengthen the bond between education and the environment by bringing the efforts of teachers to the attention of the public and other educators. This award is open to any WEA/NEA member in the state of Wyoming. The member may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. Please encourage any of your members who might be worthy of recognition to apply.

ESP of the Year

WEA will present the ESP Award to a WEA member whose activities reflect the contributions of education support professionals to public education.
The Board of Directors of WEA shall serve as the selection committee and no person who is a member of the Board of Directors at the time of selection shall be eligible for consideration.
The recipient of this award will be the following year's nominee from WEA for the NEA ESP of the Year Award.

Harriet "Liz" Byrd

The Harriett "Liz" Byrd Award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and/or diversity in the field of education. The Byrd Award honors an educator, friend of education, or group who has worked to promote collaboration and harmony among diverse groups.

WEA Gold Key Award

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Gold Key Award is the most prestigious award conveyed by the Wyoming Education Association.

It is presented for extraordinary service, which has contributed to the professional development of WEA, and to the enhancement and advancement of education in the state of Wyoming.

To be considered for the award the individual must be an active or retired member of the WEA and shall be sponsored by a local affiliate. The qualifications, the contributions, and the most appropriate and pertinent reasons why the individual is deserving of this award shall be emphasized in the nominating report.

The Gold key is awarded only when a deserving candidate is nominated and selected. No more than one award shall be made in a given year.

The recipient of the award shall be selected on the basis of the following criteria.

Significant contributions to the development of public education in Wyoming.
Distinguished leadership in various offices (local/state/national) and/or committees/commissions of the WEA/NEA.
Advocate for the professional development and improvement of the WEA.

The format used for the nomination of this award is a portfolio representing the nominee’s service to the Association and to the profession. This portfolio is presented to the recipient at the WEA Awards and Recognition Banquet.

The recipient receives a gold key embossed with the Association seal and engraved with the name and date, along with a Gold Key Award Certificate. A plaque engraved with the names of the Gold Key recipients shall be displayed in the Wyoming Education Association headquarters office.

The Board of Directors of WEA shall serve as the selection committee and no person who is a member of the Board of Directors at the time of selection shall be eligible for consideration. The identity of the recipient of this award remains confidential until the presentation is made at the WEA Awards Banquet

WEA Awards

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA Awards Recognize Leaders in Education

Gold Key

Friend of Education

School Bell

Green Apple

ESP of the Year

Harriet "Liz" Byrd

WEA Awards Information

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA Awards Recognize Leaders in Education

Gold Key

Friend of Education

School Bell

Green Apple

ESP of the Year

Harriet "Liz" Byrd

WEA Awards

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA Awards Recognize Leaders in Education

Gold Key

Friend of Education

School Bell

Green Apple

ESP of the Year

Harriet "Liz" Byrd

WEA School Bell Award

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Eligible recipients are newspapers, editors, special correspondents, news commentators, and radio and television stations.

Nominations for the award shall be made by locals, districts, or state committees of the Wyoming Education Association.

As you prepare your nomination materials, please be sure to include specific information about the nominee, his/her activities, and examples of supporting information, which will aid the Board in its selection. Some locals have prepared notebooks or scrapbooks as their nomination format.

Criteria:

The recipient of the award shall be selected on the basis of any one or more of the following:

For the interest, skill and scope by which academic achievement allied activities to education and professional issues of education are reported.
For the consistent recognition of education as news.
For the creation of an atmosphere that reflects in community interest and a willingness to put forth every effort to promote quality public education.
For excellence in defining significant developments in education.
For outstanding coverage of local, state, and national legislation that my have an impact on the quality of education.
For the preservation of the basic principles of academic freedom and integrity.

Additional Criteria for the Selection Committee:

In studying and evaluating the evidence of achievement for each nominee, the committee should keep the following questions in mind:

Does the material seek to improve?
Does it deal with the issue?
Is it based on fact?
Is it honest?
Does it use restraint?
Does it recognize strength and weakness?
Does it tolerate differing opinions?
Is there an open, cooperative, and constructive relationship with the WEA?

WEAHarriettLizByrd

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Harriet Elizabeth Byrd Award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding contributions in the areas of human relations, multiculturalism and/or diversity in the field of education. The Harriet Elizabeth Byrd Award honors an educator, friend of education, or group who has worked to promote collaboration and harmony among diverse groups.

The recipient of the award shall be selected on the basis of the following documentation:

Description of human relations, multicultural, or diversity projects within the state of Wyoming
Summary of other relevant activities
Individuals or groups affected by nominee’s activities
Promotional materials for the highlighted activities and projects

To be considered for the award an individual or group may be an active or retired member(s) of the WEA or shall be sponsored by a local affiliate. WEA/NEA members may self-nominate, be nominated by a colleague, or sponsored by a local affiliate.

This award will be presented during the WEA Awards and Recognition Banquet during Delegate Assembly. The Board of Directors of WEA shall serve as the selection committee and no person who is a member of the Board of Directors at the time of selection shall be eligible for consideration.

Please respond to the following statements. Limit your responses to 250 words or less.

Describe the nominee’s contribution/s in the area of human relations, multicultural, or diversity within the state of Wyoming.
Give a summary of other relevant activities in which the nominee has been involved.
Describe how individuals or groups have been affected by the nominee’s activities.
Include any additional information that may be helpful in the selection process including promotional materials for the activities/projects described above.

WEA Green Apple Award

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The Green Apple Award is for recognition of members who contribute to environmental awareness. This award will help to strengthen the bond between education and the environment by bringing the efforts of teachers to the attention of the public and other educators. This award is open to any WEA/NEA member in the state of Wyoming. The member may self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague. Nomination form. Please encourage any of your members who might be worthy of recognition to apply. Awards (pdf) printer friendly.

Nomination Form for the WEA Green Apple Award

Name of Applicant:_______________________________________________________

Address:______________________________ City & Zip:_________________________

Phone Number:_________________________ Current WEA/NEA Status:____________

School (if active):_________________________________________________________

Grade Level:___________________________ Subject (s):________________________

Nominated by:___________________________________________________________

Please respond to the following statements. Limit your responses to 250 words or less. Please type or print neatly, and use fronts and backs to conserve paper! Attach separate sheets as necessary or utilize the back of this sheet for your responses.

1. Describe the project or activity that will be considered for this award. Include information on how the program came about, people instrumental in getting it started, what the program is currently accomplishing or undertaking, and the applicants involvement in the program or activity.

2. Describe how this program involves and benefits children of school age.

3. Describe how this program benefits the environment of the community and state.

Applications will be judged in the following categories:

Creativity of project or activity. (25 points)
Involvement or connection to education. (25 points)
Involvement and benefits for school age children. (25 points)
Benefits to the community and state. (25 points)

The application with the highest composite score will be chosen as the recipient. In the case that two or more applications receive the same score, the selection will be made by the consensus of the WEA Board of Directors.

Mail this form with any additional attachments to: Wyoming Education Association. Nominations are due no later than January 20.

WEA Friend of Education Award

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

For presentation at the Awards Banquet please have your nominations, with appropriate information into the Cheyenne office by January.

LizByrdAward

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The recipient of the award shall be selected on the basis of the following documentation:

Description of human relations, multicultural, or diversity projects within the state of Wyoming
Summary of other relevant activities
Individuals or groups affected by nominee’s activities
Promotional materials for the highlighted activities and projects

Please respond to the following statements. Limit your responses to 250 words or less.

Describe the nominee’s contribution/s in the area of human relations, multicultural, or diversity within the state of Wyoming.
Give a summary of other relevant activities in which the nominee has been involved.
Describe how individuals or groups have been affected by the nominee’s activities.
Include any additional information that may be helpful in the selection process including promotional materials for the activities/projects described above.

RA Delegation Allocation

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WYOMING EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

2010 NEA Representative Assembly

New Orleans, Louisiana

RA Delegate Allocations

NOTE: NUMBERS ARE BASED ON NEA MEMBERS

AS OF JANUARY 15, 2010

CENTRAL REGION

Local Delegates:

Natrona County EA 570 members – 4 delegates

Douglas EA 118 members – 1 delegate

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTHEAST REGION

Local Delegates:

Campbell County EA 197 members – 1 delegate

Sheridan Central EA 159 members – 1 delegate

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NORTHWEST REGION

Local Delegates:

Cody EA 141 members – 1 delegate

Powell EA 99 members – 1 delegate

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SOUTHEAST REGION

Local Delegates:

Albany County EA 223 members – 1 delegate

Cheyenne Teachers EA 856 members – 6 delegates

East Laramie County EA 89 members – 1 delegate

Goshen EA 173 members – 1 delegate

Platte County EA 121 members – 1 delegate

SIEA 148 members – 1 delegate

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SOUTHWEST REGION

Local Delegates:

Carbon County #1 Teachers EA 146 members – 1 delegate

Evanston EA 173 members – 1 delegate

Green River EA 287 members – 2 delegates

Star Valley/Cokeville EA 81 members – 1 delegate

Sweetwater Classified EA 104 members – 1 delegate

Sweetwater EA 333 members – 2 delegates

Teton County EA 103 members – 1 delegate

CR/SER Cluster:

Casper College EA 20 members NCESP 12 members

Eastern WY College EA 4 members Niobrara County EA 21 members Guernsey-Sunrise EA 26 members WEA Local #1 59 members

Glenrock EA 29 members Total: 246 members

LCCC EA 75 members

2 CR/SER Cluster Delegates

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NE Region Cluster:

Crook County EA 16 members Sheridan East EA 10 members

Johnson County EA 70 members Sheridan West EA 62 members

Newcastle EA 25 members Upton EA 24 members

Northern WY CC District 10 members Total: 249 members

Sheridan Central ESP 32 members 2 NER Cluster Delegates

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NW Region Cluster:

Arapahoe EA 37 members Meeteetse EA 8 members

Central WY College EA 23 members Northwest College EA 64 members

D-4 EA 23 members Riverton EA 46 members

Dubois EA 14 members Shoshoni EA 20 members

Ethete EA 25 members Ten Sleep EA 1 member

Ft. Washakie EA 24 members West Big Horn County EA 18 members

Greybull EA 36 members Wind River EA 15 members

Hot Springs County EA 48 members Worland EA 56 members

Lander EA 71 members Total: 544 members

Lovell EA 15 members 4 NWR Cluster Delegates

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SW Region Cluster:

Big Piney EA 29 members Pinedale EA 30 members

Carbon County #2 EA 16 members WEA Local #2 6 members

Kemmerer EA 18 members Western WY College EA 30 members

Lyman EA 33 members Total: 184 members

Mt. View EA 22 members

1 SWR Cluster Delegates

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Ex-offico Delegates 2 Retired Delegate 1 [elected separately]

State Delegates 15 Student Delegate 1 [elected separately]

Local Delegates 29 Cluster Delegates 9

*ESP Clusters---Eligibility for a ESP Cluster Delegate to RA is limited only to ESP members who are not eligible to belong to a local association.

Election informatoin

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

2010 WEA Vacancies

Nomination Forms Available from your Local President

or by following this link.

Click on the position title for more information about the office.

State Offices:

WEA President – 2 year term

WEA Vice President – 2 year term

WEA ESP At-Large Representative – 2 year term

WEA Ethnic Minority At-Large Representative – 2 year term

WEA Higher Education At-Large Representative – 2 year term

Region Offices :

Central Region Representative – 2 year term

NE Region President – 2 year term

NE Region Vice President – 2 year term

NW Region President – 2 year term

SE Region President – 2 year term

SE Region Vice President – 2 year term

SE Region Representative – 2 year term

State Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly:

NEA RA State Delegate (Category 1) - 2 year term - up to 5 delegates

NEA RA State Delegate (Category 2) - 1 year term – 1 delegate

NEA RA Region Cluster Delegates (1 year term)--- this includes Certified and ESP members who belong to a Local

CR/SER Cluster– 2 delegate

NER Cluster– 2 delegates

NWR Cluster– 4 delegates

SWR Cluster– 1 delegate

NEA RA State ESP Cluster---(ESP Members with No Local) – 1 delegate

NEA RA State Retired Delegate – 1 delegate

NEA RA Student Delegate – 1 delegate

Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly Allocation

WEA to Hold Annual Elections

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA to Hold Annual Elections

Major offices for the Wyoming Education Association Board of Directors will determined during the spring, 2010 election. Delegates for WEA Delegate Assembly and the NEA Representative Assembly will also be determined.

A complete list of offices can be found by following this link.

Nomination Form

WEA Election Guidelines

Announced Candidates

Timelines for elections are strictly adhered to. For more information about the election process, contact Membership Specialist Linda Bottom: lbottom@nea.org.

Dates to Remember:

February 16 Nomination for all elections, except local, must be postmarked or delivered by this date.

February 23 Activate Nominations and Elections Committee to secure additional candidate(s) for vacancies with fewer than two nominated candidates.

March 4 Candidate resumes information and ads must be received by the deadlines in order to be included in the WEA News. Follow this link for the form.

April 17 Ballots handed out at Delegate Assembly during the third session.

April 26-30 WEA General Elections will be held.

May 10 Deadline for ballots to be delivered to the Cheyenne office

May 12 Ballots counted

May 13 Local presidents notified of results

May 14 Candidates elected on both state and local ballots for NEA-RA delegate must notify state and local affiliates which position is accepted by this date.

WEA Vice President Information

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Vice-President

The Vice-President shall assist the President with the governance functions of the Association and shall be responsible for:

1. serving as an official delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly with expenses paid by the Association;

2. serving as the coordinator of the WEA membership program;

3. serving as a member of the Executive Committee;

4. serving as a voting member of the Board of Directors;

5. representing the President at his/her request at meetings and conferences;

6. assuming the President’s role in his/her absence;

7. serving on the Program and Budget Committee;

8. serving as alternate NEA Director; and

9. serving on the Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust Board

Election Resume Form

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Candidate Resume

(please email to sclark@nea.org )

Candidate for: ___________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________________________

Home Address: ___________________________________________________________

Email Address: ___________________________________________________________

School Phone: ____________________________________________________________

School District and Building: _________________________________________________

Job Title: ______________________________________________________________

Job Experience: _________________________________________________________

Association Experience: (list all national and state association experience; limit local association experience to four positions)

Provide a brief campaign statement to be published in the Spring, 2010 issue of the WEA NEWS; limited to 100 words for board candidates, 50 words for RA delegate and region office candidates. If more than the entitled words, your statement will be cut off at 101 or 51 words. Please email your statement to Sue Clark at sclark@nea.org.

If you are running for a board position, please include a photo. If you would like to purchase an ad you can choose from the following sizes: Full Page for $300, Half Page for $160, Quarter Page for $75, Eighth Page for $25. Contact Sue at: sclark@nea.org; 800-442-2395; or 634-7991 ext. 100.

Resumes must be emailed no later than March 4.

Region Representatives

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Region Representatives

The Region Representative shall be responsible for:

1. serving as a voting member of the WEA Board of Directors;

2. serving as a delegate to Delegate Assembly;

3. participating in all region meetings by assisting the Region President;

4. reviewing and reporting on the status of the current new business items;

5. facilitating communication with region members;

6. promoting participation of local members in Association activities;

7. working with governance and staff in gathering information from region members; and

8. fulfilling other duties as appropriate.

WEA President Description

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

President

The President of WEA shall be the policy leader of the Association and shall be responsible for allgovernance functions by:

1. serving as an ex-officio delegate to the NEA-RA with expenses paid by the Association;

2. presiding over all meetings of the WEA membership and its governing units, the WEA Board of Directors, and the WEA Delegate Assembly, and exercising primary responsibility in preparing the agendas for these meetings;

3. ensuring that the minutes, platforms, current new business items, Constitution, Bylaws, and other non-financial records of the Association are carefully and accurately kept, and that they are distributed promptly and in lucid form to presidents of locals, committee and commission chairs, delegates to the Delegate Assembly, and others as may be directed by the Board;

4. serving as an ex-officio member, without vote, of all WEA committees/commissions and making timely committee/commission and chairperson appointments, with advice and consent of the WEA Board of Directors;

5. training all chairpersons as to their responsibilities and roles and assuring that proper conditions exist wherein they can successfully function;

6. working with committee/commission chairpersons to develop program objectives and activities which assist each committee/commission to carry out its function successfully;

7. establishing procedures and time lines for formulating and adopting the Association’s annual budget, in conjunction with the Program and Budget Committee and Executive Director; seeing that committees/commissions, and local and region presidents have input to the development of the budget; chairing the Program and Budget Committee;

8. presenting recommendations to the WEA Board of Directors and Delegate Assembly for the establishment of Association goals, priorities, and action programs; being directly accountable to the WEA Board of Directors and making a regular report of governance activities and needs;

9. working cooperatively with WEA local affiliate leaders in unifying and building support for the United Education Profession, engaging in on-going field visits to WEA local affiliates in order to create a better understanding of WEA governance objectives and securing direct input from local association leaders regarding critical issues;

10. articulating communications concerning the WEA Delegate Assembly and Board actions, goals, and membership concerns and acting as co-spokesperson with the Executive Director in keeping the membership, WEA Board Members, and the public informed of vital positions which the Association has taken;

11. meeting on a regular basis with the WEA Executive Director in order to discuss issues in which WEA is or will be involved and assisting in coordinating the respective roles in areas where there is a sharing of responsibility;

12. coordinating WEA’s legislative program and ensuring that all sponsored positions are politically sound, are compatible with Association objectives, and are feasible; meeting extensively with elected local affiliate leaders to explain, clarify, and enhance support for WEA’s legislative program and assisting WEA’s lobbying efforts as a member of the lobbying team;

13. keeping informed of regional and national concerns and representing WEA’s governance interests with NEA at the NEA Representative Assembly, at NCSEA meetings, at The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education meetings and at other national meetings which are related to governance concerns;

14. approving, in conjunction with the Executive Director, all WEA expenditures within the Association budget and expense reimbursement guidelines;

15. approving travel expenses of the Executive Director;

16. serving as the WEA liaison to the State Board of Education and Professional Teaching Standards Board and to any other state committees that the President and Executive Director deem important;

17. acquainting the Vice-President with his/her role as well as the role of President;

18. assisting the Executive Director, as directed by the Executive Director, in working with the staff; attending staff meetings which are directed and coordinated by the Executive Director;

19. acting as chief elections officer by overseeing all state election proceedings;

20. maintaining residence in the city where the main office is located;

21. serving as chair of the Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust Board;

22. serving as chair of the Wyoming Education Association Political Action Committee for Education;

23. serving as Chair of the Executive Committee;

24. authorizing WEA financial support for members requiring legal services, in consultation with the Executive Director and legal counsel; and

25. serving as second alternate NEA Director.

Higher Ed Representative-at-Large

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Higher Ed Representative-at-Large

The Higher Ed Representative-at-Large shall be responsible for:

1. serving as a voting member of the WEA Board of Directors;

2. initiating and assisting governance and staff with Higher Ed membership programs;

3. communicating with WEA Higher Ed members;

4. advising the WEA President regarding Higher Ed participation in all Association activities;

5. serving as a delegate to Delegate Assembly;

6. participating in a Delegate Assembly briefing session prior to Delegate Assembly;

7. conducting a meeting for Higher Ed delegates at Delegate Assembly;

8. reporting to the Board of Directors and preparing an annual report for inclusion in the Delegate Assembly Handbook on the status of the Higher Ed program;

9. serving as liaison for Higher Ed members and locals with NEA, the National Council on Higher Education, and state associations of Higher Education faculty and support staff; and

10. fulfilling other duties as appropriate.

Election Guidelines

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

WEA Board Policy

Guidelines and Procedures

Policy 9-1: Guidelines for WEA Elections

General Election

The WEA general election, NEA-RA election of state at-large delegates and region elections shall be conducted during the second week in April or at least seven days following the last day of Delegate Assembly. In the event of a holiday or conflict occurring within the week of the scheduled election, the WEA board may designate another week for conducting the elections. All elections are conducted through the WEA Cheyenne office. Active WEA members within a local are entitled to nominate, vote and run as a candidate for state office.

All elections must be conducted by secret ballot. Winners will be determined by plurality in NEA-RA elections and by majority in all others.

Locals, regions, or the state may not contribute cash or anything of value directly or indirectly to advance the campaign of any candidate. However, the resources of an affiliate may be used to issue notices in connection with candidate meetings, provide general information about the candidates, and conduct elections.

Nominations

Nominations for all elections, except local, must be in the WEA office by the annually established deadline. This includes local cluster nominations. Nominations are "open" so any one member may nominate another member for an office or as a candidate for NEA-RA delegate. The person nominated must complete and sign the nomination form, complete the resume form and forward these to the WEA Cheyenne office by the annually established deadline. Resumes of all candidates for state elected offices or state NEA-RA nominations will be included in a WEA publication prior to the election. Nomination forms for WEA region officers, and cluster delegates will be sent to the appropriate WEA region president who shall forward the nominations to the WEA office by the annually established deadline. Information regarding these nominees will also be run in a WEA publication prior to the election. Locals using the nomination forms for local offices should keep the forms.

Ballots

The WEA office will prepare a complete ballot, including the WEA general election, state NEA-RA election of delegates, region and region cluster elections. This ballot, plus a copy of the election guidelines, will be provided at least 15 days prior to the election day to all local presidents. Ballots for NEA-RA delegates will be sent individually to those active educational support or administrator members not affiliated with locals, as well as to all NEA life retired teachers.

During even numbered years, names of nominees will be placed on the ballot: one half of the ballots with names arranged A to Z; the other half of the ballots arranged Z to A. Ballots will be shuffled prior to mailing to the locals. During odd-numbered years, names of the nominees will be placed on the ballot: one half of the ballots with names arranged M to L; the other half of the ballots arranged L to M in reverse alphabetical order (L, K, J, I, etc.). All ballots will be shuffled prior to mailing to the locals. Validated ballots shall be kept on file for six (6) months following the election.

State Office and Board At-large Member Elections

The ballot shall include nominations for those positions of WEA officers listed in WEA Bylaws, Article IV, Section 3, which are open. Ethnic-minority and proportionate representation positions on the Board of Directors will be filled by a special election if they qualify for representation and the position is not filled in the general election.

Region Elections

The president of each region shall be elected by the members of that region for a two-year term. Terms of office shall be overlapping, so that no more than three regions shall have terms expire in any one year. Election of additional representatives to the WEA Board of Directors will be apportioned to regions according to WEA Bylaws.

NEA-RA Delegate Elections

Category I - State At-Large Delegates

The WEA is apportioned 15 state delegate positions. WEA Bylaws state that the president, vice president, treasurer, and when applicable, the president-elect and vice president-elect, shall serve as at-large delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly. Therefore, at-large positions to the NEA-RA on the state ballot annually will be from five to seven depending upon whether or not the president and vice president choose to run for second terms. Terms of Category I delegates will be staggered and will be for two-year terms. Category I includes NEA active and educational support members who are teachers or other non-supervisors. Funding of state delegates is outlined in the NEA-RA Delegate Guidelines.

Category II - State At-Large Delegates

Category II includes NEA active and educational support members who are supervisors, retired NEA Life members, and staff NEA Life members. These members are guaranteed the right to nominate and vote for candidates for delegate to the NEA-RA, and if they are WEA members, to run as candidates.

Local Delegates:

Local affiliate delegates will be allocated in the ratio of one delegate for each 150 NEA active and educational support members or major fraction thereof. A local with more than 75, but fewer than 226, members will be entitled to one-delegate. A local with more than 225, but fewer than 376 members will be entitled to two delegates; etc. The local may vary the terms of local delegates from not less than one to no more than three years. There is no limit to the number of terms. Names of local delegates must be reported to the WEA office by the annually established deadline.

Members may run on the local and state ballots as NEA-RA delegates. A candidate elected on both state and local ballot as an NEA-RA delegate must notify state and local affiliates which position is accepted by the annually established deadline. Funding of local delegates is the responsibility of the local.

Local Cluster Delegates

Locals with fewer than 76 active members will be clustered into voting units of 150 or more or major fraction thereof by the WEA office. These clusters are entitled to one delegate, to be elected by the locals in the cluster. The delegate must be a member of an affiliate of the cluster. Local cluster delegate elections will be held in conjunction with the WEA general election. Please refer to the 1998 Delegate Allocations for cluster allocations.

Ethnic-Minority RA Delegates

The WEA Board of Directors has implemented a plan to ensure Ethnic-Minority representation and involvement in the WEA. Local presidents are asked to contact each Ethnic-Minority member to run for delegate to the NEA-RA, as well as to the WEA Delegate Assembly and to the WEA Board of Directors.

Successor Delegates

The top vote-getting candidate after the regular delegates are declared is the first to attend the NEA-RA as a successor delegate if a regular delegate is unable to attend. A vacancy in the position of a regular delegate must be filled by an elected successor in the same category.

Ethnic-Minority Representative-at-Large Description

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Ethnic-Minority Representative-at-Large

The Ethnic-Minority Representative-at- Large shall be responsible for:

1. serving as a voting member of the WEA Board of Directors;

2. initiating and assisting governance and staff with Ethnic-Minority membership programs;

3. communicating with WEA Minority Affairs Committee members;

4. advising the WEA President regarding Ethnic-Minority participation in all Association activities;

5. serving as chair of the Minority Affairs Committee;

6. serving as a delegate to Delegate Assembly;

7. participating in a Delegate Assembly briefing session prior to Delegate Assembly;

8. conducting a meeting for Ethnic-Minority delegates at Delegate Assembly;

9. reporting to the Board of Directors and preparing an annual report for inclusion in the Delegate Assembly handbook on the status of the Minority

10. fulfilling other duties as appropriate.

ESP at Large

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Education Support Professional Representative-at-Large

The ESP Representative-at-Large shall be responsible for:

1. serving as a voting member of the WEA Board of Directors;

2. initiating and assisting governance and staff with ESP programs;

3. communicating with WEA ESP members;

4. advising the WEA President regarding ESP participation in all Association activities;

5. serving as chair of the ESP Ad Hoc Committee;

6. serving as a delegate to the NEA ESP conference;

7. serving on the committee to select the WEA ESP of the Year Award winner;

8. serving as a delegate to Delegate Assembly;

9. participating in a Delegate Assembly briefing session prior to Delegate Assembly;

10. conducting a meeting for ESP delegates at Delegate Assembly;

11. reporting to the Board of Directors and preparing an annual report for inclusion in the Delegate Assembly handbook on the status of the ESP Ad Hoc Committee; and

12. fulfilling other duties as appropriate.

American Education Week Videos

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

American Education Week 2009

WEA videos that aired during American Education Week Nov. 16-20.

2010 Wyoming Teacher of the Year from Ronald Sniffin on Vimeo.

Carrie Johnson is the Wyoming Biology Teacher of the Year from Ronald Sniffin on Vimeo.

WEA Education Support Professional of the Year from Ronald Sniffin on Vimeo.

Education Committee Chairs Receive the Friend of Education Award from Ronald Sniffin on Vimeo.

Brian Cox Receives WEA's Green Apple Award from Ronald Sniffin on Vimeo.

WEA, ESPC, WTLA join public records case

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Contact:

Ron Sniffin
Communications Director
Wyoming Education Association
(307) 214-3389
rsniffin@nea.org

Contact:

Dan Neal
Director
Equality State Policy Center
(307) 258-2783
dneal@equalitystate.org

Contact:

Marcia Shanor
Executive Director
Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association
(307) 421-0805
marcia@wytla.org

Download Brief

Media Release – November 17, 2009

WEA, ESPC, WTLA join public records case

Oppose governor in dispute before Wyoming Supreme Court

Wyoming citizens deserve accountability and transparency in our Government which is why the Wyoming Education Association (WEA), the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the Equality State Policy Center (ESPC) today announced that they have filed a motion and brief with the Wyoming Supreme Court, seeking to appear as an amicus curiae, or friend of the Court, in a dispute between the State and Cheyenne’s daily newspaper.

The WEA, ESPC and the WTLA argue in the brief that, “This Court should not recognize a new ‘deliberative process’ privilege in litigation or under the Public Records Act; creation of a new privilege, with far-reaching public policy consequences, belongs to the Legislature, not the Courts.”

The Supreme Court case stems from a lawsuit filed by Cheyenne Newspapers, Inc., against the State of Wyoming when the State refused to make public documents from state agencies containing recommendations to Gov. Dave Freudenthal regarding potential state budget cuts. Cheyenne Newspapers, Inc. argued this violated the Public Records Act. Neither side was happy with the decision by the District Court and subsequently both appealed to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

The WEA, ESPC and the WTLA oppose the State’s claim that there is a “deliberative process privilege” which would allow state officials to suppress release of documents under the Public Records Act and in litigation.

“The Governor essentially claims that any advice he gets is his alone to hear. He contends the public does not need to know how powerful agency directors think their programs can be cut,” said Dan Neal, executive director of the Equality State Policy Center.

“Worse, this same privilege would soon be claimed by every mayor, commissioner, and cemetery district manager in the state,” Neal said. “Any time they wanted to keep a public record out of public hands, they could claim it is ‘pre-decisional’ and thus privileged information.”

The WEA, ESPC and the WTLA contend that no such privilege exists under Wyoming law, and creating one could prevent public access to large volumes of documents currently available.

“It is essential that the Court appreciate how its decision will impact Wyoming citizens, and potentially change the landscape of litigation in Wyoming forever … it is inappropriate for the Court to establish by judicial fiat such a far-reaching rule that flies in the face of decades of open government case law, and contravenes core principles of modern discovery in litigation,” they state in the brief.

“But since those issues are present in this case, the Court should hear a broader array of Wyoming citizens as a part of that discussion.”

Often referred to as Wyoming’s “good government watchdog,” the ESPC is a non-profit coalition of organizations devoted to open, accountable government, civic participation by all Wyoming citizens, and public policy research. ESPC member organizations include social and civil justice groups, educators, labor organizations, church groups, sportsmen and environmental organizations.

“We believe that it is critical for the Court to understand that recognition of such a new barrier to public disclosure is not legally justified, and it could profoundly damage the ability of citizens to know what government is doing and hold officials accountable,” said Neal.

The WEA is a non-profit corporation with approximately 6,000 members who are employed in public schools, community colleges, and the University of Wyoming. The interests of the WEA in this matter relate to the fact that the potential recognition of a litigation privilege and an exception to the disclosure requirements of the Wyoming Public Records Act could seriously impair WEA’s ability to protect the rights of its members, and to be able to advocate for and support improvements in education. The potential adoption of this “privilege” has serious impact on the ability to gather essential information needed in school reform and school finance issues, administrative and court cases dealing with employment issues, as well as potentially severely restricting access to critical information held by the Wyoming Department of Education, State Board of Education, School Facilities Commission, public schools, colleges and other governmental entities.

“WEA strongly believes that the studies, reports, and advice which form the basis for government decisions should be open to the public," stressed Kathryn Valido, WEA President.

"WTLA stands solidly with the Cheyenne newspaper, the WEA, and the ESPC in favor of the access of citizens and litigants to this information and against a new privilege which is not founded in the existing law," added Steve Kline, WTLA President.

The WEA, ESPC and the WTLA argue that this case reaches far beyond the issue of a member of the media seeking information for publication. “Every attorney who litigates with a governmental agency or who subpoenas documents or witness testimony from governmental sources, will potentially have to jump a new hurdle over whether the materials and information sought qualify under such a new privilege,” the brief states.

The amicus parties ask the Court to hold Wyoming law does not recognize such a privilege against disclosure and that the State’s arguments to create such a sweeping, new doctrine should be left to the legislature where the views of all citizens can be heard and considered.

The motion and brief filed emphasize several major points:

• The State is asking the Court to invent a new right for government to withhold information from the public and in litigation that has never been recognized in 119 years of Wyoming legal cases. The State is asserting the right to keep secret documents and information that constitute any form of advice or information that may be a part of government decision-making. If the State’s request is accepted, access to potentially thousands of documents now routinely provided to the public could be cut off.

• The parties dispute the assertion of the State that public employees and officials cannot render honest, competent advice unless the advice is kept secret from the public and litigants. They contend that such secrecy is contrary to long standing principles of Wyoming government that require openness and transparency.

• The State is asking the Court to recognize a privilege to suppress information on the theory that such a right is somehow embedded in Wyoming common law. The amicus parties contend that the claimed privilege is not part of common law and the Court should not invent such a new doctrine now.

• If the Court were to recognize such a privilege, it would be judicially legislating in the dark. The Court would be creating a new doctrine that could undermine existing statutes and cases protecting public access and deny access to critical information in litigation. Judicial proceedings lack the ability to hear and consider the concerns of the diverse categories of citizens that would be affected. There is no valid reason for such a restriction to access. Wyoming government has functioned very well for 119 years without such secrecy. But if the State believes there is a need, the issue should be resolved in the Legislature, where citizens can have input, not in Court case.

The Wyoming Rules of Appellate Procedure provide that persons who are not direct parties may request to file a brief as a “friend of the Court” in situations where the rights of others not represented in the case may be affected or where the amicus present an important perspective beyond the arguments of the named parties. The Court, in its discretion, may allow the brief to be filed for the benefit of the Court, but the amicus parties are not permitted to argue the case.

###

Equality State Policy Center member organizations include Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association; Wyoming State AFL-CIO; Wyoming Affiliate American Civil Liberties Union; Biodiversity Conservation Alliance; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; Construction and General Laborers Union, Local 1271; Greater Yellowstone Coalition; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 322; Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance; Northeast Wyoming Central Labor Council; Pacific Northwest Carpenters Council, Wyoming Chapter; Operating Engineers, Local 3; Powder River Basin Resource Council, Wyoming Chapter; Northern Plains Office of Sierra Club; Wyoming Chapter of Sierra Club; Southwest Wyoming Central Labor Council; United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters of America, Local 192; United Steelworkers Union Local 13214; United Transportation Union; Utility Workers Union of America Local 127; Wilderness Society, Wyoming Chapter; Wyoming Association of Churches; Wyoming Building and Construction Trades Council; Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Wyoming Conference of Electrical Workers; Wyoming Conservation Voters; Wyoming Conservation Voters Education Fund; Wyoming Education Association; Wyoming Wildlife Federation; Wyoming Wilderness Association.

Wyoming Education Association members include over 6000 Wyoming education employees including certified and non-certified school employees, administrators, higher education employees, students preparing to be educators and retired members.

The Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association is a non-profit association of attorney members established to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and to promote the administration of justice for the public good. WTLA strongly supports the principles of transparency, openness, and public access to information, including provisions of the Wyoming Public Records Act and Wyoming Open Meetings Act.

WEA Northwest Region Retreat

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

NWD Summer Leadership Training & Retreat

When: Monday, August 3, 2009 -- 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where: Pronghorn Inn, 150 E. Main St., Lander WY 82520 www.pronghornlodge.com

Who: Leaders and Members from your local association.

Agenda: MEMBERSHIP, LEGISLATIVE, and LEADERSHIP training & development will be presented.

R.S.V.P. No later than JULY 24 to Mary Hoff, mhoff@nea.org

Please let Mary Hoff know if you are attending for the day or if you will need a room for Sunday, August 2.

The retreat this year will be for one day only. If you are traveling from Big Horn, Hot Springs, Washakie, or Park County, WEA/NWD will cover the cost of lodging for one night (August 2) double occupancy. If you prefer a single room you will be responsible for half the cost of your room.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact:

· Brendan O’Connor, NWD President 307.272.2287 or bhoconnor@bresnan.net

· Carrie Johnson, NWD Representative, 307.332.6897 or cajohnso@wyoming.com