May 7, 2008

Perdue Primary Win a Victory for North Carolina's Children and Public Education

Support of NEA members instrumental in election outcome

WASHINGTON —Through unprecedented grassroots organizing and mobilization, local members of the North Carolina Association of Educators and the National Education Association turned out in record numbers to vote for Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue in North Carolina's  May 6 primary to select a Democratic candidate to face Republican Pat McCrory for governor in November.

"Today we celebrate a victory for North Carolina's children  and public education," says NEA President Reg Weaver. "NCAE and NEA members let their voices be heard in this election. Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue has been a long-time advocate for public education, ensuring that our children have the resources they need to succeed and that North Carolina's public  schoolteachers receive professional pay. Bev Perdue has supported public education, and, today, NEA members were able to return that support."

Perdue, a former public schoolteacher with a doctorate in education administration, captured the Democratic nomination by defeating North Carolina State Treasurer Richard Moore.

The NCAE and NEA members in North Carolina ran a sophisticated program of on-the-ground activities to mobilize Association members to take part in the Democratic primary. Over 200,000 individual direct mail pieces were sent to separate targeted membership groups. Other activities included targeted phone calls, emails, text messages, special activist newsletters, as well as on-one-one communications among and between Association members to build voter turnout in support of Perdue’s primary campaign. NCAE and NEA members engaged in volunteer activity in record numbers, over 1,000 grassroots volunteers, for the Perdue campaign.

NEA's PAC, the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, also supported Perdue through Internet blogging about Perdue's record on public education issues and by running independent television ads in Wilmington, Greenville, Asheville and  Raleigh.

Perdue has been instrumental in improving teacher pay in North Carolina from 43rd to 21st in the nation. She led efforts to create the Teacher Academy, a professional development program funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, and in providing funds to help North Carolina educators gain National Board Certification. North Carolina ranks first in nationally certified teachers. Perdue also has been a strong supporter of early childhood education programs, high school reform initiatives and efforts to make college affordable for all North Carolina students.

"North Carolina's public  school employees made it clear on Tuesday that we intend to make public education a priority in every election this year," adds Weaver. "And we intend to do everything necessary to energize and mobilize our members in every election in every state from now through November."

# # #

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

May 5, 2008

Nation 'Thanks' Teachers in a Huge Way

NEA and PTA Create Nation’s Largest "Teacher Thank-You Card"

WASHINGTON— In a monumental effort to say "thanks" to the nation's 3.2 million public schoolteachers and to celebrate National Teacher Day (May 6) and Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-10), the National Education Association and the Parent Teacher Association are urging individuals nationwide to send thank-you notes to their favorite teachers.

The Nation's Largest Teacher Thank-You Card project was created by NEA and PTA in response to an NEA poll showing that the gift nearly half of all teachers would most like to receive is a simple "thank you."  Several thousand thank-you notes have been collected from students, parents, celebrities, elected officials and individuals from across the nation.  A sampling of those messages includes:

• "Ms. Brown was very special because she was my mentor.   She was very helpful to my family and me.  She and I became close friends and are good friends.  After so many years, we still spend time talking on the phone."  Patti LaBelle, singer
• "Mr. Sellereit gave me my first acting job in my school production of 'The Jungle Book!'"  Hilary Swank, actress
• "Mr. Tucker has never forgotten what he has in common with his students...he was a kid once, therefore, he will always be able to be heard by his students who feel 100 percent respected and validated by him." Wilmer Valderrama, actor
• "Teachers are often the people who inspire us the most. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Duncan.   She so believed in me, and for the first time, made me embrace the idea of learning. I learned to love learning because of Mrs. Duncan."  Oprah Winfrey, entrepreneur

To contribute to the Nation's Largest Teacher Thank-You Card Project, individuals can visit www.teacherthankyoucard.org and send a free e-card or post a video thank you.  Thank-you cards can also be mailed to: The Nation's Largest Teacher Thank-You Card Project, c/o NEA, P.O. Box 66458, Washington, D.C. 20035.  The cards collected will become part of a larger-than-life mural measuring approximately 8 feet tall and more than 50 feet wide that will be unveiled for the first time during a high profile event in May 2009.

"This project is about taking the time to say 'thank you'—two simple words that are not said often enough," said NEA President Reg Weaver.  "On behalf of NEA, I thank teachers for their care and unwavering devotion to America's students. Teachers spark imagination, cultivate creativity and make dreams become reality."

Warlene Gary, National PTA chief executive officer, adds, "As a parent and a former teacher, I know firsthand how important teachers are to leading children to promise.  PTA Teacher Appreciation Week is designed to remind parents and children across the country to thank teachers for the amazing work they do each and every day!  Thank you, thank you, thank you teachers of America!"

The Nation's Largest Teacher Thank-You Card Project carries a simple message:  Thank a Teacher.  The goal is to create a public tribute that helps to demonstrate gratitude for the hard work and dedication that teachers carry into the classrooms and schools across the nation every day.

About National Teacher Day/Teacher Appreciation Week 
NEA celebrates National Teacher Day each year on Tuesday of the first full week of May. The day celebrates the outstanding work and lifelong dedication of teachers nationwide. National Teacher Day came into being through the leadership and persistence of Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1953, she persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim May 7 that year as National Teacher Day. PTA took Roosevelt’s idea and dedicated a whole week to celebrate the accomplishments of educators. PTA’s annual Teacher Appreciation Week honors the dedicated men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating children.  For more information visitwww.nea.org/teacherday andwww.pta.org.

About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

Note to Editors:  High-resolution images and a behind-the-scenes video about the project are available at www.teacherthankyoucard.org.   B-roll is available upon request.

# # #

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

Contact: Christiana Campos  (202) 822-7823

May 1, 2008

NEA Member Named 2008 National Teacher of the Year 

Oregon Science Teacher Michael Geisen honored at White House ceremony

WASHINGTON—The 2008 National Teacher of the Year is known among his students and colleagues for his creativity and innovative teaching techniques.   NEA member Michael Geisen was honored as the National Teacher of the Year by President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony Wednesday.  Geisen, a seventh grade science teacher at Crook County Middle School in Prineville, Ore., incorporates songs, games, art and humor into his teaching repertoire.  He will serve for one year as a full-time national and international spokesperson for education.

“On behalf of the entire NEA family, I want to congratulate Michael on being named National Teacher of the Year,” said NEA President Reg Weaver.  “Michael is a wonderful example of how teachers transform the lives of their students everyday, engaging them and creating enthusiasm for learning.  His extraordinary passion and never-ending quest to find captivating ways of teaching science have undoubtedly inspired his students to realize their potential and achieve their dreams.”

According to his students, Geisen makes science fun.  His unique teaching style has yielded impressive results in and out of the classroom. A class he taught on the deadly effects of microbes on children in developing countries motivated his students to raise money for Third World disease relief.  During his first two years as the science department chair at Crook County Middle School, test scores increased from 55 percent to 72 percent of students meeting or exceeding the state’s science benchmark. 

Aside from improving test scores and motivating his students to learn, Geisen is committed to improving elements of Crook County Middle School beyond the four walls of his classroom.  A rock-climbing enthusiast, he raised funds and collected donations to build a rock climbing wall and scenic mural to serve as a backdrop for students to enjoy.  He also teamed up with other teachers in the science department to create a wildlife garden, representing Oregon’s vegetation zones, in the school’s courtyard.  

“We are exceptionally proud to have one of our own chosen to receive this great honor,” said Oregon Education Association President Larry Wolf. “As a former middle school science teacher, I marvel at Michael’s imaginative approach to inspiring and cultivating young minds. He clearly understands the needs of his students and the role that we all play – educators, parents and the larger community – in helping students succeed in the classroom and in life. Michael will be a great ambassador on behalf of educators working wonders in Oregon and around our great nation.”

The National Teacher of the Year program is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and is sponsored by the ING Foundation. The program focuses public attention on teaching excellence and is the oldest and most prestigious award program for teachers.

###

The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.

May 1, 2008

NEA Recognizes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Tool for Educators

WASHINGTON—The nation will celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in May, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  During the annual observance, the National Education Association is offering educators a tool that provides a snapshot of the API experience in the classroom: Focus On: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Out of the Past, In the Present, Toward the Future.

“We know that schools are becoming increasingly diverse,” said Reg Weaver, president of NEA.  “Diversity is – and has always been – one of this country’s greatest strengths. So we embrace that diversity and emphasize the importance of cultural understanding.  When education employees know something about students’ culture or background, they can incorporate culture into the classroom and make adjustments in teaching techniques to accommodate cultural differences, creating schools that are more inclusive.”

Focus On: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is one of a series of publications dedicated to diverse student groups.  It is available online and provides a wealth of information, including:

• How API Students Differ from One Another: Factors such as English proficiency, length of U.S. residency and income can affect a student’s achievement.  Getting to know the individual backgrounds and histories of API students and their families goes a long way in addressing their educational needs.

• Gaps in Student Achievement: The “model minority myth” promotes the false assumption that all APIs succeed in school.  Focus On highlights research that identifies which API students are likely to thrive academically and which students might need help.

• API School Personnel: Asian Pacific Islanders face social, financial, cultural, and linguistic barriers in trying to enter the field of education.  Perhaps due to these factors, the number of API school personnel has not kept pace with the number of API students in the U.S.  Focus On offers helpful advice on recruiting and retaining API educators.

“The usefulness of this resource is not just limited to educators,” added Weaver.  “We encourage parents and community members to also read Focus On to help them better understand and help API children and the API community.”

In addition to Focus On, NEA offers online lesson ideas for educators to commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  NEA also provides suggested API book lists for students in grades K-12.

To download Focus On: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders:
http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/images/asianfocus07.pdf

To view lesson ideas and API book lists for K-12 students:
http://www.nea.org/lessons/api.html
http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/aabooks.html

# # #

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.