Author: ieaesp

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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.[1] The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

“I had a growing interest in politics and how unions help support educators and students, and I was looking for opportunities to be active in my association. I campaigned at some #RedForEd events at our statehouse, and I worked with my local on membership recruitment. Then I learned that the Ward 1 School Committee seat, which is where I live, was open. I ran for office for the first time and won!

I’m a parent, and I have a 5-year-old who attends school in that district. I really wanted to add an educator voice to the school committee. I built my confidence to run by attending See Educators Run, NEA’s candidate training program.

The program connected me with a community of individuals that were all seeking the same thing: to win their campaign. The diversity within the community helped us become aware of opportunities and challenges a campaign can face.

It’s important for educators to hold office. I come into school every day, and I see kids who need a hug. I see kids who need a change of clothes. I see kids who really need a minute to decompress from their weekends. I think what’s really important is that teachers feel supported, that teachers have the necessary tools to do their jobs and take care of students and make sure they have a safe learning place.

There are some hard conversations that we need to have about some of the racial bullying incidents and other tensions in the community. In this new role, my goal is to bring everyone to the table and collaboratively find ways to solve some of these problems.

People who want change need to step up and do. People can either accept what they have or they can try to make that change. I think that everybody needs to come together. Whether it is a small input or a large input, everybody has something to contribute, which is why getting involved in the union and politics is critical.”

Rose Walker, Elementary Paraeducator, Lewistown, ME #NEAMemberMondays

We are stronger when we work together, and joining your local union is the best way to advocate for the children you will one day serve.

Visit our interest form and join our movement: https://bit.ly/2K20O4W

As debate over reopening schools intensifies, NEA recently took questions from its members to address the unprecedented challenges facing educators and students. With the new school year less than two months away, educators are working in overdrive to figure out the best and safest ways to continue instruction for our country’s students.

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Thank you!!

Thank you to all who attend this mornings ESP Roundtable: ESP Reduction in Force (RIF) – What you Need to Know with special guest Rob Lyons, IEA Associate General Counsel. Please join us for next months roundtable: ESPs Health and Safety as we return to in-person instruction. More information on this will come in the near future.

The White House is blocking US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield and other officials from the agency from testifying before a House Education and Labor Committee hearing on reopening schools next week, just as the debate over sending children back to classrooms has flared up across the US.

White House officials informed the committee of its decision in an email, a staff member on the House panel told CNN.

“Dr. Redfield has testified on the Hill at least four times over the last three months. We need our doctors focused on the pandemic response,” a White House official said, confirming the decision to block the CDC’s participation in the hearing.

Join us next week for a webinar on how to effectively use video conferencing platforms to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues and students.
Register here👉 https://bit.ly/3fDcj0G