Quality Service It’s a CREA Basic!

Quality ServiceIt’s a CREA Basic! Our Mission: • Improve the professional status of members • Promote and protect the integrity of the teaching profession • Support educators’ efforts to improve student achievement and welfare

T. I. P. ping the scale forEducation Professionals “T” = Training “I” = Information “P” = Protection Quality Service It’s a CREA Basic!

The Features of Membership • Support For Your Professional Organization • Financial Rewards • Advocacy Protections • Opportunities for Professional Growth • Networking with Colleagues and Educators • Information on Hot Topics

Support For Your Professional Organization • Educators Have the NEA • Goal Area 1: Improve the Professional Status of Members • Goal Area 2: Promote & Protect the Integrity of the Profession • Goal Area 3: Enhance Educator’s Efforts to Improve Student Achievement & Welfare

Support For Your Professional OrganizationEducators have the NEA Doctors have the AMA Lawyers have the Bar Association Educators have the NEA NEA is the National Education Association. The Iowa affiliate of NEA is the ISEA, Iowa State Education Association. The local affiliates of NEA/ISEA are the CREA and CROTA, Cedar Rapids Education Association and Cedar Rapids Organization of Teacher Associates. Together, the NEA, ISEA and CREA/CROTA are working to improve public education at all levels.

Financial Rewards • Bargaining Salary and Insurance Benefits • Credit Card-Money Market-CDs & More • Auto-Home-Life Insurance Programs • Member Access Discount Card • Early Separation-PEHP-IPERS • Scholarships • Teacher Store

Financial RewardsBargaining Salary & Insurance Benefits The CREA/CROTA are the exclusive bargaining representatives for the teachers and teacher associates in Cedar Rapids. No other group or organization can negotiate improvements and/or changes in your salary and benefits. CREA and CROTA bargain salary, benefits and contract language changes every year. Both contracts have adopted an innovative salary schedule that rewards employees for seeking higher levels of education and training. Only members have input into contract changes. Only members can vote on what modifications to accept or reject to the contract.

Financial RewardsCredit Card – Money Market – CDs & More NEA Member Benefits sponsors several credit card programs, including a travel rewards program that gives you airline miles for every dollar you spend. The miles can be used on any airline and there are no blackout periods or restrictions on usage. Travel reward points can also be used for car rentals. NEA’s credit card programs have low interest rates and no annual fee. NEA Value Builder program offers money market investment opportunities, counseling and account management. NEA’s money market offers one of the best return rates for your investment. You can use direct deposit and payroll deduction to add to your account. You are given checks to use for this account. They work like a regular checking account and you can make up to six withdrawals per month from this FDIC insured account. NEA’s CD program has one of the highest interest rates offered. Call 1-800-637-4636 to check out current rates. It pays to compare! NEA has a mortgage program that refunds some of the fees associated with buying a home to members after the mortgage has closed. ISEA is a partner in the Linn Area Credit Union who offers cash incentives and Teacher Bucks for members who use their banking services.

Financial RewardsAuto – Home – Life Insurance Programs With your membership, and at no additional cost to you, you automatically are enrolled for NEA’s Dues Tab insurance. Dues Tab is an accidental death and dismemberment policy that will pay you a benefit if you become totally or partially disabled as a result of an injury and will pay a benefit to your beneficiary if you become deceased. Your Dues Tab benefit amount increases with each year of consecutive membership in NEA and any of it’s affiliates. NEA Member Benefits has auto, home and life insurance programs at very reduced prices for members. One of our teacher associate members reported to us that her family saved over $160 per month by purchasing their auto insurance policy from NEA. Horace Mann is also an NEA endorsed company that offers discounted insurance programs to members. NEA Member Benefits also offers long term care and Medicare supplement insurance options.

Financial RewardsMember Access Discount Card Member Access is a program from ISEA. It offers members access to a secured web site that details hundreds of discounts available to members. Members take advantage of these discounts by presenting their Access card or by printing coupons from the web site. Discounts may be as much as 50% and include golf, hotels, cruises, condos, resorts, eye care, shopping, restaurants, theme parks, entertainment, health products, auto services, hair cuts, high adventure, whitewater rafting, ski and snowboarding, all-inclusive vacations, and much, much more! In addition, CREA/CROTA has added local businesses who offer even more discount opportunities to our members. Check www.creaonline.org for a list of local merchants who accept our Access card.

Financial RewardsEarly Separation – PEHP – IPERS CREA has negotiated a generous and exceptional early separation benefit. It is one of only a very few in the state and certainly the best program! Teachers who qualify for early separation leave with 105 – 190 days severance and insurance benefits that continue until they are eligible for Medicare. You earn the increased severance above 105 days by saving personal illness days during your employment. CREA started the first teacher PEHP plan in the state. PEHP is a Post Employment Health Plan. The District makes a monthly contribution in your name into a tax-protected trust fund. The fund is yours and you control the investment of your account. When you leave employment with the District, either by retiring or changing jobs, you can draw the money out of your PEHP for all approved medical expenses. This benefit, combined with early separation allows teachers to choose when they want to retire! ISEA has three full-time lobbyists who continue to work with the Iowa legislature to improve our state retirement program, IPERS. IPERS has been lauded as one of the best state retirement systems in the nation, so we know we’re doing a good job!

Financial RewardsScholarships NEA, ISEA, CREA and Horace Mann all offer scholarships for higher education to the children of our members. Watch for details on how to apply for those scholarships in your Association publications!

Teacher Store • CREA, in partnership with the Linn Area Credit Union has opened a Teacher Store at 606 5th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids. The Teacher Store is a legal charitable organization where businesses and individuals can donate new and/or good used classroom supplies and equipments. Businesses and individuals who make donations receive a tax deduction receipt. Teachers are provided with “Teacher Bucks” to use for purchases at the Teacher Store. Teacher Bucks are available from the Association leadership team, the Linn Area Credit Union and will soon be available from the local Teacher Quality Committees. Inventory at the Teacher Store varies but has included crayons, glue, scissors, tape, staples, dispensers for tape and staples, rulers, markers, pens, pencils, paper, bulletin board supplies and borders, books, games, toys, clorox wipes, paper towels, kleenex, hand sanitizer, creative items and much, much more! The Teacher Store is open during the school year from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday and on Saturdays from 10-2 p.m.

Advocacy • Resolution Team • Representation • Bargaining • Lobbying • Legal Program • Mentoring • Access to Resources • Promoting Quality Education • Having a Voice/Vote/Input

Advocacy Resolution Team The Resolution Team consists of the President of CREA, CREA’s Chair of the Contract Maintenance Committee, our UniServ Director, the District Associate Superintendent, the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Executive Director for Elementary Education, the Executive Director for Secondary Education and the Executive Director for Special Services. Other Administrators and specialists are invited to meet with the team when a concern related to their area of expertise is being discussed. The purpose of the Resolution Team is to solve problems at the lowest level and in the most timely fashion possible. The team meets monthly to discuss concerns and issues and problem solve solutions. Concerns may be brought to the team by team members, administrators, teachers, educational support employees, the school board, parents, students, etc. Nothing is considered “off limits.” A major emphasis of Resolution Team is the intervention aspect which is used to provide support and resources for teachers and/or teacher associates in need of assistance. Reports from Resolution Team are shared monthly with the CREA Executive Board, Faculty Reps, Principals and District Administrators. All personnel specific information and building identification is kept confidential. The Resolution Team does have the authority to waive or extend certain provisions of the master contract, including personal and family illness leave of absences.

AdvocacyRepresentation All members of the bargaining unit (both CREA and CROTA) have basic representation to assure that the contract is not being violated. CREA/CROTA members receive a much higher level of service and representation, including access to all the resources of the NEA/ISEA/CREA and CROTA. NEA is the only professional organization that pays to have a local representative available to their members. Our representative in Cedar Rapids is our UniServ (NEA’s term for Service Unit) Director, Kathy Krehbiel. Our UniServ Directors are backed up with a full team of experts including research specialists, lawyers, state and federal lobbyists, budget and finance experts and highly-qualified trainers in almost all areas of teaching and learning.

AdvocacyBargaining CREA and CROTA’s bargaining teams are empowered to negotiate changes to the master contract, including salaries, benefits, working conditions, contract language, early separation, etc. The teacher’s bargaining team includes representation from every level – elementary, middle school, secondary and specials. The President of CROTA, chairs the teacher associate bargaining team which also includes representation from the levels identified above. The bargaining teams both have resource members including the CREA President, the chairs of the Contract Maintenance and Contract Advancement Committees and the UniServ Director. The bargaining teams seek input from the CREA Executive Board, the Faculty Reps and the Committees for Contract Maintenance and Contract Advancement. The contract committees members from both CREA and CROTA insure that the two contracts maintain a high level of consistency. Both CREA and CROTA’s contract are “living language” meaning that all parts of the contract are open to negotiation and change at all times! This gives our association the unique ability to respond to changes from the legislature, school board, association members, etc.

Advocacy Lobbying Every decision that affects education is a political decision. This reality has made it absolutely necessary for all education employees to keep our state and federal legislators informed about the impact and consequences of their decisions on our students. CREA/CROTA members are kept highly-informed about issues being debated and decided at the legislature through our “Hotline” publication and association newsletters from NEA, ISEA and CREA. This helps members be able to construct and deliver highly effective letters, emails, phone calls and personal contacts to the appropriate political decision-makers. ISEA employs three full-time lobbyists who help coordinate and focus our efforts. The Political Action Committee (PAC) of ISEA receives support through a state dues check-off. Members may choose not to participate in PAC. NEA’s PAC is supported through member’s individual direct contributions, not through dues or payroll deduction. Our local PAC representatives organize interviews with candidates for political office. The participants at these local interviews make recommendations to the state PAC on who should receive our support and where we should channel our efforts and campaign assistance. Interview teams are balanced with equal numbers of Democrats, Republicans and Independent voters. Questions asked at the interview are directed at education issues. Our local and state PAC teams provide information to our members on who they believe will be the best education representatives in the state and federal legislatures and high political offices.

AdvocacyLegal Program In the event that a teacher or teacher associate member becomes involved in a work-related dispute, the association provides representation and legal assistance. This includes grievances, complaints from parents or students, law suits, criminal allegations, challenges of termination or discipline and disputes involving disability, unemployment, worker’s compensation, alleged abuse or licensure suspension, revocation or denial. Non-members frequently believe that the Association has to equally represent them for all the actions listed above. That is a BIG misunderstanding. The Association’s responsibility to non-members extends only to enforcement of the contract! Services that are not provided to non members include representation or legal help for parent complaints, staff complaints, student complaints, workers comp issues, licensure issues, unemployment issues, harassment, injury, damages, abuse, misuse of funds, insubordination, discipline, separation and discharge – just to name a few! The Association also provides members with access and reduced fees for attorney services for non job-related actions such as establishment of a living will, a last will and testament, divorce, estate actions, real-estate transactions, adoption, custody, etc.

AdvocacyMentoring The state has dictated a mentoring and induction program for first and second year teachers. Through cooperation between CREA and the District, a position was created for a Facilitator of Mentoring and Induction. Currently, CREA Executive Board member, Beth Hieronymus serves in that capacity. This commitment to ensuring the success of beginning teachers is unique in the state. CREA President, Tammy Wawro worked cooperatively with the University of Iowa to develop the E-Portfolio program. This program is available through the internet and can assist a beginning teacher, or even a more experienced teacher involved in this type of evaluation, to collect the artifacts that will result in an excellent professional portfolio of their work. Resolution Team has been provided the authority and resources to retain mentors for more experienced teachers identified as needing assistance.

AdvocacyAccess to Resources Members have unlimited access to all the resources of NEA, ISEA, Cedar Wood UniServ Unit, CREA, and CROTA. Concerns can be expressed and issues raised directly through the Association Rep(s) at each building, or by contacting any of the Association’s officers and leaders, including the UniServ Director. All levels of the Association function as a true democracy. CREA and CROTA send delegates to both the National and State decision-making assemblies. The Association publications including NEA Today, ISEA Communiqué, and CREA On The Edge just to name a few, contain the best and most up-to-date information about what is happening in the field of education. Additionally, the Association’s resources can be accessed by members through the internet. Check out www.creaonline.org .

AdvocacyPromoting Quality Education ISEA and NEA’s public service announcements can frequently be seen and heard on the networks and local television and radio stations. Our advertising is seen in internal and external, national and local newspapers and magazines. Members and leaders are frequently featured in print and media interviews and documentaries. NEA and ISEA sponsor programs and there are many cooperative external ventures to recognize the achievement and excellence of educators. CREA provides member recognition during American Education Week and on National Teacher Day. CROTA celebrates their members on National Educational Support Professionals Day.

AdvocacyHaving a Voice/Vote/Input Only members are allowed to vote on contract improvements and changes. Members can raise an issue or concern and have it addressed and responded to at all levels of the Association. Non-members have no access through our networks. CREA/CROTA has a representative on the Superintendent’s Cabinet and to School Board meetings and work sessions. CREA/CROTA are active in the Chamber of Commerce.

Professional Growth & Development • Communications and Publications • Instruction and Professional Development Mini-Workshops • Conferences and Training • Mentoring and Evaluation • National Board Certification Support Group • Leadership Development

Professional Growth & DevelopmentCommunications and Publications On The Edge – CREA’s award winning bi-monthly newsletter focusing on local issues as well as informing members on state and national hot topics. CREAonline.org – the Association’s official website includes issues of the newsletter and links to NEA, ISEA, the legislature, state departments and many other education sites. Also, your contract is available 24/7! Communiqué – ISEA’s newspaper that is mailed to your home monthly. NEA Today – The leading educational information paper, focusing on issues and current hot topics across the country and containing tips for educators, links to other educational sites, book reviews, etc. ISEA Hotline – Almost daily up-to-date information on the political issues affecting education in the country, in Iowa and right here in Cedar Rapids.

Professional Growth & DevelopmentInstruction & Professional Development Mini-Workshops CREA’s IPD (Instruction and Professional Development) Committee annually sponsors mini-workshops on topics of interest to educators. Opportunities for training include sessions on student led conference preparation, teacher/paraeducator communications and team building, and legal issues for educators. Other available workshops include IEP’s and special education, the state standards and criteria, brain-based learning, and IPERS and retirement planning. Members are invited to suggest other workshop topics.

Professional Growth & DevelopmentConferences and Training Conference and training opportunities are offered throughout the year including NEA’s Midwest Regional Leadership Conference, National Conference on the Concerns of Women and Minorities, National ESP (Educational Support Professionals) Conference, NEA’s Midwest Regional Minority Conference, ISEA’s Legislative Conference, ESP Conference, Student Member Conference, Higher Education Conference, Retired Member Conference and Summer Leadership Conference, CREA’s Leadership Retreat and many other state and national workshops. NEA, ISEA, CWUU (Cedar Wood UniServ Unit) and CREA/CROTA offer scholarships (and sometimes expenses also) for members to attend these various training programs. Watch for announcements of these opportunities in your Association publications.

Professional Growth & DevelopmentMentoring and Evaluation Although state law now requires mentors for first and second year teachers, growth opportunities are not limited to only beginning teachers. Veteran staff needing assistance can receive the benefit of a mentor through a request to the Resolution Team. State law has also mandated that veteran teacher evaluations be in compliance with the standards and criteria. CREA’s bargaining team worked very hard, in conjunction with the District to create contractual evaluation language that is workable for both teachers and administrators. It is important to note that career teachers in our system are not required to prepare a portfolio during their evaluation. Additionally, the contracts for both CREA and CROTA provide three levels of support programs for employees needing assistance.

Professional Growth & DevelopmentNational Board/Paraeducator CertificationSupport Groups As a result of CREA’s excellent bargaining, teachers who achieve National Board Certification (NBC) will receive a 5% salary increase. NBC teachers who recertify receive a second 5% salary increase. CREA will sponsor a free cohort group to support members through the process. CREA’s NBC teachers will be facilitating this group. Watch for further information and announcements in your Association publications. Excellent bargaining by CROTA has also led to a pay increase. Paraeducators who receive their State Paraeducator Certificate receive a 4% salary increase.

Professional Growth & DevelopmentLeadership Development CREA offers members many opportunities for leadership and growth. We provide scholarships to many state and national conferences and workshops. Extra training opportunities are offered to CREA Association Reps at their monthly meetings. The CREA Executive Board, Committee Chairs and members all have access to more training and information and opportunities to practice and exhibit leadership skills. Many of the current administrators in our District are former Association members and leaders. Local leadership training includes a wide variety of topics including communication styles, mediation skills, education and the law, group process skills, dealing with difficult people, students’ rights, and teachers’ rights – just to mention a few!

Networking • Opportunities to Meet New People • Community Projects • Faculty Rep Assembly • Social Gatherings • Care & Share • Involvement with the School Board • Recognition for Educators

NetworkingOpportunities to Meet New People Whether it is within your own building, district-wide, other area schools, the state urban network, within ISEA, nationally, or at one of our many web sites, CREA provides you with access and a tie to hundreds of education professionals just like yourself! Education conferences and workshops sponsored by the Association at the various levels provide wonderful opportunities for in-depth discussion of best practices in teaching, current educational issues, and tips on how best to survive and thrive in the teaching and learning profession. With CREA’s many community involvement programs there are lots of opportunities to impact other organizations and groups. Some of our programs are public service projects that offer participants a warm feeling for helping those in need. Watch your Association publications for opportunities to meet new people and contribute to your own professional growth and pride!

NetworkingCommunity Projects CREA is involved in many human service and community outreach programs. Opportunities exist for you to be involved in: * The Holiday Parade * Big Brothers/Big Sisters – bowling fundraiser * H.O. Maxey Memorial Food Drive * Chamber of Commerce Education and Governmental Relations Committees * School Board presentations and work sessions * PTA Functions * The Festival of Trees * CREA’s Public Relations Committee and/or the Care & Share Committee * The Linn County Educator of the Year Program sponsored by Farmers State Bank * Read Across America Day * Teacher Store access and volunteer workers

NetworkingFaculty Rep Assembly CREA’s Association Reps in the buildings are the most important link in our leadership chain! Once a month, on the first Wednesday, the Reps meet at a central location. The meeting is dedicated to information sharing, updates, committee reports, training, treats, valuable prizes and camaraderie. Representatives take information back to their members and receive questions or concerns to submit. Each building selects their own Representatives. Faculties are encouraged to have multiple and alternate reps so that no group goes unrepresented at any of the meetings. CREA is always looking for more Representatives. If you’d like to attend a meeting to get an idea of what would be involved, we’d love to have you visit! If you are interested and want to discuss this opportunity further, please contact Tammy Wawro at TWawro@cr.k12.ia.us.

NetworkingSocial Gatherings While our CREA Executive Board and Association Rep meetings provide lots of opportunity for socialization of the leadership team, social events for members is still a work in progress. We experimented with the program by sponsoring tickets to a hockey game and to a big stage musical. Both events were well-attended and sparked quite a bit of interest. The CREA Leadership Committee is now exploring the option of offering other social opportunities including movie nights, a dance, a Planet X Saturday, other sporting events, and bus trips that could include shopping at the Mall of America, antiquing in Galena, Illinois, sightseeing when the leaves are changing colors, or a riverboat gambling expedition. We always encourage informal social gatherings of members like baby showers, wedding celebrations, payday parties, etc. Our purpose is to strengthen ties between members and members’ families.

NetworkingCare & Share The Care and Share Committee is a function within the Public Relations Committee. This program attempts to recognize and celebrate accomplishments, send congratulations, and extend sympathy or concern to members and their families when life events happen. We count on the Faculty Reps to provide the information on our web site at www.creaonline.com, to contact one of the public relations team members so we can forward the information to Care & Share. Our newsletter On The Edge is a great source for Care & Share event announcements.The Project Manager for Care and Share is Erica Male and she can be contacted at emale@cr.k12.ia.us. Other members of the PR team include Ray Feuss, Jeannie Pfeiffer and Pete Clancy who can all be contacted through the district email system.

NetworkingInvolvement with the School Board The CREA President, Tammy Wawro, regularly attends school board meetings. She sits on the Executive Council and the Superintendent’s Cabinet representing the interests of teachers and teacher associates. Frequently, CREA is involved in presentations to the school board at their meetings or in a work session. Work session topics that we have shared with the school board include Resolution Team process and functions, site-based or shared decision-making, performance-based pay, living contract language, salary schedule alternatives and orientation to our contract and negotiations process. Presentations at the school board are frequently related to recognition of our members and their students.

NetworkingRecognition for Educators Each year CREA presents awards to educators, including the Linn County Educator of the Year and H.O. Maxey Humanitarian Award. Our local Educator of the Year is then nominated for ISEA’s Educator of the Year Award. CREA also makes nominations for ISEA and NEA awards including the Charles F. Martin Award, the Humanitarian Award, ESP (Educational Support Professional) of the Year, the Team Award and Friend of Education Award. H.O. Maxey was the last local Charles F Martin Award Winner, Slayton Thompson won the ISEA Humanitarian Award several years ago, Greg Reed was honored with the Team Award and Sunny Story is was ESP of the Year for ISEA and NEA in 2004. CREA’s Leadership Team works to provide small gifts and recognition to our members both during American Education Week in November and on National Teacher Day in May and National ESP Day in November.

Hot Topics • Discounts • Insurance • Meeting Standards & Criteria, New Evaluations • Lobbying for changes in the Iowa Teacher Compensation Legislation • ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) and No Child Left Behind • Mentoring Model and E-Portfolio • National Board Certification • Elections

Hot TopicsDiscounts Member Access Discount Card ISEA is in its fifth year of the Member Access program. Each member in the state is given a personalized card. Members can take advantage of discounts by presenting their Access card at participating merchants. Savings may be as much as 50% and include discounts for golf, hotels, cruises, condos, resorts, eye care, shopping, restaurants, theme parks, entertainment, health products, auto services, hair cuts, whitewater rafting, ski and snowboarding, all-inclusive vacations, and much, much more! In addition, CREA/CROTA have added local businesses to offer even more discount opportunities to our members.

Hot TopicsInsurance No one in the District is satisfied with the insurance program and high cost of premiums. While that problem is not unique to Cedar Rapids, or even to Iowa, CREA believes that some major changes are necessary. We know that improvements and reform of MIIP are always going to be a priority. We were successful at getting a CREA Representative placed on the MIIP Board and CREA and CROTA’s contract committees will continue working collaboratively with the District to seek out and explore viable options for improved health care options. Watch for updates from your Association Reps and in our Association publications. If you are interested in being involved in either the Contract Maintenance or Contract Advancement Committees that will be working on this project please contact the chairperson of either committee. Contract Maintenance is chaired by Tania Johnson and Contract Advancement is chaired by Shawn Thomsen. Tania and Shawn are available on the District email system as TaJohnson@cr.k12.ia.us and SThomsen@cr.k12.ia.us.

Hot TopicsMeeting Standards & CriteriaNew Evaluations The Iowa Teacher Compensation Law prescribed a process of standards and criteria for evaluations of beginning teachers. It also required that first and second year teachers receive the services of a mentor. All of that is fully implemented and Cedar Rapids has one of the best programs in the state thanks to our Mentor Coordinator, Beth Hieronymus and the Association’s collaboration with the District. Watch for updated evaluation and support procedure information from your Association Rep, your CREA/CROTA bargaining teams and in your Association publications.

Hot TopicsLobbying for changes in the Iowa Teacher Compensation Legislation CREA and CROTA both have non-traditional salary schedules that incorporate levels that provide salary growth opportunities. Levels are identified as additional educational coursework and training. The salaries in these schedules “loop” so there is no ceiling on what any teacher or teacher associate can earn. CREA has incorporated all of the legislated salary supplements (Phase 1 & 2 and Teacher Compensation funding) into one salary schedule making our beginning wage for teachers the highest in the state. Our career teacher salaries at the maximums in the schedule are also the highest in the state. CROTA is working hard in a national campaign to win a competitive living wage for teacher associates. They are also, through bargaining, working for contract language that would allow associates to have the option to be paid on a year round basis. If you would like an explanation of how the salary schedule works and can be read, please ask the Association Rep(s) in your building to request this information session through the UniServ Director.

Hot TopicsESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) No Child Left Behind The provisions of the ESEA that require that every student in every school must achieve at least one full year of growth in every subject, every year are particularly problematic for educators and public schools. Buildings that do not meet the standard of yearly growth will be placed on a list of “schools in need of assistance” and may be subject to penalties and sanctions, including the loss of funding and bargained agreements that protect the employees. NEA has made the reform of this legislation a priority. The President is key to this fight and it is going to mean that every education employee and concerned citizen, parent and voter is going to have to get involved! Watch for more information on this issue from your Association Rep and in your Association publications. If you want to be involved in the political campaign on this issue, please contact the CREA Governmental Affairs Chairperson, Roxann Dittmer at RDittmer@cr.k12.ia.us or the CREA PAC Chairperson, Kathy Ulrich at KUlrich@cr.k12.ia.us.

Hot TopicsMentoring Model and E-Portfolio Our District has been particularly successful in the development and implementation of a quality mentoring program for first and second year teachers. The program is overseen by Beth Hieronymus. CREA President, Tammy Wawro has also been a key player in the development of the mentoring program. Tammy worked with staff at the University of Iowa on a program that is now called E-Portfolio. E-Portfolio is an online guide that will assist new teachers (or veteran teachers) build a professional portfolio of their work. If you explore this web site at http://www.education.uiowa.edu/CR842/ you will see the University’s logo, the District’s logo and CREA’s logo with a hot link to our web site. Take a look at this when you can, we’re sure you will be impressed with the work of our Association! We are!

Hot TopicsElections To maintain a collaborative working relationship with the District, we need to be involved in the School Board election. To achieve making changes to the Iowa Teacher Compensation Law, we need to be involved in the election of our state officials and legislators. To achieve changes in the ESEA, we need to be involved in the election of our next President, Vice President , State Senators and Congressional Representatives. Unless WE change the people representing us, we can’t fix the laws that need fixing! It’s in our hands and it’s up to you, and you, and you! We may not like politics, but every decision that affects education is a political decision! Our local PAC (Political Action Committee) will be screening and recommending candidates for local, state and national offices. Watch for more information from your Association Rep(s) and in your Association publications. If you want up-to-the-minute, quality information, log on and become a subscriber to ISEA Hotline. Your Rep can give you the information needed to start getting the Hotline. If you want to be involved in candidate interviews, please contact Kathy Ulrich at KUlrich@cr.k12.ia.us.

Talking About Objections • The Money Issues • The Political Issues • The Association Issues • The Personal Issues

Talking About ObjectionsThe Money Issues: • Membership costs too much • I can get the benefits without joining • Health insurance premiums are going up faster than my salary • I belong to PEI, AFT, HPERD, etc. • I don’t like the salary schedule

Talking About ObjectionsThe Money Issues: • Membership costs too much Actual cost is about $35 per paycheck from October through June – less for new teachers and associates. Think of dues as job insurance. You wouldn’t go without health insurance, home insurance, auto insurance and a host of others. Why would you leave your most important economic factor, your job, unprotected? You can save more than the cost of dues by using NEA Member Benefits and ISEA/CREA/CROTA Member Access discounts. You get what you pay for – top notch legal representation, liability protection, a strong professional voice, influence where it counts, improved teaching and learning, strength in numbers and so much more!

Talking About ObjectionsThe Money Issues: • I can get the benefits without joining. The only time the Association is obligated to pursue a matter for a non-member is if that teacher alleges that the master contract has been violated in regard to their employment. A lawsuit would almost never fall under that umbrella. When we do get involved in a contract matter related to a non-member, we are there to represent the contract, not the teacher. That is a very different standard of service! For example, if we sit through a remediation meeting with a non-member, we only comment on whether or not the action plan meets the contractual standards. Then the teacher has to prove, on their own, whether or not they can make the necessary improvements to keep their job. For a member, we are there before the conference. We know the issues. We direct the discussion and write the action plan. The Association provides mentors, release time, counseling, materials and resources to make sure that the member does meet the standards for improvement and keep their job. In those rare instances where we have a teacher member who is not doing the job, we cut a deal with the district to get that teacher out with the maximum amount of dignity, a good financial settlement, and some ability to pursue their career elsewhere. In the case of a non-member who is not doing the job, we do not provide any assistance for a settlement package. Since a settlement package would constitute individual bargaining between the district and that teacher, and that is illegal in this state, the non-member leaves with nothing and their career trashed! Believe me, you do have to belong to get the benefits and services of the NEA/ISEA/CREA/CROTA!

Quality Service It’s a CREA Basic!