MSEA Teacher Town Hall

In partnership with the Marc Steiner Show, MSEA is helping to organize a Teacher Town Hall which will be broadcast live on WEAA 88.9, Delmarva Public Radio, and other outlets. The event will be held at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis from 5-7 PM on Monday, February 27 and will be moderated by Marc Steiner.

The Town Hall will feature a discussion between 150 educators and a panel of policymakers and elected officials about our schools and priority education issues. It is very important that we fill the room with educators ready to participate and share their stories and viewpoints. The event should provide for a robust, interesting dialogue and a prime two-hour window when we can communicate our message to legislators and thousands upon thousands of listeners.

Please come to the event, and please encourage activists in your local to attend as well. This is a great opportunity, and it’s up to us to make the most of it. To register to attend the event click here.

HCEA Government Relations Committee Lobby in Annapolis

Members of the HCEA Government Relations Committee and HCEA President Paul Lemle spent Monday, January 30th in Annapolis working with MSEA’s lobbying team to learn more about the issues. After an all day training, GR Chair Laura Mynaugh and committee members Matthew Vaughn-Smith and Steve Crivelli met with Senator Robey and Delegates Guzzone, DeBoy and Pendergrass. To view pictures click here.

Howard County Teachers Discuss the Impact of Budget Cuts

Click here to watch a video from MSEA featuring Howard County teachers discussing the impact of budget cuts.

Fund Raiser for HCPSS Teacher Tim Murdock

On Saturday, March 3rd, the Help Hope Live Foundation will be hosting a Bull & Oyster Roast fund raiser for Elkridge Landing Middle School teacher Tim Murdock to benefit the Mid-Atlantic Spinal cord Injury Fund. On October 13th, Timothy Murdock’s life changed forever when he sustained a devastating spinal cord injury. He is currently undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. For more information about the Roast click here. To read more about Tim or make a donation click here.

Discount Night at Toby's Dinner Theater

Toby's Dinner Theater presents The King and I on Friday, February 17th. HCEA Members, Family and friends are invited to attend the kid friendly show. Click here to view the flyer. For more information or to make reservations call Toby's at (410) 730-8311.

Proposed Changes to HCPSS Middle School Reading Program in the News

The Howard County Board of Education is contemplating a proposal that could change the face of middle school instruction. Click here to read an article from the Columbia Patch about the issue.

NEA Member Benefits for January 2012

To learn about deals and discounts from NEA Member Benefits for the month of January click here, for information about the NEA Academy and Learning Bridges, a provider of research-based, online professional development click here, and for information on member discounted merchandise click here.

HCEA Professional Development Survey

The HCEA Professional Development Committee needs your feedback. If you are an HCEA member, please participate in the following survey. Click here to view the survey.

Middle School Reading Classes Issue in the News

Click here to read an article about the controversial possible elimination of reading classes in Howard County middle schools.

HCEA Needs Your Feedback!

HCEA needs your feedback. If you are an HCEA member, please participate in the following survey. if you are a teacher click here. If you are an ESP click here. Thank you!

MSEA Leaders Ask Members to Activate!

Click here to view a video featuring MSEA leaders asking members to educate, activate and organize. The video features HCEA President Paul Lemle and HCEA Director Anna Gannon.

Del. Frank Turner Withdraws Legislation

Following a public hearing on legislation to change the school board selection process, the delegate who proposed the bill took it off the table. For more information click here.

Government Relations Committee Meets with County Executive Ken Ulman

The HCEA Government Relations Committee met with Howard County Executive Ken Ulman on September 22nd to discuss a variety of topics including school board elections, shifting pension costs and maintenance of effort. Pictured from left HCEA President Paul Lemle, Laura Mynaugh, County Executive Ken Ulman, Nina Martin and Stephan Hise.

Teaching Channel Website

Teaching Channel website offers a growing library of short videos to inspire K-12 teaching. These video lessons - in English language arts, math, science, and history/social sciences - include lesson objectives, questions to consider, homework ideas, and more.

Update From HCEA President Paul Lemle

I visited Mt.Hebron HS, Centennial HS, Burleigh Manor MS, and Centennial Lane ES Tuesday morning along with Courtney Watson (Howard County Council District 1) and Sue Mascaro, Director of Staff Relations. The buildings look wonderful--the hours spent in construction and maintenance are on full display--and our educators, many of whom don't have power or water back yet at home, are welcoming lots of fresh faces.

New Teacher Orientation

HCEA hosted an information table at the 2011 New Teacher Orientation. At the event, HCEA members signed up new members and answered questions about the Association. To view additional photos from the Orientation click here.

HCEA PRESIDENT APPOINTED TO COMMISSION

HCEA President Paul Lemle was recently appointed by County Executive Ken Ulman to a commission charged with studying options for the way members of the Board of Education are selected. Recent complaints regarding a lack of diversity by community members prompted Ulman to appoint the commission. A recommendation is due to the County Executive by September 26th. Any proposal for changes would have to be passed by the General Assembly.

Rally to Keep the Promise Video

Click here to view a video from the Rally to Keep the Promise. The rally was held Monday, March 14th in Annapolis. The video features HCEA Government Relations Committee Chair Paul Lemle.

Rally to Keep the Promise a Success!

On Monday, March 14th HCEA members travelled to Annapolis to participate in the Rally to Keep the Promise. Rally participants demonstrated the power of organizing and delivered a message to the General Assembly that was impossible to ignore—budget cuts would threaten the quality of our public school system and the quality of the public services that we depend on every day. To view photos from the rally click here.

Maleeta Kitchen Appointed to Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness

Governor Martin O'Malley appointed Maleeta Kitchen to the Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness. Maleeta is an elementary Mathematics teacher and a member of the HCEA Board of Directors. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Mathematics Education from Towson University. She developed and directs an after-school program to support minority girls transitioning to the middle school environment. Congratulations to Maleeta!

You and your Facebook: Take precautions- Your job may be at stake

Check out HCEA on Facebook

 Check out the HCEA page on Facebook. Find us on Facebook by searching for HCEA or Howard County Education Association. Show your support by becoming our "fan"!

Social Networking

Social networking spaces like MySpace and Facebook may be a good way to keep in touch with friends but teachers and other education personnel should be careful in terms of creating personal profiles, communicating with students, and sharing sensitive information. For tips on your profile and to read a recent Washington Post article click here.