The News

NDEA's 'Ready Child' Receives $25,000 Grant

The NDEA has received a grant from America's Promise Alliance to host a Dropout Prevention Summit. The amount of the grant is for $25,000, and it was written by Association Vice President Mark Berntson of West Fargo and obtained through the Organization's Ready Child Initiative. The Dropout Prevention Summit will be held in Bismarck next June, and we are excited to work with the America' Promise Alliance to improve North Dakota schools and communities, increase support for our students, develop effective policies and employ effective data. Together we will help ensure more young people are prepared for college, work and life. Since American's Promise won't guarantee that Colin Powell and his wife will attend our Summit, NDEA lined up headliners of our own...the Governor, Department of Public Instruction, North Dakota Legislators, the North Dakota School Boards Association, and the Administrators' Association have all signed on to be a part of the Dropout Prevention Summit. "With this group of people lined up," said NDEA President Dakota Draper, "how can this Summit be anything but wonderful for North Dakota students?

Petitions for NDEA Office Are Due Feb. 15

NDEA President Dakota Draper of Fargo is running for his second term as President, and Vice President Mark Berntson of West Fargo has announced he will also seek reelection. Other slots open are the Education Support Professional position now held by Audrey Haskell of Grand Forks, who has served two terms and is not eligible for reelection. Duane Ell of Mandan has asked for petitions for this position.

Read Across America All Year Long

NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. NEA's Read Across America also provides NEA members, parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year. In cities and towns across the nation, teachers, teenagers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents, grandparents, and others develop NEA's Read Across America activities to bring reading excitement to children of all ages. Governors, mayors, and other elected officials recognize the role reading plays in their communities with proclamations and floor statements. Athletes and actors issue reading challenges to young readers. And teachers and principals seem to be more than happy to dye their hair green or be duct-taped to a wall if it boosts their students' reading. Go to www.nea.org/readacross for more information.

NDEA Awards Nominations Carry March 15 Deadline

Start planning now for the NDEA Awards Nominations due March 15, 2009. Winners will be announced during the NDEA Representative Assembly at a luncheon on April 18 in Bismarck.

Mandan Education Association

Mandan Education Association (MEA) collected $1,400 towards Christmas Baskets for needy families in its area in December. The Association, which has been doing this project at Christmas for approximately five years, made 11 baskets this year which included $30 gift cards from Central Market for additional groceries and $20 in Mandan Bucks...to be spent throughout the city. Most teachers in the district contributed money for the event whether they were NDEA members or not. Each school chose one to three names to receive the baskets depending on the size of the school. Association members Pat O'Brien and Amy Flicek took Association leave and shopped for the items to put into the baskets this year. Then, everyone got together and helped put the baskets together. "Central Market contributed 'hugely,' said Flicek. "They gave us discounts, boxes, and they were just really 'great.' The MEA would like to thank the Central Market for all they did to make this event possible." "Someone from each school picked up the basket and delivered it to the families the week before Christmas," she said, "so, the families chosen could enjoy a very Merry Christmas from the Mandan Education Association."

American Education Week Set Nov. 16-22

NEA's 87th annual American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great. The annual tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, reflects the Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century. This year, AEW will be celebrated November 16-22:

NDEA RECOMMENDS STATEWIDE CANDIDATES

The North Dakota Education Association (NDEA) Board of Directors met in Bismarck July 14, 2008, to review the Association's Government Relations recommendations for the offices of Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Treasurer, and Insurance Commissioner. "North Dakota is blessed to have a number of good candidates running for every statewide office," said NDEA President Dakota Draper.

Brand New Benefit for Brand New Members

If you're new to the NEA in the 2008-2009 membership year, you'll be getting off to a good start with a new benefit from the NEA Members Insurance Trust®! The NEA Introductory Term Life InsuranceSM Program provides you $15,000 in term life coverage-at no cost-for your first full year of membership. The coverage begins on your effective date of membership and continues for twelve months. At the end of the twelve months you may purchase the coverage at great members-only rates with no evidence of insurability! Starting in September, register your beneficiaries online on the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at neamb.com. While you're there, take a look at the other insurance options for protecting yourself and your family. For more information,contact NDEA.

Foundation Contributions Help Members Enhance Classrooms

The NDEA Foundation exists on member contributions and monetary gifts received as memorials for loved ones. Established in 1991 as a separate corporation, the Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. Any contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes. Governed by a board of active and retired teachers, the Foundation is designed to aid active teachers as they strive to enter the profession and improve their classroom skills. Currently, the Foundation awards one $500 scholarship to an outstanding student preparing for a career in education. Grants up to $1,500 are also awarded to active teachers to improve skills through continued education, research, or development of instructional materials or techniques.

NDEA Offers Members A World of Discounts

Hang on to last year's NDEA Membership/Access Savings Card. This card doubles as both your membership card and as a valuable savings card for one more year. It gives you access to savings at over 150,000 locations worldwide. Cards will be sent out to new members and those requesting a new card because it was somehow lost. In order to put this NDEA benefit to work. Just follow these easy steps (if you haven't already done so) and soon you'll be saving money on things you buy everyday: Activate online or by phone. Just follow the instructions listed on the back of your card. Discover discounts where you are - or plan to be - simply by entering a ZIP code into the box marked find discounts. Click on a merchant and follow the redemption instructions. You'll be on your way to savings in no time! Among the places you can save are restaurants, stores, movie theaters, auto repair shops and more - all ready to save you money just because you are an NDEA member. The savings include not only on-line shopping at top national brand Web sites but also thousands of local businesses throughout the nation.

NDEA Conducts Instructional Conference Survey

The NDEA is conducting a survey of members regarding the reinstatement of the Association's Instructional Conference. Please click on the headline above, and fill out the survey.

NDEA UniServ Position Open

The North Dakota Education Association is soliciting an energetic, enthusiastic, and highly motivated applicant for a UniServ staff position headquartered in the Bismarck office. At least three years of successful teaching experience in public schools is preferred, but other relevant experience will be considered. Candidates must hold a valid drivers license and be willing to travel extensively within regions of North Dakota . This work requires frequent evening and weekend work. To apply, send a letter of application, a resume citing all education and work experience, college transcripts, and three letters of reference to: Gregory D. Burns, NDEA Executive Director, 410 East Thayer Avenue , Bismarck , ND 58501-4049 NDEA is a professional organization of over 8,000 teachers and public school employees. NDEA provides instructional, professional and advocacy services to its members in over 200 school districts in the state. NDEA is an equal opportunity employer. Closing date is June 27.

Check Out NEA Member Benefits Offers

NEA Member Benefits offers identify theft tips, information on retirement and giveaways for August.

Student Loan Forgiveness Program Started

The North Dakota University System recently announced the Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program. The program will reduce student loan indebtedness by $1,000 per year up to a maximum of three years for those who teach at a grade level or in a content area identified as a teacher shortage area by the superintendent of public instruction. The defined shortage areas for academic year 2007-08 are: agriculture education, art, business and office technology/business education, career clusters, diversified occupations, driver and traffic safety education, English as a second language, English language arts/English as a second language, family and consumer sciences, health careers, information technology, languages/Native American languages, marketing education, mathematics, music, science, social studies, special education programming, technology education---industrial arts, and trade and industrial education. Additional information and loan applications are available at www.ndus.nodak.edu, and clicking on Student and Parent Information, and Financial Aid. An application also may be obtained by calling 701-328-2960 or by writing the North Dakota University System at 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 215 , Bismarck , ND 58505-0230 .

2008 NDEA Election Finalized

Christian Skogen of Lakota was elected Northeast Region Director and Karen Christensen of Wishek was re-elected to the Southeast Region Director slot. NEA Representative Assembly delegates elected to travel to Washington, DC this summer are Gale Haug of West Fargo, Bob Stefonowicz of McClusky, Beverly Kinnischtzke of Dickinson, Kristi Mahrer of Wahpeton, and Lois Delmore and Susan Zukowski of Grand Forks.

Call UniServ Staff For Nonrenewal Help

What should Association members do if they receive a notice that their teaching contract is to be nonrenewed, terminated or reduced? The first step is to call an NDEA UniServ director for an opinion on the legality of the notices. UniServ office and phone numbers are: Northeast Region Karol Nyberg, 1-866-591-6332, 701-757-1130 or e-mail karol.nyberg@ndea.org Capitol Region Steve Urso, 1-800-369-6332, 701-223-0450 or e-mail steve.urso@ndea.org Southwest Region Fern Pokorny, 1-800-599-6332, 701-225-0736 or e-mail fern.pokorny@ndea.org Southeast Region Deanna Paulson, 1-800-304-6332, 701-281-7235 or e-mail deanna.paulson@ndea.org Central East Region Jane Rupprecht , 1-800-304-6332, 701-281-7235 or e-mail jane.rupprecht@ndea.org Northwest Region Josh Askvig, 1-800-369-6332, 701-223-0450 or e-mail josh.askvig@ndea.org

2008 Presidential Awards Announced

The 2008 program honors elementary (K-6) science and mathematics teachers while the 2009 program honors secondary (7-12) science and mathematics teachers. Nominations for the 2009 program are currently being sought. One of the state finalists in each subject area may be selected for the national award and notified at a later date (usually next March-May) by the White House. This past year had a number of strong applicants and all those who completed the process are to be commended. Hopefully the self evaluation required to complete the application was a learning experience for all. The 2008 North Dakota Presidential Award finalist in science is: Kathleen Lentz of Washington Elementary, Valley City. The 2008 North Dakota Presidential Award finalists in mathematics are: Jamie Aasen, Eastwood Elementary, West Fargo and Angela Hansen-Cook, Kennedy Elementary, Fargo

Check Out Your NEA Attorney Referral Program

The NEA Attorney Referral Program (ARP) assists NEA members in obtaining personal legal services at a reduced cost. ARP is for members' personal legal matters and is not intended to provide legal assistance to members in job rights disputes. Members are entitled to up to two free thirty-minute consultations each membership year (September-August). Any matter except income tax preparation may be discussed. If a member decides to retain an ARP attorney beyond the consultation, he/she is entitled to a 30% discount for legal work in five core areas: Real Estate - Purchase or sale of residential property, disputes with landlord, property line controversies, and problems with zoning laws or land use regulations. Wills and Estates - Estate planning, assistance if you are an executor or administrator of an estate, assistance in guardianship proceedings. Domestic Relations - Annulment, divorce, separation, alimony, custody, child support, guardianship, adoption, paternity, name change. Consumer Protections - Disputes with creditors or finance agencies, proceedings with retailers concerning defective merchandise. Traffic Violations - Charges of operating under the influence, reckless driving, or other offenses involving the potential loss of license, a jail sentence, or financial liability in excess of $50.

Rasmussen Named 2008 Teacher of the Year

Verna Rasmussen, a first grade teacher at Westside Elementary in West Fargo, was named 2008 North Dakota Teacher of the Year during the NDEA Instructional Conference in Minot Oct. 18, 2007. Rasmussen says when she was young she was always sharing her love of learning with others. "I was teaching my cats to lie on their back and drink milk out of a doll's bottle, teaching younger children in 4-H how to cook and sew, or reaching small children in Sunday schools classes," she said. "I have always had a passion for learning, and so I wanted to help others learn. Rasmussen did not begin her career in teaching though. After graduating from NDSU with a teaching degree in home economics, she began her education career as an Urban 4-H Agent with the Cass County Extension Service. But, after a few years, Rasmussen realized she really missed the personal contact she used to have with children. "I decided I wanted to change careers and become an elementary teacher," she said.

NDEA Administrative Support Positions Open

NDEA has two Administrative Support Personnel positions open---one in the Bismarck and one in the Fargo office. If you know of anyone interested in the positions, please provide them with the information below:

2008 NDEA Election Timeline Established

Positions open for the 2008 NDEA election are Northeast Region Director and Southeast Region Director. Karol Nyberg of Grand Forks is not eligible to run again for the Northeast position, but Southeast Region Director Karen Christensen of Wishek is eligible to run for another term of office. Listed below is a suggested timeline for the 2008 NDEA election. April 11, Ballots mailed to locals not registered for NDEA RA April 12, Ballots distributed to locals attending the NDEA Representative Assembly April 14-25, Local balloting April 28, Ballots received in NDEA office May 2, Canvassing Committee Conference Call Scheduled (4:00 p. m.) Persons may be nominated for NDEA office or as a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly by submitting petitions to the NDEA signed by 50 teachers or ESP members. Copies of petitions may be requested by contacting Ellie at the NDEA office at 1-800-369-6332 or mailto:ellie.sharbono@ndea.org. Please note, the petitioning process must be completed and into the NDEA office by Feb. 15. Biographies and photos of all candidates will be published in the March newspaper, and ballots will be distributed ot mailed during the NDEA Representative Assembly in April.

Beware of IRS Rulings

Beware of IRS Rulings The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced a series of rulings that affect NDEA locals, members and school districts. NDEA would like to draw your attention to these issues, and encourage you to contact your UniServ Director if you have any questions. School Employees Paid Over a 12-Month Period The IRS recently issued rules related to the deferral of salary from one tax year to the next. According the IRS ruling, a school employee who chooses payment of 2008-09 salary over 12 months is deferring a portion of his/her salary to the 2009 tax year. The IRS delayed this ruling until the start of the 2008-09 school year. Before the first day of the year, the employee must inform the district how they want their pay checks. The IRS refers to this notice as an "election." The district can offer payments of 9, 10 or 12 months. They do not have to offer the 12 month option. Only the 12 month option creates the deferred compensation arrangement and if the written individual election forms are not filed, the compensation is subject to certain additional taxes...including a 20 percent additional income tax. Once an employee makes an election, it is irrevocable for that school year. NDEA recommends two standards for the locals to request the school district to follow.

4 Teacher of the Year Finalists Chosen

Four North Dakota teachers were recently chosen as finalists for the 2008 Teacher of the Year. Finalists are: Verna Rasmussen, a first grade teacher ate Westside Elementary in West Fargo; Kerby Engen, a business education teacher at South High School in Fargo; Kathleen Lentz, a fifth grade teacher at Washington Elementary School in Valley City; and Mary Carlson a second grade teacher at Dakota Elementary School on the Minot Air Force Base. The finalist will be announced by Governor John Hoeven at the NDEA General Session during the NDEA Instructional Conference at the All Seasons Arena in Minot Oct. 18, 2007.

Attention Health Occupation Related Teachers

The NEA provided Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program excludes from coverage the rendering, teaching or supervising of medical services. There are exceptions to the exclusion whereby the regular EEL plan does provide coverage for first-aid and regular nursing services rendered by a school nurse and physical, occupational, or psychological therapy or treatment rendered by an appropriately licensed or certified practitioner. In addition certain activities related to the administration of oral prescriptions, emergency first-aid services and health care services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act are covered by the basic EEL Program.

National Board Certification

Nervous about the uncertainty of undertaking the National Board Certification process? Scared you will not know who to contact when you have a question or are in need of clarification? Worried you will be alone in the process? If so, the time is now to apply for National Board Certification!! Why?

Dues Credit Trust Increases Members' Earning Potential

The NDEA Dues Credit Trust program, established in 1980, is designed to assist NDEA members by investing a portion of their paycheck during the school term. This increases all members' earning potential by pooling their investment with those of their colleagues.

NEA Grants Can Pay Your Way

The NEA Foundation offers a variety of grants that could be just what you're looking for to get a classroom project or a professional development activity off the ground. Here are three ways the Foundation can help: Learning and Leadership Grants provide opportunities for teachers and education support professionals to engage in high-quality professional development and to lead their colleagues in professional growth. Grant amounts are $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups studying together. Student Achievement Grants provide $5,000 to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning and critical reflection. NEA Fine Arts Grants offer $2,000 to enable fine arts teachers to create and implement programs that promote learning among at-risk students. Each program has its own application guidelines and deadlines, which can be found at the NEA Foundation's website, www.NEAFoundation.org.

NEA Treasurer Lily Eskelsen Will Speak

The NDEA 2008 Representative Assembly is scheduled for April 12 at Bismarck's Doublewood Inn. Our main speaker this year is NEA Treasurer Lily Eskelsen, who is running for the Vice President's position in the NEA. Eskelsen, an elementary school teacher from Utah , won her first full term as the secretary-treasurer of the NEA in 2003. She was unopposed. As secretary-treasurer of the nation's largest teacher's union, Eskelsen ranks third on the organization's leadership pole, making her one of the highest-ranking labor leaders in the country, and one of its most powerful Hispanic educators.

Association Runs Back To School Ad

Below is the scrip to an ad being run through Labor Day for NDEA members and parents. In order to listen to the ad, click here. I'm NDEA President Dakota Draper. As a parent---you are an important part of the education team, and if you think school is important so will your child. The NDEA is inviting you to join educators and support personnel from around the state in attending our annual Conference in Minot, Oct. 17-19. If you want further information on the conference and parental tips, check out our website at www.ndea.org. Remember, "Great Public Schools Are A Basic Right!" Brought to you by the North Dakota Education Association.

NDEA Action 2008

NDEA Action 2008

NDEA Action Registration Form

NDEA Action Registration Form

Learn How to Relieve Stress

Teaching, working with children, doing your public education job; they take time and they cause stress. The key to managing your time---so you can do your job and still have a life beyond work---is being in control. It's the best way to manage stress too. Take a few minutes to consider how you can reduce your stress.

NEA Offers PRAXIS Study Guide for Future Educators

As part of our commitment to seeing highly-qualified teachers placed in every classroom, NEA developed an online tutorial for Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching, one of several licensure exams required in many states. Most states require that new educators pass the standardized Principals of Learning and Teaching test before they can become licensed. This is a resource for members only and a recruitment tool for your student member program. Check it out at http://www.nea.org/student-program/praxis.html For more information, contact Kimberly Anderson, NEA Student Program, (202) 822-7163 kimberlyanderson@nea.org

Nyberg Becomes NDEA Northeast UniServ Director

The Association's newest UniServ director is Karol Nyberg, a reading specialist at Community High School in Grand Forks and a former member of the NDEA Board of Directors. Her UniServ office will be based out of Grand Forks and her e-mail address is karol.nyberg@ndea.org. Nyberg earned her bachelor's degree in English and psychology from Mayville State University and began her teaching career in Glyndon , MN . She later received her master's degree in special education from the University of North Dakota. She has worked as a paraprofessional, a substitute teacher, and a classroom and special education teacher at elementary, middle and high schools in Robinson, Harvey and Grand Forks .

Complete the NDEA Membership Survey

In an effort to better serve our members and recruit new members, the NDEA is asking for member and nonmember input into our services. The information gathered is questions about why or why you have not joined the Association. You responses will be greatly appreciated and kept anonymous.

Keeping Kids Safe Online

NEA has a new, bi-monthly newsletter designed to help educators and parents keep kids safer online. It is called bNetS@vvy. We think you'll find this content valuable. NEA Read Across America has partnered with NEA Health Information Network to provide this resource---which has been developed in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Sprint. What's the newsletter? bNetS@vvy will come to you every two months, packed with articles by teachers, experts and young teens themselves, covering topics such as cyberbullying, internet predators and keeping kids safe online. We'll also include links to more tools and resources. According to a recent Fight Crime: Invest in Kids poll, Cyberbullying has become a serious and growing problem. The good news is that there is plenty that we all can do to prevent this. Check out past issues about Technology, Safety and Schools, and Safer Social Networking. If you have a questions or a story to share, please email us at internetsafety@nea.org. Together we can help young teens make the most of technology - safely. Visit us at http://neahin.org/. Below is just a sample of what the newsletter contains: Cyberbullying By now we've all seen the tragic headlines. Cyberbullying is a serious and growing problem among today's young teens-but there is plenty adults can do to address and prevent it.

Patrick Wins Milken Award

NDEA third-grade teacher Lynnette Patrick of Jamestown received a national award, and the $25,000 prize that goes along with it.

Survey Links

Demo Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sbiDZ4vWjFOOkfrUoQotUw_3d_3d Conference Evaluation: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=N993gxYy3IFLVdYY5tQytw_3d_3d

NDEA Foundation Receives Anstrom Family Endowment

Early in 2006, NDEA Executive Director Joe Westby received a surprise email from Decker Anstrom of Norfolk, VA. Anstrom, who is president and chief executive officer of Landmark Communications where he is also chairman of The Weather Channel, wanted to establish a substantial scholarship fund through the NDEA Foundation in honor of his parents Ron and Ann Anstrom, who had both been teachers in North Dakota.

Apply for NDEA Scholarships, Grants and Awards NOW!

In order to apply for any of the Associations Scholarships, Grants, and Awards please go to http://nd.nea.org/teachingandlearning/downloads.html The deadline is March 15.

NDEA Foundation Establishes Westby Award

The NDEA Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization has initiated "The Joseph A. Westby Leadership Award." The award is in recognition of the decades of leadership Westby brought to the Association as a local leader, board member, UniServ staff member and as executive director

Nominate A Teacher for Disney Awards

Disney Awards nominations dues by Oct. 15. Nominate a teacher today.

Retired Member Writes Children's Books

The books develop skills of Social Cultures, Science, Language Arts and Literature through the colors of Crystalene's rainbow shawl. Teamwork is the theme that prevails. Families and attitudes of courage, energy, love, hope, freedom, wisdom, joy and peace are gently encouraged to readers of every age. If you like the GIVING TREE by Shel Siverstein, you will enjoy these products.