THE LAE LAUNCHES “IT’S TIME TO GET IT RIGHT” CAMPAIGN
INITIATIVE AIMS TO EDUCATE LOUISIANA COMMUNITIES ON PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR VARIOUS OFFICES
This election season, the LAE and the LFT have teamed up on an initiative to spotlight individuals running for office who have a proven track record of supporting the best interests of Louisiana’s public schools. The It’s Time to Get It Right campaign focuses on reviewing the political platforms of the individuals running for Louisiana Governor, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Louisiana Legislature, and recommending those candidates who champion Louisiana’s public school students.
“Louisiana voters have a unique opportunity to elect leaders to office who can truly transform this state,” said LAE President Debbie Meaux. “This is our chance to get it right…for our schools, our children, and the future of Louisiana!”
Candidate recommendations for each race will be posted on the website, itstimelouisiana.com. The site will help to promote candidates and their positions on important issues affecting Louisiana; additional social media will further extend the reach of media coverage and community activities in which candidates are involved. Interested parties are encouraged to “like” the It’s Time to Get it Right Louisiana fan page on Facebook; follow the @ItsTimeLA2015 twitter handle; and subscribe to the It’s Time Louisiana YouTube channel.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Debbie Meaux, President
As I’m sure you noticed, we’re in election season—the most urgent of any that we’ve faced in the past. We are at a crossroads. The power to create positive change is in our hands; we can either choose to do so or we can continue on with more of the same.
As president of the LAE, I’m writing with a few heart-felt requests before the polls open. First, please make every effort to educate yourself. Take the opportunity to get to know the candidates. Learn about their positions so you understand their ideas. Attend candidate functions and watch the debates. The men and women elected to office have the power to affect your everyday lives. Make sure you trust the individuals for whom you vote. In order to help you in the process of discovery, the LAE’s political action committee, the LAE Fund for Children and Public Education, created a one-stop-shop website with our list of recommended candidates, links to their websites, and other information that will allow you to better understand their positions on educational issues. You can take advantage of this resource by visiting itstimelouisiana.com. Secondly, I am asking you to get involved. Have you found a candidate whom you support? If so, help them in their efforts to drive their campaign message. Talk to your family members. Volunteer to make calls or put a candidate’s sign in your yard. Show your support for the candidates you trust to make a difference for the people of Louisiana. Lastly, please consider donating to your chosen candidate(s). I know times are tough, but give what you can to the campaigns you truly believe in. Ten dollars makes a difference.
It seems as though our current administration has not made public education a priority—we all know our schools and our students are the most important priorities. If we elect the right men and women to office, we can turn the tide on the top-down approach by which classroom professionals are currently managed. It’s time to ensure professional educator voices are heard in the policymaking decisions implemented in the classrooms of Louisiana. It’s time that our parents and communities are given a stronger say and have real opportunities to invest in our community schools. It’s time that public schools are resourced and held to reliable standards that map out equitable criteria for success. It’s time to stop closing schools based on the current “test and punish” regime led by an overreliance on standardized tests. It’s time to give our children the tools they need to be successful in the 21st century. There are individuals running for Louisiana Governor, the legislature, and the BESE who value Louisiana’s citizens and children—we just need to make sure to get them in office. It’s time to get it right, and I know we have the power to do just that!
Looking beyond election season, we are gearing up to focus on another extremely important initiative: re-energizing the association with the voice of the members. We want to empower you. We want to make you a strong advocate for your profession. Over the past few years, educators’ advocacy efforts have been hindered by forces who aim to diminish the power we have to enact positive change in our schools. I hope you will join us in our efforts to maintain our influence in effectively impacting our schools and our students. We are currently in the process of an organizational transition that will help to ensure the integrity of the association. LAE representatives are currently focusing their efforts on speaking with members to find out more about your needs, concerns, and successes. We want to know what areas you feel need improvement and the areas you feel inspire you. How can we lend to the betterment of your work environment?
Here’s what you can do to advance this initiative:
• Take an active interest in the LAE’s upcoming projects. Soon, LAE representatives will visit your school to meet with you to talk about and listen to the issues that are most important to you and your colleagues. Please make every effort to take part in this discussion, as this will help us in our planning efforts surrounding the LAE’s upcoming initiatives.
• Be prepared to change your dues payment method. The times are changing, and so is the LAE. Several states have eliminated payroll deduction as an option for the payment of union dues; our legislature will make another attempt in 2016. We must be prepared. We now offer an updated, technologically advanced way to pay your dues through NEA’s eDues payment service. Our goal is to transition away from the payroll deduction payment structure in order to give us greater power in our efforts to enact positive change. If you’re ready to make the switch, contact Sheryl Almonte (225- 330-0401) or Donna Thibodeaux (225- 330-0402) in the LAE Membership Department TODAY!
• Get active. Are you ready to take a stand for your profession? Become an association leader and help us grow a stronger LAE. Remember, our guiding mission is driven by the voice of our members, and we need active leaders to step up and speak out on the changes they wish to see in the association.
• Recruit your colleagues. Encourage your colleagues who are dissatisfied with the current state of our schools to belong so that they can begin working with us to drive educational excellence in Louisiana.
We look forward to the new direction of the association, and hopefully, Louisiana. We have a chance to get it right, and I know that together, we can certainly make that happen—for our schools, our children, and the future of this state! Please continue to stay informed on all of our initiatives. As always, thank you for being a member and for inspiring the children of Louisiana—today and every day.
In Solidarity,
Debbie Meaux
LAE RECOGNIZES LOUISIANA’S NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHERS AS LEADERS IN EDUCATION
ASSOCIATION HOSTS EVENT TO HONOR EDUCATORS AND LAUNCH NEW NBCT NETWORK
National Board Certified Teachers from across Louisiana gathered in Lafayette earlier this month to be a part of the official launch of a new statewide network for NBCTs for which the LAE will be the sponsoring organization. The evening also focused on the power that NBCTs have to transform the perception of school teachers and education support professionals.
“The praise of Louisiana’s certified teachers is long overdue,” said LAE President Debbie Meaux. “Educators are the experts in their respective fields. They understand their craft and know what their students need. It’s time they were recognized for their dedication to their profession and treated with the respect they deserve.”
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Director of Outreach and Engagement Michaela Miller presented an overview of critical changes in the National Board program. Then, it was on to the official network launch, led by NBCT Montgomery County Institute Program Coordinator Ellen Holmes.
President Meaux recognized those in attendance as leaders in education. She said she hopes the event helps to connect and unite those with a proven commitment to the profession.
“National Board Certified Teachers demonstrate the value of professionalism in education and, together, can be strong advocates for changing the tide, not just for our profession, but for our educational system as a whole,” Meaux said.
State Representative John Bel Edwards offered a resolution proclaiming October 8, 2015, as Louisiana National Board Certified Teacher Day. The resolution urged all citizens to recognize NBCTs for the care and commitment they’ve shown to Louisiana’s school children.
Missed the event and want to get involved? Contact LAE NBCT Network Lead Madison Poche at [email protected].
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