MNEA Victories, Labor Day Parade, ESSER Funds for COVID Leave Campaign, COVID Protocol Violations, MNEA in Buildings, Committee Updates, Red4Ed |
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You and your colleagues have fought hard and won! Here are just some of the victories you've achieved:
- $50M investment from Metro Council to fix the salary schedule ensuring MNPS educators are the highest paid in the state at every step and lane
- Fully funded MNPS budget
- $2.5M investment from Metro Council in SEL securing Advocacy Centers in every elementary school
- Racial and Social Justice Committee wrote and passed a Board of Ed resolution protecting MNPS LGBTQ+ students and staff
- Professional Practices Committee wrote and passed a Board of Ed resolution supporting the cancellation of teacher evaluations during a global pandemic
- Negotiated guaranteed PPE and safety measures into MOU
- Fought for the health and safety of students and staff, including mask mandate
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Renegotiated MOU guaranteeing better working conditions for educators - Download your copy here
- Wrote and passed a Board of Ed resolution supporting the teaching of a multicultural education in MNPS
- Paid COVID leave
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MNEA IN SCHOOLS
Working conditions improve when MNEA has a presence in your building.
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MNEA Officers and Staff want to visit your school. Sign up for a time/date here: Building Rep Questionnaire
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The updated MOU was approved by the Board of Education on August 10th. Register to learn more about your working conditions. Know Your MOU
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Faculty Advisory Committees are tasked with improving culture and climate in schools. They are elected by and comprised of nonsupervisory certificated educators. Each building should have an FAC established by Sept. 15th. Attend our training to learn how to form your FAC. 8/25 FAC Training or 9/01 FAC Training
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LABOR DAY PARADE & CELEBRATION |
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Wear RED and Meet at 1st Ave in front of Riverfront Park on
September 4th at 8:30AM
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Join us as we march in the Labor Day Parade in honor of two of our MNEA members who passed away during the 2020-2021 school year, Martha Mitchell and Jenny Tygard.
Martha Mitchell was larger-than-life and loved the world. She impacted countless young people not only while teaching math, but also while showing them that they mattered. She will be remembered for her generous spirit. Martha was a long-time teacher and coach at McGavock HS. She most recently taught at Middle College HS.
Jenny Tygard was strongly committed to her Bellevue Middle School colleagues, students, and families, where she was a long-time teacher, tireless coach, ready volunteer, and friend to all. She was also a proud MNEA association representative at her building.
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COVID LEAVE: Federal COVID leave expired on Dec. 31, 2020. Last spring, the district continued to offer COVID leave when educators were in quarantine. At the start of the school year, the district no longer offered COVID leave and educators were forced to use their own sick days while in quarantine. MNEA leadership advocated for COVID Leave to be reinstated. In response, a remote option was given for teachers who were in quarantine and had mild or no symptoms, but educators too ill to work remotely while in quarantine were still being forced to use their own sick days. Then, almost 500 MNEA educators and community members sent emails to Dr. Battle and the BOE demanding the district rectify this injustice. They heard you and have updated the COVID Leave policy. The current COVID Leave policy is as follows:
- If you are quarantined by your doctor or the health department and are able to work remotely, you will not be charged sick leave.
- If you are vaccinated or have a medical exemption, are quarantined by the health department or your doctor, and your symptoms are such that you are unable to work remotely, you will not be charged sick leave. You will be asked to provide a doctor's note stating you are unable to work.
COVID PROTOCOL VIOLATIONS: There have been many reports of COVID protocol violations. Use this document to report violations. MNEA is sharing these violations with MNPS workplace safety who is investigating and reporting their findings. All identifying information is redacted prior to being sent to MNPS.
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JOIN YOUR COLLEAGUES ON ONE OF OUR COMMITTEES!
Much of the work of MNEA is done by our committees. Who are the people on our committees? Members like you! If you need more information about which committee fits your passions, email info@mnea.com and we will help you find the right place for your talents to be utilized!
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RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Interim Chair: Karen Sun
- Connect the work of MNEA to broader racial and social justice campaigns
- Black Lives Matter in the Classroom Campaign
- Parades Subcommittee (Labor Day, MLK, Pride)
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ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
Chair: Andrew Reckard
- Advocate for and defend member welfare
- Support association building rep teams
- Support Faculty Advisory Committees
- Plan legislative actions
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PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES COMMITTEE
Chair: Deirtra Bledsoe
- MNEA Professional Development
- Library Sub-Committee
- Oversees Metro Nashville Education Foundation (MNEF) - Scholarship Program
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EARLY CAREER EDUCATOR COMMITTEE
Chair: Cassie Norton
- Represent the concerns of educators with fewer than six years of teaching experience
- Organize events, actions, and training to support those educators
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DIVERSITY COMMITTEE
Chair: LaKesha Rayford
- Encourage involvement of all members
- Educate/train Minority Leadership
- Identify workshops, conferences surrounding minority issues
- Recruit minority educators
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MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Chair: Amanda Baker
- Plan member appreciation events
- MNEA Sunshine Committee
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- Wear red on Tuesdays and take a picture of all those in your building who are wearing red
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Post your #Red4Ed pics in a comment on our Facebook post
- Get people at your school to like the picture
- The picture with the most likes by Friday will win donuts for your school!!
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OFFICE: 615-726-1499
If we don't answer, please leave a message
info@mnea.com
President Michele Sheriff, Vice President Dr. Paula Pendergrass, and Administrative Assistant Tracy Depp all respond to email sent to this address.
Go here for more information on the best way to contact MNEA and TEA UniServ for assistance.
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Our Slate newsletter comes out monthly, but you don't have to wait that long for an update. Check for updates on our blog at mnea.com. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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