Thoughtful Commitment: How the Greece Teachers Association (GTA) Advances Social Justice, Student Centered Advocacy and Collaboration ADV400 Brian Ebertz, Andy Jewell & Rob Stalter
Indicate the NEA Strategic Goal and NEA Organizational Priority your session addresses: NEA Strategic Goal Example: Strategic Goal 1: Empowered Educators for Successful Students NEA Organizational Priority Racial Justice in Education/Institutional Racism
COMPETENCY: ADVOCACY Indicate all of the NEA Leadership Competency progression level(s). ALL Competency Levels Indicate all of the NEA Leadership Competency themes within the competency that your presentation is designed to address. Advances the cause of public education through social justice and how it benefits our students and members professional needs and rights.
Thoughtful Commitment: How the Greece Teachers Association (GTA) Advances Social Justice, Student Centered Advocacy and Collaboration ADV400 Using A Social Justice Agenda to Influence the Union and Reshaping Union Work through Collaboration
Who we are: We are the ninth largest district in the state (17 schools, over 11,000 students) Located in a town of 93,000 people on Lake Ontario (suburb of Rochester, NY) We mirror the nation demographically Our free & reduced lunch percentage has increased to 54% Our students speak 38 different languages Our Teacher Leader initiative has gained attention across the state and country
Who we are: The GTA: Engages in collective bargaining which sets the terms and conditions of employment. Contract enforcement Liaison between management and labor Educate members Participate in District initiatives (ie. TLs) But, this is only a small portion of the activities in which members of the GTA engage. greeceteachers.com
Reshaping Union Work Our mission statement: The Greece Teachers Association promotes student learning, equity, and empowerment through quality teaching and active community engagement. OVER 1,000 STRONG!
Our story... Proactive vs Reactive 1,100+ strong to be an asset for our community
Identify Needs Union District & School Board Community Collaboration is Key! Identify Interest Groups Identify Partners Creating a Community Network Empowerment through action
Union Actions & District Collaboration Committee Work GTA driven Open to all Stakeholders Social Justice Apparel fundraiser as a starter led to action Operation Warm Student Supplies Music Instrument Drive And more
OPERATION WARM Over the course of 2 years: Raised over $27,000 Purchased over 800 coats with sets of hats & gloves Partnered with Fire Department Unions and the District Focused on expansion each year
Operation Warm Operation Warm 2015
Student Supplies Committee identified student needs Collaborated with the District to order identified items in bulk Collaborated with Facilities / Operations For supply dissemination Continually modify items based on needs Cut family spending by more than 75% on average!
Expansion for next year School Supply Video
Musical Instrument Drive Annual gathering of gently used instruments for students in Greece Collaborated with the District and Board to insure them for student use More than $10,000 worth of instruments in student hands
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GTA Scholarships: Awarded 88 scholarships since 2005, worth more than $100,000. Stuff A Bus Stuff A Bus Food Drive: Annually gather in excess of 8,000 lbs of food for the local food shelf.
KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE 529 ACCOUNT PROGRAM Match Initial Parent Investment Partnering with The Greece Education Foundation & ESL Banking/Savings Education GTA K to College 529 Account Program gta529ktocollege@gmail.com
GTA K TO COLLEGE 529 COLLEGE ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Collaboration with District Leadership & Building Administration Print advertising materials Send out email and phone messages Work with Teacher Leaders and K teachers to communicate via newsletters, Open Houses & Parent-Teacher Conferences Banking/Savings Education gta529ktocollege@gmail.com
TEACHER LEADERS & TEACHER LED COMMITTEES Teacher Leader Initiative 50/50 Collaboratively reworked for 2016/17 CBA language Teacher Led Committees Elementary Report Card Response to Intervention Expeditionary Learning
Collaboration with the District Community Schools Visiting dental services & education Partnership through Smile Mobile Strategic Framework APPR Board Speeches
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Rotary Literacy Committee School Based Outreach Scholarships Greece Education Foundation Over $400,000 awarded to Greece schools Board member
NEW TEACHER ENGAGEMENT Financial Planning Debt Consolidation Investment Planning Professional Development Our goal is to inspire & educate membership into interest-based participation Increased VOTE COPE membership by new hires 100% Every Member Matters Initiative
Keys to Future Success Social Justice Committee as a model for success GTA leadership working collaboratively with the district and community Strengthen and expand our community network Continued success through partnership
Strategic Framework APPR Teacher Leader Initiative Social Justice Committee Student Supplies Music Instrument Drive 529 K to College Savings Program Stuff A Bus Proactive Problem Solving Successful Contract Negotiations United Way- Designated Donor Labor Connections A PROACTIVE UNION Greece Educational Foundation Vote Cope Rotary Club Relay For Life Community Networks Smile Mobile TURN Community Schools School Board Speeches Board Summer Retreat Teacher Led Committees RtI Elem. Report Card EL Module New Teacher Engagement Investment Planning Debt Consolidation Mentoring
Strategic Framework APPR Teacher Leader Initiative Social Justice Committee Student Supplies Music Instrument Drive 529 K to College Savings Program Stuff A Bus Proactive Problem Solving Successful Contract Negotiations United Way- Designated Donor Labor Connections A PROACTIVE UNION Greece Educational Foundation Vote Cope Rotary Club Relay For Life Community Networks Smile Mobile TURN Community Schools School Board Speeches Board Summer Retreat Teacher Led Committees RtI Elem. Report Card EL Module New Teacher Engagement Investment Planning Debt Consolidation Mentoring
Session Outcomes The content from this session can be used in the following ways in your current position/role: Examples for unions to collaborate with districts Possible initiatives to start in your local A recipe to take steps towards being a proactive union
Thoughtful Commitment: How the Greece Teachers Association (GTA) Advances Social Justice, Student Centered Advocacy and Collaboration ADV400 Please complete the evaluation for this breakout session! Please visit the Leadership Development Resources website at www.nea.org/leadershipdevelopment