Special Education Teacher Evluation

Recently released by the Council for Exceptional Children is their "Position on Special Education Teacher Evaluation," which you will find by following this link.

EAA FOIA Request Result, November 2012

The document linked here is the result of an EAA Freedom of Information Act request for the recipient and amount of any bonus, deferred compensation or payment in lieu of insurance paid to Alexandria School employee in Calendar Year 2012 and 2012-2013 School year for a list of 21 ACPS employees, primarily executive staff.

Ask a VEA Attorney

Question:  I've got serious issues with my principal, but I'm not an Association member. Can I join the VEA and get help immediately?

Answer:  By joining, you benefit from VEA advocacy for public education and public school employees. Your compensation, benefits, retirement, license requirements, work conditions and employment rights are shaped by VEA participation in public debate and presence at political votes. We'd love to have you-the more members, the stronger our voice. 

You need to be a member to get VEA advice and assistance. As a member, you can call on a VEA-employed UniServ Director (UD), who's familiar with your school division but not a school employee, and can help you go over events and records, understand expectations, and make an appropriate response. The UD's perspective and support may be all you need to deal with your demanding principal.
  
VEA members are covered by liability insurance, based on membership on the date of the "occurrence." The occurrence is not the day you are arrested or sued, but the date of the events for which you are prosecuted or sued.

VEA also provides legal representation to members who must defend themselves in employment matters such as dismissal or accusations of child abuse. If you didn't join in your first 30 days of Virginia public school employment, you will not be eligible for VEA-paid legal assistance for the first 30 days of your membership. You will not be eligible for VEA-paid legal representation in a retirement case until you have been a member for at least one year.  

Late may be better than never. But waiting until you know you are in trouble costs you valuable benefits and assistance.

Obtain a PDF version of this by clicking here.

(SOURCE: Virginia Journal of Education, November 2012, page 24.)

 
Copyright © 2012 by the Virginia Education Association.  Used with permission.

NEA Member Benefits - October 2012

The following are communications from NEA Member Benefits Products and Services (MCA) for the month of October 2012:

• Hot Deals and Discounts - October 2012  Link
  
• Reach Your Personal Weight Loss Goals with Nutrisystem Success!  Link
• Grants for High School Athletic Programs  Link
  [Note grant application period of September 15, 2012 to January 15, 2013]
• "Who Do You Love?" contest from the NEA Members Insurance Trust  Link
  [Note deadline of October 15, 2012]
• Special Interest Article: Refinancing Checklist  Link

Special VEA License Plate

Wouldn't you enjoy having an official VEA License Plate riding on your car?  Promote public education while showing pride in your Association.

Delegates to the VEA convention approved a process for making VEA license plates available from the DMV.  To make it work, however, we need to collect at least 450 applications!  Follow the steps listed on the this flyer to make VEA license plates a reality and to reserve your plate.

You can also find the flyer, application form, and an FAQ document posted on the VEA website.

Voter Registration

New voter identification cards are being mailed from the State Board of Elections to your address of record in Virginia. If you have not received your new card by October 10th, then you need to check with your county/city Voter Registrar before October 15th.

The Alexandria Board of Elections is located at 132 N Royal St (across the street from City Hall). Their telephone number is 703-746-4050 and they can be found on the Internet at http://www.alexandriava.gov/elections .

October 15th is the voter registration deadline in Virginia to vote in the November 6th general election.

Check your voter registration status now with the Virginia Board of Elections at http://1.usa.gov/RpeffZ.

Possible reasons you need to check today:

• You've moved since you last voted
• You got married and changed your name
• You're in college or temporarily living in another lcoation

People have died to guarantee your right to vote.

Get out and VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6th!

Be an ESP Advocate for Public Schools

Education support professionals (ESPs) are significant contributors to the education, safety, and success of public school students.

Learn what other NEA colleagues are doing to improve their schools and their work places. Click here.