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GFEA president thanks educators for choosing to welcome and teach all children in public education

8/28/2017

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 Welcome to the 2017-18 school year. 
   I am Shelli Lavinder Schwalk, president of the Great Falls Education Association – Local 7583 – YOUR union. 
   As our country was born, and our Constitution ratified, the founding fathers understood that a properly functioning democracy would be dependent on an “informed electorate.”  John F Kennedy stressed the importance of an educated population saying, “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our Nation.” Throughout time, leaders of this nation have understood the importance of a quality education for ALL students.
   And now, public schools are under attack.
   A warm, uplifting, welcoming convocation message… how do I take you there? Let me take you there by reminding you of the power you hold. 
   While you could have chosen ANY profession, you chose teaching.  Not just any teaching position, but instead, one in PUBLIC EDUCATION. You welcome and teach ALL CHILDREN regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, gender, ability or disability …YOU made the decision to teach EVERY CHILD who walks through your door. You teach the curriculum you are entrusted to teach, ensuring that our students grow to be the informed electorate referred to by Thomas Jefferson. Even more significantly, you help students learn compassion, empathy, and tolerance. You guide them through the process of differentiating between fact and opinion. You feed them when they are hungry. You love them – even when they “seem” unlovable. You see in them what they cannot see in themselves. You see your students for the miracles they are–for the difference they will make today and tomorrow.  Each day you show up, not for work, but for our kids.
   The change our world needs, and the unity of our country depend on the generations to come. Those generations count on you. Be proud of your career. The trust placed in you, the job you do, is vital to the success of this nation.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”    Young people such as Malala know…You will change the world, one child, one pen and one book at a time. You will make a difference. The future of the world is in your classroom today.
   You cannot do this alone; you are surrounded by support teams. Teams you will create in your schools, the GFEA team, the MEA-MFT, NEA and AFT teams. These people stand ready to help you. Reach out to one another, support one another, create your own teams. Together we are stronger; together, we will make this world a better place.
   Thank you to every one of you who spends countless hours, paid and unpaid, preparing to educate our students. To those volunteering in various capacities throughout the summer and upcoming school year–thank you.To our administration, support staff, bus drivers, food service and custodial staff–thank you!
   Let me take a moment to thank my “teams.” My GFEA Executive Board, Faculty Representatives, Administrative Assistant, my MEA-MFT field consultant−and especially−those of you who believe in the values of a vital, public education system, and who work toward achieving the best possible education for our students. Thank you for your work and your commitment. We honor you. We value you. We support you, your students and our community; we will fight for you and the resources you need to create the leaders, dreamers, builders and thinkers of tomorrow.
    Remember, I am part of your team.  I am committed to helping you be the absolute best you can be. Contact me any time I can be of assistance. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
   Have an amazing 2017-2018 school year.
 
 


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Back To School Toolkit

8/18/2017

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PBS Education Website
AUGUST 14, 2017
We know your back-to-school calendar is packed with places to go and people to see! That’s why we created a simple, virtual toolbox with free resources you can access on-the-go. Teaching tools, discount codes, blogs, and an interactive calendar, all in one spot. We hope these materials will help you step confidently into the new school year and equip you for the teaching adventures that lie ahead.

Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
Stay ahead of exciting teachable moments and upcoming PBS shows with this handy, 12-month digital calendar! Preview + download.

Lesson Plans, Games, Videos + More
Looking for content to amplify your lessons? We’ve got you covered. Explore over 100K resources from PBS LearningMedia! Select your subject: Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Explore All Subjects.

New Teacher Tool: The Class Roster
PBS LearningMedia just added a "Class Roster" tool that enables you to create a class list and follow your students’ progress. Check it out! For tips on how to use this feature, join us on 8/22 for a training webinar.

Back-to-School Checklist from PBS KIDS
Help young learners prepare for the first week of school with this checklist and worksheet from PBS KIDS! The PDF is print-friendly so you can pass it along to parents, caregivers, and grandparents in your community.
20% Off Fall Professional Development Courses
Strengthen your skills and pick up new teaching strategies this fall with an online course from PBS! Use the code “PBSB2S” to save 20% on grad-level and self-paced courses. Offer ends at 11:59PM PDT on 8/31/17. Explore upcoming courses.

15% Off DVDs in the PBS Teacher Shop
Save 15% on all PBS KIDS DVDs on the PBS Teacher Shop (no code needed). As a back-to-school bonus, use the promo “PBSB2S” to get 15% off all other titles in the shop. Offer ends at 11:59 PDT on 8/31/17.
5 Best Tips for First Year Teachers
We asked hundreds of veteran teachers for their top tips and best advice to help first year teachers step boldly into the new year. See what they had to say.

Connecting Classrooms Using Virtual Team Teaching
Rachel and Steven are elementary school teachers with a knack for collaboration! Find out how they're helping students grow into confident virtual collaborators by bridging two geographically divided schools. Read more. 

The Teachers' Lounge from PBS NewsHour
Fake news, self-reliance, tolerance, geography...this blog covers it all. Get your daily dose of inspiration from these articles authored by social studies, journalism, and ELA teachers. Read more.

MindShift
Need some inspiration? KQED’s blog, “MindShift” It’s packed with stories, ideas, and strategies from thought leaders in the field of education. See it here.
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Teacher closet offers new members materials to ready their first classrooms

8/14/2017

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   New teacher orientation offered first year teachers an opportunity to learn about GFEA. Following their training, they were invited to stop by GFEA's office to check out our new and gently used supplies, books, lessons, posters, storage and a sundry of other items.These new members, at no cost to them, shopped for whatever they might want or need to decorate or supply their first classrooms.
   Gently used items have been donated throughout the year by Great Falls teachers, while other brand new supplies have been purchased through funding from an NEA Urban Grant awarded to GFEA for the 2017-18 school year. As long as funds and donations continue, GFEA will continue each year to provide this service to its first year teachers.
 
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Golf Scramble participants raise funds for Montana Professional Teaching Foundation

8/3/2017

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   The annual golf scramble took place Aug. 3, 2017, at Fairmont Hot Springs, where members helped to raise funds  for our Montana Professional Teaching Foundation.
   Great Falls teachers and GFEA members Lance and Stephanie Olson, Bob "Griff" Griffith and team leader, Eric Bush, represented GFEA as team, Bush Whackers. They earned an overall 3rd Place Gross as well as individual awards. Stephanie Olson came away with the "Shortest Drive" and the "Longest Putt" awards. Griff earned the "Closest to the Water without Going In" Award.
     Thanks to all the teams, sponsors and volunteers who made the event a big success!

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    2021 Legislative Issues
    GFEA-GFPS CBA
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    GFEA Constitution
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    Issue Form
    MFPE

    GFEA's 2022
    ​EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTION RESULTS


     OFFICERS
    1st Vice President
     Lance Olson

    Secretary-Treasurer

     * Stephanie Olson

     
     REPRESENTATIVES
    Elementary
     * Eric Bush
     * Kari Rosenleaf

    Middle School

      Nick Herd

    ​High School

     * Dawn O’Leary

    Member-At-Large
     * Arienne Konesky


     * Asterik indicates unopposed position elected
    by acclamation.
     Terms run
     June 2022 – June 2024.

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    Youth Art Month

    The Youth Art Month
    2022 Art Show
    at the Montana State Capitol is fast approaching!
     
    ​
    • If you would like to participate please beginning preparing artworks for the show!
    • Each teacher can send two to three 2-D pieces, pending scale & response
    • Works must be mounted/matted and hang-able (hot glue and string works great)
    • We use Command strips on marble to hang, so works can’t be too heavy
    • NO FRAMES unless YOU provide the easel
    • 3-D works are encouraged, number is not as limited but please think of media when shipping

    To register artworks, please fill out a separate form for each student located at the following link: ​https://forms.gle/x5HvLozL9rTfkK9UA//forms.gle/qSyhFfCGRqj96JQE8 
    (The registration link is also available on the Youth Art Month Website)

    Important Dates:
    Feb. 3 - Mail art:
    Victor Daniel,
    MAEA Youth Art Month Chair

    C/O Helena High School
    1300 Billings Ave
    Helena, MT 59601

    Feb. 23 - Show Install
    Youth Art Month Show : Through March
    April 6 - Takedown
     
    Please email 
    vdaniel@helenaschools.org

    Belgrade art teachers welcome students, teachers
    to the Montana
    ​Art Invitational

        Hello,
    Art Teachers of Montana!
       This April 29-March 1, come join us here in beautiful Belgrade, Montana, for our annual Montana Art Invitational (MAI).
        What is MAI exactly? Well, my friends, it's an amazing opportunity for your students to experience art outside of the classroom.
       It includes classes showcasing local artists who are excited to share their techniques, a look at what it is like to go to art school here at MSU, and fun games to get to know our awesome Montana art community.
        Students will be housed over the weekend here at Belgrade High School, meals provided, with a small fee of $35 to cover costs of materials.
        Our Covid-19 policy reflects our district's decision to strongly recommend masks.
        Please consider this opportunity. As a fellow art teacher, we all know the power of creative communities. Let us help facilitate the future of Montana.
    -Belgrade Art Department

    MEMBERSHIP     EVENTS

    WHEN:
    Thurs., Dec. 9, 2021
    from 6- 6:30 p.m. MT

    The registration link:
    https://secure.ngpvan.com/KJvCz8522UGo6BnGEzIFMQ2 
    WHO: 
    Presenter: Sarah Piper
    WHAT: 
    Contract rights and workplace protection are critical reasons to be an MFPE member – but your union membership comes with lots of other benefits too. Learn more about free college for your family, life insurance, trauma counseling, home/auto insurance, discounts, and more. Find out how your membership can help you have more freedom in ALL areas of your life.

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