Tester to Hold Online Townhall Wednesday
 
(U.S. Senate)— As part of his recently launched #Montennial initiative, Senator Jon Tester will be hosting his first ever online townhall via Facebook Live, where he will take questions and comments from constituents through Facebook and Twitter. Tester will be responding, in real time, to comments and questions being posted during the event, as well as questions posted on the Facebook event beforehand.
 
#Montennial Online Townhall
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
6-7 p.m. MST
Facebook Live
 
“I launched my #Montennial tour to have a conversation with the next generation of our state’s leaders—Montana’s millennials,” Tester said. “That’s why I’m hosting my first ever online townhall, to hear directly from the folks who will be most impacted by today’s policy decisions, and hear about the issues that matter most to them.”
 
Reporters, editors, and news directors are invited to logon and watch the Senator respond to questions.
 
While the focus will be on issues impacting millennials, Montanans of all ages are encouraged to participate in Tester’s online townhall and can submit a question in advance HERE.

 My heart is heavy today as I think of the work our teachers will have in front of them as they continue to do what is best for students.

As teachers, union officers, community members and U.S. Citizens, we marvel at a process which aspires to give voice to everyone and respects the rule of the majority. We also marvel that its results almost always leave many people happy and many others unhappy. Some people are feeling heard, while others go unheard; some are excitedly feeling “part of” moving ahead. Others are feeling disenfranchised and upset because it seems as if they are moving backwards.
 
Elections based on a particular type of discourse and variety of things said as well as values expressed over the past year, make these feelings even stronger. It reminds us of the critical need to do better – to develop future leaders who seek to understand all perspectives, embrace difference, think critically, solve problems creatively and collaboratively, and who truly look out for all. 

Love, kindness, tolerance, decency and justice are concepts teachers will need to teach, model and reinforce daily. I have the utmost faith that our teachers will rise to the occasion and care for our next generation as they always have. As I said in my convocation speech, humanity is counting on our young people to make this world a better place; and teachers have been entrusted with the responsibility and honor of making sure our students are prepared to make that happen.
​
The results of our state elections will make our ground game critically important.  Governor Bullock is a great goalie.  He has the best interests of all students in mind, but he cannot do what needs to be done for our educational system alone. Unfortunately, this election has left him without what could be considered a comfortable level of support. When the time approaches, we need work to provide that support by involving ourselves in legislative contact.  Now, more than ever, we must activate; we must unite!
 
We are a union that celebrates diversity in identity and celebrates difference in beliefs, views, perspectives and opinions.  As union members, we have a very serious mission:  to develop ethical, socially-minded, action-oriented leaders of all kinds. Leaders who can truly work together with other leaders to use their diversity to solve complex problems, ranging from poverty to peace – in fundamentally new ways. 
 
Remember. Democracy necessitates continued participation. As with each election, this one is historic; however, it is only a moment in a long history of change. Most certainly, it is only a moment in a long future yet to be shaped and built by you. We all must work to advance the causes we hold close to our hearts. We each must strive to do this important work in a way that truly embraces and engages all others.
​

​Each and every one of the following have been driven by politics and politicians:  NCLB, ESSA, school choice, public versus private, school funding, testing mandates, Title I, II, III, IV and more… Yet, teachers take the “I’m not political” stance.  Can you seriously afford not to be political?  Can you just be silent given the current political choices facing us in our state?

​Phone calls have been made; postcards sent; doors knocked and rallies attended.  We have one week left to cast our votes for the candidates of our choice.  Year after year, I have heard that a fairly large percentage of teachers did not exercise their right to vote.  Didn’t vote…. let that sink in for a minute. Curriculum is political.  Standards are political.  Testing is political.  Education is political. Please take time to fill in your ballot and vote.  I’d be very pleased if I saw 100 percent of our teachers vote, but even 80 percent would be remarkable to see.  

​

This Thursday and again Monday we will be contacting voters already identified as supporters to be sure they vote. Nothing controversial, just reminders to get out and vote.  We may also need to let people know it is to late to safely mail their ballots.  At this point it is better to drop it off at their election office or on election day at their designated voting site.  If all 18,000 MEA-MFT voters actually vote, the outcome Tuesday will likely be a favorable one for education. 

When: TODAY 11/3/16  and again MONDAY 11/7/16
Time: 5:00 - 7:00
Where: GFEA office 511 13th Ave. S Great Falls, MT

​Hello all,
We are going to be doing the last 2 sessions of phone banking this Thursday 11/3 and Monday 11/7 at the GFEA Office from 5-7 pm if you can join us this is the last chance to get people out to vote or to turn in their ballots! Stay an hour or stay two, we'd love to see you! Fun times calling members and having some treats. We have some treats and drinks and it is member to member so the calls have been fun!
Hope you can make it and feel free to share with others who might be interested in getting involved in this important election!
Thanks for all you do!
Tom Cubbage
899-7441