Successful New Teacher Orientation


This year’s New Teacher Orientation was held at Reservoir High. Members of the HCEA Board of Directors joined Membership Chair Veeda Gaines at the HCEA registration table to sign up new members. Once again, large numbers of new hires stopped by to find out more about the Association, receive information on Sick Bank and attending the MSTA Convention, and most importantly to join! We welcome everyone who is new to the Howard County Public School System and urge you to become active with your Association. If you have any questions contact us at 410-997-3440. We’re glad you are here!

Collective Barganing Victory for "Specialists"

Thanks to the groundswell of activism and support provided by related services "specialists" (occupational/physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, and audiologists) along with HCEA reps and leaders, members, colleagues, and community members, the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board (PSTEB) withdrew from consideration a proposed rule change that would have removed these specialists from the Teachers' Collective Bargaining unit. The rule change was championed by Assistant State Superintendent John Smeallie as a reaction to licensure changes passed by the General Assembly. Although prior statements made by the State Superintendent's office to local superintendents and human resources directors suggested that the proposed changes were not substantive, MSTA legal staff, upon analyzing the proposal issued a warning to Dr. Smeallie that these changes had a negative impact on collective bargaining rights of these valuable educators. Once discovered, MSTA staff and the state associations representing these educators mobilized a grassroots effort to defeat the proposed change.

Howard County educators far exceeded expectations! Although the timeframe was tight (a few days before the end of the school year), everyone jumped into action!

You circulated a petition drive collecting over 1,000 signatures
You wrote volumes of letters
You sent hundreds of e-mails
You flooded the phone lines
You prepared to ascend on Baltimore to attend the PSTEB Public Hearing
You continued to keep the pressure on PSTEB members and members of the State BOE

When asked about the benefit of being a member of the NEA/MSTA/HCEA family, here's what one member said:

Paula Rivers, Speech Pathologist-"When folks team up and work together, the world turns our way. Our immediate world involved the related services and the related state organizations. We fought the Maryland State Dept. of Education and influenced the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board's proposal to repeal a crucial aspect of COMAR related to school employment. Our world turned around and said ‘NO!’ Now because of the 2,000 responses supporting these related services, we can continue to use our certification to receive teacher association representation for collective bargaining, salaries, benefits, pensions, and the like! If we choose, we can seek posts in administration, which requires certification through the schools. We will continue to monitor any proposals submitted by Assistant State Superintendent John Smeallie. Go, Team. Go!!"

BJ’s Discount Membership for September

BJ’s Wholesale club is offering a special discount offer to HCEA members for the month of September. You can save $10 on the $45 annual fee for an Innercircle (basic) membership or save $10 on the $80 annual fee for the Rewards (rebate) membership. Each membership includes a FREE second card and three additional months FREE. For an application contact Janet Bloom at HCEA at 410-997-3440. Applications with payments must be received in the HCEA office by Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

Northfield Contributes to Help A Child

Northfield Elementary School recently conducted a Math-A-Thon and raised $8388.32 for the Help A Child fund. According to Rep Rita McMullin, the event is co-chaired by Karen Geissler and Nancy Holmwood. Students find donors to pledge a certain amount for each correct problem they solve in a given period of time. Members of the PTA are also involved serving on the committee, checking problems and counting the proceeds.

Money has been raised in the past for Cystic Fibrosis, the Red Cross on behalf of Tsunami victims and Brock Elementary School in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Math-A-Thon is held every other year, alternating with a Jump Rope for Heart. “We feel that it has been a very successful endeavor and are delighted that the children at Northfield are exposed to the problems of other children in the world and are able to help these children who are so needy,” said Rita McMullin. This year HCEA is pleased that Help A Child is the recipient of the generosity of everyone at Northfield Elementary!

HCEA Members Take Time to Relax and Learn

Several HCEA members took time from their busy summer to participate in MSTA Summer Leadership Workshops. Ellicott Mills Middle social studies teacher Cindy Waugh attended the Emerging Leaders Academy in Towson. Anna Gannon of Phelps Luck, Nina Martin of Atholton, interpreter Catherine Willett and Kerri Wells of Marriotts Ridge took a lunch break with a view while attending the Leadership/Organizing Institute at St. Michaels. Let us know if you would be interested in attending a workshop next summer!

Retirements Celebrated

Several HCEA members are retiring this year after spending dozens of years in school houses and office building across the county. We were fortunate that several were able to stop by HCEA on June 4th for us to wish them well and thank them for their years of dedication to the students of the Howard County Public Schools and to the Howard County Education Association. They will all be missed!! To view additional photos click here.

Social Networking

Social networking spaces like MySpace and Facebook may be a good way to keep in touch with friends but teachers and other education personnel should be careful in terms of creating personal profiles, communicating with students, and sharing sensitive information. For tips on your profile and to read a recent Washington Post article click here.

How You Can Earn National Board Certification?

Maryland’s ranks of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) rose by 231 this year, bringing the state’s total to 1,059—15th in the nation. MSTA recently honored the newest NBCTs at a special evening event in Annapolis. “We are so proud of each of you for embarking on this demanding professional journey,” said President Clara Floyd. “It is a testament to your profession and the high standards to which you hold it.” Pictured are National Board Certified teachers from Howard County.

Click here on information on how you can obtain National Board Certification

HCEA Well Represented at ESP Conference

A dozen HCEA members attended MSTA’s ESP Professional Development Day on February 16th. HCEA received an award from MSTA for having the highest member participation at the conference. This was the second year for the event which featured several workshops on topics such as job, safety and health issues.

SPARKS – “It was worth giving up a Saturday for!”

A dozen HCEA members – paraprofessional and teachers – gave up their Saturday to spend the day with HCEA learning more about classroom management, certification, personal financial issues and legal matters. More information about Saturday’s event.