Student VEA

George Mason University SVEA Reactivated!

2012-05-20T03:12:00.002-07:00

The GMU Chapter SVEA had their first organizing meeting in May 2012 with Tami Sober (VEA Staff). The newly activated chapter generated ideas of organizing, recruitment, and activities.The Manassas Education Association, Fairfax Education Association, and Prince William Education will assist the chapter and foster a partnership.

The new GMU Officers are:

President - Allie Forkell

Vice President - May Awad

Secretary - Amanda MacIntosh

Memebership Committee Chair - Kathleen Pine

Chapter Advisor- Eva Nolan

President Forkell states "George Mason's SVEA is starting off and cannot wait for the Fall 2012 semester! We are especially excited to work closely with the NVCC SVEA chapter since we are close and can involve the community. Our new members and board are very motivated to start reaching out to more students and our community. We are thinking outside of the box and cannot wait to be more involved!"

ACT NOW TO KEEP AMERICAN DREAM!

2012-05-01T02:10:00.002-07:00

Attention SVEA members and all college students:

You may have heard on numerous news programs, the interest rates on Stafford Loans (which most students have) are set to DOUBLE on July 1st if Congress does not take action to extend the lower rate. We encourage you to cyber-lobby congress.

ACT NOW TO KEEP AMERICAN DREAM WITHIN REACH FOR MILLIONS: STOP THE STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATE HIKE!

The fixed interest rate on federal subsidized student loans, held by nearly 8 million college students, is set to double on July 1 – from 3.4 to 6.8 percent. President Obama has asked Congress to block the rate increase. This week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced the “Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act” (S. 2343). Learn more.

Take Action Today: Tell Congress to act now to stop student loan interest rates from doubling.

And in case you missed this on Jimmy Fallon...Obama Slow Jammin’ Student Loans:

-Fallon clip here-

2012-04-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

JOIN US FOR THIS LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY:

REGGIE SMITH ORGANIZING SCHOOL 2012

July 24-26, 2012

In a year when we’ve seen teacher evaluations tied to student test scores, weakening of educators’ due process rights, and continued assaults on public education funding, it’s time to come together! We no longer have the luxury of being too busy to address the dismantling of public education as we know it. If you are sick and tired of higher stakes combined with fewer resources, join over 300+ of your colleagues this summer to develop the skills we need to strengthen the movement to Take Back Our Profession!

We are hoping many emerging SVEA leaders will join us at the Reggie Smith Organizing School and learn how to help us take back our profession!

The conference registration fee for SVEA is $25.00.

$25.00, includes two nights lodging (single dorm room), all meals, conference fee and materials.

Keynote speaker Michael Gecan

Michael Gecan, an organizer with 35 years of experience and the author of Going Public: An Organizer's Guide to Citizen Action, will talk about how ordinary Americans accomplish extraordinary change-not by playing the victim but by wielding power against power. Gecan contends that in a world of power politics, where decisions are based on mony rather than moral, ethical or research-based principles, we must stop making speeches about what politicians and administrators "ought" to do, and instead spend our time building the power to create change. He's written a manual for those who want to learn what it takes to make it happen. Come hear his pragmatic and profound approach to organizing!

Registration deadline is June 22, 2012

More details click here

REGISTER ONLINE NOW-CLICK HERE!

- SOS BROCHURE-

-SOS WALK CARD -

2012 SVEA CONVENTION PHOTOS

2012-04-01T06:45:00.001-07:00

2012-03-31T14:35:00.001-07:00

VICTORY IS SWEET …..

Lawmakers in Richmond were prepared in January to end the

practice of Continuing Contracts.

● Every teacher who had already passed their probationary

period would have been subject to firing, with no reason

given, every 3 years when their “term contract” ended.

● The probationary period would have been increased to 5 years.

VEA’s lobby cadre, which includes representatives of every region in the state, and

thousands of individual members went to work.

● Thank you to those who made thousands of phone calls and sent thousands of emails

to legislators urging defeat of these bad bills.

● After fighting for and winning amendments protecting teachers already under

contract, we kept the pressure on and eventually succeeded in killing the bills in this

legislative session.

….. BUT MAY NOT LAST!

Legislation attacking Continuing Contracts will be back next year, as will bills to cut your

retirement benefits.

● We stood together this year and beat back their efforts against educators! We need

to be ready to do more of the same next year to protect our rights. What can you do?

Become a VEA Cyberlobbyist today! Visit www.veanea.org/home/521.htm

● For more information, contact VEA

VEA: (800) 552-9554

2012-02-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

How House Bill 576 & Senate Bill 438, Currently Before the State Legislature, Will Impact Virginia’s Future Teachers

This year identical bills have been introduced in Virginia’s state legislature that will impact Virginia’s future teachers.

The following is a brief explanation to share with pre-service teachers and colleagues so that students and professors can contact their state legislators and ask them to oppose these bills.

The McDonnell Administration wants to eliminate continuing contract for teachers completely but faces constitutional difficulties. Therefore what most likely will happen if HB576 and SB438 passes, will be a two-tiered system where current teachers will be grandfathered in and new teachers entering the profession will face the following:

New teachers entering the profession will have to complete 5 years of probationary service, an increase from the current 3 year probation.
After a 5 year probationary period if a teacher receives a “Continuing Contract” it will last for 3 years. After those 3 years are up a teacher could be denied a new 3-year term contract without a hearing or a proof of cause. In other words, there is no due process and a teacher could just be told she or he will not be given another 3-year term. The bill specifically reads: “no reason is required to deny a new term contract.”

Improving teacher evaluation and professionalism is a laudable goal. But putting teachers on term contracts subject to renewal without good cause does not improve the teaching profession or benefit Virginia students.

Please contact your legislators and urge them to vote NO on HB576 and SB438. You can identify and locate your legislators (and send them a pre-written letter if you choose to do so) by using the following link:

The bills may be up for a full vote any day so act now!

2012-01-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

New SVEA Chapter is reignited at the Northern Virginia Community College Manassas Campus. New SVEA members pose here with the Manassas Education Association President Kellie Blair-Hardt

2012 SVEA CONVENTION

2011-10-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE

March 23 & 24, 2012

The SVEA's Spring Convention "The Future Is You" will be held at the Williamsburg Hospitality House -- 415 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. To see a list of break-out sessions click here.

Deadline to register is February 20, 2012. Click here to begin your registration.

Take a look at what we did last year.

2010-10-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

A veteran teacher recalls mistakes she made starting out. Click here to see her tips.

Welcome Future Teachers

2010-07-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

The teachers of Virginia, members of the Virginia Education Association, are eager to welcome you to the profession. We know that you are working hard to complete your degree, and we want to help.

That's why we support the Student Virginia Education Association (SVEA), a pre-professional organization that will guide you into our challenging world of teaching.

Joining Student VEA opens doors to you with our local associations in every school division in Virginia. Those local associations are professional communities that will give you support and guidance during your student teaching. And when you land your first teaching job, VEA's local associations will help you throughout your career -- especially during your early years as a new teacher.

Who is eligible to join?

Student membership is available if you are enrolled in a post-secondary program that is preparatory for employment in a position that will make you eligible for Active (teacher) membership in the VEA-NEA. Student membership is available to those who are NOT currently under contract with a school division in Virginia.

Why should I join?

As a student member of VEA-NEA, you'll have the nation's largest education association (3.2 million members) working to provide you with tools and resources for a successful career.

How much does it cost to join?

Annual dues are $30, plus your local chapter dues. Why so low? Because VEA-NEA members supplement the cost of the program to help you along your path to teaching.

I don't live in the same state as my college/university. Which state should I join?

You join the state where you are enrolled as a college student (i.e., if you live in West Virginia, but attend school in Virginia, you become a Virginia member).

Am I covered by liability insurance as soon as I sign up online?

Yes! Coverage is immediate.

How do I join?

Check with your local chapter president for a membership form, or click here to join online.