​Due to GEA’s relationship with the District, patrons were encouraged to participate virtually in fall SEP conferences.  Since the beginning of the school year, we have been hearing from many of you via email, phone calls, and social media messages with concerns regarding face-to-face meetings, but especially SEP conferences.  GEA heard you loud and clear, and worked with the District via various communication methods to strongly encourage virtual conferences.  Following member Lynda Davis’ comments during a teacher town hall regarding this very issue, a District letter was sent to families encouraging virtual attendance at SEP conferences.  We heard from Lynda via email stating, “Thanks for being there to support all the teachers and students in Granite School District. It wonderful to know that we have you to advocate for us.  I am beaming right now. After 28 years of being a GSD teacher, I finally felt heard!”

​Have you ever wondered whether you should call GEA and ask for help? Your membership allows you to do so, and we are here for you to help you navigate different types of situations.  For example, many years ago, a teacher was hired in Granite School District.  After school had been in session for a bit, she looked at her paystub and realized she was being paid hourly instead of on the salary schedule.  Thank goodness she was a GEA member and called the office!  Once GEA heard what happened we were able to work with Human Resources (HR) to get her pay straightened out.  She received the back pay that was due to her, and the District made her financially whole with URS.

Fast forward to summer 2021, and this same teacher met with HR to go over her retirement benefits.  She was surprised to learn that .21 years of service was missing in URS from her first year of teaching.  Even though she had worked her entire first year and was paid for it, she was told that she would either need to work the extra time or buy out that portion of the missing year. She made another call to GEA.
​
Following the call, GEA asked HR to check their records for this teacher’s misfiled paperwork from her first year of employment.  It took a lot of digging around, but we are happy to let you know that HR found the documentation that indicated the teacher had indeed worked a full year her first year. HR was able to then contact URS and approve the full benefits the teacher is entitled to.  We are so glad this member allowed us to advocate for her and to help navigate this situation!

​Deadlines
 
Did you know that you can set reasonable deadlines for submissions and assessment retakes in your classroom?  Granite School District has a Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.  One of the responsibilities is, “honor your teachers’ deadlines for submissions and reassessments and to take advantage of reassessment opportunities."  For so long it has felt that teachers should give students umpteen chances and the deadline of the end of the term to get things done. 
It is reasonable to have set deadlines, and to follow them.  Deadlines happen in life and students need to learn how to navigate them.  Having deadlines helps students to manage their time as they work:   almost like a training mechanism for the brain as they set up time lines and work flows.  Self esteem can be improved with deadlines because when students manage their time well their grades will be better than if they had not.  With good grades often comes specific praise for doing what is expected.  Structure and praise help our students to produce more of what is necessary to be successful in class.

As educators know the mad dash at the end of a grading term can be frustrating as it seems students turn in work willy nilly to try to “bring up their grades.”  Many teachers feel compelled to spend up until the last possible minute grading these assignments.  Deadlines will ensure there is less scrambling at the end of the grading period in turn giving educators a more manageable workload.  The work will be more meaningful to both students and teachers ensuring more learning will take place in your classrooms as deadlines become common place.

Deadlines for reassessment must be reasonable, clearly communicated, and have some way in which a student can prepare for reassessment.  For example, you could let students know that after they have received feedback from you, they have x number of days to complete some relearning activities.  Relearning can include, but is not limited to completing missing assignments, test corrections, redoing low scoring assignments, small group reteach, etc.   Once evidence of relearning has taken place then a reassessment should be given within a certain timeframe.

Please keep in mind that your professional judgement as an educator is important in determining proficiency of a standard.  Our gradebook can calculate proficiency, but grading is both art and science, so please keep this formula  handy when determining proficiency under PBL:  MODE + RECENCY + PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT.  (See the District’s February 2021 PBL Points newsletter for more information).
​

John Steinbeck said, " I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists.  Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit." These words have never been as true as they were this school year.  Your hard work and dedication to teaching and the Association has helped to better the lives of so many students as well as your peers.  We thank you for your commitment, membership, and willingness to change on a dime.  Enjoy your retirement!

Kaye Adams
John Alexander
Darin Banks
Ronald Barnett
Cindy Bateman
Christine Brent
Sherrie Brown
Renate Brunsvik
Tanya Byland
Richard A. Clawson
Maryanne Coke
Joyce Crocker
Carmen Diaz
Susan Dyer
Dana Easton
Laurie Erney
Kristine Evans
Glen Fuller
Gina Graham
Kathy Green
Karen Grim
Mark Hadnot
Patrice Hafen
Thomas Hansen
Michelle Hanson
Janet Harrison
Karen Harward
M. Kevin Harward
Collette Hayes
Irma Hofer
Ruth Hollander
Barbara Homer
Terry Hughes
Colleen Jensen
Pamela Johnson
Wendee Johnston
Sandra Jorgensen
Kevin Kingdon
Luann Kluge
Laney Long
Julie Lopez
Julie Lorentzon
Barbara Lowe
Shelley McMurrin
Jerry Miller
Carolyn Mulvaney
Jane Nate
Lanay Page
Robin Pavlakos
Kathleen Peake
Colleen Pieper
Valeri Reynolds
Terry Reynolds
Deanna Rigdon
Jeffrey Rolan
Margo Roper
Ronald Rushton
Judy Skeen
Virginia Smith
Shauna Starr
Pamela Svikhart
Larae Thomas
Alan Thomas
Catharina Thompson
Barbara Thornley
Lisa Tonge
Valerie Turner
Lori Vreeken
​Dawn Wasden
Colleen Willardson
Loralee Workman

​Confused by the Evaluation Process in Granite? 

The following documents will help you best understand what’s to be expected.  Please note that if your administrator didn’t email you a copy of your observation prior to debrief, they should have submitted it in Frontline for you to review before you meet.  This submission does not take the place of your acknowledgement on Frontline or the administrator’s finalizing of the observation.  Please see the document entitled  “Observation and Evaluation Explanations” for more information.

​What we’ll be discussing:

Student loan debt is now the second category of consumer debt in America today, with $33,000 as the average amount owed. Due to the educators being lifelong learners, and continuing their education past a Bachelor’s Degree, many educators owe (much!) more. During this session we will focus on the three student loan forgiveness programs available from the US Department of Education, the requirement and process of forgiveness, and how to prevent being denied forgiveness. In addition, NEA Member Benefits has made the “NEA Student Debt Navigator” powered by Savi FREE to all NEA and UEA members for the first year. This tool will analyze members’ specific student loan debt and assist with the paperwork process.

Date, Time, and How to register:

RSVP for Wednesday April 28th, 2021 at 4:30-6:00 p.m. (MOUNTAIN)

OR (only need to attend one session)​

RSVP for Thursday May 13th, 2021 at 4:30-6:00 p.m. (MOUNTAIN)

Process:
It is suggested that you visit www.neamb.com/start prior to the training and register on the NEA Member Benefits website, this will allow members immediate access to various student loan resources. If you have any problems, call our Member Advocacy Center at 800.637.4636.

​Sponsored by:

This is a shortened version of the UEA Under the Dome report. Look there for a more in-depth write-up of the session.
The biggest education bill of the session happened early.  Senate Bill 1  included growth and inflation in the base budget, as well as a 6% increase on the WPU, one-time money for bonuses, and $43 Million on-time for enrollment fluctuations. This happened because of your activism last February (remember the walk-ins?), and the deals that grew out of last year’s tax reform fight.

Although funding was largely decided early in the session with the passage of the base budget, UEA continued to advocate throughout the session for specific funding needs.  The UEA lobbying team testified in many committee meetings, both in-person and virtually.

Engagement this year looked different – there were no Educator Day on the Hill events.  But members did get involved through daily Under the Dome website updates, “Capitol Insights” emails, and weekly briefings with the UEA Legislative Team.

Like last year, there was a UEA Policy Ambassador program this year, and we had three GEA members participate as Policy Ambassadors. 

Brian Barnum is a counselor at Kearns High.  Read his essay on engaging with stakeholders here: https://myuea.org/Articles/united_we_stand_legislative_post_by_uea_policy_ambassador_brian_barnum.aspx

Hunter Clapsadl teaches 6th grade at Diamond Ridge.  Her essay on teachers getting involved in politics can be read here: https://www.myuea.org/Articles/as_a_teacher_your_job_is_political_legislative_post_by_uea_policy_ambassador_hunter_clapsadl.aspx

Elliott Tupea teaches business at Hunter High.  His essay on raising our united voice is here: https://myuea.org/Articles/every_voice_is_needed_legislative_post_by_uea_policy_ambassador_elliott_tupea.aspx
 
Below is just a sampling of the education-related bills the legislature took up this year.  For the full spreadsheet, see Under the Dome.
​
Good things that passed:
😊+ Senate Bill 184 no school grading requirement for 2020-2021
😊+ House Bill 381scholarships for paras to become teachers.
😊+ House Bill 421 intensive services fund $1 M
😊+ Senate Bill 154 includes deaf education in the TSSP.
 
Dumb things we helped kill:
😊+ Attempts to dictate curriculum: House Bill 258,  House Bill 177, and Senate Bill 229 all failed.
😊+ House Bill 428  would have moved control from elected school board members to an appointed panel
😊+  Senate Bill 242 temporary voucher-like reimbursement scheme
😊+ Senate Bill 175 would have loosened the rules for using state funding for charter schools.
 
Good things we couldn’t get passed:
☹ House Bill 105 would have put $2.6 M into SpEd through a better funding formula. Wasn’t funded.
☹  Senate Bill 91 would have permanently eliminated the single letter grade for schools. Never heard.
☹ HB340: MOST Program would have reinstated the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers program, formerly known as USTAR.  Passed House, but didn't get funded, so died in Senate.
 
Dumb things that passed:
☹- Senate Bill 107 by the 7th substitute, requires every school district to offer four day per week in-person instruction by March 22, set thresholds for the test-to-stay program and returning to remote learning.
 
Again, this is a very incomplete list.  Your myuea.org page has in-depth information.  Now with the legislative session done, we need to thank our friends on Capitol Hill, and start planning how to get more of them elected next time around.​

Once the surplus process is complete the transfer process will begin in the District.  Job postings will appear daily starting on March 22, 2021.  You must act quickly, as these opportunities will be online for five days.  Once here under Internal Applicants click on “view internal positions.”  Find a position that you are interested in and prepare to submit an internal application/transfer form. 

Prior to submitting your application online, polish your resume so you can upload it.  Highlight any of your accomplishments you have had in your position in Granite School District.  Now is the time to sing your own praises, as you are guaranteed an interview as an internal applicant.

After finding a position you are interested in, it is time to prep for your interview.  Have on hand any testing data that shows your students’ growth.  Prepare to convey how you have been a productive member of any PLC you have participated in.  Showcase what you bring to a team in the most upbeat positive manner.  Best of luck to you in finding a positive change for yourself.

​

THINGS TO KNOW THIS MONTH…
 
Utah Retirement Systems Amendments
1st Substitute Senate Bill 16 – Utah Retirement Systems Amendments passed » The bill containing administrative and technical amendments to Title 49 passed in the 2021 Legislative Session. These changes are not substantive benefit modifications. In recognition of the nature of these changes, the bill has an effective date of July 1, 2021.
     » URS Summary of Utah Retirement Systems Amendments
     » 1st Substitute 16 – Utah Retirement Systems Amendments
 
Free URS Member Seminars
Take the First Step Toward a Secure Retirement » Attend an informative URS seminar tailored to your retirement horizon. Whether you’re early in your career, plan to retire soon, or are already retired, we have the seminars just for you.
 
We have scheduled virtual seminars for the first half of the year, with additional updates to follow. For more information click on the link below that applies to you:
     » Early to Mid-Career
     » Pre-Retirement 
 
Updated Investment Options and Savings Plans Brochure
Blazing Your Own Retirement Path » The 2021 URS Investment Options and Savings Plans Overview provides updates to the investment options available to all URS members. These investment options include updates to the Target Date Fund portfolio, as well as lower fees for many of the funds.
 
     » 2021 URS Investment Options and Savings Plans Overview

Basic Information All URS Members Should Know
A Big-Picture Overview for Maximizing Your Benefits » Maybe your retirement is just over the horizon, or perhaps you have many miles to go. URS is there to help you stay on the right path and avoid wrong turns through the adventure to retirement.  
     » Member Basics Video

Upcoming URS Webinars
Learn About Your Retirement Benefits » Join URS for an informational webinar on your retirement benefits.