REA Union Voices

On this very special last REA Union Voices podcast for the year, we say goodbye to Jeri as her term as Vice President will end on June 30th. Jeri has been active in the Association for more than 30 years. We will miss her and wish her well. However, we do have a feeling she will continue to be involved in some capacity. 

Krista and Jeri continue the conversation on Instruction as outlined in Article VII of the CBA with a focus on student discipline. 

Krista and Jeri continue their conversation on Article 7: Instruction. Focus is on grading, coveting classes, classroom visitors, and working with paras.

This week, Krista and Jeri come to you from the HAPO Center where they are helping at the Nick of Time Foundation event. Please tune in the find out the great work that REA is doing for our local community as a result of the WEA Community Connection Grant program. 

Krista and Jeri continue with their discussion about all things instruction as outlined in Article 7 of the Contract. Today, the focus is on paraeducator time, elementary specialists, and secondary preps. 

This week, Krista has a conversation with the newly elected REA Vice President Elect, Becky Petersen. Becky shares her excitement, what she hopes for, and what makes her nervous about taking on this new role. 

Krista and Jeri delve into class sizes, combo classes, and overload as they continue to discuss the provisions found in Article 7 of the Contract. 

Krista and Jeri begin what will most likely be a multiple episode series on the article that governs most of the work we do—instruction! Work day, conferences, and facilities are discussed in this first part of the series. 

No Jeri this week, Krista made an executive decision to just record on her own. You can find out why by listening to the episode. 

Krista and Jeri continue the conversation on assignment, transfer, and vacancy with emphasis on itinerants. 

Krista and Jeri continue their conversation on assignment, transfer, and vacancy with a focus on administrative transfer. That is when your principal tells you that you have to move to a different school. 

This week, Krista and Jeri continue the conversation on assignment, transfer, and vacancy with an emphasis on administrative reassignment. 

Krista and Jeri begin a conversation about Assignment, Transfer, and Vacancy as it relates to the REA Contract. Specific emphasis is on what it looks like when there really is a vacancy and it all goes as planned. 

Jeri is away this week, so Krista sat down with REA Recorder, Becky Petersen, to talk about TPEP. Becky provided her tips and advice for how to survive your TPEP evaluation. Becky also talks more about how she got involved in Union work! 

This week, Krista and Jeri continue to delve into the world of Teacher/Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP). If you are a classroom teacher at a public school in Washington, you are on TPEP and should give this a listen. Here is a link to the OSPI website for the TPEP Frequently Asked Questions: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/educator-support/teacherprincipal-evaluation-program/policy-and-resources/tpep-fr...

This week, Krista and Jeri tackle a scary subject, probation. The good news is that there are laws in place, as well as contract language to support you through the process if you are ever faced with being put on probation. Your Union is here to help!

This week, Krista and Jeri delve into the world of Teacher/Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP). If you are a classroom teacher at a public school in Washington, you are on TPEP and should give this a listen. Here is a link to the OSPI website for the TPEP Frequently Asked Questions: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/educator-support/teacherprincipal-evaluation-program/policy-and-resources/tpep-frequently-ask...

Krista and Jeri finish Article 4 with a delightful conversation about probation. The good news is if you are listening to this after February 1st and you have not received written notification that you are being put on probation, you are good to go. However, you should still do your best to show your administrator that you are an accomplished and highly capable educator by continuing with the eval...

Jeri was unable to record this week, so Krista talks with special guest, ESA School Nurse and Itinerant REA Executive Board member, Danielle Harvey. Danielle shares why she got involved in the Union, as well as her passion for government and politics. Since Danielle is a non-TPEP employee, she also provided tips and tricks for surging your non-TPEP evaluation.

Krista and Jeri continue to explain the evaluation process for certificated employees other than teachers. In addition to listening, you may want to read Article IV which starts on page 18 of the REA-RSD Contract.

Krista and Jeri do their best to help members not on TPEP understand the different evaluation formats. For two teachers on TPEP, they muddle through the best they can. 

Krista and Jeri round out Article III by letting members know about liability insurance that may be available if personal items get damaged. They also discuss what to do if you are threatened while carrying out your duties as a certificated educator. Here’s a hint. Let your administrator know immediately and make sure you are included in the plan to keep you safe. 

Krista and Jeri are joined by REA Lead Bargainer, Sara Flores-Anderson. Sara’s union origin story is fascinating and educational. Makes sense, considering we are all teachers. One correction, though, the Triangle Fire that is referred to happened in 1911. Here is a link if you want more information: https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-events/triangle-shirtwaist-fire

Krista and Jeri talk about a four-letter word, GRIEVANCE! All right, we know that grievance has nine letters, but it is often a word that provokes fear in members and administrators. It doesn’t need to, though, it’s just a formal way to solve a contractual issue. Listen to find out what a grievance really is and the process we follow when filing one. 

Krista and Jeri continue their conversation about due process. Even though they try to eliminate member fears about this, they may cause more anxiety. Regardless of what they say, they were trying to convey that the practice is contractual and just because you are being investigated doesn’t mean you are guilty and it doesn’t mean you will be fired. Also, they discuss freedom! freedom! Academic fre...