A Couple Things Irking Me-How We Treat Eachother

I have been struggling recently with a picture posted on a Facebook friend's wall.  Something about it has made me feel frustrated.  I did not engage in the conversation head on because doing so in someone else's space (Social Media Wise) has always been a little unprofessional for me.  I do not know if it makes me a bad person, by not commenting, but to me I really don't think engaging in these types of discussion's in their circles is respectful to their personal space, publicly.   Here is the picture:

I don't know why in particular this made me mad over anything else I see, but it did.  We can not operate in absolutes.  The system does not work that way.  This picture and scenario is not an either/or or an exclusive one with the other.  We are better than this.

Fast forward 5ish days and I read this story today.  #IStandwithAhmed Link

We may say these are two separate issues.  When this story broke I felt myself even more frustrated with this picture.  It is these types of pictures that run rampant and are left unchecked, that cause situations like Ahmed Mohamed to occur.  I'm sure I do not have all the information in the story, but it is still a sad day for our children.  We have to do better.  We can do better.

In closing, I hope to do better of my self and engage in these conversations in places that make me uncomfortable, because they need to happen.  I'm sorry that Ahmed has to deal with this struggle while I'm left watching from thousands of miles away.  We should never have to stifle a child for their excitement or creativity.  I hope that this young innovator and inventor never stops.  I'm excited to hear what his next story will be.  Go get'm kid.

Beginning of the Year

Beginning of the Year

I really want to formally reflect more.  I'm hoping that this will provide me a chance to at least kick it off.  I do not have early week morning meetings, yet.  With this time, I want to take a chance to document some mental reflections.  The next year is going to be interesting.  I have taken on some additional professional responsibility as well as welcoming my third child to the mix.  I'm worried after my son is born I won't have energy to reflect, but if I start now it will help establish a more deliberate process.  I'm going to do my best to write but not concern with grammar and editing.  Sorry if that bothers you.

School Year Kick Off

My secret favorite part of the new year is freshly waxed floors and new year smell.  Everything about are buildings are primed and ready for the students and staff to enter, marking the beginning of a new year. 

For me this first week will involve a lot of repeat as I'm on a four day rotation cycle.  It is important that I work on keeping it as fun and interesting the fourth time through as it was the first time through.  The excitement level is a buzz in the building as small changes happen and it is just enough to keep the students guessing on how the building expectations have changed.

With my third child's due date September 30th, I hope to get through enough curriculum to provide the building blocks of routine for my sub which will be in for about 8-10 school days during my leave.

PLC Process

My District continues to work its way through the Professional Learning Communities process.  I feel the key stakeholders are coming around, but a lot of work needs to continue.  I will be interesting as my personnel work groups do the best we can with the set up we have been given. 

Personal

The clock is ticking.  September 30th! OMG 3 children.  Zone Coverage.  On the non-freak-out side, we are near ready.  It is going to make for an interesting year.

NEA RA 2015 Wrap Up

NEA RA 2015 Wrap Up

July 7th Orlando FL

Hello Members,

I write this on my way back from the National Education Association Annual Representative Assembly (NEA RA) for 2015. Work was completed by over 8,000 delegates from across the United States. Events this year occurred that I have never experienced in my four years of attendance to this proud event.

Education Minnesota and other merged states embarked on a campaign to change NEA’s constitution and bylaws to allow us to have full representation to the RA. We currently do not receive full representation because of our merged status. This language limits our ability to represent our members. The current language was agreed to during negotiations for recognition of merged states back in the 90s. We are currently allocated 68% share of our members to the NEA RA. This was a disappointing realization for me. We never give only 68% of ourselves to our Union and should not be recognized as such. The changes requested, and voted on, would recognize us as a full 100% status, much like our other proud organization (American Federation of Teachers(AFT)) recognizes us. Both the Constitution and Bylaws changes failed, but systematic change is rarely accomplished overnight. Returning our voice to a “One Member One Vote” status is a priority and we will continue with a new constitutional amendment until we are in a position where we are recognized whole.

The delegates of the NEA RA took an unprecedented(in my years) stand to help shape our country’s social justice landscape. Issues targeted this year were increased advocacy for our students on the topics of institutional racism(#eracim), GBLTQ topics, Elimination of Symbols of Racism, Reduction in Toxic Testing, etc (The action items can be found in this hyperlink). Extensive debate was had on the floor as to the role we play in these issues. Topics and resources developed from the action of our delegates should be seen this year. Some may say that we did not go far enough, but I know we are moving in the right direction and hope to see us continue these changes in the future. Look around and keep your eyes open as the NEA increases its advocacy and looks to improve our world for students.

From all of the increase advocacy comes a cost. 1.4 million dollars was invested on New Business Items(NBIs) this year our of our contingency fund of three million. That is an all time high in my four years. That number may be concerning to some members. I understand, it was concerning to me on the floor as well and played major role during voting this year. As members, we need to understand that the actions we took were taken to help improve our students lives. The resources created and implemented in the next year should help our students and educators as we move through our workplace and home. We see the struggles and concerns of our students and will continue to work on their behalf.

To all the members who attended the NEA RA, thank you for giving up your time over the four of July to stand side to side with your brothers and sisters of our UNION. The hours get long, but many laughs were had. To the members at home, thank you for allowing us to represent you as we move forward to help change student’s lives. It is through your work and experience that we are able to make best changes to our student’s lives.

In closing, it was a long week(went late into the night on the last day) with a lot of good examples of what it means to advocate on our members behalf, but the work has just begun. As members, we are going to be called upon this year to do more to help support our students as they navigate their lives. With the support of your professional organization, it is hoped that it will be a little smoother by providing you with the building blocks to increase your impact. We are in this together, even if not everyone agrees. Seek out the voices and listen to the stories. The stories provide us with the motivation to continue the work of our Union and our students. Only we can create the change we need. When together we can not be stopped.

Hopefully see you next year in DC,

Ryan Fiereck

Education Minnesota St. Francis

East Bethel and Cedar Creek Community School