Feb 9, 2022 | Blog
One benefit most educators in Colorado look forward to is their PERA (Public Employee Retirement Association) benefit. Our educators, whether they are early career, late career, or retired, do their share to make sure PERA is as sustainable as possible.
When I was an early career educator, retirement was only a dream but I had faith in the fact that I and my district contributed to a plan that would allow me to retire with dignity.
Sure enough, by the time I retired, I had a nice, guaranteed income that hopefully I can count on for the rest of my life.
There have been a few changes along the way: employee contributions have increased, retiree benefits do not increase as much as they did and employers must contribute a great deal more. Through it all, PERA has a plan to be fully funded and from an actuarial standpoint, I hope it is sustainable.
With educators leaving the profession earlier and not as many people going into it, I worry about PERA’s future. I trust the legislation that has been put in place to protect investments to keep PERA solvent. Senate Bill (SB) 18-200 increased the contributions and slowed down the payment increases but it also committed the State to contribute $225 million per year to shore up PERA. In the Spring of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the entire State budget had to be cut by several billion dollars and one of the first things to go was the $225 million PERA contribution. Fast forward to the next year and an upswing in the economy and the $225 million was put back in.
This session, Rep. Shannon Bird (HD35) is sponsoring a bill to reverse any damage that might have been done to the PERA investments in 2020. Not only does this bill recommend backfilling the $225 million lost that year, but also contributing the $60 million that was lost in interest for the year it was not invested.
It is always nice to have a legislator who has your back. If this bill passes, it will reap benefits for years to come and ensures those of us collecting our retirement checks from PERA will not have to worry about future retirement income. Please thank Rep. Bird for her advocacy. She can be reached at Shannon.bird.house@state.co.us.
Lori Goldsein is a retired special education teacher and president of CEA-Retired.
Feb 9, 2022 | Blog
The recent strike by the grocery workers at King Soopers, and the subsequent favorable agreement, has brought to mind the importance of workers’ ability to participate in a union. The truth is that most workers in a union never go on strike, but it is an important tool to have to leverage a genuine partnership in the workplace.
Essentially, the main purpose of a union, in my mind, is to bring democracy to our working environment. I have always found it ironic that people fight so hard to defend democracy in every aspect of their lives, except at work. Organizing a union as representation is the easiest way to bring these democratic processes to the workplace. The idea that workers get a voice on who represents them in workplace decisions through elections mirrors the way we elect representatives for government. The process of collective bargaining brings an orderly process for workers to be heard (and management to be heard as well, by the way). Most importantly, collective bargaining establishes a process for workplace decision-making that is generally trusted by workers and management alike. So that even if the outcome is not particularly what an individual may want, the parties both trust that the decision was fairly discussed and decided, and everyone’s concerns were heard.
Winston Churchill once said that, “Democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all of the others.” Collective bargaining is not a perfect system, but is the only one that gives everyone in a workplace a chance to be heard, just like democracy.
Kevin Vick is a high school social studies teacher and vice president of the CEA.
Dec 20, 2021 | Blog
The warmth that education support professionals (ESPs) in Durango felt on Nov. 17 went beyond the unseasonably warm day — they felt the warmth from the love expressed by their union and their school district on National ESP Day.
The day honors and recognizes the contributions that ESPs make to public education. It is a time to strengthen support and show respect for ESPs, who are equal and essential partners in public education.
From messages of thanks to gifts of appreciation from the Durango Education Support Professionals Association (DESPA) for its members in every school and building throughout the district, the day was nonstop gratitude for those who keep schools running and safe. The celebration concluded with a virtual happy hour where members connected with colleagues and won gift cards and “Educate” t-shirts — and discussed their plan to win increases in pay and demand the state legislature to repay its $9.3 billion debt to public education.
Leaders in DESPA’s sister association, the Durango Education Association, said, “We love our ESPs!! Thank you all for everything you do for our students to feel loved, safe, and supported. We hope you know how valued and appreciated you are, today and every day!”
The Durango School District joined in the recognition with gift baskets and thanks as well.
“We appreciate you more than you will ever know. Your warmth and care for our children, your dedication to our district, and your tremendous expertise and commitment are appreciated and admired,” said Dr. Karen Cheser, superintendent of the Durango 9-R School District.
In addition, the Durango 9-R Board of Education expressed its appreciation for Durango ESPs, saying, “Gratitude hardly seems sufficient when trying to express our thanks for the important work that Education Support Professionals do. You have an immeasurable impact on the staff, students and families in 9-R. Thank you for your dedication to children and education–we are so grateful for all that you do.”
The History of National ESP Day
In 1987, the NEA Representative Assembly called for the creation of a special way to honor the contributions of public school support staff. National Education Support Personnel Day was established and celebrated that year. Since then, it has been observed on Wednesdays during American Education Week.
NEA’s National Council of Education Support Professionals (NCESP) successfully campaigned at the 2002 Representative Assembly to change ESPs’ formal name from “Education Support Personnel” to “Education Support Professionals”.
The name change reflects a growing pride in the essential role ESPs play in creating great public schools for every American student. From instructional assistants and paraeducators to office workers, health and student services employees, and food service workers, from custodians, maintenance workers and bus drivers to security guards, technology specialists, and skilled trade workers, today’s support professionals provide invaluable services that enable students to learn in positive, supportive environments.
Jennifer Latham is a paraeducator and member of the Durango ESPA and the CEA Education Support Professional At-Large Director.
Dec 10, 2021 | Blog
Growing up in Morrison, Sydney Slifka didn’t always know that she wanted to be a teacher. It wasn’t until she took an “Intro to Teaching” class in college that she knew where she wanted to go with her professional life.
“I knew that I wanted a career that was different every day and involved working with people,” said Slifka. “While figuring out my options, I took that class, which landed me in a first grade classroom and I fell in love with the students. Since then, I’ve found my calling to working with students in highly impacted urban schools.”
Sydney’s favorite part about her job is building a community within my classroom. She relishes in seeing kids’ smiling facing come in the door each day, excited to learn, and creating a safe space for them to be who they are. For Sydney, each and every day is a new adventure, and she’s always looking for ways to spark the excitement/desire for learning within each of her students.
Sydney joined the union to be able to have a voice for herself and her colleagues. Sydney believes the union brings strength in numbers and allows us to better advocate for our rights as educators and fight for the schools that our students deserve.
When she’s not being a superhero to her students and an inspiration to her union colleagues, Sydney loves to travel. She’s been to over 20 countries, usually on solo trips, hostel style. She loves to learn about new cultures, see history and art, and to meet people along the way. She’s also into all of the Colorado things: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, in addition to making jewelry and cooking.
Sydney, a product of the Jefferson County Public Schools system herself, is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver and earned a Masters in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of Denver.
Sydney Slifka is an elementary school teacher and high school volleyball coach in Jefferson County and a proud member of the Jefferson County Education Association.
Dec 10, 2021 | Blog
Many members of the CEA-Retired spent another election season advocating for school board and city council candidates recommended by local units and the CEA. Races were contentious in many places this year due to the increased interest and involvement from various fringe organizations, who supported candidates who ran on divisive issues rather than issues that benefit Colorado students. Despite the many challenges, when we fight, we win!
In the Denver Public Schools Board election, CEA-R member Margaret Bobb spent time volunteering her support for the four candidates recommended by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. Her hard work, along with many others, paid off and all four were elected. In Aurora and Cherry Creek, we saw the same positive outcomes. Their school boards will be represented by majority pro-public education directors. CARE members Eliza Hamrick and Marilyn Kemp canvassed tirelessly to bring their candidates to the finish line.
JCEA-Retired members pitched in in Jeffco to help Jefferson County Education Association’s recommended candidates win. Lorraine Bowen, Karen Coleman, Julie Friedemann, Dale Gatz, Andrea Luethge, Diana Bliss and Kris Kraft completed a wide variety of activities from phone banking, canvassing, and postcard writing to sponsoring fundraisers and donating money. Jefferson County has not forgotten what happens to a school board when the right people are not elected. BVEA-R supported the Boulder Valley Education Association’s recommended candidates by writing post cards.
Even though retired members worked hard in Greeley and Adams 12, the outcome was not so good. They will be faced with challenging school boards for the next few years. Despite the setbacks, we do not give up. We fight back and we fight back harder. Fighting for public education is what our organization is all about and it will be a fight for the foreseeable future. Those of us who spent years in schools know this, and even though we are no longer in the classrooms we will continue to fight for our friends who are still doing what is best for every child every day.
Lori Goldsein is a retired special education teacher and president of CEA-Retired.
Dec 10, 2021 | Blog
The step to finding and activating your voice is never an easy one but that’s what the brave educators of the New America School (NAS) did on Wed., Oct. 20 when a majority of educators of the charter network presented a petition to the New America Board seeking recognition of their union. In the petition, the educators are asking to go to the bargaining table to discuss solutions to declining student achievement, high educator turnover and a negative school culture where educator voice is essentially muted.
“Our students deserve a school where they know that their teachers will return consistently but unfortunately, the current environment at NAS has led to massive staff changes every single year,” said Collette Simkins, New America School art and drama teacher. “The teaching staff in the NAS system believe that it is time for a change. We need a seat at the table. Teachers leave because decisions are made about our jobs without any meaningful input from us. We want to be included in decisions about our schools, our students, and our jobs.”
“At the end of the day, we all just want what’s best for our students,” said Elaina King, social studies teacher and instructional coach. “We want recognition so that we can best serve our diverse student population. All kids, no matter their backgrounds need teachers who are there for them through thick and thin.”
Educators are concerned that their expertise and input is often ignored by administration, which has led to a decline in student achievement. Because of the exodus of educators from all three campuses, remaining educators are forced to take on more. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the underlying issues at the New America School.
This is the first known attempt at forming a union in any charter school in Colorado history; a history that includes the state being the national blue print for school choice. Charter schools in Colorado are allowed to waive out of 19 state laws, including laws that impact educator working conditions.
“We proudly stand with the New America School educators,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and CEA president. “These brave educators are standing up and doing what’s right for their students and their school and this is nothing short of heroic. The 39,000 members of the CEA stand in solidarity with the educators of NAS and pledge to support in any way we can to help them achieve recognition.”
As of the publication date of this magazine, there has not been a decision or recognition by the New America Board in response to the petition.
The New America School is composed of three campuses: Lakewood, Aurora, and Thornton. Each campus was authorized by Jefferson County Public Schools, the Colorado Charter School Institute, and Adams 12 School District, respectively. There are 30 educators across all three campuses.
Sydney’s favorite part about her job is building a community within my classroom. She relishes in seeing kids’ smiling facing come in the door each day, excited to learn, and creating a safe space for them to be who they are. For Sydney, each and every day is a new adventure, and she’s always looking for ways to spark the excitement/desire for learning within each of her students.