December 15, 2009
Dear Members,
PLEASE read the essay below, so that you may know a little about what we, ECETA, including you, are all about!
Respectfully,
Susana Gilkison
ECETA President
It was brought to my attention that the current ECETA's Executive Board does not do enough to reach out to its members. Our meetings are not well attended. Our members are discouraged with the past RIF's, and the District's "second class citizen attitude toward teachers. "What?' "Not reaching out!" "What is this all about? Let me list a few facts. We have not missed one single monthly meeting for our members. We have offered the General
Meetings at different school locations, in order to make it available to all members, yet we still suffer a lack of teacher attendance.
Coffee with Pletka was our (ECETA's) idea. He has graciously accepted to meet with teachers. Only once, in twenty-three months, he had to cancel. Dr. Pletka makes time to meet with teachers, and still a minimal amount of teachers attend.
Through ECETA?s suggestion, we have been included in many of the District's committees. It's a major task to get members to be part of a team. If at times it seems that it is the same members participating, it is because they are the only members willing to participate. I am grateful to all of you that are ready to make an effective difference by offering your services for ECETA. It is our ticket to job security!
The District's Parties have been opened to all members through the suggestion of ECETA. I have been to these District parties where the organizers order food for an estimated amount of members who may show up last minute, yet only a handful of teachers attend.
ECETA's Vice-President and I have gone to a couple of schools to converse with the school site's members on any concerns. Only one school had a full house. The other experiences included only the school site rep, ECETA's Vice President and myself at the meeting. One school did not even have a rep. (she had to go to her Masters Class). The school's secretary had to let us in. There is another school that chooses not to have a building representative. Still, ECETA's secretary, who is also the communication chair, sends them updated association informative materials.
ECETA is represented at the Annual Retirees' Ceremony where I, as ECETA's President and teacher representative, am given the opportunity and honor to speak. In this event there is a full house, but only because it is mandatory.
When CTA's Vice President, Dean Vogel, a major celebrity, came to our Valley, he insisted that I take him to a local school. I did. I chose a Jr. High School. Only eight members showed up. Instead of taking advantage of this major politician and asking for programs or grants for students, this group of teachers decided to allow their ring leader, who isn't even an ECETA member and who holds a major grudge from the past on members who are now long gone and retired, to take over and talked about how the 1991 ECETA Presidential election was stolen from him; as he threw a 1991 ECETA contract at Vice-President Vogel's feet, stating it was the last acceptable contract.
At the 2009 Welcome Back, it was announced that Dr. Pletka would talk to the members during ECETA's time about budget issues, immediately after the Administration finished their part. It was re-announced that in ten minutes ECETA's portion would start with Dr. Pletka as the guest speaker. We had to start in less than seven minutes, because more than half of the members did not care to stay and listen. The excuse was that they needed to get their room ready. They ignored that it was ECETA who convinced Dr. Pletka to talk to the principals and allow teachers to have the remaining of the Welcome Day for classroom time, yet the members did not care to listen to what Dr. Pletka had to say.
Finally, we have a Web page that has been praised by other districts in California, yet members care not to read it and get informed. It was suggested to include a blog type of entry in ECETA's web page for members to write their comments. Well, it's not going to happen. I will again offer the Executive Board's e-mail addresses, and members may write to us. A blog only encourages gossip and irresponsible anonymous comments. If a member wants to talk, they can do so, straight to us.
The truth is that we have passive members. Our passive members prefer to blame the executive board and me, saying that we do not reach out to them. Our passive members choose to be badgered instead of reading their contract and knowing their rights. Luckily for all our members, we, the current ECETA executive board, are moving forward. Every move we make, we continue to reach out to all members with flyers, phone calls, meetings and e-mails. We are moving forward and we are including all members, even the ones that have destructive criticism and deliberately hurt ECETA.
We, ECETA's Executive Board, will heal and carry on. We may get knocked down, but we will get up again, stronger and wiser. If any of our members get knocked down, he/she will get up again, but not alone. We will help him/her get back on to their feet again. If we can help one, two, and all members we are doing our job. We hold true in our hearts and in our minds ?That an injury to one, is an injury to all!?
Susana Gilkison
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Messages from our President!!! June 12, 2009
Dear ECETA Members,
Another year, has passed us by. As brave troopers, we confronted it with dignity and moved forward. If you are not working summer school, take this time to re-energize your mental and physical batteries, as you enjoy our valley's beautifully heated summer. If you are leaving the valley for the summer, I sincerely wish you a safe trip. If you are working summer school; during your free time, try to enjoy the season. Remember, we are going to report back to school by mid-August. Yeah! At the end of August, we will be getting a paycheck.
Once we join forces again in August, I will need of all your strength in order to take back our schools. By taking back our schools, we need to put our fears aside, and push ourselves forward. If we have a strong self-esteem and a positive attitude, we will transcend our vibes to everybody else. As our students' role models, we need to pass our strong, positive self-worth feelings onto them.
I want to remind you that there is strength in numbers. We (teachers) are a majority. You have a voice, and you have a Union that can speak for you. During this summer, READ YOUR CONTRACT!
In your contract you will find out about your rights as an employee. Become familiar with them, so that you may put fears aside. Fear is a bad advisor. You might consider being in the dark about the content of your contract. It is said that ignorance is "bliss," but it can also be self-destructing. Please avoid both.
Respect mankind, so that you can be respected, too. Try to eat healthy. If you indulge, do it to a minimal (I am trying so hard to remember this one). Get informed. Get rest, and by all means enjoy your summer.
Susana Gilkison
ECETA President
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To: ECESD School Board on 4/7/09
From: ECETA's President: Susana Gilkison
The following should be taken as constructive criticism. I do need you to listen and take note. Because the way things where handled, were simply badly done.
ECETA as any Union advocates for all; especially, the ones that cannot speak out to defend themselves: the oppressed. The ones that are margined, target and constantly hurt by the administration.
El Centro Elementary School District had only two RIF'd teachers. A RIF'd teacher is at risk of losing his/her job on account of budget cuts. If the budget situation improves or there is a job vacancy, the RIF'd teacher is a candidate for reemployment.
El Centro Elementary School District had seven non-re-elects. A non- re-elect teacher has been fired. The notice or letter of non-re-elects goes in their files. It is a "black mark" in the teachers' record. They may get a job, but it will take many letters of recommendation, an awesome self-worth essay from the non-re-elect teacher, and an enormous amount of luck. It will take human compassion and an open mind from the person who screens the applicants' paperwork to give a non-re-elect teacher an opportunity.
I was told that it was the principal’s decision to issue the notices of non-re-elects. I was informed by a Board Member that you, the board, are simply told that these non-re-elect candidates are not an asset to our District. You are not given a name, or a face, or a case scenario, or an explanation of why the site principal feels this teacher(s) is unworthy. I want to make you aware that these non-re-elect teachers are real people. You are playing with their lives and their families’ livelihoods. You might debate me and say that a bad teacher is unacceptable and should be cut off the system within a school year; yet, you give bad principals years to prove themselves. I consider that a double standard.
Here is the thing. Why a letter of non-re-elect? I know of other Districts in our Valley, and in the State, that gave failing teachers the option of "quitting before issuing them a letter of non-re-elect." They know how damaging a letter of non-re-elect is to a teacher's future in this profession.
These non-re-elects did not fail our system. Our system failed them. Were they assisted? Do we not have intervention programs to help the teachers improve their teaching abilities, programs like, BITSA, PAR, the literacy coach, and their very own principal who should act as a principle pal. I belong to the executive board of an intervention program to assist teachers, and not one principal recommended any teacher(s) for assistance.
You, the Board failed them, too! You failed them because you did not ask more information about these non-re-elects. You just took the principal's recommendation. I understand that you expect all principals to act professionally and set aside arrogance and focus on what the students are learning. Because it is all about what the students are learning, right? Well, it’s not! I know of a case where the teacher was "strongly advised" by the site principal to choose a different group of teachers to "hang out" with or she would be fired. She chose the "wrong group" and after having a perfect evaluation weeks earlier, she was given a "non satisfactory" on the areas of "Interpersonal relationships” and “Other duties" because, the areas of Pupil Progress and all other areas within the Pupil Progress genre were outstanding! The Wednesday after the last ECESD Board Meeting (March 11, 2009), during class time, in the middle of an assembly this teacher was given "her walking papers or her letter of non-re-elect."
You might think to yourselves, "oh well its only one case at one school." No, there are more cases from other schools in our district. I have more cases to narrate, but I will stay with this one. One case is too many! An injury to one is an injury to all! You must place human dignity as the number one priority. None of these professional growth workshops, or teaching strategies and intervention programs for students, teachers and administrators will work, if you do not place respect for human dignity as a top priority. Sure, we had a victory saying that we had only two RIF'd teachers, but with the seven non-re-elects...it became a "dark victory."
I have a request. Please make the proper inquires before you permanently damage a teacher’s career and their lives. Before you make a decision on a person’s future, ask the principals issuing the letters of non-re-elect for the documentation and the justification of their decision. Dear Board, before you make such a decision on people's future: think, what if this "at risk teacher" was my daughter or son? Will somebody give them a hand? Will somebody guide them? Will somebody give them an opportunity? If you wish to make this District successful, you must make human dignity a priority. Thank you.
Susana Gilkison
ECETA President
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Note from the President, Susana Gilkison February 2009
The Christmas elves worked their magic and on our second day back from the Winter Break, our Negotiation Chair was called by a District representative and informed that in fact the turquoise "what if" was official. The rest is history. We had to have a "special" meeting to ratify the "tentative agreement." During the meeting, a motion was made and carried to have our retro-check be a separate paycheck. The idea was shared with our Superintendent during "coffee with Dr. Pletka," on January 21st. He commended the idea. A few days later, the El Centro Elementary business office informed ECETA that the request for a separate check for the retroactive pay would be taxed at a higher "Flat Tax Rate." So on Friday January 30th., a special meeting was called to order. The members who attended the special meeting voted unanimously to reconsider the original motion. A new motion was then made and unanimously carried to have the retroactive pay included in the regular paycheck.
In January, California Teachers Association Vice-President, Dean Vogel, visited Imperial Valley. He requested that ECETA's President be his tour guide. I accepted and with the guidance of Uniserv staffperson, Ernie Bristow, and, Calexico's Teachers Association President, Carmen Durazo, we accompanied Dean and Jim Groth Director Area P to several school in our county. CTA's Vice-President’s time in the Imperial Valley was limited; yet he had an opportunity to see several ECESD schools, and also meet with teachers in an after school meeting at Wilson Jr. High. As a pre-thank you the night before; he took ECETA's executive board, bargaining team and building representatives to dinner at "Famous Dave's." Thank you to those of you who attended. Those of you that were unable to attend, we ate on your behalf.
January was a busy month. We happened to have a couple of Tuesdays available so ECETA's Vice-President, Shealyn Smith-Barker I visited on two different days, Washington and Harding Elementary schools. We felt that our "Talk Time" was successful. Teachers had a chance to visit with us in a non-threatening environment, their own school site, and ask questions about any concerns they had. As time allows us, we plan to continue doing this activity at other sites.
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Message from your ECETA President: Susana Gilkison January 2009
"We cannot live in fear. The only thing that your principal can legally annoy you with is in "assignments." I would like to uplift you with this in mind. Just in case you have forgotten. You are talented! You are a professional! Not one of us became a teacher to stay in kindergarten or second grade or whatever grade forever. First and foremost, we are teachers, regardless of the grade level. Handle yourselves professionally, and no one can take your/our career away from us.
If you do not understand the new assignments' curriculum ask for help. Your principal should be your "principle pal." He/she must get you the support you need. You are not alone. Your on-site principal is there to give you assistance. If he/she fails to do so, you have your Educational Services Superintendent. If he cannot assist, you go to the Superintendent. In the case of none of the above coming through for you: you have your UNION! Why Union? Union represents job security.
Only you can make your Union strong! Your immediate contact is your very own on-site building representative. You have a question, concern or an idea contact your ECETA Building Representative. He/she will assist and can give you direction. Get informed. Get involved. You have to stop thinking that your involvement will get you
"black balled." Your lack of involvement is what is getting us all "black balled." You must remember "unity, 'union makes us strong.'" You choose not to get involve: you have just weakened our Union.
We are talented teachers. As professionals, we have our dignity and self-respect. We must always demand to be treated with dignity and respect. You must not allow it to be any other way. Let us hold our heads high and go do our jobs: teach!"
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