President's Message: This is Only the Beginning!

May 8th was electrifying—over 25,000 teachers, parents, students, and community supporters rallying on the waterfront and marching through downtown.

Thousands more filled the streets in Eugene, Medford, Bend, and Klamath Falls. Educators even took over the Capitol in Salem driving home our message, that it’s time to fund the schools our students deserve.

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Portland School Board Elections: Vote by May 21st

The Portland Association of Teachers Political Action Committee (PAT PAC) is proud to announce its endorsements for the May 2019 School Board election.

The PAT PAC endorsement panel consisted of eight educators along with OEA staff. The panel considered the following criteria while making their endorsements: support for collective bargaining; commitment to educator voice; knowledge of education issues such as standardized testing and disrupted learning; commitment to racial equity; advocacy for strong, fully-funded public schools; and electability.

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Election for PAT Executive Board Director Position

The PAT Nominations and Elections Committee announces that an election will be held for one Executive Board Director position.  This is necessitated by a mid-term vacancy.  The term of the interim position is August 19, 2019, through June 30, 2020.

A nomination form (including the Candidate Statement) is due by 4:30 PM, June 12, 2019 at the PAT office, to be included in a flyer for distribution at the August 19, 2019, PAT RA.

Per PAT bylaws, the election will be by vote of the elected representatives at the August 19, 2020, PAT Representative Assembly.  Any PAT member may run for election to this position.  Nominations close at 10:00 AM on August 19, 2019. 

The nomination form and the Election Handbook are available at the PAT office or under "Forms" on the PAT website.

Building and Classroom Moves - Article 19 of Our Contract

The PAT Advocacy Committee reminds you that Article 19 provides compensation for packing and unpacking if your move is due to a District reconfiguration or change. Within your building, you are entitled to payment if your administrator directs you to move classrooms/offices after the school year has begun or for the second year in a row.

If your move is the result of typical Spring unassignments because of a reduction in positions in your building or program, or is the result of your voluntary decision to apply for a transfer, payment is not required.  See the FAQ on Building and Classroom Moves and Article 19 of our contract for specific information.  

Student Debt Workshop – Monday, May 20th

Is student debt dragging you down? It is one of the most serious financial challenges facing educators today. 

NEA Member Benefits and PAT want to help. Join us to learn how to:

  • Take advantage of the Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs (Teacher Loan, Perkins Loan, & the Public Service Loan Programs)
  • Use the new NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator Tool (SAVI) to determine if you are eligible for a federal forgiveness program and how much you could potential reduce your loan debt
  • Focus on some basic financial essentials and basic financial planning

This event is free to all PAT members. A light dinner will be served. 

Date: Monday, May 20, 2019 
Time: 4:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: PAT Office,  345 NE 8th Ave., Portland, OR 97232)

Find out more - download the event flyer.

RSVP here.

Social Justice Social: Building Sanctuary, Thursday May 23rd

The rise of anti-immigrant policies, hate speech, and violence in our communities affects all of us in the classroom. This impacts our students whether they are immigrants themselves, belong to mixed status families, or are disturbed by these threats. Educators know how important it is to make classrooms more inclusive and welcoming. This event is the second part of a continued work session on building toolkits for classrooms and talking with other educators about our experiences.

By talking about immigration in positive, productive ways educators can disrupt the xenophobic messages around us!  We hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 23rd  at PAT
4:30-6:00 PM

RSVP here. 

LGBTQ Summit – Friday, June 21st

Join Diamond Law Training and LGBTQ union leaders, staff, and members for our 5th annual ACUTE training. Participants will learn the current legal landscape for LGBTQ and trans issues, deepen bargaining and organizing skills, develop and create affinity caucuses with new friends and allies from across the Pacific Northwest, and more! Special guests include our keynote speaker, the Honorable Fay Stetz-Waters, and Intisar Abioto of The Black Portlanders taking event photos. Allies welcome.

The event is Friday, June 21st, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at SEIU 49, 3536 SE 26th Ave. View the full agenda

PAT is sponsoring fifteen spots for members. If you are interested in the code for free registration, please email: Suzanne Cohen [email protected]. Lunch provided.

Educators of Color - End of Year BBQ – Thursday, May 30th

Are you an educator of color? Don’t miss the end-of-the-year mixer and BBQ, Thursday, May 30th. The event starts at 4:30 PM at the PAT Office, 345 NE 8th Ave.

RSVP here.

Don't Miss the Summer OEA Conference!

From our buildings to our school boards to the state capitol, OEA members have made it clear this year that we are ready to stand up and fight for our students, our communities and our colleagues.

Join fellow OEA members from across the state at the OEA Summer Conference from July 30th to August 1st at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend, Oregon to build on this momentum, and to make plans for the 2019-2020 school year.

This year the Summer Conference will include sessions on: professional practice, organizing, advocacy, bargaining, equity, leadership development, and communication skills.  Building reps, PAT committee members, and PAT members who are simply looking to get more involved in the union should consider attending.  You can review the conference brochure to view all of the conference offerings. 

Registration ends June 26th.