This year, we had an amazing number of qualified candidates for the PAT Members' Scholarship. Thanks to everyone who applied, and congratulations to the recipients for 2015-16 each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship:

With so many serious issues facing Portland educators, it is more important than ever to have a group of committed representatives, who listen to and advocate for the teachers in your building. It's time for each building to elect their representatives! 

The Advocate - April 27, 2016

• You Are Appreciated
• Meeting a Milestone for a Better Oregon
• May 17th Elections: Here's How to Get Involved
• Report from the OEA Representative Assembly
• Support Fast Food Workers
• Workshop on Licensure and Highly Qualified Status

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When my daughter was little, one night at dinner she announced that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up.  I come from a family of educators; both my parents were teachers and so are my brother and sister. 

On Friday April 15th, PAT surpassed its goal of collecting 10,000 signatures for the Better Oregon Campaign. We couldn't have done it without your hard work, so thank you!

PAT has released its full voters' guide for the May 17th election. Download, share, and be sure and make your voice heard!

The PAT delegation participated in the OEA Representative Assembly on April 15th and 16th. PAT was recognized for our hard work collecting signatures for the Better Oregon campaign, and our Legislative Committee was given an award for our work in last year's School Board races.

The Advocate - April 15, 2016

• Act Now to Build a Better Oregon
• Labor Activists Stand Up in Chicago
• OEA Representative Assembly: April 15-16
• PAT Members Weigh In on Housing and Environmental Issues
• Shaping ESSA in Oregon
• Internal Transfers: Postings Open April 19th
• Making the Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment
• Workshop on Licensure and Highly Qualified Status

We're down to the wire with our goal of collecting 10,000 signatures by mid-April. We have counted 8,110 signatures as of April 7, and OEA still has over a thousand in process. PAT members should be proud of the fact that we've collected over ten percent of the signatures statewide, but we can't stop now!

This weekend, PAT members will take part in the Oregon Education Association's Representative Assembly. This is our statewide union's highest body, and a key place to make our voice heard on everything from legislative and political issues to professional practice.

PAT Representative Assemblies continue to be a place for lively discussion and debate, where members tackle a wide array of issues affecting our city.

PAT's own Gwen Sullivan has been chosen to represent PAT as part of an Oregon Department of Education workgroup guiding the state's implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. 

This is the time of year that eligible PAT members can opt for an internal transfer and some may even face "unassignment". It's important that everyone understands the process.

At the 2015 OEA Representative Assembly, delegates voted to inform our members about the arguments for divesting PERS from fossil fuel companies. 

Kudos to PAT Executive Board member Tom Kane for his article in the Winter 2016 issue of the Today's OEA, which spells out the way our retirement funds can be used to slow climate change and spur development of local clean energy solutions

The Advocate - March 16, 2016

• One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
• Understanding Opt Out: New Laws Expand Rights for Parents, Rein in Punitive Measures
• PAT PAC Endorsements
• PAT Election Results
• Help Build a Better Oregon
• Turn Up for Teaching and Learning

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I'm happy to report that, on Friday, the District agreed to remove the "Component 4G" from all educator evaluations. 

For years, PAT members have been sounding the alarm about the negative impact of high-stakes standardized tests. 

Over the past few weeks, the PAT-PAC interviewed dozens of candidates running for a variety of state and local offices. Through the interview process, it was clear that people across Portland are engaged and active, committed to making our city, and our state, a better place.

The following PAT members were elected to union office during the recently concluded PAT election. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who participated in our democratic process!

We're over halfway towards our signature-gathering goal for the Better Oregon Campaign. If we are going to get corporations to pay their fair share in taxes, we know Portland is going to have to do lots of the heavy lifting. 

This is the first of quarterly newsletters for you, awesome Substitutes for PPS! My goal is to keep you informed on the various issues that impact substitutes, and provide resources to support and enhance your skills as a Substitute Teacher.

The Advocate - February 24, 2016

• Making Headway on Assessments
• Watch Out for the Wrong Rubric
• Initial PAT PAC Endorsements
• Better Oregon By the Numbers
• Take the TELL Survey
• Join ODE's ESSA Committees
• Join the PAT Communications Committee

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I got a call from a member last Friday asking me what we could do about her evaluation. She told me that she was marked down in "Domain 4G" of the Rubric. At first I was confused. Our contract clearly states that the Rubric used to do educator evaluations will be developed jointly between PAT and the District. The Rubric cannot be changed unless it's by mutual agreement. I knew our Evaluation Committee has worked hard to develop a fair process, and I knew that the Rubric they developed didn't have a "Domain 4G."