June 24th, Meet and Greet with Incoming OEA President and Vice President
You are invited to a Zoom meet and greet with OEA president-elect Reed Scott-Schwalbach and OEA vice president-elect Enrique Farrera.
Join members from the Portland and Mt Hood UniServ areas to meet with Reed and Enrique between 5:00 - 6:00 PM for conversation, raffle prizes, and more. Can’t make it? See the OEA website “Events” for other dates.
When: Thursday June 24, 2021 5:00 – 6:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Please register in advance:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAtceGqqTopGdQgQfxfVge0HuaMNbrbmJWm
Register Today for OEA Summer Conference
OEA 2021 Summer Conference Register Today
July 19-23, 2021
Virtual Conference through OEA Events App
The OEA 2021 Summer Conference is virtual this year and offers a wealth of workshops and seminars covering topics important to our members in their classrooms, community, and union organizing.
Each morning will start with two content sessions, with opportunities for networking and office hours in the afternoons. OEA values your time, and encourages you to register for the courses that best meet your learning needs and your personal schedule. Below is a sampling of the topics covered that week (some sessions offer PDU credit).
- Building Our Local Leaders: Distributive
Leadership in Action - Confronting White Nationalism in Schools
- Engaging Our Newest Hires: Success from
the Field - Integrating an Inclusive History and Social
Science Curriculum in Your K-2 Classroom - Introduction to Grievances: Grieve, Gripe,
Grumble? - Peer Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Strategies - School and College Board Elections
- Strong Start for the Fall: Building Community
- The Role of a Building Representative in an
Organizing Union - Transgender Inclusion
- Weighted Workload: A Student-Centered
Approach
Download the program for the whole schedule and topics lined up for that week. A condensed participant agenda is also available.
Community Healing Event for the PAT Asian and Pacific Islander Community
This Friday, April 16th at 3:30pm, the Asian and Pacific Islander Month Planning Committee, will be hosting a community healing event for the Asian and Pacific Islander community.
If you are an educator who identifies as Asian, Pacific Islander, mixed, Hapa, multiracial, etc. you are welcome!
You are enough.
There is no gatekeeping--no one will ask "how" you qualify to be in the circle (though you can share how you identify if that feels good).
You are enough.
Join us and spread the word. Here is the zoom link to join.
Upcoming Events and Resources for Educators of Color
We hope that you are doing well and are experiencing or preparing for a safe and positive return to the classroom with your students. We want you to know that we value you, we see you, and we are here to support you. There are a few awesome workshops and offerings we want to make sure you are aware of and have the opportunity to participate in, should you choose to do so.
OEA Sponsored Book Groups for BIPOC Participants ONLY
- Everyday Antiracism: Getting Real About Race in School: A 6-week facilitated virtual learning community led by Diane Hicks to discuss the book by Mica Pollock. Participants will be provided with the book. Additional details on the event page. April 19-May 28, 2021, live sessions on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Registration is open! Open to BIPOC participants only.
- My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies: A 7-week facilitated virtual learning community led by Paula Dennis to discuss this book by Resmaa Menakem. Participants will be provided with the book. Additional details on the event page. April 12-May 28, 2021. Live discussions on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Registration is open! Open to BIPOC participants only.
Get reimbursed for your TSPC Licensure Fees!
The Oregon Legislature, through the Student Success Act, has authorized TSPC to mitigate costs associated with TSPC licensure and assessments for racially, ethnically, and/or linguistically diverse teacher and administrator candidates. If you have incurred an initial license or renewal expense (for example, fees paid in eLicensing to TSPC, fees paid to complete an ORELA or Praxis test) between the fiscal year of July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, you may qualify for repayment. You can find further information regarding qualifications for the program, what is eligible for reimbursement, and application forms here: TSPC : Diversity License Expense Reimbursements : Financial Assistance
NEW NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR BIPOC AND EARLY EDUCATORS
National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and provides numerous benefits to teachers, students, and schools. It was designed to develop, retain, and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide.
Under a new grant, there are funds allocated specifically to support BIPOC and early career educators in Oregon in obtaining their certification.
If you are interested in learning more about why National Board Certification is referred to as the best professional development you will ever take and the "gold standard" for teaching, consider registering for one of the upcoming information sessions on April 7th and April 8th.
In addition to these opportunities for Educators fo Color only, please see our website for more upcoming events and opportunities, open to all members, including:
-
A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH DR. BETTINA LOVE, AUTHOR OF WE WANT TO DO MORE THAN SURVIVE.
In Solidarity,
Jacque Dixon and Nedra Miller, PAT Racial Equity Committee Co-Chairs
Portland Association of Teachers
http://www.pdxteachers.org/
OSU Provost's Lecture Series Featuring Ibram X. Kendi
April 14, 2021 from 5:00 -6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Free and open to the public. Register Here
Virtual Visit with Dr. Bettina Love
***NEW DATE, May 12, 2021*** NOW OPEN TO PPS STAFF FROM ALL GRADE LEVELS. Register today.
"While the transition to hybrid is necessarily occupying our time and energy, this Virtual Site Visit with Dr. Love is an opportunity to breathe and ground ourselves in why we do this work: to ensure that all students, especially our underserved students, are provided an education that recognizes and values their unique attributes and sets the conditions for them to thrive in our schools and beyond.
This is also a critically important opportunity to cultivate culturally sustaining instructional practices, which is a key component of our High School Success Plan, Educator Essentials, and RESJ professional development goals."
New National Board Certification Grant Opportunity for BIPOC and Early Educators
National Board Certification Information Sessions for BIPOC and Early Career OEA members!
- BIPOC Information Session Wednesday, April 7, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
- ECE Information Session Thursday, April 8, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what was involved in pursuing National Board Certification, why you might want to do it at all, what supports are out there to help you to successfully complete it and where the money is going to come from? OEA members who are either BIPOC or early career (3-5 years) now have an opportunity to have most of the costs paid for through an NEA grant, get a Jump Start in the process, as well as on-going support and 1-1 coaching! Participate in either of these online information sessions to find out more. Get answers to your specific questions from Oregon National Board Teachers helping to lead this work!
April 8th Retirement Seminar for PAT Members
Are you a mid-career educator looking to check-in and get more information on retirement planning? As a benefit to our active members, Portland Association of Teachers is excited to host another Financial Planning Seminar.
Please RSVP here if you plan to attend. Meeting links will be sent early next week. Please contact us at [email protected] with questions on this and other events.
We hope to see you there.
Portland Association of Teachers
http://www.pdxteachers.org/
OEA Spring Leadership Learning Opportunities
Join OEA member leaders of all levels of experience from across the state for an ongoing series of learning leadership opportunities. All courses are presented by OEA staff on Zoom on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 PM. Register HERE
- April 28, Identifying Organizing Issues: Members aren't apathetic! Learn how to ask the right questions and take action in a meaningful way.
- May 12, Conflict Styles and Conflict Resolution: Identify how you behave during conflict and recognize conflict styles in others. Use this knowledge to analyze and understand conflict resolution strategies.
- May 26, Listening, Asking Questions, and the Collaborative Approach to Problem Solving: An experienced leader knows how to listen deeply, asks open-ended questions, and uses problem solving strategies that ensure all voices are heard.
- June 2, Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator: Learn actionable strategies to stand up for your students and colleagues, and advocate for equitable outcomes for all!
Tonight! Rally at BESC to Support Custodians and Nutrition Service Workers
Below is a message from Joseph Cartino with SEIU 503, asking for PAT members to show support in pressuring the district to settle a fair contract for their members.
See the Facebook event here. Please wear your PAT Blue!
Tuesday, March 30th, 6pm
BESC, 501 N. Dixon St.
Nutrition service workers and custodians have gone above and beyond during this pandemic to keep the buildings functioning and feed the community, but they haven't been respected, protected and paid.
It's time for Portland Public Schools to do the right thing and settle a fair contract with their essential workers, and collaborate with staff, parents, and students to ensure the return to in-person instruction will be successful.
Hazard Pay: For nutrition service workers, the lowest paid PPS group, and the only one who’ve had their hours and wages cut during this pandemic. This majority female workforce has put themselves at risk to feed the community and deserve respect.
Custodians: Enough Union staff to clean and disinfect buildings. PPS’s current “Moderately Dingy” standard is not good enough, and hiring contractors is not the solution.
Thanks for your support.
Portland Association of Teachers
http://www.pdxteachers.org/