“Optimism is essential to achievement
and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”
Nicholas Murray Butler

For some, the age old dilemma is to decide if the cup is half empty or half full. That is where optimism steps in; deciding that the cup is half full creates a profound shift in attitude and outlook. It is courageous when individuals take a differing viewpoint and, in particular, when those possessing optimistic viewpoints challenge the pessimism and negativity of others.

Choosing negativity (or at the least dwelling on it) undermines efforts to build unity, diminishes the hopes of others, deflates the value of gains achieved and discourages those who desire the undertaking of new tasks and challenges.

What is to be gained by holding steadfast to thoughts and actions that serve only to barricade paths to achievement? Negativity polarizes and hinders the positive efforts of others and, in its extreme, negativity bullies and silences others.

This is where unity and collegiality become critically important. The voices of our members not only need to be heard, but received with open minds. Demonstrating support and tolerance toward one another offers the opportunity to recognize differences and similarities while working toward achieving common goals for the good of all. What, exactly, is wrong with being optimistic, hopeful, and focused on positive approaches to solving the problems and difficulties before us?

Our challenge is to encourage those with voices of optimism to speak out and join in the continuous work of building and supporting the strong foundation of courage that leads to progress for the teachers and students of this district.

Sheila

Remember: Spring elections are coming up! Are you willing to help build unity, undertake the challenge of working on behalf of your colleagues, and be a positive voice for effecting change?

(by Gary Day)

I am thinking about taking a leave of absence for the next school year. What union memberships will I retain while on leave? If you go on a leave of absence, you do not remain a member of the MTA. You can however, remain an associate member of NYSUT. That would allow you to maintain any benefits that you currently purchase from NYSUT Member Benefits Trust. You must contact the membership department at NYSUT headquarters to get the associate member enrollment form.
My TRS Profile shows that my in-service death benefit is much greater than 3 times my annual salary. Is the profile correct? It probably is correct if you are a member of Tier 1 and are now eligible to retire without any service credit-related reductions in your pension. The in-service death benefit has been changed into what is called the Death Gamble Benefit. For additional information contact TRS (800-348-7298, Ext. 6110).

I currently purchase my Met Life auto and homeowners insurance from NYSUT Member Benefits via payroll deduction. How will my payments be made if I were to retire this July? If you are going to retire you must contact Member Benefits and they will temporarily change your method of payment from payroll deduction to monthly payment by check. After your pension with TRS is established you will be able to convert your payment method to pension deduction. (Pension deduction is also available for Vote/Cope contributions.)

The local optometrist told my husband that he was not eligible for vision benefits? Why is this so? The vision benefit provided by the MTA Benefit Fund is for individual coverage only. If you desire family coverage you must purchase that from NYSUT Member Benefits.

Any questions regarding retirement, salary, or the Benefit Fund, may be e-mailed to: questions@middletownteachers.org. All questions will receive a reply; some may appear in future newsletters.

(by Lois Samsel-Cronk)

The committee has been working hard to show the Board of Education how the administrators are not adhering to our contract. We have been successful with the last two grievances that have gone before the Board of Education, the High School directive on the use of their prep period and the 6th class at Twin Towers. As a result, the secondary administrators have been instructed to adhere to our contract regarding these two matters.

The member who was not receiving credit for her Masters and graduate courses is now receiving the credit and we are waiting on the retro pay that is due to her since September.

We are still having problems with CrossPointe as we have 3 members who are waiting to have their MOE reflect the correct number of years. We have been informed that the representative will correct this problem.

(by Frederick Isseks)

In the most recent Program for International Student Assessment report, sponsored by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Finland’s public schools were ranked number one out of all the nations of the world.

The Finnish education system is vastly different from ours. There is no national standardized testing, and teachers have a great deal of academic freedom.

Standardized tests are the instructional technology of choice for administrators of the top-down school systems now favored in the United States, including here in Middletown.

Standardized tests give educational decision making power to the test makers and data analysts, while they rob power from teachers and students. In Finland, the 117,500 member teachers union did not allow this to happen.

As our district structures our curriculum with more and more testing, it is good for us to remember that progressive education has a long and proud history in our country, beginning with John Dewey, who was once a member of the American Federation of Teachers.

American schools were built on the idea that children learn by taking an active role in their own education. It is a model in which teachers are trusted, respected, and encouraged to take chances, rather than insulted by constant administrative surveillance.

The idea is still very much alive in Finland. We should be talking about bringing it back to life here.

(by Tenise M. Wall, LLSW - School Social Worker at Truman Moon)

In honor of National Professional Social Work Month, March 2008, social workers throughout the country are working hard to bring acknowledgment to, and an understanding of, the social work profession.

There are many different agencies in which you will find social workers employed. Social workers may be found in hospitals, mental health agencies, foster care agencies, adoption agencies, courtrooms, geriatrics departments, substance abuse centers, disaster relief centers, and in schools, just to name a few. Surprisingly the misconception is still prevalent that social workers primarily work within the area of child protective services. This is an unfortunate misunderstanding. The fact is that, as a collaborative professions, social workers do more to strengthen, build, advocate and provide resources for families than any other profession to date. Working in the social work profession is more than “just listening.” It is having the clinical training, knowledge, licensure and skills needed to assess, diagnosis, and work with a team of people who are focused on an individual. In the schools that team may be the parents, student, teachers, administrator, and collateral agencies. In a hospital that may be the nurse, doctor, patient, and case manager. Wherever you find social workers you will find them working diligently on behalf of the populations they serve. Their reward is certainly not the pay, but rather the improved lives along the way.

Help celebrate March 2008 Social Work Month by saying thank you to a social worker who has touched your life.

REWARD
THE SMILE ON A WINNING SENIOR’S FACEJ
SATISFACTION OF HELPING A YOUNG PERSON
AND YES THE POSSIBILITY OF BIG CASH$$$$$

SCHOLARSHIP RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE APRIL 9TH
BEGIN TALKING IT UP TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY
LET’S SELL ALL THE ALOTTED TICKETS AND MAKE THIS THE LARGEST SCHOLARSHIP OFFERING EVER!

THE DRAWING WILL BE MAY 14TH