Welcome to the SREA's new blog Paying Our Dues. SREA members are invited to stay connected with everything that's going on with our members, happenings in Lansing and all things SREA. We would like this blog to be a place where members can share everything from great lessons to personal announcements to questions about insurance plans to events happening in and around the area. Please feel free to submit suggestions, lesson plans, photos, videos, articles, etc. to Beth Harris @ mrs.harristhurston@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Welcome to the SREA!
The SREA would like to extend a warm welcome to its newest members from across the district!
Ashley Chiado
4th grade
Degree(s): Eastern Michigan University December of 2014.
You may want to know: This is my first year teaching! Some things I like to do include going up north to Oscoda for family vacations and fishing!
Wendy Draper
Fisher Elementary School
5th grade
Degree(s): University of Wisconsin-River Falls
St. Mary's University - currently pursuing a Master's
You may want to know: I taught for 17 years in MN, all elementary grades except kindergarten and 2nd. I was born in mid Michigan; my dad's job transferred us to MN in late 80's. I moved back to Michigan last summer (2014) to be closer to my family. I love to bake, crafting, dogs, and hockey.
Danielle Crossley
Pierce Middle School
7th grade language arts
Degree(s): Michigan State University - May of 2014
You may want to know: I’m a huge MSU fan! I love summer and warm weather. This past summer, I spent many weekends on Lake Farewell, where I learned to wake surf. I also love traveling and I was lucky enough to visit friends in San Francisco after finishing my internship!
Barbara Johnston
Pierce Middle School
7th grade language arts
Degree(s): Michigan State University
Degree(s): Michigan State University
You may want to know: I completed a year long student teaching internship at Southfield-Lathrup High School in Southfield, MI. I love to cook and try new recipes. My next goal is to try making different types of homemade bread!
Jackie Fincher
Thurston High School
Algebra 1
Degree(s): Grand Valley State University
You may want to know: This will be my fourth year of teaching. I have previously taught at a charter school in Belleville, MI and have coached girls basketball and track. In my free time I enjoy running, participating in volleyball leagues and spending time with my family.
Kate Poirer
Thurston High School
9th grade physical science
DePaul University - 2012
You may want to know: I earned a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering with a Biomedical Cognate and a Master's in Education. I worked as a power consulting engineer for three years and as a teacher for three years in the Chicago-land area. I am married with three dogs and just recently moved back to the Detroit area from Chicago after spending 8 years there. My husband, Nick, and I reside in the Grosse Pointe area.
President's Corner
The 2015 school year is well upon us and for the first time in over five years, the members of the SREA are starting the year with a little more money in their pockets. Over the summer, the Professional Negotiation Team met with administration to negotiate our salary re-opener and, as you know, were able to get a step increase for members who were frozen, and those at the top received a 1% increase off-schedule. (As a reminder, off-schedule means that the increase will not carry over into the next year.)
Our success was mainly due to an increase in our student count – since the State has given almost no per-pupil funding increases. Although the actual number of students in our classroom has dropped a bit, the SREA’s agreements to allow on-line learning and shared time with parochial schools has brought our total enrollment up over 200 students from last year.
This of course is good news, but members need to stay vigilant and keep an eye on Lansing.
Currently, legislators are looking at Roads Bills that will slash the general fund to fix roads. That means more cuts to schools. We have another salary re-opener to negotiate for next year coming up in the next few months. It is imperative that we continue to grow our enrollment, but also we must prevent cuts from the State which would negate any gains we have made in South Redford and devastate Public schools across the state. Be sure to call your legislators and let them know that we cannot afford any more cuts!
Finally, the SREA Leadership works hard to serve its members. We want to know how we are doing and how we can improve. We can’t do that without your help. Soon a survey will come out and we ask that you spend the time to answer some questions about our efforts. Please take the time to answer honestly. We need to know what we are doing right, as well as suggestions for improvement. Your voice cannot be heard if you don’t fill it out. Thanks in advance!
Bill
Great job Beth!
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