- Grading & Reporting Regulation Revisions Update and WIN!
- Union Elections: Get to Know the Candidates and Make a Plan to VOTE!
- MCEA Presidential Candidate Town Hall – RSVP Today
- Tell the BOE: Fully Fund Our Budget! RSVP for 1/25 Rally
- Be Part of the Process! Join the Apple Ballot Candidate Interview Team
- Get an Early Start on Early Voting
- MCEA Members: Making Our Voices Heard!
- Enforcing Your Union Contract: The Informal Process
- Build Your Teaching Community: Join NEATRise Mentors
- Inspire and Empower! MSEA IPD Conference Call for Proposals
- Grading & Reporting Regulation Revisions Update and WIN!
On September 28, 2023, MCEA learned that MCPS unilaterally implemented what they are referring to as “Phase 1” revisions to the Grading and Reporting Procedure (see attached). MCEA representatives engaged with MCPS in good faith to provide feedback to MCPS through the avenues that were made available, yet MCPS did not address the significant concerns of secondary-level educators regarding the feasibility of implementation.
At the January MCEA Labor Management meeting with MCPS, we received a response to our demands related to the Spring semester implementation of “Phase 1” revisions to the Grading & Reporting regulation. MCEA proposed a delay in implementation of the revisions, which MCPS did not agree to. MCEA additionally demanded that no one be disciplined by MCPS for lack of compliance, to which the system agreed. While principals may not issue discipline, they may provide reminders and coaching as it pertains to implementation of “Phase 1” revisions to the Grading & Reporting Regulation.
Further, the roll-out of “Phase 1” revisions this [Spring] semester will be seen as a time for incorporating the “Phase 1” revisions into practice and to gather feedback on their implementation.
We won an improved workgroup approach to address “Phase 2” revisions. The “Phase 2” workgroup will discuss the 50% rule and potential modifications to “Phase 1” revisions as the impact of their implementation becomes better understood during the Spring rollout. MCEA members will be serving on the workgroup. Stay tuned for continued updates.
- Union Elections: Get to Know the Candidates and Make a Plan to VOTE!
MCEA, MSEA, and NEA board elections are coming up! Do you know who you are voting for? Along with the Board of Directors candidates, members will also vote on NEA Delegates to the July 2024 Representative Assembly.
Voting opens Monday, January 29, 2024, at 9:00am and closes Friday, February 16, 2024, at 5:00pm.
Remember, all chapters that reach 50% voter turnout for MCEA elections will be entered in a raffle to win BREAKFAST AT YOUR WORKSITE! There will be at least one winner chosen from ES, MS, HS and NSB chapters.
MCEA Board of Director candidate speeches and bios can be found in the 2024 Advocate here. MSEA and NEA candidate bios are available here.
MCEA Board of Directors (ES Representative)
- Ashlee Hewlett, Clarksburg ES
- Jennifer Knight, Rolling Terrace ES
- Kristen Poole, Stedwick ES
- Java Robinson, Piney Branch ES
- Laura Sutter, Sherwood ES
- Jacqueline Sutton, Flower Valley ES
- Emmett Tesler, Roscoe Nix ES
MCEA Board of Directors (MS Representative)
- Cassandra Belton, Farquhar MS
- Joshua Rubin, Loiederman MS
- Christine Wilkin, Shady Grove MS
MCEA Board of Directors (HS Representative)
- Lindsey Allar, Seneca Valley HS
- Jody Gil, Blair HS
- Stephanie Hasty, Seneca Valley HS
MCEA President Candidates:
- Brandy Reazer, Northwood HS
- David Stein, Blair HS
The following races were won by acclamation:
- MCEA Vice President—Danillya Wilson, Wheaton Woods ES
- MCEA Treasurer—Kember Kane, Westover ES
- MCEA Secretary—Dustin Jeter, Blake HS
- All MCEA delegates to the MSEA October 2024 Representative Assembly
MCEA Representative Assembly Endorses Nikki Woodward for MSEA Vice President and Paul Lemle for MSEA President
Nikki Woodward is an infants and toddlers specialist and is currently serving her third year as MCEA Vice President. Paul Lemle is a Howard County social studies teacher and past president of the Howard County Education Association. At the December 6 Representative Assembly, they earned the representatives’ endorsement.
- MCEA Presidential Candidate Town Hall – RSVP Today
When voting opens next Monday January 29, and you will be choosing the next President of MCEA! It is important for you to make an informed choice and thus we hope you will join us for a virtual town hall on January 23rd at 6pm to meet the two candidates.
During the town hall President Martin will pose initial questions to the candidates. Then the candidates will answer questions directly from members. Let the candidates know what is important to you and learn how each will address your concerns. You may submit questions before the Town Hall by emailing [email protected], include your name and worksite or pose them in the Q&A during the Town Hall.
The candidates can’t wait to see you!
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
6pm – 7 pm
Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vy-F4NDSSlaI3LxSrUKrkQ
- Tell the BOE: Fully Fund Our Budget! RSVP for 1/25 Rally
Join us for a MCEA rally before the MCPS Board of Education budget hearing where we will speak up and speak out about the underfunding of our school system and the impact on classrooms and students. Remember to wear Red for Ed!
What: MCEA Rally and Board of Education Budget Hearing
Where: CESC, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
When: Rally starts at 5:00PM
Walk-in to BOE hearing at 5:30PM
BOE budget hearing starts at 6:00PM
RSVP here: https://bit.ly/1-25budget
- Be Part of the Process! Join the Apple Ballot Candidate Interview Team
Ensure we are endorsing the candidates who best represent our voices at the local and state level. Join the Apple Ballot Candidate Recommendation Interview Team to interview candidates and determine whose names will appear on the educator-approved Apple Ballot:
- Mandatory Training 9 (2 options) – Friday, February 2 (Union Business Leave provided)
- 9a-1p
- 2p-6p
- Candidate interviews – Saturday, February 3.
- 10a-6p
Sign up here.
- Get an Early Start on Early Voting
Take action to get our Apple Ballot recommended candidates elected! Early voting starts Thursday, May 2, 2024, and runs through Thursday, May 9, 2024. We need your help passing out Apple Ballots at the early voting sites each day of early voting. There are early morning, morning, mid-day, afternoon, and evening shifts available at multiple locations throughout the county.
Please sign up for your Apple Ballot shift here!
For more information, please contact Alicenne Passavanti at [email protected]
7. Enforcing Your Union Contract: The Informal Process MCEA Members: Making our voices heard! 
Educators at Fox Chapel ES on their way to present a letter to administration
Since December 6th, 2023, over 25 schools and worksites took action to address climate concerns. Through our organizing efforts, we are making bold demands to MCPS administration, imploring them to work with us to improve working conditions and students’ learning conditions. Let’s continue amplifying our collective voice: get involved and join other sites in our workplace climate campaign. Reach out to your MCEA Building Representatives, your assigned MCEA Uniserv Director, and/or learn more about how to take action at https://bit.ly/MCEAmembermaterials.
Educators at Rocky Hill MS wear Red for Ed
We celebrate Red for Ed every Wednesday! Don’t forget to wear your red this week, Wednesday, January 24, to build union solidarity and awareness at your school or worksite. We love to share our actions with each other, so please email [email protected] with pictures or videos of your action.
10-minute meeting at Stonegate Elementary following the Dec 2023 Rep Assembly
Our MCEA Building Reps do a great job of connecting their members with MCEA! After attending monthly Representative Assembly meetings, time-sensitive information is shared directly with building members through “10 Minute Meetings.” At Stonegate Elementary, Building Reps Olivia Smith and Max Byer hold blended meetings so that as many members as possible can attend—either in person or via Zoom!
8. Enforcing Your Union Contract: The Informal Process