Wednesday, May 23, 2012

JEA Retirees

I have had a great time over the last two weeks going to take a small retirement gift to each JEA retiree.  What a wonderful group of people with a wealth of experience!

Please share your congratulations with the following people:


Marva Bennett, Bingham





Jana Brinton, Bingham




Margaret Pratt, Bingham




Janice Voorhies, Bingham



Karen Kochevar, Columbia

Kris Millerberg, Columbia


     Lee Dillon, Copper Hills


Claire Glade, Curriculum


Karen Keetch, Elk Meadows


Charlene Peppinger, Elk Ridge


Dean Mednick, Mountain Shadows

    Celestia Whitehead, Oquirrh Hills

Glennys Sabuco, Riverton Elementary


Jorja Lloyd, Riverton Elementary


Sharon Pitcher, Riverton High

    Colin MacLeod, Rosamond

Claudia Mumford, Rose Creek


    Karla Noble, Terra Linda

Bruce Brinkman, Welby
    Susan Kane, West Jordan Elementary
Lanny Westerman, West Jordan High


Susan Hart, Westland

Carolyn Tidwell, Westland


Kathryn Hanna, Westvale



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

America Achieves Fellowship

The following information is about an opportunity to raise the voice of educators as we work to transform our education system.  I encourage you to send this information out, apply yourself, or nominate an accomplished educator  that will be a strong addition to this group of Fellows.  It would be great to have many NEA members apply for, or be nominated for, this Fellowship so that our members’ voices continue to influence the education policy dialogue.

 From America Achieves:

 Apply today (apply.americaachieves.org) for the outstanding opportunity to join the second cohort of the America Achieves' Education Champions Fellowship. Fellows receive a stipend and will be provided with unique opportunities to advise top education leaders at semi-annual conferences; work with other excellent educators to help find solutions to some of the education system's greatest challenges; and develop their own content knowledge on pressing policy issues. The next conference will occur in New York City in September during NBC's Education Nation. The group is doubling its size in order to expand the fellowship to a total of 100 outstanding educators, which will include 80 teachers and 20 principals. Applications are due May 29, 2012.  All travel and lodging expenses are covered for the fellows.

America Achieves is a new non-profit that aims to help America become a global leader in educational excellence and equity and prepare all young people for success in careers, college, and citizenship. The Fellowship leverages the voice of a diverse group of the nation's most effective principals and teachers to improve national education policy and increase the practical tools available to educators nationwide. America Achieves fellowship was formed to identify transformative educators, learn from their successes and bring their voices into the public discourse on education. Current members of the group have advised such leaders as the U.S. Secretary of Education, mayors and superintendents of major cities and have played a crucial role in both of NBC's nationally televised Education Nation summits.


Fact Sheet for the America Achieves’ Education Champions Fellowship

Purpose of the Fellowship

·         To amplify voices of principals and teachers.

·         To advise policy makers and champion the importance of improving our education system so that we can achieve excellence and equity in all American classrooms.

·         To communicate lessons learned in schools and classrooms to key decision makers and the broader public.



What have the Fellows done so far?

·         Since joining the community in September 2010, Fellows participated in both of NBC’s Education Nation summits, where they spoke on panels, participated in teacher town halls, and conducted interviews with national and local media outlets.

·         Fellows have met for three conferences to exchange best practices and provide substantive and candid advice to policymakers and leaders in education on such topics as Common Core Standards and ESEA reauthorization.

·         The Fellows have a virtual network where they exchange thought-provoking reflection on their experiences as educators.  The network has become a valuable tool for all the participants to support each other in schools across the country.

·         Many of the Fellows have been involved in educating policy makers in their local communities and state capitols through testimony and media interviews.



Who are the Fellows?

·         The current class of fellows includes 41 teachers and 8 principals, all whom have helped their students achieve outstanding levels of achievement and improvement in their classrooms and schools.

·         They reside in 17 different states, with representation in all of the major regions of the US. 

·         The group is highly diverse with regards to ethnicity, age, and years of experience.  The teachers have experience in a variety of classroom contexts--from kindergarten to high school chemistry and art. They hold a variety of leadership posts—from math chair to union representative. 



What are we looking for in a Candidate?

·         We are seeking applications from educators who are highly effective in their schools and committed to three principles:

1.      All children can achieve at high-levels when adults take responsibility to make this happen

2.      Effective educators can improve the education system by engaging in the policy process

3.      Public conversations about education must be evidence-based, include diverse stakeholders, and be conducted with respect for differences of opinion. 

  • Fellows will be expected to attend at least two conferences per year



Do Fellows receive compensation?

·         Fellows will receive stipends for active participation.

·         All travel and lodging costs are covered when fellows go to conferences



What is America Achieves?

·         America Achieves is a non-profit organization that will shine a spotlight on successful educators and programs, distill lessons learned and the evidence base, and support promising state and local efforts that drive large-scale improvements in education and outcomes for young people.  This work will help America become a global leader in educational excellence and equity and prepare all young people for success in careers, college, and citizenship.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Administrative Transfers

The administrative transfers made in study session last week will not be posted on the District website until after the public meeting on May 22.  Here is a list now.

Tami Bird, elementary TBD

Mandy Braby, elementary TBD

Ben Jamison, secondary assistant TBD (Canyons)

Debbie Ballard, SpEd Consultant        
Nick Hansen, Butterfield Canyon
Brenda Anderson, Westvale

Mike Kochevar, Bingham

Dennis Edmonds, Copper Hills

Rufine Einzinger, Herriman High

Gayle Ritz, Riverton High

John Vincent, West Jordan High

Sheldon Russell, Ft. Herriman

Karen Eagan, Bluffdale

Aaron Ichimura, Elk Meadows

Paul Bergera, Falcon Ridge

Becky Gerber, Herriman

Shelly Davis, Heartland

Howard Griffith, Jordan Hills

Steve Giles, Midas Creek

Annette Huff, Mountain Shadows
Joel Pullan, Oakcrest

Spence Jacobs, Riverton Elementary

Ken Westwood, South Jordan Elementary

Norm Emerson, West Jordan Elementary

Jordan Education Foundation Award Winners

I attended the Jordan Education Foundation Awards Recognition Banquet last night.  Two of the Outstanding Special Educators and three of the Outstanding Educators are JEA Members. 



Shawn Colyer, Kauri Sue Hamilton School





Jared Denslow, Bingham High





Tiffany Rawlings, Bluffdale Elementary





Shauna Robertson, West Jordan High





Liz Taylor, Elk Meadows Elementary





Jana Brinton, Bingham, with Turnaround Scholarship Winner Zhenya Evenson

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Insurance Open Enrollment, Q & A, and Benefits Fair

Open Enrollment for insurance and benefits will be from June 1 to July 31, 2012.  A packet will NOT be mailed to you.  All information is at the Jordan District Insurance website, just scroll down to Insurance Documents, 2012-13 Documents.

Question and Answer sessions will be held on Wednesday, May 23 from 3:00 to 4:00, 4:00 to 5:00, or 5:00 to 6:00.

The Benefits Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 at the ASB.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Vote for Jordan Education Foundation Video

The Jordan Education Foundation (JEF) had to submit a video to Kennecott about how the money they donated to JEF was used.  The video is now posted on their website.  Please click the link, watch the JEF video, and vote for it.  The video that receives the most votes will be given an additional $5,000! 

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Negotiations Update

A message from the JEA Negotiations Team (Melissa Brown, Kara Goodwin, Karl McKenzie)

The JEA Negotiations Team met with the District's Representatives for the first time Tuesday night. The meeting began with a discussion involving ground rules for negotiations sessions. JEA presented several proposals to the District team for their consideration, including the payment of Steps and Lanes. JEA proposals were based on priorities and concerns voiced by members in the negotiation survey. JEA will meet again with the District Representatives on May 10th and 16th, at which time updates will be sent to the members.