Respect.
Pride. Two words that continue to occupy my
thoughts as I sit down to write this c o l u m n in the most unpredictable of times - respect and pride for the
self-sacrificing accomplishments of Alabama educators over this
unprecedented past month in
American history.
Respect for our CNP workers who continue to risk their personal safety to ensure our students are fed
and respect for the bus drivers
and paraprofessionals who are delivering student meals. Respect for school secretaries
responding to parent concerns
and technology questions and respect for our custodial staffs
putting their safety on the line in cleaning our school facilities
in an effort to eradicate the virus for the inevitable return
of students and faculties.
Average Alabamians are learning now, more than ever,
what AEA has known for decades
- it takes ALL Education Support Professionals to
educate our children and make
schools work! Our ESPs have
been the "first responders" for education in this crisis; and their
level of personal commitment
and dedication deserves utmost respect. At the same time, I'm filled
with pride at the incredible amount of creativity and
flexibility displayed by Alabama teachers as they change lesson
plans and work to employ new teaching methods and
platforms to provide instruction
to homebound students. I've
proudly watched as teachers hit every curveball out of the park (who else misses baseball?) while
adapting to rapidly changing plans and circumstances. And they've done it with the
underlying love and compassion
for students that defines the
teaching profession as a calling.
My heart burst with pride as I watched and heard educators fill my neighborhood with car
horns and excitement during a recent teacher parade for local students. What other profession,
in the middle of a worldwide
pandemic, could maintain such
a sharp focus on the needs of the youngest members of our
society?
I must admit I've received
comic relief from parent memes
on social media bemoaning the "homeschooling" of their children. It takes enormous skill, energy and continuous learning to be a successful educator. The simple truth is this: you all do such a
phenomenal job that you make
it look easy when, in fact, it is
extraordinarily difficult. Parents will emerge from this crisis with
a greater appreciation for the work you do in the classroom. Alabamians are learning the hard way what we've always known - there is absolutely no replacement for a teacher in a classroom delivering
personalized instruction.
And, finally, I can't let this issue of the Alabama School Journal go to press without relaying to all of you the amount of pride I have in the work performed by your team at AEA throughout this crisis. The last month has been one
of the most difficult times we've faced in my long career at AEA, but as I see educators standing
in unemployment lines in our neighboring states, I know Team AEA has upheld our commitment to always protect your pay and benefits. Now
that we've successfully ensured your most basic needs, you can rest assured AEA will continue
to be at the forefront as the voice of Alabama educators as we navigate these uncharted
waters. Spring and Easter signify new
beginnings and new life. The
sun will rise tomorrow, and we
will get through this together. Please continue to take care of yourselves and your family members until we completely
emerge from this health crisis. Happy Easter to all of you from your AEA family.
A s w e t r a v e l through this maze which has been caused by the deadly COVID-19, it has been a time for all public e d u c a t i o n e m p l o y e e s to be creative in providing a
learning environment and plan on how to educate the students of this state.
Yes, we must not underestimate the deadly power of this invisible disease. However, we must be acutely aware of the need to provide students in Alabama with a first-rate education. This means some of the education
employees have been required
to assist in accomplishing that
goal. As you know, Governor Ivey
and State Health Officer Dr.
Scott Harris issued a statewide
stay-at-home order for people in the state of Alabama. In the order, Dr. Harris included all education employees as "essential employees" who can report to school to work. Dr. Harris admitted the
COVID-19 poses "the potential
of widespread exposure to an infectious agent that posed significant risk of substantial harm to a large number of people" and possesses "epidemic potential" that is "a
threat to the health and welfare
of the public." Yet, Governor Ivey and Dr. Harris recognize
the importance of finishing the academic year for the students
in the state. Therefore, there
must be a balancing act on how to accomplish that objective.
It is the job of the State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey to effectuate the balancing act of keeping school employees safe while providing students some form of learning while they are
finishing the school year.
On April 4, 2020, AEA President Sherry Tucker and the AEA Board of Directors
passed a resolution requesting
Governor Ivey and Dr. Scott
Harris amend the April 3, 2020,
order to require all education employees remain at home during the duration of the
stay-at-home order. Directly after the AEA Board
meeting, President Tucker wrote Superintendent Mackey
a letter expressing our concern
for the safety of educators to
return to work in their schools. As a result of President Tucker's
letter to Dr. Mackey and the outspoken voice of AEA
Interim Executive Director Amy Marlowe in support of the safety of our members, educators are not required to return to work full-time at school to complete the school year.
The concerns of our members about returning to work under the current conditions were effectively communicated to the leaders
of Alabama. As schools attempt
to educate our students using some form of virtual and distance learning, it has
become a great challenge. It is
unfortunate that many school districts and students lack the necessary technology to do online courses. Therefore, many school districts will be
sending "packets" home to the
students to finish the school year. Thus, it will require
some teachers to go to work to prepare the instruction packets
for the students. However, Superintendent Mackey has instructed all superintendents
if employees are to go into the school facilities, employees must be required to maintain social distance and the building must be sanitized before they enter.
Furthermore, Superintendent Mackey emphasized "faculty,
administrators and staff should
report to schools if their
physical presence is absolutely
essential to carry out the
Continuity Plan or as part of the feeding program." That means teachers are not required to go
to the school building if they
can teach from home and other teachers are only required to go to school to assist in effectuating
the Learning Plan for their students such as preparing instructional packets or to do the feeding programs. Some school districts have decided not to use the child nutrition
workers while others have asked
for volunteers to work in the feeding program. Bus drivers and other support employees
may be called upon to perform certain duties as needed.
It is the primary purpose of educators to educate students. However, it is AEA's responsibility to make sure our members are safe while
accomplishing that goal. Thus, it is our responsibility to protect AEA members from this deadly
virus. That is why AEA has been monitoring each school
district to ensure that all school employees are safe.
If all education employees and agencies work together, we can accomplish our goal of educating students in this
difficult time.
APRIL 13, 2020 ALABAMA SCHOOL JOURNAL
3
Alabama educators rise to the challenge in uncertain times
AEA Interim Executive Director Amy Marlowe AEA Associate Executive Director Theron Stokes
Time to be safe but effective as public school employees
COVID-19 causes major concerns for Legislature; budgets, pay raises in jeopardy
When the Legislature adjourned on March 13, they could have never anticipated the current situation they find themselves in. Set to take up both budgets as soon as they returned from Spring Break, legislative leadership is now scrambling to plan for different scenarios - all dependent on when the state reopens for business. The House reconvened on Thursday, March 26 - the date previously set the last day they were in session. Speaker McCutcheon gaveled in, ordered roll call, and (as planned) did not have a quorum to conduct business. At that time, Mr. Speaker cited the House rules which allows him to set the next meeting date for the House of Representatives. He then gaveled out. The Senate's previously set meeting date was Tuesday, March 31. The Senate gaveled in, took roll call (which had each Senator coming out of their office one at a time to the Senate floor to be counted), then allowed Pro Tem Marsh, Majority Leader Reed, and Minority Leader Singleton to make comments. The Senate then passed a joint resolution giving the Senate Pro Tem the power to set future meeting dates when necessary - a rule which mirrors the current House rule. After the House convened and concurred, both chambers adjourned after setting the next meeting date as April 28. There is much discussion surrounding both budgets and the effects the current pandemic will have on the state's economy and budget projections. Several articles have come out recently stating different legislators' concerns. At this time, it appears if and when the Legislature reconvenes, the consensus is to pass a "bare bones budget" in the last two weeks of the current session - assuming the Legislature can reconvene in time to do so. A "bare bones budget" would be passing the same education budget the state is currently functioning under. If that happens, a special session on budgets and education is expected to be called in the coming months. At that time, budget increases, pay raises, and the Advancement and Technology Fund money would be discussed.
"Alabamians are learning the hard way what we've always known - there is absolutely no replacement for a teacher in a classroom delivering personalized instruction."
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