(Baton Rouge – May 10, 2012) The Legislature should reject a proposed $3.4 billion public education budget because it violates the state constitution and could enrich as-yet unidentified private companies at the expense of public schools across the state, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

The Jefferson Parish School Board violated State law when it imposed a furlough day for support employees in the district, a court ruled April 11 in a suit filed by JFT. Click headline for full story.

AFT president Randi Weingarten joined more than 100 members of the Jefferson (La.) Federation of Teachers March 31 for a community walk in Jefferson Parish outside New Orleans. The canvassers went door-to-door to talk with residents about public education and the teachers’ vision for public schools in Jefferson Parish.

Congratulations to Abraham Pena, a paraeducator at Ellender Middle School, who was honored recently with the Geraldine Bell Award, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ top recognition for support employees.

Abraham works with a hearing impaired student who is also wheelchair bound due to his cerebral palsy. Abraham gained the trust of his student by learning sign language on his own. Soon, the student expressed a wish to speak with his voice. The student had never spoken before.

The first word they started with was “Bye.” Abraham would sit in front of the student, moving his lips to form the words and having the student mimic the movement of Abraham’s mouth.  The student also would place his hands on the paras’s throat and chin to feel the vibrations of the words.

After several months of work, the student’s mother came one afternoon to pick him up for a doctor’s appointment, and the student told the para, “bye.” It was the first time the mother heard her son’s voice.  The mother smiled, laughed and cried when she heard her son speak.

“Momma” is the word the student is presently working on. It is Abraham’s hope that one day soon the mother will hear what other mothers take for granted, her son saying, “Momma, momma, momma.” His goal is for the student be able to speak the word by Mothers’ Day.

In addition to working with his student Abraham is Chair of the Positive Behavior Intervention Support team.  He has put into place many rewards to promote a positive environment at Ellender Middle School.  He stays after school several times a week for PBIS team meetings and ABIT meetings. He also sponsors student council. 

Abraham’s passion for teaching is so great that he is currently enrolled in school to become a teacher. 

UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION!

Politicians believe the Value Added Model is right for Louisiana teachers. LFT isn't so sure.

Beginning in 2012-13, Louisiana teachers will be evaluated using a new instrument that incorporates what is known as a Value Added Model. The VAM makes judgments about a teacher’s performance based on student growth as measured by standardized tests.

Jefferson Parish has a long tradition of working together to confront challenges in the schools. This year, however, that climate of collaboration has changed. A top-down style of policy reform is blocking the very people – teachers and parents – who understand what’s wrong in the classroom and what needs to be done.

In the clamor of change, the voices of teachers – “the experts in the classroom” – must be heard. We are building minds and leading change.

The following JFT members are requesting the donation of sick leave days due to serious or extended illnesses:

• Susan Durio

Sick Leave Donation Forms can be downloaded here. When completed, send form to Judy Daigle in Personnel. Your donations will be greatly appreciated.

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