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WELCOME! February is jam packed with activity...and only 28 days to get it all done! That's why we're sending you this issue of Member Matters, our electronic newsletter designed to help you get the most from your FEA membership.We won't send you volumes of information. Instead, about once a month we'll send you highlights of great things we accomplish together, resources to help you in your daily work, and ways you can maximize the benefits and savings your FEA membership provides. And, of course, there will be plenty of links where you can find complete details about topics of interest.
If you like what you read, be sure to forward it on to friends and potential members to let them know what they're missing!
Yes I Teach - Website for Teachers
You'll find tons of ideas, tips and those little stories that make you smile at FEA's sponsored Web site yesiteach.org.
I really like to find ways to use the computer to make special items for my students. I use custom created labels for many different uses. For example, I make pencil reward toppers. I print phrases such as, "100 on Math Test", "Happy Birthday", and "Awesome Reader". I fold them in half around the pencil to make a flag. This turns an ordinary yellow pencil into an extra special pencil. I also make grade scales on labels and students stick them in their folders or notebooks to use all year. I make book labels that say, "Please return this book to Mrs. C", or "This book was donated by Susie Smith". For the first day of school, I make stickers that say, "Welcome to the Third Grade!" Click here for more...
Arbor Day Foundation Announces 2007 National Poster Contest
While it has been proven that service learning is an excellent teaching method for increasing students’ academic knowledge and performance, it does much more than that! Read more...
"The anxiety created in already emotionally fragile students in incredible," writes Barbara Miller, a teacher of exceptional students in Florida regarding high stakes testing. Her story is included in NEA's NCLB/ESA Voices from America's Classroom. Miller's story focuses on one of her students, Quatavias, who has been in special education for most of his school career. Quatavias comes from a low income home, and recently his father and grandfather passed away. "He has difficulty in most academic areas but still is eager to learn. What I should be doing for this child, in addition to assisting him in receiving counseling, is providing him with high-interest curriculum with multi-sensory approaches to help further his progress," writes his teacher Barbaral Miller. But high stakes testing requires a great deal of time for test preparation and that eats up time for other activities. You can read Miller's story and other NEA member stories regarding No Child Left Behind.
What do teachers think about VPK?
Kindergarten teachers' respond to DOE survey on Voluntary PreK Program
New DOE Survey: Teacher Experiences
The Department of Education would like you to share your experiences as an educator in Florida. Today, more than ever, the education landscape is a diverse one. Every educator has a unique point of view with unique experiences to share. Sharing your thoughts directly with the Department of Education is the another way for the voices of individual educators to be heard. Your feedback is very important in helping the department shape current and future programs to fit the needs of Florida educators. Results will be released in an upcoming DOE newsletter. To access this short, online survey, click here
The Tax Man Cometh..
IRS Outlines How to File ‘Educator Expenses’ on the 1040 Tax Form
Late last year, the U.S. Congress extended the "educator expenses" deduction that can be claimed on the 2006 individual income tax return, but the Internal Revenue Service 1040 form was printed before the bill was approved. As a result, there is no specific line item in the Adjusted Gross Income section as there was on the 2005 form, where 3.5 million tax filers claimed the deduction.
The IRS, in a December 22 news bulletin, said that educators must file Form 1040 (not form 1040A) to take advantage of the deduction up to $250 for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in 2006. The deduction needs to be entered on line 23, "Archer MSA Deduction." The letter "E" must be marked on the dotted line to the left of that line entry, according to the IRS.
The Archer MSA line item is designed for employees of small businesses and self-employed persons in their deduction of medical expenses. If the taxpayer has a claim for both an MSA deduction and the educator deduction, the letter "B" should be written on line 23.
Click here to read the December 22 article.
Not Too Late to Consider an NEA Valuebuilder IRA for the 2006 Tax Year
2006 is now a memory, but you can still contribute to a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and deduct it from your 2006 federal income taxes. In fact, if you’re eligible, you have until April 15 to take out an IRA for up to $4,000; or $5,000 if you’re age 50 or older. Even if you’re already participating in a retirement plan through your employer, you may still be eligible for an IRA, depending on your income.
Starting in March 2007… FREE online financial planning and investing seminars to help NEA members and their families achieve a secure financial future. Learn how to:
• Prepare yourself to become financially fit
• Plan a financial strategy based on your goals and needs
• Build your financial assets using sound investment principles
Read more to get started Investing in Your Future.
NEA MB February 2007 Web Site Giveaway: Three $100 Barnes & Noble Gift Cards
NEA members can register anytime in the "Free Giveaways" area of the NEA Member Benefits Web Site at www.neamb.com
for a chance to win one of three $100 Barnes & Noble Gift Cards! After spending money on everyone else during the holidays, now it’s time to treat yourself to some new reading material, CDs or DVDs. Giveaway entry begins at 12:00 a.m., ET, on February 1, 2007, and ends at 11:59:59 p.m., ET, on February 28, 2007. No purchase necessary to enter.Have Ideas You'd Like to Share?
Please email us at FEAMemberMatters@floridaea.org
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Florida Education Association
213 Adams St. Tallahassee, FL 32301 - 850.201.2800 - Fax: 850.222.1840
2006 Florida Education Association