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About e-source
VEA is proud to send you this e-source newsletter, a tip-filled resource to help you on the job and in your profession. These monthly dispatches will keep you informed about the latest news affecting your job and will help you take advantage of all the resources offered by your Association. If you'd rather not receive the e-source again, click the "Unsubscribe" button at bottom right.
For the latest information and resources for Virginia educators, go to www.veanea.org. Share this e-source! Click at bottom left to forward this message to your colleagues. |  |
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Vote on Election Day, Nov. 3. Deeds is VEA’s Choice for Governor. |
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On the important issues VEA has taken stands on in the past decade—school funding, instruction and employee rights, and much more—gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds cast his vote in accord with VEA 93 percent of the time. His opponent, Bob McDonnell, scored only 52 percent. That’s the key reason the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education is recommending Deeds for the office of Governor. We believe the two candidates differ markedly on how their policies and positions would affect public education. We’ll have four years to assess the results of their policies before getting another chance. Learn more about how the candidates differ on education here, and go to our Election’09 blog for more information on candidates that VEA supports. And don’t forget to cast your ballot November 3!
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Unwind and Learn About Your Association at VEA Sparks |
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If you’re a new teacher or ESP, you may feel as if the challenges you face in your career are yours alone. Far from it. And the VEA’s popular Sparks program brings you together with other colleagues in their first five years of the profession to share ideas, learn about the Association, and make connections with other members. VEA will run two Sparks programs this year:
To be considered, you must be a VEA member with five or fewer years of experience and little or no experience with the VEA or NEA. You will need to have another Association member sign your application as a sponsor. Choose your location, complete the application form, and be sure to include a $50 payment to hold your place. (The $50 will be refunded after you attend Sparks.) Applications already are being reviewed, and our deadline for receiving any application is Dec. 11, 2009. Click here to view a video about the program by Sparks graduate Jeff Suho and here to download a Sparks application form.
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We Like to Recognize Excellence |
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Could you (or a colleague) be the next winner of the VEA Award for Teaching Excellence? Please help us find worthy candidates for this prestigious award. The VEA Award for Teaching Excellence is given to a VEA member who is creative, student-focused, sensitive and supportive of diversity, dedicated to lifelong learning, and an advocate for public education. Get your application form here and return it to VEA no later than January 29, 2010. The award winner will receive a $500 prize and will be recognized at the VEA Delegate Assembly in April. The VEA award also qualifies the winner for participation in next year’s NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, which is presented jointly by the NEA Foundation and the NEA, with support from NEA Member Benefits and the Horace Mann Company. The VEA award winner will receive expenses-paid travel to an NEA Foundation gala in Washington, D.C. If the VEA winner becomes a national finalist (five are chosen from across the country), he or she will receive a $10,000 cash award. The winner of the top prize receives $25,000. In the past five years, VEA has earned a national finalist (Doug Graney, Fairfax) and a grand prize winner (Phil Forgit, Williamsburg-James City).
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Take Steps to Keep Well, Prevent Spread of H1N1 Flu |
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Student absences in some Virginia school divisions spiked last week—and Amelia County closed its schools—in the latest sign that the H1N1 virus continues to spread. The NEA Health Information Network (NEA-HIN) monitors reports from health and education agencies and is a great resource for all you need to know about the virus. The most important thing to keep in mind is proper hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and routine cleaning, says NEA-HIN. More school-specific information is available here.
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NEA Member Benefits Has Deals for New Members |
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If you’re a new member of the Association, make sure to sign up for your free magazine subscription and free life insurance coverage through NEA Member Benefits. Every new member is eligible for a one-year, $15,000 life insurance policy. You’ll also get a free magazine subscription for registering. Click here or go to www.neamb.com/newmember1 to learn more. For all members, head to www.neamb.com to enter the holiday giveaway drawings. During November, you may win one of 10 $150 L.L. Bean gift cards or one of 15 $100 Barnes & Noble gift cards. During December, enter to win one of eight $250 Visa gift cards.
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