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---THE CONNECTING LINE--IEA-NEA Regions 17-18 Newsletter
Volume 1
May, 2015
Issue 8
High quality teachers are the key to high quality schools, and IEA is working toward the day that every child in the
state has the best teachers and education possible. IEA is more than a union; it is a professional organization
committed to providing ongoing training, mentoring, and support for teachers and other school staff and advocating
for policies such as smaller class sizes that will improve schools for students across Illinois.
FROM YOUR IEA OFFICE STAFF
We would like to wish you a happy and relaxing
summer vacation.
After the LONG winter,
everyone is looking forward to some much
deserved down-time.
We look forward to seeing you again next fall!
Jeff Conrad
Sarah Bird
Leslie Kahler
2015 IEA AWARD WINNERS
The NEA Foundation Award for Teaching
Excellence was presented to Jennifer Erickson, an
elementary teacher from Batavia School District
#101.
The Education Support Professional of the Year
was presented to India Jones, a parent educator in
Community Consolidated SD #168.
Amy Lewis, a K-8 music teacher from Des
Plaines SD #62 was presented the Bob Haisman
Teacher of the Year Award.
Maggie Huttlinger, a student at Loyola University
Chicago and Jennifer Jaroch, a student at ISU were
co-recipients of the Bob Haisman Student of the
Year Award.
Carly Spina, an elementary teacher in the
Glenview SD #34 bilingual program was presented
the Human and Civil Rights Award.
The Mary Lou and Keith Hauge Retired Teacher
Award was presented to James Duffy, a former
English and history teacher at Sterling High School.
**RESOURCE REMINDERS**
Watch the Pension Benefits video at
www.ieanea.org – “Your defined benefit pension
shouldn’t be replaced with a 401(k) plan.” This
video explains the difference between defined
benefit pensions and defined contributions savings
plan.
IEA
Online
Learning
Portal
(http://ieanea.learningzen.com/) - Do you need
clock hours for recertification of your teaching
license? This site provides free classes that can
provide a variety of topics for you to do this. This is
another benefit of your IEA-RA membership.
BetterLesson (http://cc.betterlesson.com/) – In
partnership with NEA provides Common Core
Lessons and information – “The Master Teacher
Project-A Cartoon”.
CONGRATULATE THESE TEACHERS!!
Several of our members were recently honored
The Dispatch-Argus.
The Dispatch-Argus will hold its 25th annual
Master Teacher Awards program on May 1st at the I
Wireless Center in Moline.
Recipients of this award are: Sue Iverson,
Tammy Nelson, Nan Ryan, Allison Ryser, Susan
Smice and Mary Tallitsch (all from Moline EA);
Michael Carton, Rock Island EA; Amy Anderson,
Debra Kincaid and Jennifer Temple, (all from
Riverdale TA); Michael Chausse, Mercer Co EA;
Christopher LaRoche, Sherrard EA; and Ann
Patrice Nussear, United Township EA.
These new inductees bring the number of
honored Master Teachers to 381 since the program
started in 1991.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL TEACHER
APPRECIATION WEEK!
Take a moment during National Teacher Week,
May 4-8, to share your appreciation for the special
educators in your lives.
From May 4 — 8, 2015, NEA Member Benefits
will feature special deals, discounts, and
giveaways—designed
exclusively
for
NEA
members. It’s their way of saying #ThankATeacher.
Check it out!!
SUMMER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
SLA “Taking Charge of Our Profession” will be
July 28-31 at ISU in Normal. This event is open to
all IEA-NEA members. Come join the fun and the
excellent trainings that are offered.
For details on housing information and
registration,
go
to
http://www.ieanea.org/events/summer-leadershipacademy-2015/.
As you make travel plans, don’t forget to use
your Access Savings card.
ESP CORNER
Professional Development
The IEA NEA believes that professional
development should be required throughout the
career of educational support professionals.
Professional development programs should provide
equal opportunities for these employees to gain
and improve the knowledge and skills important to
their position and job performance. Professional
development programs should assume that
appropriate education employees have a decisive
voice at every stage of planning, implementation,
and evaluation.
NEA provides a foundation to help ESP
members across the country organize around
professional development. It gives real examples of
how members have created and implemented
ideas to advance their professions, improve their
working conditions and contribute to student
achievement. The National Education Association
has produced an excellent Resource Publication
titled: An Action Guide To Help You In Your
Professional Development.
WIRE IEA-R…..YOU HAVE A CHOICE!
When you consider retiring, you have two
options in order to stay active and keep current on
retirement issues and benefits. The first option is to
join IEA-R and become a member of a growing,
active, benefit-based organization created to serve
the needs of retired members in our state. As a
member of an organization of over 130,000 strong,
we have the resources that your dues generate for
legal fees. As a member, you have access to a
$1,000,000 liability insurance policy which protects
your employment if you wish to substitute teach,
plus pension and health insurance protection. In
addition, you also receive discounts for purchasing
cars, small and large appliances, travel, and more.
Your second option is the Blackhawk Chapter of
IRTA (NOT A PART OF IEA). IRTA is NOT
affiliated with any other organization and only has 1
office in Springfield. Don’t be confused – the IEA-R
is here to protect your retirement security.
If you wish to join IEA–R, please contact Stewart
Adams at [email protected] or call 309-7814889.
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Determine amounts due from Social Security
(self and spouse).
Notify Social Security if 62 or older to begin
payments (requires 4 months notice).
Sign up for Medicare.
Make or update your will and your spouse’s will.
Review employer paid life insurance, which may
be reduced upon retirement.
Calculate how much income will be needed in
retirement each month.
Make a list of monthly retirement cash inflow
from all sources.
Determine how any shortfall of monthly income
will be generated from investments or savings.
Discuss with accountant or financial advisor the
best way to generate monthly income.
Decide on the payment option for any taxdeferred annuity.
Notify the company issuing the tax-deferred
annuity of chosen payment options.
Re-compute asset allocation investment plan for
post-retirement
risk
tolerance
and
life
expectancy.
Change investment mix to reflect revised asset
allocation.
Calculate the effect of part-time work on Social
Security payments.
MAY EDUCATION EVENTS
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Better Hearing and Speech month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage month
3
World Press Freedom Day
4-8
Teacher Appreciation Week
5
Cinco de Mayo
5
Teacher Appreciation Day
6
National School Nurse Day
9
National Children’s Mental Health
Awareness Day
10
Mother’s Day
18-22 Walk to School Week
25
Memorial Day
RETIREMENT CHECKLIST
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Pick a retirement date.
Notify employer in advance, in writing.
Select retirement payment and survivor options
from retirement plans.
Plan for the conversion of medical and dental
insurance.
Schedule major medical and dental work to be
done prior to retirement.
Published by Illinois Education Association-NEA, 1530 46th Avenue,
Suite 1, Moline, Illinois 61265; Sarah Bird, UniServ Director Region 17;
Jeff Conrad, UniServ Director Region 18; Leslie Kahler, Field
Secretary. Telephone: (309) or (800) 797-4126.