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Meet The New Staff 

• Evaluation Plan Updated:, The Evaluation Plan Review Committee met several times this past year as part of our biennial Evaluation Plan Review. As a result of the review, two recommended changes have been made to the Self-Reflection Continuum. A new Element has been added to Domain 4d and to Domain 4f.  In addition, an Evaluation Plan Overview is now available for your use. The Overview contains a great summary of our Evaluation Plan and also a timeline of important dates. You can also download forms, such as the Goal-Setting Form as an editable template. Check it all out on our Evaluation Plan web page.

• Health Insurance Renewal:  The Insurance Committee recently completed its annual review of our health insurance plan. Several factors, such as our plan usage and industry trends had to be considered as the 2010 rates were determined. Pending School Board approval, changes to our premiums and drug copay amounts will go into effect when the new benefits year starts in January. The Insurance Committee recommends that you read the information about the 2010 Medical Insurance Renewal. You can also contact our Insurance Committee for additional information.

• NBCT Funds Available:  We would like to remind you that funds are available again this year to help cover your National Board Certification renewal and application fees. The Take One approach to National Board certification is a good way to start if you do not want to do the whole process in one year. Please contact Emily Cook or visit our National Board Certification web page for additional information.

• CRAT Help Session And More:  Your CRAT Team will be offering help throughout the year via an in-house Certificate Renewal Liaison at your school. In addition, we have our district-wide Help Session scheduled for April 13th. We invite you to visit our CRAT web pagefor detailed information on certificate renewal and to view our "Do-it-Yourself" tutorials.

• New FOIA Rules Open Personnel Records: As of January 9, 2010, a change to the Freedom of Information Act will go into effect. Under the new rules, the contents of our personnel files will be disclosable. However, personal information will still be protected. What exactly does that mean for us? Watch for our FOIA Fact Sheet coming your way soon.

• Pension System Being Reviewed:  The Illinois Legislature established a Pension Modernization Task Force during its spring legislative session. The Task Force is to report its findings and recommendations sometime in November. The proposed changes to our pension system could possibly have long-term detrimental effects on all of us. Read the IEA Report on what its recommendations are for the Task Force.

• TRS Retirement Meetings:  The Illinois Teachers' Retirement System is hosting several fall member meetings explaining the retirement process and benefits. They are being held throughout the region. Get the dates, times and locations from TRS.

• Illinois School Funding Inadequate:  Inadequate and inequitable school funding has plagued Illinois public schools for a very long time. The IEA continues to spearhead our efforts to enact true funding reform across the state. Watch the latest video and get all the details about what we can do to enact legitimate Funding Reform.

• Newly-Tenured Staff:  Our newly-tenured staff were recently recognized at a School Board meeting. Congratulations to Jaclyn Aprati, Mary Bagnall, Jessica Bodel, Suzanne Cheek, Kristen Clark, Jennifer Cummings, Mike Damico, Lesley Daniel, Sarah Dunn, Kim Dyer, Kris Edstrom, Dan Hengels, Diane Kaffka, Sue Kelley, Nancy Kim, Elizabeth Klimas, Stephanie Koenig, Susan Mahoney, Patricia Malinowski, Julie McCune, Brenda Miller, Carol Nelms, Lea Panek, Anne Preston, Elizabeth Quick, Joe Robinson, Laura Strass, Paula Sullivan, Christine Trendel, Heather Walsh, Lisa Welch, Julie Wollenberg and Mary Kay Zimmanck for a job well done! We wish you the best in your career.

• Meet Our Members:  Who exactly is the ATA? Check out our Members web page to look up little known information about ourselves. You can also get the latest demographic info and quick-to-use member lists, sorted by name, school and assignment.

• Windsor Blue Ribbon Award:   Congratulations to our colleagues at Windor for the honor and distinction that comes with Windsor School being named a recipient of the Blue Ribbon Award! The Award honors schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. Way to go Windsor!

• IEA Scholarship Available:   Each year the IEA awards an education scholarship to the child of one of its members. This could be your year. All applications, complete with supporting documents, must be postmarked by December 4, 2009. Get a scholarship Application Form.

• IEA/NEA Membership Cards:   Everyone should have received their 2009 IEA/NEA Membership Card. Please let us know if you haven't received it. Your ID number is your link to great savings through the IEA & NEA Member Benefits available to all of us.

• NEA Political Action Fund:  A big "Thank You" goes out to our members who were able to contribute $10 to the NEA Fund.  Your donation helps out with our lobbying efforts at the national level as we fight for education-friendly legislation and members of Congress. We invite all of you to consider making a similar donation by visiting the NEA Political Action Fund. Thank you.

• Teacher Of The Year Award:   Here is your opportunity to nominate a colleague relatively new to the profession for the Bob Haisman Teacher of the Year Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize an IEA member with less than five years experience who has shown outstanding accomplishments in the several professional areas. You can ownload Part A, Part B and Part C of the application form to get all of the details. All nominations must be postmarked by January 8, 2010.