School and Community Summer 2024

Final Print Release! A Tribute to the End of an Era

SUMMER 2024

Double Checking the Little Things

Poof! Before you know it, summer is over and we’re closing in on the halfway point of the fall semester. Time can slip away from us in the blink of an eye. As you’re running around doing this and that, try and take a few minutes at least once a year to glance at the items we will discuss below. It’s easy to gloss over what’s written down on paper, but the paperwork really does matter in most situations. Your Paycheck: Poof! Before you know it, summer is over and we’re closing in on the halfway point of the fall semester. Time can slip away from us in the blink of an eye. As you’re running around doing this and that, try and take a few minutes at least once a year to glance at the items we will discuss below. It’s easy to gloss over what’s written down on paper, but the paperwork really does matter in most situations. Your Paycheck: assignment, talk to your administration. It’s important that you are physically everywhere your schedule says you should be. If you aren’t going to make it somewhere on time, tell somebody. assignment, talk to your administration. It’s important that you are physically everywhere your schedule says you should be. If you aren’t going to make it somewhere on time, tell somebody.

Accountants are humans too - make sure you verify your paycheck every so often. With PSRS/PEERS deductions, taxes and other voluntary deductions from your paycheck, it’s easy to lose track of your money. Look at the district’s salary schedule to ensure you are correctly placed on it. That number should match your contract and your paycheck. This will require a little bit of math, but it’s worth the time. If you are overpaid or underpaid, the sooner you can correct it will be best for everyone involved. The district gets audited on a regular basis and the error eventually found, but it could take quite some time. Check Your Calendar/Schedule: In addition to knowing the start and end date of the school year, make sure you know the little nuances as well. Note how many sick and personal days you get, when you can use them and how you can use them. With substitute teachers in high demand, some schools have more strings attached to taking days off. Know the conditions in advance so you can plan accordingly. Further, make sure you can physically be everywhere you are supposed to be throughout the school day. If you need more transition time to get to your next Accountants are humans too - make sure you verify your paycheck every so often. With PSRS/PEERS deductions, taxes and other voluntary deductions from your paycheck, it’s easy to lose track of your money. Look at the district’s salary schedule to ensure you are correctly placed on it. That number should match your contract and your paycheck. This will require a little bit of math, but it’s worth the time. If you are overpaid or underpaid, the sooner you can correct it will be best for everyone involved. The district gets audited on a regular basis and the error eventually found, but it could take quite some time. Check Your Calendar/Schedule: In addition to knowing the start and end date of the school year, make sure you know the little nuances as well. Note how many sick and personal days you get, when you can use them and how you can use them. With substitute teachers in high demand, some schools have more strings attached to taking days off. Know the conditions in advance so you can plan accordingly. Further, make sure you can physically be everywhere you are supposed to be throughout the school day. If you need more transition time to get to your next

Building Safety Protocol and Emergency Procedures: Building Safety Protocol and Emergency Procedures:

Make sure you know the rules for entering and leaving your school building, especially if you’re bringing in an outsider. While annoying at times, it’s important for visitors to follow the necessary procedures which likely includes signing in at the front office. Even if you’ve been doing the same thing year after year, refresh yourself on the written procedures for what you should do in case of an emergency. Keeping that information in an accessible place is crucial. If you need help with a problem at school or have a question about an issue, do not hesitate to contact your MSTA Member Service Coordinator. Further, if you have a legal question or situation that needs to be addressed, please reach out to the MSTA Legal Services Department directly at 866-343-6186. You do not have to go through your CTA President or Building Representative before contacting an MSTA Staff Member. Make sure you know the rules for entering and leaving your school building, especially if you’re bringing in an outsider. While annoying at times, it’s important for visitors to follow the necessary procedures which likely includes signing in at the front office. Even if you’ve been doing the same thing year after year, refresh yourself on the written procedures for what you should do in case of an emergency. Keeping that information in an accessible place is crucial. If you need help with a problem at school or have a question about an issue, do not hesitate to contact your MSTA Member Service Coordinator. Further, if you have a legal question or situation that needs to be addressed, please reach out to the MSTA Legal Services Department directly at 866-343-6186. You do not have to go through your CTA President or Building Representative before contacting an MSTA Staff Member.

Contact Info: Phone: 866-343-6186 email: legalservices@msta.org Contact Info: Phone: 866-343-6186 email: legalservices@msta.org

Legal Services Legal Services

24 COVER

Fully Funded in the State Budget : Foundation Formula Transportation Career Ladder Baseline Salary Grant Expansion of Early Childhood Funding Doubled the amount of students that districts may receive payment to educate.

Members can pay back

anything over earnings limit instead of losing entire month’s pension.

8

FEATURES 5 Bittersweet Raised Minimum Teacher Salary from the embarrassingly low $25,000 in state statute to $40,000 in 2025-26, with future growth tied to inflation. By: Bruce Moe, Executive Director 6 Notebook 12 Tips from CTA Leaders 24 S&C Through the Decades

$40,000

Bills opposed by MSTA

MSTA HAPPENINGS 4 President’s Column

MSTA member advocacy results in successful session.

Defeated any new voucher programs. Defeated Open Enrollment Bill. Defeated legislation that would place greater emphasis on statewide test scores.

8

Education Policy Recap

16 Meet Tillie

20 2024 Member Survey

$25,000

40 New Staff

36 Discover Nature Schools Curriculum

43 New Benefits for MSTA Members

Teacher Baseline Salary Fund placed in state law to be used for raising both the baseline minimum and master’s minimum salary increases.

38 Harnessing the Power of Music By: Pamela Clifton

44 Reading Circle Recommendations

42 SMSTA Spotlight: Kate Marshall

46 Professional Development

$48,000,000

12

Please recycle me! When you finish

We want to hear from you Share your thoughts on our publications, suggest article topics or express an opinion about education in Missouri. Write: School & Community, P.O. Box 458, Columbia, MO 65205 Phone: 800-392-0532 Email: editor@msta.org

38

reading your School & Community magazine, please consider recycling

teacher prep tuition costs (capped at the amount of Mizzou tuition) by sharing with your physician’s office. Just cover up your mailing label with a blank one and you will be set. Let’s spread the word about Missouri’s teachers! 100%

440 scholarships & $2.6M 2026-27 2027-28 400 scholarships & $2.4M 2025-26 200 scholarships & $1.2M 2024-25

Cover photo credit: Kara Potter and Lindsay James

S&C SUMMER 2024 | 3

800-392-0532 • www.msta.org

2030-31 AND

Perspective

Find Balance and Renewal this Summer

BY: PAM LOWE, MSTA PRESIDENT I t’s hard to believe that another school year has come to a close. As teachers, we pour so much of ourselves into our students and our classrooms that by the end of the day, or the end of the year, there is very little left of us. This summer, I encourage you to take time to do something that makes you happy and helps to rejuvenate you. Your students deserve your very best, even when you feel as though you don’t have anything left to give. My goal each year is for my students to leave my classroom with the knowledge they need for kindergarten. But, more importantly, I ensure they leave my classroom knowing they are loved and valued. They are special and they can do anything they set their minds to. Building those connections with my students and their families is key. That’s why I invest so much time at the beginning of the year getting to know them, their interests and their backgrounds. It’s about creating a supportive environment where they feel safe to learn and grow. I want them to know that I am always there if they need me. It is such a sweet feeling to have families come up to me years later and tell me how much their child still remembers things that we did in preschool and how much they loved my class. In order to keep giving my all to my students, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of myself too. We have all heard the term “self-care” and I truly believe

that includes carving out what I like to call “mental down time.” For me, camping is what rejuvenates me the most. I love getting away from computers, to-do lists and day-to-day demands so I can thoroughly enjoy God’s creation. This gives me the energy I need to make it through the most difficult parts of the school year and all the chaos that preschool life entails. We all know that teachers often have to juggle multiple responsibilities, whether it’s working second jobs, teaching summer school or managing family needs during the break. So, prioritizing ourselves this summer is essential whenever possible. Whether it’s camping under the stars, exploring a new hobby or simply taking time to relax and unwind, I hope you will do whatever brings you happiness and fulfillment. Have a great summer break because fall will be here before we know it. We will soon be immersed in the excitement of welcoming new students into our classrooms. But for now, let’s savor every moment of this well-deserved break and soak up the sunshine and good vibes. You’ve earned it, my friend.

4 | SUMMER 2024 S&C

Bittersweet Dear Readers, A s we prepare to move into a new school year, it is with a mix of nostalgia and excitement that I share some big news: MSTA’s School and Community magazine is transitioning from print to digital formats. For 110 years, this magazine has been a loyal companion to Missouri’s educators, documenting our journey through the ever changing world of education. This change, while necessary, feels bittersweet. Switching to a digital format was not an easy decision. We know how special it is to hold a printed magazine, to flip through its pages, and even catch the faint scent of ink. These experiences have been part of our shared history, creating a bond that spans generations of educators. This transition is especially meaningful to me. My first job at MSTA, 35 years ago, was as the director of communication and publisher of this very magazine. I have seen firsthand the impact it has had on our education community, and I have treasured every moment of being part of its legacy. The memories of those early days, working hard to bring each issue to life, are close to my heart. But as we adapt to the demands of the 21st century, we also need to embrace the opportunities that digital media offers. Going digital allows us to be more dynamic, timely, and interactive. It helps us reach a wider audience, reduce our environmental footprint, and provide content that is easily accessible

from anywhere at any time. This change aligns with our commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensuring we continue to serve our members in the best way possible. While we are saying goodbye to the print edition, we are excited about what is ahead. Our digital magazine will feature enriched content, including multimedia elements, interactive features, and real-time updates. We envision a platform where educators can not only read but also engage, share, and collaborate. This evolution will strengthen our community and make it even more vibrant. As we start this new chapter, we are deeply grateful for the legacy of the printed School and Community magazine. It has been a cornerstone of our association, reflecting our values, achievements, and dreams. We honor the past while looking forward to a future filled with promise and potential. I hope you enjoy this special edition of School & Community . Our team has enjoyed the excuse to revisit old stories from past issues. I think you will too. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to MSTA. Together, we will continue to inspire, innovate and lead the way in education.

The magazine for Missouri educators

MSTA Officers: President, Pam Lowe, Sikeston R-6 President-elect, Amy Kelsey, East Buchanan Co. C-I Vice president, Lana Moore, Mt. Vernon R-5 Treasurer, Andrew Reynolds, Centralia R-6 Past President, Stacy Blakley, St. James R-I Board of Directors: Kezia Bohanon, North Kansas City 74, Greater Kansas City Region Amanda Bradshaw, Mt. Vernon R-5, Southwest Region Karmen Carson, Poplar Bluff R-I, Southeast Region Tisha Clawson, Bolivar R-I, Southwest Region Dana Cravens, Richmond R-16, Central Region Darren Farmer, Polo R-7, Northwest Region Diane Gonzales, Neosho R-5, Southwest Region Noelle Horner, Hillsboro R-3, Jefferson County Region James Kreyling, Mehlville R-9, Greater St. Louis Region Tyler Lappe, Cape Girardeau 63, Southeast Region Denise Peters, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Region Jessica Tierney, Columbia 93, Northeast Region

MEMBER SERVICE COORDINATORS Kim Bielinski

Glenn Bussen Keri Cottrell

Jen Conner Tracy Darian Marca Hayter Aubry Kruse Mike Martin

Julie Gass

Maddy Johnson Ryan Lewis Kari Nolting Mindy Walker

Shaelynn Nordwald

Mike Walsh

MSTA COMMUNICATIONS Administrative Assistant Jennifer Bacon Director of Marketing and Communication Todd Fuller Design & Video Coordinator Michael Lising Digital Strategist/Project Manager Kara Potter Creative Media Specialist Lindsay James

Bruce Moe

MSTA Executive Director

PUBLICATION POLICY Articles published in School & Community do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Missouri State Teachers Association. Advertising: Only those products, services and programs endorsed by the Board of Directors of the Missouri State Teachers Association may carry such notification. Advertising in School & Community does not imply such endorsement. Indexed by “Education Index.” It is the policy of the Missouri State Teachers Association not to publish materials or advertising that would promote a competing organization or be detrimental to the Missouri State Teachers Association. Copyright © 2024, Missouri State Teachers Association. All rights reserved, including the right to reprint any article, photograph, cartoon or artwork published herein. School & Community (ISSN 0036-6447) is published three times during the year by the Missouri State Teachers Association. Non-profit bulk postage paid at Columbia, Mo., and at additional mailing office. Annual subscription price of $15 is included in membership dues. Current single copies cost $3.75. Postmaster: Send address changes to School & Community, 407 S. Sixth St., P.O. Box 458, Columbia, MO 65205-0458.

Sincerely, Bruce Moe Executive Director

(Volume 110, No. 3)

P.O. Box 458 Columbia, MO 65205 LOCAL: 573-442-3127

800-392-0532 www.msta.org

S&C SUMMER 2024 | 5

Notebook

Creative Retreat for Writers Do you have a book idea? Acclaimed author Deborah Raney and her husband, talented illustrator and graphic designer, Ken Raney, are teaming up to help you make your writing dreams a reality this fall. If you have ever wanted to write a book, you’ll learn the steps you need at a writer’s retreat Friday, Sept. 20 - Sunday, Sept. 22 at Bunker Hill. The options are endless: a novel, a memoir or family history, recipe books, stories for the grandchildren, picture books, books to accompany teaching or speaking and so much more. The retreat is for participants regardless of skill. Topics Ken and Deb will cover include the craft of writing and editing, the steps needed to take your book to publication and how to upload to Amazon/other online options. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding their own project. Cost is $299 which includes the weekend instruction, lodging Friday and Saturday, breakfast and dinner Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Sign up at msta.org/creative-retreat by Aug. 30. Questions? Contact Sarah Kohnle at sarah.kohnle@gmail.com.

Time to Embrace the Digital Horizon For the past three years, I have had the pleasure of editing and contributing to School & Community magazine. While past editors like the wonderful Sarah Kohnle, Letha Albright and Inks Franklin managed this publication for over 110 years, I am excited to help lead the charge into a new era. My connection with this magazine dates back to high school when I was featured in its pages alongside my journalism adviser, who received a prestigious award. As an eighteen year-old budding journalist, it was thrilling to see my face in print! Little did I know that one day, I would be producing the same magazine. Creating School & Community has been more than a professional responsibility - it is a labor of love. There is something uniquely satisfying about holding a tangible product of my work and seeing the stories I have crafted come to life. Our team captures the essence of Missouri’s educational communities and the remarkable individuals who make them special. We take pride in sharing stories of triumph, resilience and innovation, aiming to inform our readers and give teachers a voice. As we transition from print to a digital format, these values will remain true. While I will miss the tactile pleasure of the printed magazine, I am excited about the opportunities ahead. The digital format allows us to reach a broader audience and tell our stories in more dynamic, innovative ways. It offers the chance to incorporate multimedia elements, interactive features and real-time updates, making the storytelling experience more immersive. When I travel across Missouri to gather content, I often return with an SD card full of exciting video clips that capture the personalities of our members and their day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, many of these never reach the public due to the constraints of the printed format and the deadlines required therein. This transition to digital marks a new era for School & Community magazine which aligns with the evolving media landscape and will allow for unrestricted growth as new tools become available. I am eager to explore my creative potential as we develop stories featuring audio, immersive scrolling, engaging videos, AI and more. When I earned my degree in Digital Storytelling from Mizzou, I envisioned and hoped for future opportunities like this to push the boundaries of narrative innovation. Please join me in embracing this change so we may continue sharing stories that matter and utilize the full potential of digital media. I am excited to allocate more of my time and energy toward crafting compelling narratives that resonate in this new format. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like us to share a story that is special to you or your district. We are always down for a road trip or virtual collaboration! — Lindsay James, Creative Media Specialist

6 | SUMMER 2024 S&C

Science Teacher Honored Ryne Emerick, a science teacher at Lebanon High School, is one of five recipients of

Northwestern’s Schapiro Award. Seniors at the university were given the opportunity to nominate their former high school teachers from around the world for their professional

and personal commitment to students. The awards carry a stipend of $5,000 for each teacher and $5,000 for each of their high schools. Below is an excerpt from Northwestern’s press release. Emily Lester, now a senior in the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), remembers asking her high school science teacher Ryne Emerick why he transformed study hall once a week into “Waffle Wednesday.” Emerick said that he knew the camaraderie of making and enjoying waffles together would pay off and that students would be more comfortable having conversations about science and asking tough questions. Lester took many of Emerick’s values and lessons with her to Northwestern. “Mr. Emerick’s teaching untraditional ways of learning and creating the conditions to learn from failure has impacted how I view my college experience and my work throughout SESP.” Seeking ways to create community and elevate learning, Emerick transformed an underused computer lab at the rural Lebanon High School in Missouri into research laboratory space. The new science research program would become a pathway for students at all levels of science education to explore their own research questions. When he read about students at a neighboring, wealthier school district participating in science competitions, Emerick asked, “Why not our kids too?” He worked with professionals in the private sector, professors and lab scientists to design a program supporting students with limited resources. The class began with just six students entering state competitions and eventually resulted in students placing at international competitions and regularly communicating with professors and other experts in their fields. “Creativity is the heart of our program at Lebanon High School in that it provides students with the opportunity to drive their scientific research projects and create unconventional pathways for students,” Emerick said. “By empowering our students to take ownership of their research, they develop skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and communication.” As she approaches graduation at Northwestern, Lester fondly remembers “Waffle Wednesdays” and the opportunities Emerick provided to learn in untraditional ways. — This article was first published by Northwestern.

Students Advocate to DESE for Awareness Week Many areas of education are rightfully recognized by DESE such as special education, counselors, school lunch heroes, etc. to raise awareness about the importance of their impact in Missouri’s public schools. However, my gifted students and I noticed that DESE did not recognize Gifted Education Awareness Week on their special days and events calendar. This made my students feel forgotten and overlooked, so we decided to advocate to the Missouri State School Board to add Gifted Education Awareness Week to the DESE calendar. My elementary gifted students learned the art of persuasion using ethos, logos and pathos, then used those persuasion strategies to create an eBook persuading DESE to declare Gifted Education Awareness Week. After their book was completed, students composed a formal email to the Missouri State School Board, including a link to their eBook. We are happy to announce that our advocacy efforts paid off! DESE now includes Gifted Education Awareness Week on the DESE calendar as the second full week of February. We hope this inspires school districts across the state to celebrate and bring awareness to the needs of gifted learners! — Phoebe Pohlman (Perry County School District 32)

S&C SUMMER 2024 | 7

$40,000 placed in state law to be used for raising both the baseline minimum and master’s minimum salary increases. $40,000

8 | SUMMER 2024 S&C Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised doubled, adding $15 million each year. Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised doubled, adding $15 million each year. 2030-31 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS 600 scholarships and $3.4M Foundation Formula Calculation Change MSTA’s 2024 Legislative Session Successes will allow for $227 million to fund to public schools through foundation formula. Small Schools Grant foundation formula. MSTA’s 2024 Legislative Session Successes will allow for $227 million to fund to public schools through foundation formula. doubled, adding $15 million each year. Foundation Formula Calculation Change Teacher Salary from the embarrassingly low $25,000 in state statute to $40,000 in 2025-26, with future growth tied to inflation. Foundation Formula Calculation Change Legislative Session Successes will allow for $227 million to fund to public schools through foundation formula. Raised Minimum Teacher Salary from the embarrassingly low $25,000 in state statute to $40,000 in 2025-26, with future growth tied to inflation. $48,000,000 100% Small Schools Grant Small Schools Grant Raised Minimum Teacher Salary from the embarrassingly low $25,000 in state statute to $40,000 in 2025-26, with future growth tied to inflation. $48,000,000 teacher prep tuition costs (capped at the amount of Mizzou tuition) teacher prep tuition costs (capped at the amount of Mizzou tuition) 2030-31 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS 600 scholarships and $3.4M $48,000,000 2030-31 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS 600 scholarships and $3.4M 100% 100% from $33,000 in current law, increasing each year. Both minimums will then be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3 percent. Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised Small Schools Grant Foundation Formula Calculation Change from $33,000 in current law, increasing each year. Both minimums will then be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3 percent. Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised doubled, adding $15 million each year. from $33,000 in current law, increasing each year. Both minimums will then be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3 percent. Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised doubled, adding $15 million each year. Small Schools Grant Legislative Session Successes will allow for $227 million to fund to public schools through foundation formula. from $33,000 in current law, increasing each year. Both minimums will then be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3 percent. Foundation Formula Calculation Change Small Schools Grant Master’s Plus 10 Salary Raised Legislative will allow for $227 million to fund to public schools through foundation formula. doubled, adding $15 million each year.

Rais Tea from Tea low stat 202 grow from low stat 202 grow

$25,000 $25,000

440 scholarships & $2.6M 2026-27 480 scholarships & $2.8M 2027-28 400 scholarships & $2.4M 2025-26 520 scholarships & $3M 2028-29 560 scholarships & $3.2M 2029-30 440 scholarships & $2.6M 2026-27 480 scholarships & $2.8M 2027-28 400 scholarships & $2.4M 2025-26 520 scholarships & $3M 2028-29 560 scholarships & $3.2M 2029-30 placed in state law to be used for raising both the baseline minimum and master’s minimum salary increases. $48,000,000 440 scholarships & $2.6M 2026-27 480 scholarships & $2.8M 2027-28 teacher prep tuition costs (capped at the amount of Mizzou tuition) 200 scholarships & $1.2M 2024-25 400 scholarships & $2.4M 2025-26 520 scholarships & $3M 2028-29 560 scholarships & $3.2M 2029-30 Teacher Baseline Salary Fund placed in state law to be used for raising both the baseline minimum and master’s minimum salary increases. Teacher Baseline Salary Fund $25,000 Teacher Baseline Salary Fund placed in state law to be used for raising both the baseline minimum and master’s minimum salary increases. 200 scholarships & $1.2M 2024-25 200 scholarships & $1.2M 2024-25

$4

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ALL $4

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Timeline for Implementation of SB727 O n May 7, Gov. Parson signed SB727, an education omnibus bill that contains both MSTA legislative priorities and potentially harmful elements that MSTA has lobbied against for years. This comprehensive legislation, originally focused on the expansion of the voucher program, has evolved into a multifaceted initiative with far-reaching implications for teachers, schools and the broader educational community in the state. To watch a video produced by our Education Policy department about this legislation, go to msta.org/stories/what-you-need-to-know-about-sb727 .

The following will be enacted by Aug. 28, 2024: Baseline Salary Grant Program and Fund ($48 Million) PSRS/PEERS Work After Retirement The retirement system would recover any dollars earned over the work after retirement

Elementary Literacy Fund ($5 Million) This new program will provide grants to local districts for home reading programs in connection with a nonprofit organization that delivers an evidenced based reading program that provides at least six books for students to select and keep, weekly check-ins, and reporting to the legislature and DESE. Missouri Empowerment Voucher Program Expansion ($25 Million) The maximum amount of tax credits issued to pay for vouchers will expand from $50 million to $75 million. The program will then grow according to the percent of increase or decrease in state spending for the PreK-12 foundation formula. If school transportation falls below 40% of required funding, no additional scholarships may be issued. The program would no longer have geographic restrictions for applicants and increased reporting requirements will be placed on the program.

Gov. Mike Parson created the Teacher Baseline Salary Grant Program and Fund in his FY23 proposed budget to increase teacher salaries in many districts across the state. The legislature approved the program and has funded it each year. The program will now become state law with a dedicated fund in the budget to pay for salary increases to both the minimum and master’s +10 salaries. Without the fund being placed in state law, the legislature and governor are not bound to continue this important program. Career Ladder Expands the eligible activities for the Career Ladder program, allowing activities to be counted during contract time that are outside of normal classroom activities and allows military members and spouses to be exempt from two year wait if they have teaching experience in another state. Small Schools Grant ($15 Million) State law authorizes payments from this fund to small schools, defined as districts with an average daily attendance of 350 students or less. The current appropriation is $15 million, the new fund would require $30 million to fund the grant. School Boards with adopted salary schedules that permit the use of variable placement may place teachers in hard to staff schools and hard to staff areas anywhere along the salary schedule if the plan is adopted locally and reported to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Variable Placement on Salary Schedule

limit for retirees who exceed the work after retirement limit instead of losing their entire monthly pension payment. Additional Certification Allows individuals who already have a valid Missouri teaching certificate to gain additional certifications by applying to the State Board of Education and achieving an acceptable score on the state-approved teacher evaluation system with seven walk-through evaluations, two formative evaluations and one summative evaluation teaching specific content knowledge for the area in which the additional certification is sought. Teachers must also receive a recommendation from their employing school district.

Removing Barrier to Education Preparation Programs

Creation of Private School Teacher Certification

Elimination of the MoGEA test, a barrier for entry to Educator prep programs and an additional cost to potential future educators.

Private school teachers with a bachelor’s degree may apply for a teaching certificate from DESE that can only be accepted by private schools. The applicant must complete an 18 hour (1,080 minute) online teacher prep program.

Early Childhood Education ($61 Million)

Will allow districts to immediately expand the population they are able to draw funds for from the foundation formula for early childhood education from 4% to 8% of the total number of pupils between the age of eighteen who are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch.

Charter School Expansion Charter schools will be allowed to operate in Boone County under current rules and regulations.

S&C SUMMER 2024 | 9

10 | SUMMER 2024 S&C Expansion of Early Childhood Funding Doubled the amount of students that districts may receive payment to educate. Expansion of Early Childhood Funding Doubled the amount of students that districts may receive payment to educate. By July 1, 2025: Teacher Salaries Missouri minimum teacher salaries have not been changed since legislation that was passed in 2005. The current minimum teacher salary is $25,000 and the minimum salary for a full-time teacher with a master’s degree and at least ten years’ teaching experience is $33,000. Under SB727, the minimum salary by the 2025-26 school year will be $40,000 for all teachers. For master’s +10, the minimum will be $46,000. When fully phased in, the bill will raise the salaries of 9,697 teachers in 414 districts. Creates a two-year scholarship that will pay 100% of the costs for teacher preparation program tuition. The scholarship can be used by a Missouri resident that agrees to teach in a Missouri public school that is a hard-to-staff school or teach at least one hard-to-staff subject area for two years for every one year they received the scholarship. 100% teacher prep tuition costs (capped at the amount of Mizzou tuition) Expansion of Early Childhood Funding Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 200 scholarship and $1.2 M 2025-26, 400 scholarships and $2.4 million Fully Funded in the State Budget : Foundation Formula Transportation Career Ladder Baseline Salary Grant Fully Funded in the State Budget : Foundation Formula Transportation Career Ladder Baseline Salary Grant that districts may receive payment to educate. Expansion of Early Childhood Funding that districts may receive payment to educate.

pension.

By the 2026-2027 school year: Teacher Salaries Master’s +10 minimum will be $47,000

Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 440 scholarships and $2.6 million

Foundation Formula Attendance Calculation Change The calculation for weighted average daily attendance, a major component for public school funding under the formula would be changed to allow for a combination of student enrollment and attendance, resulting in increased funding for the foundation formula. The change would phase in over five years and would not require any additional programs or costs to local districts. 90% attendance, 10% enrollment ($41 million) Changes to Four-Day School Weeks In school districts in counties with a charter form of government, or cities with a population greater than 30,000 the district must get voter approval to utilize a four-day school week. For districts that use a calendar of 169 days or more, DESE will issue those districts an additional state aid payment based on 1 percent of their preceding year state aid entitlement, and 2% each year after that may only be used for teacher salaries.

Members can pay back

anything over earnings limit instead of losing entire month’s pension.

By 2027-28: Teacher Salaries Master’s +10 - $48,000 Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 480 scholarships and $2.8 million Foundation Formula Attendance Calculation Change 80% attendance, 20% enrollment ($86 million) Fully Funded in the State Budget : Foundation Formula Transportation Career Ladder Baseline Salary Grant By 2028-29: Teacher Salaries Increases to both the teacher salary and the master’s plus 10 salary minimums will be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3%. Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 520 scholarships and $3 million Foundation Formula Attendance Calculation Change 70% attendance, 30% enrollment ($132 million) Expansion of Early Childhood Funding Doubled the amount of students that districts may receive payment to educate.

By 2029-30: Teacher Salaries Increases to both the teacher salary and the master’s plus 10 salary minimums will be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3%. Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 560 scholarships and $3.2 million Foundation Formula Attendance Calculation Change 60% attendance, 40% enrollment ($179 million)

By 2030-31: Teacher Salaries Increases to both the teacher salary and the master’s plus 10 salary minimums will be indexed to inflation, not to exceed 3%, continuing for all subsequent years. Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program 600 scholarships and $3.4 million, continuing for all subsequent years. Foundation Formula Attendance Calculation Change 50% attendance, 50% enrollment Members can pay back anything over earnings limit instead of losing entire month’s pension.

($227 million), continuing for all subsequent years.

Bills opposed by MSTA

MSTA member advocacy results in successful session.

Defeated any new voucher programs. Defeated Open Enrollment Bill. Defeated legislation that would place greater emphasis on statewide test scores.

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Elevate Your Impact: Tips from CTA Leaders

Lynda Offutt, Lebanon What is your MSTA “elevator pitch” when talking to a prospective member? Every teacher needs to join a teaching organization for protection. I highly recommend MSTA for several reasons. First, it is an organization made up of and led by teachers. Local control is important. MSTA offers legal protection and constant support with legal questions and concerns should you ever need it. You never know these days. What’s been working to get new members to join? Are there certain things that really catch their interest? We get new members to join by attending the New Teacher Institute and district back to school meeting. At these meetings, we pass out and discuss MSTA highlights. Prizes are handed out to each building just for stopping by our table. I personally contact each teacher/para/support staff in my building and ask if they are interested in joining. Teachers not in my building get many friendly reminders to renew each year. I help them fill out the online forms and call the MSTA office when there is a problem. Teachers appreciate this because the beginning of the year is always so busy. I make sure everyone that wants to join gets signed up as painlessly as possible!

Once recruited, how do you keep everyone involved and excited about being part of the CTA? We keep everyone involved by inviting them to TEPS and telling them how rejuvenating this dinner can be. We also make sure teachers know they can safely come to us with concerns and that they will be addressed. Cinnamon rolls or cookies are also passed out throughout the year to encourage teachers. Challenges include people forgetting to renew their membership or feeling like MSTA can’t solve their problem. Our district is online renewal only. This is less paperwork for me, and teachers can click auto renew and not have to worry about renewing each year. I must remind teachers that MSTA can’t always solve a problem due to the law, but will be by their side. If you want to start or lead a CTA in your district, keep it simple. Don’t expect everyone to want to come to an extra meeting. Keep teachers informed by attending Leadership Conference, Convention, TEPS, Capitol Day and all the wonderful opportunities MSTA provides. Your biggest job is to be there to support and encourage your teachers. What advice would you give someone who wants to start a CTA in their own district?

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Emily Hanson, Republic What is your MSTA “elevator pitch” when talking to a prospective member? My “elevator pitch” for prospective MSTA members is that MSTA does not just provide its members with professional liability insurance, but also is an organization that represents and protects teachers across the state. It is a great organization that provides networking opportunities for its members as well. In addition to this, educators have access to legal resources and a member service coordinator ready to help you throughout your school year if needed. I cannot imagine being in the education field without MSTA at my side! What’s been working to get new members to join? Are there certain things that really catch their interest? I have found that information is power when it comes to getting new staff to join MSTA. Many people new to the education field do not know what options are out there for professional organizations they can join. We focus on getting information about MSTA to our district early in the year by speaking to new teachers at one of our new teacher induction days. We also deliver snacks to our transportation department and have an MSTA member in the building ready to help them sign up if interested. In addition to this, we also secured time at our all-faculty meeting before the school year began to show a short informational video explaining what MSTA and the CTA are and how membership benefits educators. Once recruited, how do you keep everyone involved and excited about being part of the CTA? We engage monthly with our CTA members by leaving birthday treats in their staff mailboxes. We get their favorite candy at the beginning of the year and then pass them out with a card from our CTA. We send out quarterly newsletters as well. In our newsletters we do “member spotlights.” We randomly select a handful of CTA members to highlight in our newsletters and on our Facebook page and also do drawings and giveaways throughout the year. This year for Christmas we gave out $50 bills to our CTA members who were selected in a drawing to help with extra holiday costs. We aim to do a staff engagement technique at least once every few months! Are there any cool ways your CTA helps members step up and take on leadership roles in the district? We are still in the process of revamping our CTA and building our membership. Getting our members

to step into leadership roles will be one of our next steps as an organization. I would love to see our membership built up enough to be able to offer small stipends to all our building representatives and those serving on our executive board! What challenges have you run into with getting and keeping members, and how have you adapted your tactics in response to these challenges? Republic is a moderately large district in the Springfield area. Something that has been challenging is organizing our staff engagement in a way that reaches members in all our buildings and departments. Including our central office and transportation, we have 10 buildings of staff members to include in our CTA and MSTA activities. As we work on building our CTA, we have placed importance on our presence being felt frequently in the district even if that is just in small ways like delivering favorite candy bars with a card for the birthdays of our members. By doing drawings and giveaways, we can include all our members in fun activities in a cost-effective way. I, as president, attend school board meetings to give a CTA report quarterly and we keep our members up to date on MSTA and CTA events through campus emails. We award CTA scholarships to graduating seniors as well. We want to be present in our school community so that our staff knows we are always here as a layer of support for them. What advice would you give someone who wants to start a CTA in their own district? As I complete my first year as the Republic CTA president, I would say don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Swing for the fences with your ideas! Don’t expect perfection and give yourself and your CTA leadership some grace as you embark upon building your CTA. Get your message out there and be present in your district. Listen to the educators in your district and see how you can best be of service to them. I started the year with an electronic survey that asked our members what they want from our CTA. That helped me know where to start in our plans for the school year. I have also issued an end of year survey for our members to reflect on how our CTA has functioned this year and what they would like to see from us in the next school year. I am excited to continue as we build our CTA and MSTA membership!

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Jennifer Barnett, Mexico What is your MSTA “elevator pitch” when talking to a prospective member? I explain the importance of belonging to an organization that helps support teachers. With our current society, I believe it is important to have an organization that can help support them with legal questions and/or issues that come up in education. I also tell them that MSTA offers a lot of other support like providing information about professional development that they may not have otherwise heard about. I always talk-up the discounts on things like cell phone bills and insurance that are offered to teachers/district employees who are members of MSTA. What’s been working to get new members to join? Are there certain things that really catch their interest? I think a big part of getting new people to join is getting to know people and reaching out more directly. We set up a table at the beginning of the year all-district PD session and talked with people. We have CTA representatives from each building in our district at the table helping to provide information and answer questions, so people feel more comfortable asking about it. Once recruited, how do you keep everyone involved and excited about being part of the CTA? This is my first year as head of our local CTA, so we’ve tried some new things this year. Everyone who donated to CTA this year received a t-shirt with the new Mexico CTA logo that our awesome treasurer designed as a holiday gift. We also did a few silly things just to boost morale. For example, we had a district wide Halloween costume contest that we asked our school board members to judge, and first place got a $100 Amazon gift card. We also provided lunch to staff members during Teacher Appreciation Week. We have struggled in the past to get people involved in leadership roles. This year, we developed a survey to send out to the district to ask members what they would be willing to help with. It included a section that specifically asks, “Would you like to become a building representative for CTA?” but also asks them if they know of someone in their building that they think would be a good building representative. I think many times people think about getting involved but are apprehensive to reach out on their own. If we can approach someone and say, “Hey! Someone in your building thought you would make a great CTA building

representative, is that something you might be interested in?” I think more people are inclined to take on a leadership position. The survey also lists some of our bigger CTA events and asks them to select any of them they would be willing to help with. Then our CTA officers and representatives can contact them when planning and orchestrating those events throughout the year. It is hard to get much response when sending out blanket emails, so we think it will help to have specific people to reach out to. What challenges have you run into with getting and keeping members, and how have you adapted your tactics in response to these challenges? It is difficult to ask people to pay for “another thing” especially at the beginning of the school year when you have a million other things you are paying for at that time. Our district offers payroll deduction, so that helps, and I suggest people go for that option. We also have tried to explain what MSTA is versus what the CTA is. Sure, CTA is under the umbrella of MSTA, so most CTA members are also members of MSTA, but it is important for people to understand that CTA is an organization for everyone in the district. I think communicating regularly really helps to keep people invested and just making our presence known throughout the year with various activities and events that support our members helps too. The more active we are, the better! Once they know more about CTA and MSTA and see our presence, they are more likely to join MSTA, donate to CTA, renew their membership and donate again in the future. What advice would you give someone who wants to start a CTA in their own district? It can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it! Once you get more people involved, it gets easier too. Using the strengths of your members to help carry out tasks makes it very rewarding. It helps everyone involved feel a part of a bigger goal because CTA is about helping teachers and district employees be happy to come to school every day. Happy people take care of business in the classroom for our kids, which is why we’re in education. Through CTA, we become a place where teachers have a sense of belonging and we end up addressing issues within the district together and get to have fun as we do it!

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Katie Mock, Seneca What is your MSTA “elevator pitch” when talking to a prospective member? Being a member of MSTA is very rewarding! It makes you feel like someone has your back; it is also nice to know that you are part of something bigger… way bigger! When you speak with people from MSTA, you feel like you matter and that they are not “above” you. What’s been working to get new folks to join? Are there certain things that really catch their interest? • Having our SW Rep (Aubry Kruse) come to our new teacher training in August • Having support from our superintendent • Having forms readily available • We started doing payroll deduct Once recruited, how do you keep everyone involved and excited about being part of the CTA? • Monthly Amazon card drawings for members • Monthly meetings • Fall tailgate before the second football game Are there any cool ways your CTA helps members step up and take on leadership roles in the district? Our CTA officers are very approachable and practical - always willing to have a good conversation. We talked about having officers sign up to represent us at board meetings. What advice would you give someone who wants to start a CTA in their own district? Have people attend the Summer Leadership Conference for inspiration, information, and ideas. Create bulletin boards that will be updated quarterly. Ask your superintendent if you can speak about MSTA/CTA at a district staff meeting. Put information and goodies in all teachers’ mailboxes, or something more general in the workroom/lounge. Offer to host an informational meeting with food/drinks… something yummy they cannot resist.

Kristin Clark, Fulton What is your MSTA “elevator pitch” when talking to a prospective member? FCTA is your opportunity to stay up to date about the goings-on with our district and gives you an opportunity to use your voice on issues that affect district staff. What’s been working to get new folks to join? Are there certain things that really catch their interest? During my opening session speech, I took the opportunity to remind the staff that there is power in numbers and when we have a strong FCTA that attends meetings and works to improve issues, the administration is more likely to listen to us. That helped our attendance at meetings some, but the things we worked on improving this year also made more people want to be there as well. Are there any cool ways your CTA helps members step up and take on leadership roles in the district? It’s not really “cool,” but every time we have a topic to address, we form a subcommittee if it’s needed. I email all our members and ask if anyone is passionate about the topic and so far, we’ve gotten lucky that there are members who volunteer. I reach out to those volunteers and ask one of them to be the facilitator for the meetings. As they take on the leadership of the committee, they also take on keeping the CTA informed about the work they are doing in their meetings. What challenges have you run into with getting and keeping members, and how have you adapted your tactics in response to these challenges? We don’t have a plan now, but it will be something we focus on next year. Right now, we just speak to people who were with us the year before and we make sure they didn’t forget to sign up. What advice would you give someone who wants to start a CTA in their own district? Do it! It is a great way to get your voices heard and to be able to work with administration to make positive changes. It may be difficult to get members involved at first, but as you make progress toward positive effects for them, they will want to be part of the work you are doing.

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