Education Emancipation Organization : July 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013

Teacher David's Family Vacation in Quebec

Hello Students:

My family and I are back in Brooklyn after our trip to Trois-Riviere and Quebec City, Canada. We drove about 1,200 miles all together. got a nice gift for you from there.

We got back at 9:30pm Sunday evening. It was a travel day driving eleven hours in all. We left The Quality Suites motel at 8:30am in the morning and got back on the road, this time taking Route 20 on the southern banks of the St. Lawrence River. The trip went fast with Lynyard Skynyard the first iPod selection of the day. By the time we were We listened to music in the car on the way home. I drove in Canada to the first exit in NYS and headed south. We waited at the border to have our passports checked before we cound enter the USA. Then, after we stopped for lunch at McDonalds, Amanda, my daughter, took over the wheel. She drove through big, tall mountains called The Adarondaks. Beautiful.

Our Saturday began at Montmorency Falls (picture above) where we took a sky car to the top of the falls. Later, we ate lunch with crepes at Le Petit Pain De Bredan in St. Foy.

This was was sixth or seventh trip to Quebec City and it was more fun than ever!

The rental car is now parked in front of my home in Brooklyn. I'm supposed to return it in half an hour at 7:30am.

Comment on this blog entry and let me know what you think? Are you having a nice summer? Share your ideas with the class. Until next time, bye!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Did you see the 4th of July Fireworks?

Did you see the Fourth of July fireworks we had in New York City? It was spectacular. Unlike the fireworks off the 101 Building in Taipei which goes up into the sky, the New York fireworks are wide and explode over water, the Hudson River. There are four exact duplicates of one large, long (twenty minutes) splash of sparkling fireballs in the night sky over New York, with the laser-lit Empire State Building in the background. Millions of people go to the western shores of Manhattan or the northeastern shores of New Jersey to see the fireworks display but not me, not this year. Last year, when I was still living in Brooklyn, I went. I took the subway train with my wife and her friend to see the show in person. This year, we stayed in our living room, ate snacks, and watched the fireworks program on television. It was easier than fighting through crowds to get through hundreds of people and police barriers to get a good view.

where to watch fireworks in nyc 2013

Monday, July 1, 2013

July 1, 2013 Update

Hello students: I am in a kitchen in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. My wife is visiting a friend. We miss Taichung already. The weather here is warm and rainy, almost like the weather in Taichung. Later today, I will visit a friend. I love Brooklyn. It is my home town, but Taichung is my home now. Write a comment and tell me how you are. For American Eagle, bye!

Teacher David

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Menu of Teachers' Union Activities

Teachers' Union chapters need to be more actively democratic and responsive to its members needs. It is important to achieve this by creating sub-committees that would address areas of interest to members and get many members involved. Each sub- committee would be comprised of teacher and para-professional volunteers and facilitated by an elected committee member. Sub-committee membership is the vehicle for any interested teacher or para-professional who would like to become more active in social or political issues affecting the teachers' union chapter,improve the flow of information to  members, and make improvements to  work

environment.

MENU OF UNION ACTIVITIES Listed below is each objective and a proposal for sub-committees that would be created to realize that objective. Maybe you have an idea for another sub-committee? Remember, the form and direction of each sub-committee takes shape through you.

OBJECTIVE -ACTIVITY “To cooperate to the fullest extent with the labor movement

and to work for a progressive labor philosophy to awaken in

all members a labor consciousness and sense of solidarity

with labor.”

1. Union Solidarity Committee: Discuss labor issues with

possible petition drives. Update and advise colleagues on

contract issues. Contact and keep up with labor issues in

other schools in the area and worldwide..

****************************************************************

“To protect the schools against unsound economy and against efforts at domination by political, economic, religious, or military group.”

2. Sweat-free School Committee: Help your school join the

movement against sweatshops by identifying violators and

using union-made items at school.

3. Tolerance Committee: Discuss and recommend ways for

helping students get along better and helping teachers

understand cultural diversity. Work with clubs and the

student organization to promote cross-cultural sensitivity.

**************************************************************

“To promote education as a social agency for developing

the capacities of the young, for enlightened adults, and for

working toward a society motivated by the ideal of service and democratic participation.”

4. Teachers’ Resource Committee: Organize and expand

the teachers’ library resources such as videos, text,

classroom activity manuals, and member services brochures.

This includes the maintenance of office equipment, such as

the copy machine, computer, printer, and television. ****************************************************************

“To make members aware of their political responsibilities.”

5. Bulletin Committee: Update, decorate, and maintain the

union message boards. Monitor and maintain our list-serve.

Consider creating a chapter newsletter.

****************************************************************

“To advance the economic and professional interests of

members.”

6. Financial Advisory Committee: Act as an adviser to both

new and old colleagues with their financial questions on 401K, tax deferred annuity, DA, pension, and payroll.

7. In-Service Training Committee: Act as an advisor assisting

colleagues on licensing requirements, degree fulfillment, as

well as available classes for professional development, and

credits toward salary steps. Have information on sabbaticals. *****************************************************************

“To establish the active participation of education employees

in the formulation of educational policies.”

8. Education Committee: Discuss trends in education,

standardized testing, and effective teaching methodologies.

Create and develop a bank of useful teaching methodologies,

materials and plans. Assist colleagues *****************************************************************

“To work for democratic administration and supervision.”

9. Union-Administration Consultation Committee: Form an

agenda from sub-committee suggestions and prepare for

consultation meetings with the principal as required of elected Committee members. Report to the rank and file.

10. School General Assembly Committee: Attend, present our

petitions, and report on G.A. Required of Committee Delegates. ******************************************************************

“To protect members whenever necessary.”

11. Safety Committee: Advise colleagues on strategies for

classroom management and violence prevention. Instruct on

the procedures established for dealing with disruptive students.

12. New Teacher Support Group: Help new teachers maneuver in your school and give advise on clerical matters. how to survive an observation, and how to file grievance reports. Review mentoring candidates and help with selection.

13. Health Committee: Advise on insurance plans and make

available listings of doctors, dentists, and labs. Make available

 information of stress management. Work toward making your

school a safer school. Meet with cafeteria personnel to discuss and develop healthier lunch menus.

*****************************************************************

I believe each sub-committee can work toward creating a new

union environment in our schools, one of action, inclusion, and service. Each person can contribute to their area of expertise. In these days of union entrenchment, we must be more active to protect the gains you have made and make sure we’re fairly represented.

Education Emancipation Organization