Education Emancipation Organization : November 2017

Sunday, November 5, 2017

TEA Time # 2 at DJ House

The second Taichung Educators & Authors (TEA) Time at DJ House got off to a rousing start with musical inspiration. “We may not have the autumn foliage of the season in Taichung,” said the facilitator, “but participants invoked the mood of the cooler tropical Taiwan evening with a rendition of ‘The Bells’ by Edgar Allen Poe, sung to music by Phil Ochs.” The merriment, happiness, terror, and solemnity the poem's bells foretold compelled four teaching writers to share their craft with patrons sipping free English tea and worthwhile chicken pizza.

At TEA Time #2, David dappled the late afternoon light in the cozy café with an excerpt from his short story, “The Brightest Star in the Tan-Zih Sky” about a local female entrepreneur's over-ambition. Ben described the dry textbook material expected by upwardly mobile EFL students and brought an example of intriguing topical role play that inspires his classes. In addition to commenting on German passages in a novel David's writing, Frank described the intricacies of yoga instruction as the teacher helps practitioners tap the inner- strength; he joins Janice in holding classes upstairs at DJ House. Joanne Chu, one of her thirty yoga students, joined us in a discussion of Taiwan ex-pats, some with no feel for her native culture or language. If not for proprietor Darren’s sore throat, we would have been inspired with some sci-fi he has been revising but, like most sci-fi, it is left to the future.

The next TEA Time is on Sunday, December 3^rd from 4-6 pm. All those present seemed to agree; this Taichung bohemian literary scene was long overdue and attracting some buzz from writers in Taiwan excited that there was now a meet-up south of the Taipei border. Others, by chance, will find their way to DJ House to share their written creations. Next month, take off the chill of winter with TEA Time flavored holiday cheer! Hope to see you then.

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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

Sunday, November 5, 2017

TEA Time # 2 at DJ House

Bread & Roses Curriculum

A Socially Conscious Approach to Literacy