Disclaimer: There are no high-stakes consequences attached to this correspondence and no teacher was injured during the composing of this message.

I added this tongue-in-cheek disclaimer to a recent email to AEA President Andrew Morrill, who, at the invitation of SEA Executive Board, will be speaking in SUSD sometime in October. Its intended humor died away when I realized how very little in public education doesn’t involve high-stakes something or other that threatens teacher morale.

For example, you don’t get any higher in stakes than SB1040. In 2012-13 all of us including our principals will be held accountable to more evaluation. Arizona legislators have deemed your once final evaluation will no longer constitute your final evaluation. It will be joined by two new measures, both involving student test scores.

If SB1040 information posted on our website has left you with more questions, please work with your SEA building rep to schedule me to visit your school so that I may answer your questions and concerns.

The new TEA language regarding black-out dates is another example. SEA Meet & Confer members recently held informational meetings where we answered questions on various issues, in particular, questions about black-out days. Black-Out Days FAQs is a compilation of answers to the most frequently asked questions. Questions on the fairness of black-out dates were virtually impossible to answer, because, as in business, “You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate” (C. Karrass). The quote applies to public education today more than ever before.

   • If fairness mattered, would you be working as hard as you have been for the past four years without a pay raise?

   • Would you be evaluated not only on the merits of your professional performance but soon, on the performance of your students and students outside your classroom?

It’s not about fairness. It’s about negotiation. Convinced that there is, indeed, strength in numbers, I would like to thank all SEA members.

Because of your SEA membership, we were able to sit at the bargaining table and negotiate a midyear checkpoint and an appeal process into the new black-out date language. Without your SEA membership, there would only be black-out dates.

Because of your SEA membership, teachers have a significant voice in how their SB1040 legislated fate will unfold.

Because of your SEA membership, Dr. Peterson has recognized SEA as the voice of teachers. And that’s why membership in SEA matters … now more than ever.

In the upcoming weeks, may no high-stakes consequences or injury to morale befall you. Should that happen, SEA will be there for its members.

Thank you for all you do to help students learn and love learning.

Best, Anne

Educators united for the purpose of improving the professional lives of each member