News and Events
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All licenses to be electronic from now on!
DSEA Events and deadlines
New list of state-approved 403(b) investment vendors
Specialists: Don't let your license expire
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Response to Intervention (Rt) Conference postponed to May 8
Due to the impending weekend weather, we are postponing the RtI Symposium scheduled for this Saturday Feb. 6 until May 8th. The same details will apply to the May 8th event. All registrants have been sent an email to indicate if they are available May 8, as well as a phone call to check their e-mails.
Questions? Contact Gerri Coble at DSEA by e-mail or by phone at 1-866-734-5834.
The online registration page will be posted soon for those wishing to attend on May 8 but who did not register for Feb. 6. Stay tuned.
DSEA Resolutions oppose two-tiered health care benefits system
January 21, 2010.... Offering new-hires less in benefits than current hires is one quick way to lower morale. A long-standing value of unions everywhere, offering one benefits system shows that the employer values everyone, and not just some.A two-tiered system, as proposed by the Governor, is a sure-fire way for the state to lower the morale amongst state workers, and certainly not attract the best and brightest to Delaware.
In his State of the State address today, Gov. Jack Markell said that such a move could save the state $75 million over five years. There are other ways to save, conserve and, yes, even cut.
Check out the new DSEA store at Lands End
We now have a place where you can purchase quality merchandise with the DSEA logo embroidered - yes, really embroidered - on it. It's the DSEA Lands End Store.
Blouses, shirts, polo shirts, skirts, sweaters, jackets, hats, bags, totes, chefs' aprons, beach bags, beach towels, business attaches, messenger bags, duffel bags - even coolers and lunch bags.
Ordering is easy. Just use your credit card. There's no need to "register." Click here for Lands End's two-page guide on getting the right fit.
No more paper licenses: Make sure your e-mail adddress on DEEDS is correct!
For all teachers, specialists and paraeducators, it is now more important than ever to make sure that your e-mail address on DEEDS is accurate.
Starting the week of March 23, 2009, the Department of Education (DoE) will begin issuing educator licenses electronically. Previously, the paper licenses were sent through the mail to the educator and a copy provided to their school district or charter school.
Not only will teachers, specialists and paras receive their licenses or certificatesimmediately, but this change will save the state more than $12,000 annually in paper, postage and handling fees. DoE issues approximately 6,000 paper requests each year.
These requests include licenses, certificates, paraeducator permits and evaluation letters. Educators can know log on and print their own credentials. Credentials can also be verified on the DEEDS website.
“This is long overdue,” said Lillian M. Lowery, secretary of Education. “In an era of efficiency, this is one small step we can take to further improve customer satisfaction while at the same time save hard earned tax dollars. I applaud the efforts of my staff and Diamond Technology for assisting us in this transition.”
Diane Donohue, president of the Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), is also pleased with these improvements as well as significant cost-savings. She is concerned, however, that everyone make sure their emails are up-to-date on DEEDS. “It is imperative that all educators who are registered with DEEDS, keep their e-mail address updated in the DEEDS system so that everyone who is requesting an electronic credential will in fact receive it.”
So, if you are an educator, please make sure your e-mail address on DEEDS is correct so that you receive all information that is sent through that system including e-mails and professional development updates from the department.
Here's the current list of state-approved 403(b) investment companies
The state's 403(b) Plan has recently undergone some major changes as a result of federal regulations.
Beginning January 1, 2009, only certain vendors will be approved by the State, and you can only choose from this list for future contributions:
Approved Vendor List (The five companies in bold are endorsed by NEA/DSEA):
The Valic Annuity Life Insurance Company
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company
Fidelity Investments Corporation
First Investors
Great American Financial Resources, Inc.
The Hartford, through Edward Jones
Horace Mann Life Insurance Company
ING Life Insurance & Annuity Company
Kades-Margolis Corporation
Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Security Benefit Corporation
Attention specialists: Don't let your professional license expire
Many specialists are licensed by both the Dept. of Education and their professional boards (such as school nurses), but some are not licensed by DoE. They are only licensed by their professional organizations. These include speech language pathologists, audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and ROTC instructors.
DSEA recently learned of several situations in which members employed as these types of specialists mistakenly believed that they did not have to keep their license/certification current with their professional board if their practice is limited to school settings.
This is not the case! You must maintain your license/certificate in these areas in Delaware in order to practice in a public school district.
DSEA has assisted several members who found themselves in front of their professional licensing board through the process to secure or maintain their license but they still face investigation and possibly criminal charges for the unauthorized practice of their profession.
"Hopefully the investigators will reach the same conclusion as the licensure board that the individuals did not intentionally ignore the licensure requirements" states DSEA General Counsel Jeff Taschner. "The clear lesson that needs to be taken from these situations," he adds, "is that every individual is charged with the responsibility of knowing and complying with the state licensure requirements."
Please spread the word so that this does not happen again.
Want ads
- NAEP administrators wanted
- SAT Prep Center is looking for Tutors and Teachers
- Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc. is looking for experienced teachers in several areas and interviews year-round.
- Educational Service, Inc. (ESI) of Wilmington is seeking certified teachers for part-time teaching and tutoring assignments.
- Community Solutions, Inc. of Wilmington is looking for a Certified Special Eduation Teacher
- Family Court seeking Child Advocates
- The Masonic Learning Center is looking for educators to certify to tutor students diagnosed with dyslexia.
- The Early Learning Center at the University of Delaware is looking for substitutes
- Environmental Education Volunteer Opportunities available at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Help Mentor At-Risk Youth trying to get their GED with FUTUREnet
Youths between the ages of 16-21 who have either dropped out of school, are low-income, involved in the criminal justice system, homeless, pregnant or parenting and are lacking a high school education are coming to Jewish Family Services of Delaware’s FUTUREnet program.
They need tutors for math and English, and mentors who will take the time to help them acquire the skills and credentials necessary to secure a path to a better job and higher education. All volunteers go through an orientation and background checks/fingerprinting.We’re need volunteers to come a couple of hours, every week (whatever fits your schedule). Students are here:
Mondays 10am-4pm; Tuesdays 10am-6pm; Thursdays 12pm-5pm; Fridays 10am-4pmTo set up an appointment, contact: Marcy Resnick, Community Organizer, SILVER and Volunteer Network Coordinator, Jewish Family Services of Delaware, 99 Passmore Road, Wilmington, DE 19803
PH: (302) 478-9411 x129.
NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2
DSEA Representative Assembly Apirl 16 (evening Celebration Dinner) and 17, Dover Downs. Contact Sandy Dearman by e-mail or at 1-866-734-5834.
DSEA-Retired Annual Meeting, April 28, 9am-1pm, Dover Downs
Questions? Contact Debbie Weaver by e-mail or at 1-866-734-5834.
ESP Conference May 1 Dover Sheraton 8:30am to 4pm. Registration online coming soon. Questions? Contact Geri Coble by e-mail or phone at 1-866-734-5834.
Celebration of Diversity, Human and Civil Rights Banquet May 4, Dover Sheraton. Questions? Contact Betty Cash by e-mail or at 1-866-734-5834.
Response to Intervention (RTI) Symposium, May 8, Dover Downs. Register online. Questions? Contact Gerri Coble by e-mail or phone at 1-866-734-5834.
Christopher K. Smith Memorial Golf Tournament to beneefit Future Teachers, June 18 at Jonathan's Landing Golf Club in Magnolia.
Questions? Contact Tammy Wagner by e-mail or phone at 1-866-734-5834.
