Articles in this issue
14 policy modifications to help school districts implement protections and protocols
As school districts across the state finalize plans to return to school in the fall, there are still a number of unanswered questions surrounding how districts plan to operate. MSTA has identified 14 policy modifications we believe will help school districts implement protections and protocols to benefit all students and district staff. The following policy recommendations are in addition to changes in federal law that provide additional paid sick leave and extended protections under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Districts that choose to follow MSTA’s recommendations, coupled with these federal changes, will provide much needed stability and security for their staff [...]
Fourteen MSTA members recognized as Missouri Regional Teachers of the Year
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) named its 2021 Regional Teachers of the Year this week. The group of 34 educators includes 14 MSTA members. The MSTA members honored are: Jesse Baker, Billings R-IV – mathematics, Billings High School Joseph Koeberl, Lawson R-XIV – American history/current events, Lawson Middle School Lindsey Tinney, Cole Camp R-I – special education, Cole Camp High School Paula Vail, Winfield R-IV – science, Winfield High School Kyle Plummer, Blue Springs R-IV – social studies, Blue Springs South High School Jennifer Gill, Shelby Co. R-IV – Grade 4, Shelbina Elementary Corinne Russell, St. Joseph – French, Central High School Rebecca Wynne, Maryville [...]
Missouri Primary Election August 4, 2020
Missouri Primary Election is August 4th, please support MSTA Impact endorsed candidates. The MSTA Legislative Impact Committee works hard to evaluate candidates that will support public education. You can find an entire list of endorsed candidates here. Impact would like to highlight a few very important State Senate races that will help shape education policy at the state level for years to come. Many of the races have become quite negative with late funding from outside groups that traditionally advocate for ending teacher tenure protections, school vouchers, and charter school expansion. The Impact Committee evaluates candidates based on the candidates’ positions on [...]
MSTA calls on governor to ensure protection for teachers
The Missouri State Teachers Association is asking Gov. Mike Parson to direct the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to pass an emergency rule to protect Missouri’s teachers. MSTA is formally requesting the department to immediately pass an emergency rule substantially similar to Emergency Rule 8 CSR 50-5.005 Presumption of Occupational Disease for First Responders. In the letter to the governor, MSTA Executive Director Bruce Moe said, “These additional protections are essential to maintain a quality education workforce and to protect Missouri’s education professionals who may need wage replacement or medical benefits due to COVID-19 exposure during the course of their work. [...]
MSTA’s Position on School Reopening
MSTA's Position on School Reopening Download a printable pdf MSTA strongly believes all students and educators have a right to a safe school environment. MSTA believes that school districts should inform the entire school building staff if an individual in their building tests positive for COVID-19. The school should work with the local health department to implement contact-tracing and notify employees who have had close contact with an individual who tested positive. MSTA believes that science and the recommendations of local public health agencies, not politics, should drive decision-making about reopening schools. MSTA believes that school districts should make accommodations for teachers [...]
Free Speech Update
Earlier we published information regarding political speech in the classroom. While that article pointed out that the district’s ability to limit your political speech does not extend beyond the course of your official duties, we thought it would be helpful to remind you of the other limitations on speech by public employees given the high number of important social matters going on in our country and communities today. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects a person’s right to speak freely on certain matters. Unfortunately, this right is not absolute and is often misunderstood and misapplied. First Amendment protection, often, does [...]
