Monthly Archives: September 2017

NEA-NH Retirement Seminar Schedule Released

We all hope for a well-deserved retirement with financial security. NEA-NH and NEA Member Benefits are pleased to present seminars to help you plan and prepare. A well-planned retirement can result in fiscal security, but there are many factors to consider. Come and learn how to take full advantage of the resources available to you. Registration for this seminar is $10 per person for NEA-NH members; each can bring one guest for an additional $10. We will review many pieces of the retirement puzzle, including:  The NH Retirement System  Medicare  Financial Planning  NEA Member Benefits for Retirees Seminars run from […]

NH Department of Education Selects New Vendor for Statewide Testing

The state of Department of Education has entered into a contract with the American Institute for Research, AIR, for a new standardized test for New Hampshire. NEA-NH continues too look into the impact this change will have on our students and educators and will post updates as we learn more about the new tests. For now, this is what what have learned: The AIR test is based upon the Common Core Standards so it will be testing the same knowledge as the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test. The specifications for the test items are different than the SBAC assessment […]

Changes in Paraeducator 1 Certification Process Have Many Asking Questions

The New Hampshire state Board of Education recently voted to adopt changes in the certification requirements for paraeducators “The Department of Education has really degraded Para 1 certification to the basic minimum required to be employed,” said Jill Owens, NEA-NH Executive Board member and Education Support Professional in Hampstead.  “When our paras first became certified after working to fill out the Competency form required under the old rule, they had a whole new view of their capabilities and worth.  It is hard to put into words, but their job became a career, complete with NH State certification.” Under the old […]

NEA-New Hampshire and the Manchester Monarchs Team-up for 20th Anniversary of Read Across America

Read across America and Read Across New Hampshire will have a new look this year.  NEA-NH, along with the Children’s Fund, have joined forces with the Manchester Monarchs for a season of healthy reading. “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the celebration of reading and literacy into our classrooms and schools all year long as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of NEA’s Read Across America,” said NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle. NEA and NEA-NH are building a nation of readers through our signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Now in its 20th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children […]

Community Coalition Fights to Save Local Schools

Keep Woodsville Open coalition using live-streaming and other tools to keep residents informed When the residents and educators in Haverhill learned there was a movement to convince officials and voters to send the town’s children to Vermont for school to avoid paying for needed repairs on their own schools, they went to work. Concerned citizens, along with current and former students, came together to discuss the funding needed for upgrades and updates at Woodsville Elementary School and Woodsville High School.  Out of these discussions, the Keep Woodsville Open (KWO) coalition was formed and currently includes local citizens, students, alumni, and […]

A headshot of Megan Tuttle

This Year Has to be Different

President’s Message, by Megan Tuttle, NEA-New Hampshire President As the school year begins, I cannot help feeling that this year is very different.  The events of this summer have brought headlines about violence, race, justice and equality back into our daily life.  We shudder as we witness the violence, the hate that produced it, and the official response from our government that only serves to legitimize it. Our role as educators has always been important.  But this year seems different.  Our ever-connected students face the news and images of bigotry and hate constantly.  This year we cannot believe our annual preparations […]