Monthly Archives: April 2022

NEA-NH Applauds Senate Decision to Kill Local Education Caps

NEA-NH is relieved that HB 1393 was killed by the Senate today. The way New Hampshire funds public education is already grossly inadequate and inequitable. The nonsensical, rigid methodology the bill envisioned takes this educational inequality and amplifies it,  disrupting our students’ learning environments and removing the very services and staff that have helped them recover from the uncertainty of the past 18 months. We are pleased the vote respected the will of the vast majority of those parents and citizens who testified against the bill.

NEA-NH: The Solution Must Include Improving Pay If We Are Serious About Tackling the Educator Shortage

CONCORD, NH – APRIL 26, 2022: Today, NEA shared the findings from multiple reports that look at educator salaries, earnings, and school finances. These latest reports come at a time when a staggering 55 percent of educators are thinking about leaving the profession earlier than they had planned. “Unfortunately, all our studies show that rather than closing persistent pay gaps, we are moving in the wrong direction,” said Megan Tuttle, NEA-NH President, “and it’s hitting our ESP’s the hardest.” The Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) most recent analysis of teacher pay finds a 19.2% wage penalty for teachers when compared to […]

Commissioner Edelblut’s Efforts to Destabilize NH Schools Must Be Stopped

There are more than 160 local and national groups across the U.S. working to turn disagreements over COVID-related mandates and lessons on history, discrimination, race, and gender into divisive wedges that are then manipulated for political purposes. It is safe to say that if the New Hampshire Department of Education is not on that list, it certainly should be added. The manufactured outrage generated by these groups, including our own DOE, is a danger to educators and a distraction from helping students and parents. By importing national fights into our locally controlled schools, the Commissioner is hoping to use our […]

NEA-NH: We Reject Your Efforts at Division, Commissioner.

Once again, you’ve got it all wrong Commissioner. This is what our teachers do. Spend hundreds of dollars of their own money each year to buy students supplies because their school is not properly funded Comfort young students who are stigmatized by people like you who separate them and make them feel as though they are less valuable as human beings Change diapers in schools for special needs children because they deserve a chance in this world like everyone else Stock in-school food pantries for students because their parents cannot afford three meals a day right now Spends hours of […]

New Hampshire is a better place thanks to our friend, Katherine Rogers

Today, NEA-NH remembers the life of Katherine Rogers, our friend and tireless, fiery defender of public education.  Through good days and bad, Kathy steadfastly worked to fulfill the promise of public education and break down the barriers of inequality. Kathy believed in children and in the educators who dedicate their careers to helping them succeed. She knew that public education is the gateway to opportunity, and students across the state knew they could always count on her to defend their human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, independence, and character.    We were fortunate […]

4-Legged SEL: Therapy Dogs Are Social and Emotional

By Laura Wheeler, Nottingham School Meet Winnie the therapy dog! Nottingham School’s newest staff member and SEL advocate, who happens to have four legs and doesn’t speak…. but he does listen quite well. This furry friend has been an integral part of our SEL efforts at Nottingham School during the 2021-2022 school year. One thing is certain for schools as we emerge from the pandemic: we need opportunities to foster human connection, and to prioritize the mental health and wellness of our students and staff. Humans are social beings that need and deserve a sense of belonging and we recognize […]