Your monthly potpourri from the PR/media front

Hasse makes national FOX News

WEA President Charles Hasse recently made the national news in both print and on TV.

FOX News sent a crew from New York to interview Hasse about the controversial new cyber charter school established by a for-profit company. The Christian Science Monitor quoted Hasse regarding the concerns WEA members have about the WASL.

A season of high notes and goodbyes

Smiles and tears go hand in hand this time of year. As students are finishing another school year, many educators are preparing to close their classroom doors for the last time as they retire at the end of this school year.

Several communities recently honored their longtime educators and the local media picked up on their commitment to teaching.

In Snohomish, students surprised Judy Bartelheimer -- "Mrs. B" to the students at Cascade View Elementary School -- at a school assembly earlier this month to thank her for 40 years of service. They showered her with a photo collage and handmade posters.

The students wore red to celebrate her 40th year of teaching: her "ruby" year.

"It makes me sad that she is leaving because she is almost like my mom," third-grader Jessie Sykes told The Herald, Everett's daily newspaper.

Last month, locals on Decatur Island and former students threw a retirement party to celebrate Karen Lamb's career. As the island's sole public-school teacher, Lamb told The Seattle Times she has taught perhaps 40 students in grades one through eight. Some students have spent their entire elementary and middle-school years in her classroom. Lamb even taught her own three kids, now adults, at the school.

"When you teach the same children for so many years, they become friends," Lamb told the Times. "They're like family members almost.

"My (own) children had to call me 'Mrs. Lamb,' " she said.

Decatur School is one of 10 public schools in Washington state that serve hard-to-reach and sparsely populated communities. Of those schools, Decatur is the smallest.

Thank you and best wishes to all our retiring educators.

Chehalis EA prexy tackles newspaper

Chehalis Education Association President Bekah Angus recently joined WEA President Charles Hasse for an editorial board visit with The Chronicle newspaper. They met with the newspaper's editor and education reporter. The paper’s editorial page often is critical of WEA's stance on education and union issues, but Angus did a great job explaining how the big issues facing Washington’s schools affect her students. A newspaper story after their visit quoted Angus on both compensation and the WASL.

"Compared to other people with higher education, we get paid significantly less," said Angus, who works a second job to make ends meet.

Richland teacher receives Presidential Award for math and science teaching

Richland highschoolers are lucky that Ann Wright-Mockler decided to go into the classroom after working at research laboratories.

Wright-Mockler, who teaches advanced placement physics, physics, conceptual physics and biology at Richland High School, has been recognized by the White House for her skill and dedication to teaching science. She is the only Washington teacher and one of 100 middle and high school teachers to win the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Students and colleagues say Wright-Mockler brings enthusiasm to teaching a subject that isn't always easy to teach.

"Most kids are scared off by science, especially physics, and they say they can't do it," Wright-Mockler told the Tri-City Herald. "But I can generally prove them wrong."

The honor carries a $10,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, the federal agency that administers the awards program on behalf of the White House, and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Puyallup teacher offers $5,999.98 to save program

KOMO-TV commentator Ken Schram doesn't mince words. In an early May commentary he stuck it to the Puyallup School District for putting a highly regarded remedial program on the chopping block and then accepting a check in the amount of $5,999.89 from Wildwood Park Elementary teacher Paul Fridlund to save the program.

According to Schram, Fridlund had joined a chorus begging to keep the $6,000 reading program, and figured the "downtown bureaucrats" could find the remaining 2 cents needed to restore the program.

While the district was quick to say the check would be sent back because it's against the rules for staff members to donate money to save "particular" programs, the program remains on the chopping block.

"Gee, I wonder how many school auctions were held to raise money to save 'particular' programs?" Schram quipped.

"Gee, I wonder how many levies were sold to voters as the key to save 'particular' programs?"

"Gee I wonder if every teacher in the Puyallup School District can now expect a check from the school board, reimbursing them for all their out-of-pocket spending on all the classroom materials and supplies that are used in 'particular' programs?"

If you have thoughts you'd like to share, e-mail Ken Schram.

Everett EA president says state must return to funding schools

"At a time when local school officials are discussing cutting teachers and student programs, let's take a look at the real problem: lack of adequate state funding for schools," says Everett Education Association President Kim Mead in a recent edition of The Herald.

Mead's letter to the editor further explains that the state's current funding trend is headed the wrong way, as we're spending less money today on public education than we did 10 years ago -- $548 less per student.

"It's time that we look at the real problem. It's time we ask the Legislature to follow our state constitution and provide for their 'paramount duty,' which is public education."

Mead closes by encouraging citizens to contact their legislators to let them know that public education is a priority.

As always, questions and comments about WEA’s media and public relations efforts are encouraged. E-mail or call Debra Carnes, communications director, at dcarnes@washingtonea.org or call 800-622-3393, Ext. 7040.