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VERA/Separation Incentive Deadline Extended
February 1, 2012DoDEA has extended the deadline to apply for VERA (Voluntary Early Retirement Authority) and the ENA (Early Notice Awards) to February 14, 2012. This extension will apply ONLY to school-level professional educators in both DoDDS and DDESS.
The ENA is a $1,000 cash incentive for qualifying educators who plan to leave DoDEA at the end of the current school year and who submit their resignation/retirement notice and a Request for Personnel Action (RPA) to their administrator by the February 14 deadline.
Here is the new timeline for the VERA process:
February 14: Deadline for qualifying educators to apply for VERA and/or Early Incentive award
February 17: Areas let applicants for VERA know if they have been approved
February 22: Applicants accept or reject the VERA approval
As a result of this deadline extension, superintendents will now have until February 24 to complete their district's placement round for excessed educators.
TRANSFER PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Details of the SY 12-13 DoDDS Transfer Program have been finalized by FEA and DoDEA. The full transfer agreement can be viewed at the FEA Transfer Information page. Details of the program are basically the same as last year's transfer program. Here are a few notable changes:* Yokota and Zama are now in Group B
* Language has been added to the transfer agreement, clarifying the duties assigned to high school counselors
* The following language has been added to the transfer agreement, requiring additional oversight for the submission of categories for vacancies: "When submitting vacancies to the Transfer Program, if the categories requested match what the vacated person taught, no justification is required. If there is a difference between what the vacated person taught and the categories requested, the school/district will provide the justification for those category(ies). The school will prioritize the categories. Should a match not be found, HQ will contact the principal/district to determine if other possible 2- or 3- category combinations could be used. "
Other important information regarding this year's transfer program:
* The deadline for DoDDS teachers to submit transfer applications to their building principals is February 24, 2012
* Those who meet the application deadline will then have until March 12, 2012, to amend their applications
* The first transfer round will begin on March 14, 2012
Additional information from FEA about this year's transfer program, including FEA's Tips for Transfers will be sent out and posted online in the weeks ahead. You can check anytime for the latest information by going to FEA's Transfer Information Page.
Attacks on Feds Continue!
It's a new year, but Congressional Republicans are still proposing measures that would unfairly impact federal workers while leaving millionaires and billionaires off the hook. Learn more, including what you can do, by visiting this page.Note: Please DO NOT view this site while you are on government facilities, using government equipment, or while you are on duty. DO NOT forward any of the content or attachments on this page to a government e-mail address.
FEA Europe Officer Candidates Listed
The list of 2012 candidates for FEA Europe Human & Civil Rights Coordinators, District Representatives, and delegates to this summer's NEA Representative Assembly in Washington DC is available for viewing here.Ballots will be mailed to all FEA Europe members to vote on the above positions. If you have any questions about your ballot or do not receive one, please ask your building FRS for assistance in obtaining a ballot.
DDESS MOUs Added
Several recent Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between FEA's Stateside Region and DDESS, including ones on Pre-Implementation Use of Creative Curriculum Materials and the ASPEN-SPED Module Phase II, have been added to the DDESS MOU page. (member login is required)Great News About DDESS
December 2, 2011The threat to close DDESS schools has been averted yet again!
Yesterday (December 1) we reported that our DDESS schools were under threat from a pair of proposed amendments to the DoD Authorization Act. The amendments sought to either close DDESS schools outright or conduct yet another study into their value. We all know that DDESS schools provide an excellent education and are a fantastic quality of life perk for military families at bases with DDESS schools.
Fortunately, neither of the proposed amendments affecting DDESS were included in the final DoD Authorization Act bill, so for now at least, the threat to DDESS schools has passed.
A very big thanks goes to our NEA lobbying team for their work to convince Senators of the need to maintain, not destroy, our DDESS schools. We will of course remain vigilant against future efforts to balance the budget on the backs of military dependents and their families. For now though, let's celebrate this very good news!
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Nominations Sought for NEA Award for Teaching Excellence
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize outstanding educators from throughout NEA. FEA can submit one member's name as a nominee for the award each year. To nominate yourself or someone else to represent FEA in this awards competition, see the complete nominations information document.In order to be considered, a nominee's complete information must be submitted to FEA by February 15, 2012.
Teaching Channel: Videos that Inspire Teaching
The Teaching Channel website offers a growing library of short videos to inspire K-12 teaching. These video lessons - in English language arts, math, science, and history/social sciences - include lesson objectives, questions to consider, homework ideas, and more.Free registration provides access to:
- Highlights of skilled teachers teaching a lesson, such as Kick Me: Making Vocabulary Interactive
- Tips and tricks for new teachers, such as Attention Getting Signals: One Spot and Planning Full Days & Practicing Fast Facts
- Featured "Amazing Classrooms," such as Building Community in a Multi-Language Classroom
See the Welcome to Teaching Channel video.
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Learn more about the campaign and get materials to show your support.
Updates for our Members
Read the FEA President's Report and sign up to have updates from FEA's Washington office sent directly to your e-mail (member login required).