News

FEA Defends Union Rep Targeted for Supporting Educator

November 2, 2023 After a principal targeted a union rep for reminding an educator of their rights, FEA stepped in. When a school Faculty Representative Spokesperson (FRS), who we’ll call Mary, was called in to the principal’s office to purportedly discuss school issues, she prepared herself for a tense discussion. The principal had come in… Read More

Win In Stateside Debt Collection Case Bolsters Call for Smart LES

October 27th, 2023 An arbitrator ruling upholding the rights of several members in FEA’s-Stateside Region whose wages were garnished also calls for implementing something similar to the “Smart LES” FEA has long championed to help employees better understand their pay and alleged debts In a big win, an arbitrator ruled that several DoDEA employees in… Read More

As Over-Testing Continues, GAO Finds DoDEA’s Reform Plan Lacks Sufficient Educator Input

October 24th, 2023 As we covered in an article in the August FEA Journal, over-testing continues to take away valuable teaching time from educators. In one analysis, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found DODEA students spent about 50% more time taking tests than students in nearby school districts (24 school days vs 16 school days).… Read More

October 11th, 2023 FEA President’s Report

Back in the Field I have just returned, along with FEA Executive Director/General Counsel Richard Tarr, from visiting schools and assisting with trainings in FEA’s Pacific region. This year’s training was especially critical given that Overseas educators are working with a new contract, which they approved in a vote last spring. Thank you to our… Read More

Ask About Financial Assistance In Case of Shutdown

September 28, 2023 Financial Assistance In Case of Shutdown As FEA members and other federal employees prepare for the possibility of a lapse in government appropriations, you are reminded that many financial institutions serving military and government employees offer financial assistance programs. FEA members are urged to check with their bank, credit union or other… Read More

DoDEA Posts Contingency Plans for Lapse in Appropriations

September 28, 2023 DoDEA Contingency Plans for Lapse in Appropriations In preparation for a possible government shutdown as soon as this weekend, DoDEA issued an information sheet (reposted at https://www.feaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DoDEA-Fact-Sheet-for-Shutdown-Furlough-FINAL.pdf) on implications of a potential shutdown. The DoDEA Director also sent the message below to all employees. DoDEA Employees, As you are aware, there is… Read More

2024 Read Across America Grant Opportunity

Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 11, 2023 The application can be found here.  FEA is applying to NEA for grant money to help fund Read Across America events for our members worldwide on or around NEA's Read Across America Day (Friday, March 1, 2024). To bolster our grant application, we need specific projects from local… Read More

FEA President’s Report August 29th, 2023

Welcome Back! I hope all FEA members had a wonderful and restful summer. Thank you all for your FEA membership, standing with your fellow education employees, and for allowing FEA to stand for you. I hope you all have a great 2023-2024 school year. In case of a government shutdown In the unlikely event that… Read More

Sharon Manuel, FEA’s New Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer

The FEA Board of Directors has appointed FEA member Sharon Manuel as FEA's new Vice President/Secretary-Treasurer. Congratulations to Ms. Manuel on this new leadership role. The position opened after the previous VP-Secretary-Treasurer Anita Lang was elected FEA Europe Area Director and recently stepped into that role. FEA solicited names for the open position and received… Read More

SF-50 Document Now Critical to Set Up Base Access During Retirement

July 20, 2023 With DoD no longer issuing Civilian Retiree ID cards or allowing previously issued cards to be used for base access, the employee SF-50 document is critical for setting up base access Overseas and Stateside. Additionally, REAL IDs cannot be used for enrolling in access at Overseas bases, so former and current employees… Read More