Munsterman wins NEA Distinguished Service Award
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Munsterman wins NEA Distinguished Service Award

Retired teacher and union leader Walt Munsterman was honored with the National Education Association’s 2021 Distinguished Service Award, the union’s highest honor.  “As I go back throughout the years, the NEA helped me become the individual I am today,” Munsterman said in his thank you remarks. “All the time and the trainings they spent made…

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Let’s join together for the future of public education

How would you know if you’re in an important historical moment?   It’s the sort of contemplative question you find around campfires and porches on summer nights.   After a few of those conversations with colleagues and friends, I believe we’re in one of those moments. And only a few people have noticed.  What we do together…

Educators share equity work in locals, districts
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Educators share equity work in locals, districts

Education Minnesota members who are focusing on racial equity and social justice work in their locals and districts shared their stories at a virtual live event on June 9, streamed and saved on Education Minnesota’s Facebook video page.    Sabrina Tapia of Prior Lake-Savage, Jenifer Stehr of Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Caroline Long of Minneapolis all shared…

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Event: Summer Seminar to be virtual, but includes local opportunities

Education Minnesota’s Summer Seminar, one of our premier professional development opportunities, will take place virtually this August, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual, synchronous sessions will take place the mornings of Aug. 3 and 4. The conference will be free for all members. Sessions strands for the conference include: Know Your Rights! Bargaining and Negotiations…

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Opportunities: State Fair booth volunteer shifts open

The Minnesota State Fair is scheduled to go on as usual in August, although that may change as the global pandemic of COVID-19 unfolds. Education Minnesota plans to continue hosting its traditional booth until either the State Fair or state health authorities advise otherwise. Every year, Education Minnesota member volunteers and staff produce personalized photo…

Filing open for Education Minnesota officer, NEA director positions June 1

Candidate filings for Education Minnesota officer and National Education Association director positions are open from June 1 until Dec. 10. The current three-year terms for president, vice president and secretary-treasurer will expire June 30, 2022. Candidates for these offices will file by submitting a filing form below to the Education Minnesota Office of the Elections…

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Member highlights: SPFE honored for solidarity after strike

“Who are we? SPFE” was heard across the entire city of Saint Paul during a three-day span in March 2020. The members of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators, which include licensed and non-licensed staff, went on strike March 10-12, 2020 after nine months of contract negotiations. Education Minnesota is honoring their work and dedication…

Zimmerman puts student needs at the core of all her work

On a typical day, you will find Richfield High School’s social worker Marisa Zimmerman working with a student on what homework they need to turn in or what they need to be a successful distance learner or seeking out donations for her school’s food shelf or leading a LGBTQ+ student group. “Every day, students need…

Legal briefs: Judge enforces prep time for those in multiple learning models

Jennifer Spitzner is a seventh grade science teacher in Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Public Schools. During this school year, Spitzner and her colleagues experienced the rapid changes of shifting between pandemic learning models. The additional work from distance learning instruction added even more time to Spitzner’s day. She and her colleagues had to create and tailor lesson plans…