Representing Teachers and School Employees in Northwest Louisiana
A mentoring program for new and transferred teachers and school employees.
Red River United realizes that the first few months of school can be stressful and that you will likely have LOTS of questions. We are here to help. Sign up for the Red River United Fellowship Program, and we will pair you with a veteran RRU member according to your needs.
Click here to sign up for the program: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N35SDNH
Bossier City teacher turned author dives into ‘imagination’ for book
Written by Derick Jones
| Jul. 9, 2013 | | shreveporttimes.com |
School may be out for summer but that’s no reason to put down the books —especially if you’re a parent.
Amye Megee, a first-grade teacher at Sun City Elementary in Bossier City, is the author of “In My Imagination,” a children’s book she hopes will inspire other teachers, and of course, children.
“The purpose of it really is to get kids to see their imagination as a tool, to escape from the worldly things they get so trapped in,” she said.
Like computers. Video games. Cell phones. All of which are not a part of the young girl’s journey, though she does meet interesting characters like a surfing polar bear and housecleaning pig.
“She just wants children to understand that in your imagination you really can make anything happen,” said Megee, who explained that she kept the young girl nameless so that anyone could identify with her.
“It’s a little girl that thinks the unthinkable,” she said. “Isn’t that fun?”
Megee said she’s been working on this story, along with two others, for nearly 10 years.
“I wrote for fun with no intent to publish,” she said. The 34-year-old mother of two had but one thing on her mind, taking care of her kids at home and taking care of her kids at school.
That changed however when she unearthed a zip drive of a few stories she had written, including “In My Imagination” and “School Day Blues.” Both stories were accepted by Tate Publishing, though Megee ultimately went with “Imagination.”
“‘School Day Blues’ takes you into the life of a little boy,” Megee said. “It looks at things that we think are really not all that a big of a deal, like getting picked on or losing your homework. In the end it’s all about discovering that tomorrow is a brand new day.”
“Imagination” was picked up by Tate over a year ago, and the process she said for the 24-page book was a tedious one. Ten to 11 months were spent compiling the book, and “Imagination” became available to the public on May 7.
“The more and more you read to children you really feel like you really really know what they find is entertaining and what they don’t,” said Megee, who has been teaching for nearly 13 years. “I’m just glad that it’s out there and people from all over the place are getting to read and see it.”
Corporal punishment that may be administered to a child is “defined as, and limited to, punishing or correcting a student by striking the student on the buttocks with a paddle provided by the school board a maximum of three (3) times.” The paddle is “located in the principal’s office.” The punishment is administered “only by a principal, assistant principal, administrative coordinator or teacher after having obtained permission from the principal or his designee in each instance”, and then only “in the office of the professional staff of the school with a witness present.”
Bossier Parish School Board Policy JDA
“The Bossier Parish School Board shall allow reasonable corporal punishment of unruly pupils. If such punishment is required, it shall be administered with extreme care, tact and caution, and then only by the principal, assistant principal, or the principal’s designated representative in the presence of another adult school employee. At no time shall corporal punishment be administered in the presence of another student. All school personnel and parents shall be fully informed of these provisions at the beginning of each school year…. Corporal punishment administered other than as outlined hereinabove shall be deemed and defined to be impermissible corporal punishment. Any accusations involving employees using impermissible corporal punishment shall be promptly investigated, in accordance with provisions of policy GAMC, Investigations.”
Caddo Parish School Board Policy JGA-R
“If a student, parent or other person files a complaint in writing with the Caddo Parish School Board accusing a school employee of impermissible corporal punishment or moral offenses involving students, the complaint shall be investigated…” The principal will give you a copy of the complaint and ask for a written response within 24 hours; you may request an additional 24 hours if circumstances warrant. He/she will meet with you within 24 hours to review allegations, and you may have representation. Due process procedures continue from this step.
Bossier Parish School Board Policy GAMC
“If an employee is accused of impermissible corporal punishment, or of a moral offense involving a student, a prompt, thorough investigation shall be conducted by the Superintendent or designee. The investigation shall proceed as outlined below under Reporting Procedures. A written report of the results of the investigation shall be prepared, and the employee shall be provided with a copy of such report. The Superintendent may promulgate such administrative regulations as he/she deems necessary to implement this policy. Any employee found to have violated the provisions of Board policy shall be disciplined by such means as appropriate to the incident, including reprimand, suspension, termination, and/or referral to the local child protection agency/law enforcement.
If the allegation falls within the definition of abuse as defined in Board policy JGCE, Child Abuse, then all school employees with knowledge of such incidents become mandatory reporters and the allegations must be reported to child protection or law enforcement as provided by state law and Board policy. Such reporting shall be made and applied in conjunction with the procedures outlined in this policy.”
What is impermissible corporal punishment?
Many teachers and paraprofessionals think impermissible corporal punishment is paddling a child without authorization from the parent or principal. But you should also be aware that any touching of a student could be construed as impermissible corporal punishment. An accusation can result in not only the loss of your job, but also the filing of criminal charges against you.
More and more experts believe that educators should never touch children under any circumstances. But this philosophy may not be practical for all educators in all situations. Know the student! Know the parent! If you know that either the student or the parent may present problems, avoid being alone with them, and avoid any kind of physical touching.
What are your rights if accused?
RRU’s attorney stresses that you have the right to representation at every step of the investigation. You do not have to write your response in the administrator’s office. A proper response takes time and patience to make sure that important facts are not omitted. Your RRU representative will help you, but only if you call Red River United at 318-424-4579.
What to do if an accusation is made against you?
You cannot be fired or disciplined for joining a union. Click the button to join now.
According to state law —
“Assault on a school employee means an attempt to commit a battery, or intentionally placing the school employee in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, or making statements threatening physical harm to a school employee.”
The criminal definition of a battery is the intentional use of force or violence upon the person of another; or the intentional administration of a poison or other noxious liquid or substance to another. The civil definition of a battery is physical contact without the victim’s consent.
Louisiana Revised Statue 17:416 says that the student formally accused of committing a battery or an assault on any school employees:
What must support personnel do in these circumstances?
1. You must write a referral, which is the formal complaint. You may also press criminal charges, but this is not required.
2. You must turn in an accident report if you were the victim of a battery, or if you suffered emotional trauma if you were the victim of an assault. Be sure to clearly state the nature of the student’s act (such as — “The student punched me (battery),” or “The student committed an assault by making statements threatening me with physical harm (assault).”
3. You should absolutely contact Red River United — 318-424-4579.
What if you suffer physical or emotional injuries because of the assault or battery?
1. You must receive sick leave without reduction in pay or sick leave days. You must present a certificate from a physician certifying that you are disabled because of the assault or battery.
2. You have the right to press criminal charges against the person who committed the battery or the assault, but you are not required to do so (source: www.colleran.com/personal-injury).
3. You have the right to file a civil suit for money damages against the person who committed the assault or battery, (or against the parent / guardian, if the person is a minor). But you are not required to do so.
What if the student is a special education student?
If the student is a special education student, there are state and federal laws and regulations that must be followed. Don’t be discouraged by this, just recognize that it becomes an IEP issue as well as a discipline matter. You still have the right to press criminal charges (unless the child has a disability that prevents him / her from understanding his/ her actions (such as some forms of autism). Call Red River United for help 318-424-4579.
What if the student is under ten years old?
You may still proceed with suspension and removal from class, but according to billeasterly.com, criminal authorities may decide only to prepare a report and not arrest the child.
Need Assistance
Call Red River United
318-424-4579
You cannot be fired or disciplined for joining a union. Click the button to join now.
Classroom management was the focus of our first PEG’s professional development class, taught by national trainers from AFT. The workshop attracted a large turnout from teachers and assistants hungry to be more effective in the classroom. Our next goal was clear: to grow big enough to participate in AFT’s nationally recognized ER&D (Educational Research and Dissemination) program which offers training to educators in new, research-based practices. In the years since PEG, AFT has trained Red River United members to offer ER&D classes in classroom management, reading comprehension, new instructional models, and more. In close cooperation with the school boards and superintendents, Red River United members are now trained to pass on their expertise both to fellow school staff and to the home school community. These classes are ESSA compliant and qualify for CLU Credit. For more on our Professional Programs and private tutoring sessions, click here to check out our monthly professional learning offerings.
Red River United is a tireless advocate for our members at schools and work sites, in administrators’ offices, at School Board meetings, and through the media. We — Red River United officers, worksite leaders, and activists — represent school employees in budget battles and workplace issues. We are also the employee’s voice in public dialogue over stalled pay gains, rising insurance costs, representation rights, and any issue in which workers should be heard. We are about dignity and respect in the workplace. It is worth noting, we do not represent administrators. We prefer take a clear and unambiguous stance on “who has my back.” We offer assistance writing rebuttals, memorandums, and representing you through the grievance process. Call us and ask questions, seek guidance, but above all else, don’t suffer in silence.
Red River United members are amazing. Because of RRU member’s ideas and activism we have been able to successfully carve out new local school board policies and state law to support the profession of education and our members. We are tireless advocates and understand that although change can be uncomfortable, the status quo is doing NOTHING for our members. Sometimes the best ideas are just that, ideas! We tackle problems every day but advancing creative ideas is really our calling. Do you have an idea on how to advance your profession, support your community public schools and students, or how to reclaim the Joy of Teaching and Learning.
Five Things Unions Have Done for All Americans.
Click here to see what else we’ve done for you lately.
Red River United realizes that to represent employees within our institutions, we must also look outside — to our school system and the families it serves. Thus our union has become an important community partner in family and student support. Our annual program for “Most Improved Student” offers coveted awards for outstanding teacher-student-school collaboration. More than 200 students and their families have been honored in annual award ceremonies.
Red River United is also active in organizations with a broad reach into the Caddo, Bossier, and Red River United communities. When local business, religious and community leaders meet together as the Alliance of Education, we offer them an educators’ perspective. In addition, we sit on the Central Labor Council, speaking up for education in the larger context of local trade union activity.
Perhaps most important, Red River United is a respected partner with the Districts in providing quality professional development for new teachers. We also offer course work for teachers to gain HOUSSE credits in pursuit of Highly Qualified status, and for teacher aides seeking to improve their skills.
Red River United, like all AFT locals around the country, works hard to elect friends of education to political office. Every day, elected officials at home and in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., make decisions that impact teachers, children, and families.
In Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT) pushes hard for funding for school employees and education. The LFT is vigilant in protecting educators’ interests on issues ranging from taxes and state budgets to children’s health and collective bargaining.
At the national level, AFT and its local unions work hard with local and state boards and the U.S. Department of Education to tailor No Child Left Behind legislation and other education laws to the needs of teachers, support staff, and children in the classroom.
The Caddo Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel (CFT/SP) first took shape in the mid-1990s when our founding members created a “PEG” — a Professional Educators Group — with guidance from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). We had two dreams: improvement in our student’s academic performance and a better working relationship with the Caddo school administration.”
Then as now, membership grew quickly. In 1997, we received our CFT/SP charter from the AFT.
The Caddo Federation of Teachers & Support Personnel and the Bossier Federation of Teachers & School Employees merged together under an umbrella organization with a new title– “Red River United, Local 4995” in late 2011.
The two groups worked on the idea for a while, and they say it makes sense to join together. President of the Caddo Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel Jackie Lansdale said, “Although we serve two different locations on the map, our goals are the same.”
The two federations chartered their new group at the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Convention on November 21, 2011. KTBS News Coverage and news from the Shreveport Times.
“It will essentially be a super group over the two organizations,” said CFT/SP President Jackie Lansdale. “I will still be the president of the Caddo Federation and the Bossier Federation will still have its board, but there will now be another board established to look at ways to address teacher and support person needs in both districts.”
The combined Federation will now be one of the largest non-collective bargaining organizations in the state.
“It’s a great opportunity for teachers and school employees in Caddo and Bossier to join forces,” Les Landon, director of public relations for the Louisiana Federation, said. “Anything that makes our teachers and school employees stronger is always a great as we continue to see increased challenges in the coming years in both the legislature and BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education).”
On April 3, 2014, Red River Parish, formerly a PEG (Professional Educators Group), voted to merge under the Red River United umbrella. Officers to the the Red River United Executive Board and worksite leaders were voted upon to ensure an equal voice to our brothers and sisters in Red River Parish.
Red River United stands with over 3,000 members, the largest professional organization in Louisiana.
