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SPRING 2014 | wyoea.org SPRING 2014 | WEAnews 5 We've Got Your Back EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE by WEA Executive Director Ron Sniffin The purpose of the Wyoming Education Association is to promote the cause of public education and improve the quality of teaching and learning. Throughout this magazine, you will see examples of achieving this mission. They include successfully lobbying the Legislature to increase funding for schools and community colleges, as well as promoting literacy statewide with Read Across America. Among the most fundamental ways that WEA promotes the cause of teaching and quality education is through advocacy. The WEA provides advocacy at many levels. It starts at the building level, where a fellow member, most often referred to as an Association Representative (AR), is the first point of contact when a member has a work-related issue. Depending on the situation and the local, the AR will likely involve the local President. In most cases, the situation can be resolved at the local level. If not, WEA field staff called UniServ Directors (UDs) are then consulted. Termination Reversed by OAH In the second case WEA attorneys have presented before the Wyoming Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) since the Legislature adopted this method to resolve termination hearings, the OAH found in favor of the teacher backed by WEA and rejected the district's recommendation for termination. Rex Hamner teaches vocation and shop in Pinedale and is also the FFA advisor. In September the Superintendent notified Hamner of his intention to recommend termination based on some minor classroom issues and other allegations. Hamner immediately contacted his Association Representative, who in turn contacted the Southwest Region UniServ Director Carol Jelaco. Because this was a termination situation, WEA legal counsel, led by Greg Hacker, took the case. Because of a relatively new law, school district termination cases are now held before the OAH. Depositions were conducted, and a hearing was held in November. In February the decision was rendered in favor of Hamner and the school board then unanimously accepted that outcome. "Without WEA, I never would have pushed it," said Hamner. Hamner said he is thrilled to be back in the classroom, where he is busy advising his FFA students as they prepare for public speaking competition. UDs have many skills and provide an abundance of resources to members and locals. They are all specifically trained to assist members with advocacy issues. Based out of WEA's four offices located throughout Wyoming, UDs travel thousands of miles every year, working with locals and their members. UDs will assess the situation and, in consultation with me, will determine if the situation warrants involving legal counsel. Although we do not promote membership just for the advocacy and legal services WEA provides, this is among the most common reasons members belong. "WEA has my back so I can teach" was among the top answers in a recent poll when asked why members belong to WEA. I recently had a discussion with Rex Hamner, whose story you will read on this page. It took Rex a long time to decide to join WEA, but he was finally convinced by a fellow member who said, "You never know when you might need them." The colleague was referring to the liability and legal services that come with membership. "I never thought administration would come after me!" Rex told me. Rex's story is one of many that we don't usually publicize. Our legal services cover the gamut. Our primary function of advocacy is to ensure due process, which starts at the local level and potentially could involve legal counsel. Most cases are not adversarial, and many times the process is resolved by completing a plan of assistance, with the member gaining skills to become a better teacher or education employee. Other times we work with the member to exit the profession with dignity. We hope you belong to WEA to help support all of the positive efforts we strive to achieve to provide the best education possible for all Wyoming students. But just in case you find yourself needing some "extra" assistance, we've got your back. Spring 2014 working.indd 5 3/14/14 4:30 PM