Strengthening Washington's Public Schools

Welcome to WEA's local leaders' newsletter co-op. Click on the titles below to view newsletter articles that your fellow local leaders are offering for you to cut-and-paste into your local newsletter. These articles may contain the opinion of local WEA members and were not written by the state WEA organization.

A NOTE TO LOCAL LEADERS: It is NOT necessary to give the original author credit. Before publishing, please read for timeliness (circumstances or context may have changed since the original publication), accuracy (sometimes individual districts are referenced; statistics may need to be changed to your district), and typos or local style. Feel free to add your own name to the finished article if you want. TO SUBMIT ARTICLES TO THE CO-OP: E-mail the individual article to post to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it --and-- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Include the author's name & local association. The subject line should read: Newsletter co-op article for posting.

These publications are intended only as general guides. They are not intended to provide legal advice on specific problems. For further information, please contact your UniServ Council.

Members of WEA and NEA who extend their membership to the WEA/NEA-Retired affiliate join in our advocacy for public education and the welfare of its employees through their retirement years.

WEA-Retired is the only retiree organization affiliated with the WEA. Download a WEA-Retired enrollment form (Adobe PDF format) 

Download a WEA-Retired recruitment badge (Adobe PDF format)

Purpose

WEA-Retired supports public education and the enhancement of the quality of life for WEA's active and retired members.

Goals

• To be the primary voice for public-education retirees in the state of Washington
• To work in partnership with WEA members to achieve public confidence in public education.
• To make the retirement years the best they can be for WEA/NEA-Retired members.
• To secure legislation that fully supports our purpose.

WEA-Retired elects officers, board directors and delegates at its own annual meeting and also elects delegates to the WEA and NEA Representative Assemblies. WEA-Retired has representation on the WEA and NEA Board of Directors

WEA-Retired Officers

• President: Carl Taylor
• Vice President: Sandra Koko 
• Secretary: Rick Chapman
• Financial Officer: Stacia Bilsland
• Immediate Past President: Kathy Wallentine

WEA-Retired Board of Directors

Board Directors elected at annual meeting:
Kent-Steve Tellari (06-08)
North Central-Doug McComas (06-08)
Rainier-Chuck Richards (06-08)
Sammamish-Mike Coleman (07-09)
Spokane-Shirley Hanson (06-08)
Summit-Karen Robbins (07-09)
Vancouver-Sandy Kokko (06-08)
Tacoma-Karin Goodro (05-07)
WEA-Cascade-Ken Mortland (06-08)
WEA-Eastern Washington-Judy Wooten (07-09)
WEA Fourth Corner-Bob Blum (07-09)
WEA-Olympic-Rick Chapman (06-08)
WEA-Riverside-Terri Frazier (06-08)
WEA-Southeast-Cindy Lancaster (07-09)

Board directors elected by their council:
Pilchuck-Elaine Hanson (06-08)
Puget Sound-Lee Ann Prielipp (06-08)
Seattle-Shirley Painter (07-09)
Tacoma-Karin Goodro (07-09)
WEA Chinook-Barbara Day (07-09)

Soundview, WEA Lower Columbia and WEA Midstate need a board director who lives or worked in the UniServ. Please call 1-800-622-3393 extension 7067 if you would like to be a representative.

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems

School employee pensions are administered through the state's Department of Retirement Systems. Because of the complexity and ever-changing nature of pension rules and procedures, DRS is a good starting point for your search for pension information. Find DRS online at http://www.drs.wa.gov/ or call 800-547-6657 (Olympia area call 360-664-7000).

The Health Care Authority administers four health care programs and oversees the Uniform Medical Plan. more

NEA Retirement Web site

WEA's mission is to make public education the best it can be for students, staff and communities. But we know education doesn't stop at the classroom door. Our members lead by example, teaching students how to become part of the fabric of our communities -- by volunteering to lead youth sports teams, church choirs, Scout troops, after-school programs, charitable groups and more.

WEA also believes in being a good corporate citizen, promoting causes that reflect our members' values and enrich the lives of our students. These include WEA programs, such as the WEA Children's Fund charity to help students in need, and collegial seminars such as Sparks, to help newer school employees succeed, and Tuvalu, to offer resources and support to isolated local leaders.

At the root of these efforts, of course, is helping children. WEA is also proud to join with a number of worthwhile community organizations that are dedicated to helping students. And each March, thousands of children re-ignite their love of reading with Read Across America, an annual celebration that was initially launched in Washington state by the WEA.

Please join us in helping us help educators and students in your community -- and learn more about how you can give to students in need through worthwhile causes such as the WEA Children's Fund.

WEA/NEA Membership can pay you money with savings on insurance, travel, financial services and more. Take a look at what's available for virtually every need: 

What can we help you do today?

Looking for lesson plans? Help as a substitute teacher? Grants and scholarships ... or grant writing? Does it seem like you're all alone as a new educator, or overwhelmed as local association leader?

These WEA Resource pages are designed to help. Find links (on the navigation bar to the left, and in the highlighted features to the right) for many of the programs, services and databases available to WEA members, both online and in person. Did you see a great WEA publication, but can't find another copy in your building? Odds are you'll find it here, too.

To find information on educational topical issues and research tools, visit the Resource Center.

We welcome your questions or comments. E-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it