OSTA News for 2023
GREETINGS from our President
You are part of an effort to reach all substitute teachers; in doing so we are contacting everyone who holds an Oregon teaching license. If we have reached you as a regular teacher, please know that this organization exists to support the substitute teachers who work in your classroom when you must be absent. If you are a trained teacher who has chosen substitute teaching as a career, this is your association. If you are a restricted substitute teacher sponsored by a school district, you are also welcome to join and gain teaching help from professional teachers on OSTA’s weekly Zoom Office Hours.
It has been a busy year for OSTA with legislative gains by our hard-working GAC committee. At the same time the profession has been downgraded through outsourcing of substitute teachers in sixty school districts and counting, robbing long-term and career substitute teachers of continuing PERS benefits. We have more work to do, and your input is needed! -- Leslie Polson, OSTA President
OSTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE RETURNS IN-PERSON ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 13-- 8:30-3:00 Chemeketa Community College, Salem. For the first time in its 48-year history, OSTA’s conference will be on a FRIDAY, during statewide in-service week. The program will include award-winning principal Tom Noesen on “Nurturing Healthy School Environments” and labor attorney Mike Todesco, speaking on “Due Process in an At-Will Environment.” Oregon SubstituteTeacher of the Year Sandy Volle, Networking lunch, Six Professional Development Units, and much more. A hybrid (Zoom) opportunity will also be available. Follow information on OSTA’s website: ostasubs.org.
SB 283 EDUCATION WORKFORCE BILL INCLUDES SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
OSTA President Leslie Polson and GAC Chair Debbie Fery sat on the Taskforce chaired by Sen. Michael Dembrow to incentivize teachers to return to school following the pandemic. Through this bill we had hoped to abolish outsourcing of substitute teachers; a Substitute Teacher Task Force will continue through 2024 to study management of substitute teachers. We did gain the following changes in ORS 342.610 through SB 283: 1) an increase in salary: when one is called for one-half day, the salary is for a whole day. 2) A long-term assignment deemed to become sixty days or longer will be classified as a temporary teacher position.
3) school districts will pay substitute teachers for mandatory training which is required for them to be called to work.
OSTA Lobby Days were held in February and March to speak with the legislators concerning SB 283. Testifying at Education Committee hearings were OSTA members Debbie Fery, Leslie Polson, and Sally Sue Cellers. Others in attendance at lobby days were Yvonne Christensen, Bruce Beebe. Scott McLain, Sarah Kennedy, Michael Berman, Jon Deshler, Liz LaRocque, Kimberly Mandell, Nancy Baker-Krofft, Louise Winter, and Phyllis Kirkwood.
BOLI Opinion Letter on Payment for Training.
The Bureau of Labor and Industries has issued an opinion that Safe-Schools Training is not a part of licensure, but is required for work and is therefore reimbursable by employers, whether school districts or third parties. You may file a BOLI claim if your employer does not pay you for time taking any trainings you must complete before being called to work.
OSTA OFFICER NOMINEES 2023-2024
The following slate of officers will be considered and voted upon at the Annual Conference.
President—Leslie Polson – Salem
Vice President- Jon Deshler – Marquam
Secretary- Sarah Kennedy - Beaverton
Treasurer – Debbie Fery – Salem
Membership Chair – Open Position
Oregon Substitute Teacher of the Year Chair- Sally Sue Cellers - McMinnville
Five Board Members at Large may be nominated to provide representation and future leadership,
Facebook and Instagram hosts and OSTA Webmaster are needed.
Minimum Salary 2023-2024
The minimum pay rate for the first 10 consecutive days of substitute teaching is $206.35 per day. For school districts with class schedules based on a 4-day week, the minimum pay rate for the first 8 consecutive days is $232.14 per day.
In cases where a substitute teacher teaches for more than 10 consecutive days (more than 8 consecutive days for districts with a 4-day week) in the same assignment, the minimum rate for the days taught beyond 10 (8 for a 4-day week) is computed as follows: School districts with class schedules based on a 5-day week -- For districts with a salary scale, the minimum rate is the higher of: 1/190th of the district’s annual salary scale for beginning teachers with a bachelor’s degree. [ORS 342.610 (3)(a)(A)] ; or $206.35 per day [ORS 342.610 (3)(a)(B)]. School districts with class schedules based on a 4-day week -- the minimum rate is the higher of: 1/190th of the district’s annual salary scale for beginning teachers with a bachelor’s degree times 1.125. [ORS 342.610 (3)(a)(A)] ; or $232.14 per day [ORS 342.610 (3)(a)(B)].
These salary increases calculated by ODE are a result of legislative work by OSTA in 1977 and 1979.
Substitute Teacher Taskforce (SB 283) Studying substitute teacher procurement
Four legislators and eight educational stakeholders (including “an organization representing primarily substitute teachers”) make up this group tasked with studying the use of third parties in the management of substitute teachers. The task force shall:
a) review school district requests for proposal related to substitute teachers,
b) conduct a cost savings analysis of providing substitute teachers through third parties, (OSTA’s own analysis which was accepted by the legislative fiscal analysts proves outsourcing is more costly.)
c) examine policies in other states related to third parties, (Oregon has the only statewide salary scale for substitute teachers and licensure with PDUs for substitute teachers.)
d) explore a model that provides substitute teachers through Education Service Districts, (ESDs are the only third-party model that support PERS membership.)
e) explore processes that ensure substitute teachers are provided with electronic mail and internet necessary for the job, (Lesson plans and seating charts would also be nice.)
f) establish policy to ensure that substitute teachers are supervised by licensed administrators.
(Supervision by principals following ODE guidelines, ensures better education for our students.)
g) develop recommendations for legislation related to standards for contracts for substitute teachers through third party employment service providers and submit their recommendations no later than Sept. 15, 2024. (OSTA will be following this closely).
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
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Seasonal Change is Real
Val Luukinen
WHAT IS It? Our behaviors and senses are challenged during certain times of the year that put us in Seasonal Changes. The needs of the classroom change with the season not only for the students but for us as teachers navigating curriculum!
WHEN does this happen? Fall, Winter, and Spring are time periods that can produce not only teacher changes but student changes as well. Think about the challenges of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fall, and Winter Holidays and activities. Oh yes, and don’t forget the ST/DST changes where we lose an hour and gain an hour. Our body clocks are sending us messages, right?
WHO is affected? Teachers that are full-time, part-time, guest teachers (Substitute Teachers), IA’s, Paraprofessionals, office staff and most connected with working in our schools can be ‘hit with the changes of the seasons. Of course, we cannot forget the student and the emotional growth and mindset regarding health issues, absences, and a whole new educational learning concept out of familiar classrooms.
SYMPTOMS?
*Less time outdoors
*Time changes
*Arrive and Depart in the dark
*Less sunlight in the classroom
*Fluctuating temperatures: Overheating, too cold
*Staying late for meetings when the sun has set
*Writing lessons w/o much sunlight in your day
*Food cravings
*Family activities, games, concerts, and often home after dark
*Attitudinal changes
REMEDIES:
*EXERCISE, EXERCISE!
*Walk outside and around the school building whenever possible
*Find a person to walk with outside when possible
*Open the classroom windows for air (Be aware of student noted allergies)
*Bring out your sense of humor and/or eat a Snickers (Occasionally)
*Drink Water-stay hydrated
*Eat healthily and enjoy seasonal temptations that are good for you
*Find something that is new and try it
*Read a book that helps distract from the challenges of the classroom
*Watch the documentary My Octopus Teacher
A simple reminder to take care of yourself so you can take care of your students.
*Being mindful of drastic changes and their effects can help return us to positive learning environments.
*Stay safe and be well.
Val Luukinen has taught for 37 years, full-time and as a substitute, 2016 Oregon Substitute Teacher/Year, OSTA Executive Board Member
Sources: A Healthy Classroom by Michael Grinder, www.pbs.org, www.weareteachers.com