SOMEA Secretary, Phil McCormick, was featured on NJTV’s “One-on-One with Steve Adubato” in an interview about his workshop on supporting LGBTQ+ students and exploring intersectionality of identity at the 2018 NJEA Convention. The full episode is available online at NJTV!
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Happy Holidays! Thank you, SOMEA PRIDE, for these holiday gift give-aways for our teachers and educational support professionals at our December Rep Council!
Some of our awesome Tuscan teachers representing SOMEA and rocking their “I Support South Orange-Maplewood Teachers” stickers at November’s Board of Education meeting!
Some of our awesome CHS teachers representing SOMEA and rocking their “I Support South Orange-Maplewood Teachers” stickers at November’s Board of Education meeting!
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| Tivoli Hunt – Tuscan | Cameron Parke – South Orange Middle | Barbara Bracey – Tuscan |
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| Carol West – Seth Boyden | Sarah Haldeman – Seth Boyden | Rosemary Connell – Seth Boyden |
Brenda Ross (SOMS), Cameron Parke, Tivoli Hunt, Sarah Haldeman and Carol West. Also thank you to Cynthia Vengraitis (Tuscan), Tiffany Barnes (Office of the Registrar)
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| We are so proud of CHS Phys. Ed., Health, and Driver Ed. Teacher, and SOMEA PRRC Secondary Chair, Pat Hurley, who has been honored with the 2019 NJEA Equality Champion Award, for his work in advocating for LGBTQ+ students and staff in our school district, local association, throughout the state of New Jersey, and beyond! |
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| Your SOMEA Executive Board celebrating the 2019 NJEA Equality Champion Award, SOMEA’s very own, Mr. Pat Hurley! |
Congratulations to SOMEA’s very own, CHS educational support professional, Keysha Knight, on being named the NJEA Human and Civil Rights Committee Chair!
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This is a VOLUNTARY position that provides a $500 yearly budget which will serve to reimburse the host(s) for monies spent on food or activities (excluding alcohol). SOMEA offers this position and budget to help to support teachers and staff of color to create networks and support systems within the union, the district and the individual schools. SOMEA recognizes that our current staff demographics mirror that of the nation in that our membership is over 80% white. Working in this environment can be taxing and isolating for POC and SOMEA wants to provide the opportunity for networking and relationship building. SOMEA also understands that cross-racial relationships will and must occur but they do not always provide the safety and liberty that affinity groups can provide.
Any staff member or teacher may volunteer for this position and it may also be shared between volunteers. The number of days, the times of the meetings and the meeting dates are to be determined by the host(s), but this should act as ongoing support throughout the school year. There is no pre-determined minimum or maximum amount of time. Due to laws that govern how a teachers’ union can spend its money, a report must be generated in order to reimburse monies spent. To achieve this, a sign-in sheet for every meeting must be turned in to Laurie Pham at someatreasurer@gmail.com along with a BRIEF report of what was discussed.
SOMEA encourages a social atmosphere that is inclusive to all People of Color but limited ONLY to SOMEA members. Please reach out to Pat Hurley, pmhur@aol.com if you are interested.
