On August 24-25, 2016, 39 new teachers started their Pat-Med Careers at New Teacher Orientation. They were welcomed by Superintendent, Dr Michael Hynes, and PMCT President, Beth Warnken. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Joey Cohen, put together an informative and welcoming two day orientation that included a bus ride around the district to all our buildings. PMCT provided breakfast and lunch on the first day. At lunch on the first day the new teachers met their PMCT mentors/buddies, and headed off to see their buildings and classrooms. PMCT looks forward to a long and collaborative future with all our new members.
PMCT Exec Board Members Attend AFT Convention
The 2016 AFT convention was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from July 17-21, 2016. Representing PMCT at the convention were Beth Warnken, PMCT President, Kevin Toolan, PMCT Vice President, Alicia Connelly-Foster, PMCT Secretary, Syndee Zegel, PMCT Political Action, and Linda Nowicki, PMCT Past Secretary and Delegate. At this years convention AFT celebrated 100 years of representing educators. You can read more about the 100 year celebration at this link http://www.aft.org/100years.
The PMCT delegates attended the educational issues committee where ESSA, recess and the I Refuse resolutions were discussed and debated.
Syndee Zegel, Linda Nowicki, Kevin Toolan, Alicia Connelly-Foster and Beth Warnken at the Minneapolis Convention Center representing PMCT.
The pin wall with our PMCT solidarity pin front and center.
Linda Nowicki and Syndee Zegel at the 100 years pin display.
BOE Endorsements in Suffolk and Nassau – updated 5/15
Please support the candidates for local BOE elections on Tuesday May, 17, 2016.
Click on the link below for a complete list. This list was updated on Sunday May 15, 2016
Judge Calls Evaluation of N.Y. Teacher ‘ARBITRARY’ and ‘CAPRICIOUS’ in Case Against John King
Educational Crossroads Forum
On Tuesday January 5, 2016 a large group of parents, teachers, administrators and school board members attended a forum entitled “Educational Crossroad…Where Do We Go From Here?” at the Saxton Middle School in Patchogue. PMCT President, Beth Warnken started the night off with an inspiring introduction to the forum. Speakers included Dr. Steven Cohen, Superintendent of Shoreham-Wading River Schools, Mrs. Lori Koerner, Educator, Administrator and Professor of Special Education, Dr. David Ferrin, Psychologist, CPSE Chair, Director, All About Kids and Dr. Michael Hynes, Superintendent, Patchogue-Medford Schools. They spoke at length about the damage Common Core and High Stakes Testing has done to public education and to the children attending out schools. The stress of testing is hurting out kids because of the emphasis on good scores being more important than understanding. Producing good scores has become more important than cultivating the mind of our students. Common Core is one size fits all and children cannot be standardized. Of special concern are our youngest students who are doing grill and drill work instead of having time to play. Play is the language of a children’s cognitive development. PLAY IS LEARNING. There is also a great concern that we will not have enough highly qualified teachers in the future as the teacher training programs have seen a tremendous decrease in enrollment this year. The speakers stressed that all of us must become vocal, informed and involved. We must keep the love of learning flowing from elementary to high school.
Video Stream can be seen here – http://www.mevee.com/s/sHEHRel4th
PMCT Exec Board Members all “Red For Ed” – Kerri Simeone, Syndee Zegel, Beth Warnken, Kevin Toolan and Lynda Nowicki
Speakers – Dr. David Ferrin, Mrs. Lori Koerner, Mrs. Beth Warnken, Dr. Steven Cohen and Dr. Michael Hynes
Educational Crossroads…Where do We go From Here? – Tuesday January 5th – 7:00PM
APPR Presentation – November 23, 2015
At the link below you will find the APPR Presentation from the General Assembly held on November 23, 2015 – Presented by Deborah Lloyd-Priest, NYSUT Labor Relations Specialist.