PMCT Exec Board Members Attend AFT Convention

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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.

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Syndee Zegel, Linda Nowicki, Kevin Toolan, Alicia Connelly-Foster and Beth Warnken at the Minneapolis Convention Center representing PMCT.


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The pin wall with our PMCT solidarity pin front and center.

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Linda Nowicki and Syndee Zegel at the 100 years pin display.

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Beth Warnken and Kevin Toolan at the 100 Years pin display.

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Our PMCT delegates pictured with UFT MORE leader Jia Lee.

Judge Calls Evaluation of N.Y. Teacher ‘ARBITRARY’ and ‘CAPRICIOUS’ in Case Against John King

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Read some of the press on the huge win by Sheri Lederman!!

Education Inc Screening – TUE, MAR 29 AT 7:00 PM

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Join community members, teachers, and parents to watch Education Inc. This movie cronicles the way that schools have been starved of resources, closed, and taken over by corporate interests. Join us to find out what you can do to stop this madness.  The movie is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes and there will be a discussion with Q & A to follow.  Admission ticket and refreshments will be provided by the sponsors.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/education-inc-screening-tickets-21386449446 – Click here to register for a free ticket.

WHEN
WHERE
St. Joseph’s College – 155 West Roe Boulevard Patchogue, NY 11772 – View Map

 

 

Educational Crossroads Forum

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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

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PMCT Exec Board Members all “Red For Ed” – Kerri Simeone, Syndee Zegel, Beth Warnken, Kevin Toolan and Lynda Nowicki

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Speakers – Dr. David Ferrin, Mrs. Lori Koerner, Mrs. Beth Warnken, Dr. Steven Cohen and Dr. Michael Hynes

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Brian O’Neil and Chris Angelora

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Educational Crossroads…Where do We go From Here? – Tuesday January 5th – 7:00PM

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Please put this important event on your calendars.  Screen Shot 2016-01-01 at 11.26.43 AM

Please visit the links below to see recently published items written by Dr. Hynes:




PMCT Attends NYSUT Leadership Training

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PMCT Executive Board Members, Beth Warnken, Kevin Toolan, June Gagnon, Linda Nowicki and Syndee Zegel took part in NYSUT’s Leadership Training the weekend of November 20-22, 2015. The group worked on strategizing ways to improve member attendance at meetings, activities, and important educational events. Ways to improve communication and disseminate information to the PMCT membership were discussed and plans were developed. Building Representative Jennifer Hempfling attended building representative trainings where contract items and the Freidrich’s case were discussed. The group was validated by NYSUT leadership in regards to all that we do and is excited to begin implementing new ideas!

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From L-R- Beth Warnken, Linda Nowicki, Kevin Toolan, June Gagnon and Syndee Zegel


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From L-R- Jennifer Hempfling, Syndee Zegel, Kevin Toolan, Debra Lloyd Priest(NYSUT LRS), Beth Warnken, June Gagnon and Lynda Nowicki

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Sunrise at Gurneys Inn at Montauk