Letters in Solidarity - SDEA Leadership is a Movement

A movement is when a group of people with shared interests and common goals move forward using collective action. Our successful contract campaign last year was a movement led by collective action. Our movement had a shared goal of winning a historic contract to Recover, Rebuild and Rise Together. We were successful because we stood together. When we stand together, we win! Our movement continues with new goals. This year, we have identified four common goals for building strong union sites:

Strong, Meaningful Site Governance Teams

Shared decision making is our contract right. The Site Governance Team (SGT) is the structure for shared decision making at sites and programs. The SGT is not the same as SSC or Instructional Leadership Teams. Instructional Leadership Teams are often appointed by administrators and are advisory bodies. They cannot vote to make changes to sites. School Site Councils oversee the site’s federally-funded budgets like Title I and SPSA. SGTs have voting power over many components of a school’s instructional program, including discipline plans. SGTs are composed of elected representatives from all stakeholder groups in the school community. They work together collaboratively while representing the viewpoints of their constituents. High-functioning SGTs have the power to make our schools more successful and inclusive. If you need assistance establishing or improving the effectiveness of your SGT, your AR can reach out to their organizer to schedule a training at your site. Use this rubric to gauge your SGT’s effectiveness.

Updated Restorative Discipline Plans

Educators cannot teach and students cannot learn if they do not feel safe. Our contract requires that all sites have a Restorative Discipline Plan that was developed with input from educators, classified staff, families, admin and students where appropriate. The plan must have clear expectations and consequences for student behavior and determine who is responsible for implementation. Having a Restorative Discipline Plan is only the beginning. In order to be effective, RDPs must be implemented with fidelity by staff and admin. Adherence to the RDP is easier to ensure when it has been democratically voted on by the SGT. Effective Restorative Discipline plans are essential for respecting the rights of educators and students.

Outreach and Support for New Educators

New educators are overwhelmed. For most of our new educators, this is their first experience working in a school. They are learning how to do their job and often rely on their more experienced coworkers for guidance with classroom management, content material and how to navigate their school site. For a majority of new members, this is also their first experience with a union. They are often unaware of their rights and feel apprehensive to ask for help. It’s important to let them know that they are part of the union at the site level. They need to know that there is solidarity at their site and being a member of SDEA means you never stand alone.

Strong Site Communication

Sharing information is vital to ensure a strong union school. It’s how we promote solidarity. There are many structures for information sharing within your site or program. Monthly union meetings are the most effective structures for sharing information. Members gather together to hear updates from Rep Council. These updates include bargaining, school board actions, member issues and much more. It’s also a venue to share site issues. Knowing what the issues at your site or program are leads to organizing around the issues and finding a solution. Leadership Teams, CAT teams, bulletin boards, texts and emails all promote communication and unity.

One goal that is steadfast is advancing Solidarity at our sites. Schools with high levels of solidarity enable members to have a stronger voice at their site. Members use their collective voice to achieve a common goal. Sites with solidarity work together to promote respect for our contract and the rights of educators resulting in improved working and learning conditions for the entire educational community. Solidarity leads to shared leadership, allowing all members to participate and contribute. Sharing leadership among members leads to strong union sites by sharing the work and making our goals sustainable. Strong union sites result in a strong, powerful union!