Questions discussed:

• What have teacher unions done for teachers over time?
• Do all teachers have to be in a union?
  
• What happens if teachers go on strike?
  
• What is going on with the strike on campus?
  
• What are the benefits of a teacher union?
  
• What are the drawbacks of being in a teacher union?
  
• Have you ever been part of a strike?  If so, for what reason.
  
• What are the reasons teachers go on strike?

Other Items discussed:

• Title 9: Equality in Sports and other areas
• MEA: Minnesota Education Association
• AFT
• Merged to become Education Minnesota
• Even if your not in Union, you pay fair share (about 85% of union charges) because they’re still negotiating for you
• Unions also pay for Insurance
• Work to rule: Go to work, work hours, but don’t do anything outside of school

Topics discussed:

• What are some things that future classroom teachers need to know about Special Ed?
• What are some things that classroom teachers can do to help Special Ed Teachers?
• Why did you decide to go into special education?
• Where did you go to school to become a Special Ed teacher?
• What is your favorite thing about being a special Ed teacher?
• What are some plus and minuses to your job?
• What does your average day look like?
• How many students do you work with each day?
• What do you think about handicap/special ed children in a "regular" classroom?
• How does integrating Special Ed students into the classroom work in Morris? Do they go into the "regular" classrooms depending on their  disability?

Topic: Science, with guest speaker from Science Sensations

Representative from Science Sensations on campus

Methanol Cannon Demonstration - When doing experiments, work in team. One team will ask questions interact with the children, the other team will prepare the experiment. If interested in performing experiments in schools, contact the Science Sensations group on campus. Everyone is welcome!

How to perform the experiment:

• Pour Methanol into a pop bottle
• Light a match that is taped to a meter stick
• Hold the match over the opening of the pop bottle
• The bottle will make an explosion sound, and the bottle sinks in
• Write the Methanol formula on the board for children to see
• The remaining liquid in the bottle is water! Children will be amazed

Other science experiment ideas:

• Raise butterflies
• Light a match in a bottle, and watch the egg get suctioned down from the top.
• Create circuits
• Prism reflections
• Classifying beans, or other objects
• Liquid nitrogen shattering of objects
• Penny rotting in coke
• Making silly putty

Pointers:

• Use hands-on experiments
• ORGANIZATION!
• Integrate math or other subjects into experiments

*National Science Teacher's Association Web site has many fun experiments to look at.
*Make sure you teach the children safety first.
*Start early with science in areas of weather, bodies, small tools, classification, and the 5 senses, as these are state standards the children need to know.

T-shirts handed out.

Tips for New Teachers:

• Don’t lose thought of your overall goal
• Know the differences between punishment and discipline
• Look at various models of discipline
• Maintain variety and stay on top of things
• BE FIRM! It’s easier to be firm in the beginning, and then ease off as time goes on
• Prevention is key: prevent before things happen
• Need good transitions between activities so you don’t lose the kids
• Set high expectations, and follow through
• Let them know you have “eyes in the back of your head”
• Don’t assume kids know things
• Tell them how you are feeling during the day, and they’ll tell you
• Take lots of breaks
• Maintain self-esteem/respect in behavior students
• “Feed the Lion,” prior to the behavior issue (let them know you are watching)

**Teaching is like riding a bike. It takes a bit to learn, but you learn tricks and smoothness as time goes on.**

-Tips for new teacher available at: www.nea.org/classmanagement/begtk030731.html? mode=prin

• Different behavioral issues that secondary teachers may face
• Background as to how each teacher got into the career
• Teacher Unions - good and bad things about them * remember there is strength in numbers (in regards to lawsuits)
• Anyone interested in visiting and just sitting in on a classroom is more then welcome to contact the high school office at anytime to let them know you are interested
• Start lessons off with and exciting experiment, or catcher in order to gain the students attention for the rest of the period/day
• There are 100-150 applicants for every job you apply for, and getting an an interview is considered lucky, but doesn't guarantee the job
• Let the school know and do research as to different teaching styles that you like and feel that you will be able to fit in with at the school
• Make sure you have a strong resume, and have plenty of experiences to make your application stand out
• Secondary math and science teachers are strongly needed, and have an easier time selecting which school they will teach at

• Creative cards with candy were made to distribute to teachers and professors in May for teacher appreciation
• Leaders of EMSP for next year: Sarah Duffy, Julie Rohling, and Becca Krmpotich

• RaNae talked about Ruby Pane’s guidelines for working with students in poverty.

Brad Korn Principal from MAES on interviewing tips. Leadership opportunities for 08-09 were also voted on.

• Technology and medical skills make an application stand out
• Be accurate with your applications, and include home phone numbers for all references
• Have an awareness of special education, and different curriculum
• Know what effective practices are
• Coaching and community education classes look great
• Typical interview is just over an hour long
• Do Not ask about benefits and pay... this gives the wrong impression
• Know the norms of where you are applying
• Show desire to work
• Be aware of applying for jobs before licensure...may not get looked at
• Some schools now do personality tests as part of an interview
• Know about NCLB, AYP, and Response Intervention

New co-presidents for the 2008-2009 academic year are Sarah Duffy, and Becca Krmpotich. Julie Rohling will be treasurer.

• EMSP celebrated the semester with an ice cream social.
• Amelia, a senior student teacher, shared her experiences with the group.