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As a teacher who is now teaching in a state different from the state in which I received my initial teacher training and certification, I have been exploring the possibility of joining my current state's teacher's association. I work in private ed that is nonunion, and membership in the association isn't particularly common in my sector. I've always worked in private agencies, and have never joined an association. I'm wondering, is it worth it? Not so much? Are most of the benefits geared toward the public school teaching experience? I've done a variety of professional development and continuing ed through our regional development center, run by the state dept. of ed, and honestly, not much of it applies to my own fairly nontraditional school/teaching experience. I've always found that what's discussed/topics of training aren't really geared toward me or my setup, and it's not always really worth my time. Thoughts? Opinions?
I'm especially interested in hearing from those who are state educators' assocation members who do not teach in traditional public school districts. If you belong, do you find that it particularly benefits you? Why or why not?
The only real benefit that my state's association offers is coverage under its Professional Educator's Liability policy. Given the litigiousness of today's parents, it's probably wise to have that protection.
Honestly, that was my main thought...PARTICULARLY because I don't work in a union shop. I've not had any trouble, but working with severely disabled students in an era of patents sending kids to school wearing wires, looking for a quick payday, and the like, it strikes me that access to that sort of advocacy could be well worth the dues. I like to think that my private employer wouldn't leave me high and dry, but why count on such things? Thanks for the feedback.
I didn't join my state's organization because I cannot stomach their political endorcements. I don't want to be connected to anyone that thinks the way they do. One good thing is the information they give to their members about insurance, etc. I have friends that pass these things on to me.
I didn't join my state's organization because I cannot stomach their political endorcements. I don't want to be connected to anyone that thinks the way they do. One good thing is the information they give to their members about insurance, etc. I have friends that pass these things on to me.
Union influence is one of the reasons our granddaughter decided after majoring in education not to become a teacher. She went back to school to get a second degree with has nothing to do with education. The political endorcements and union attitudes turned this 22 year old away from wanting to have anything to do with the field. That was 4 years ago.
I'm a member of an association in a non-union state. Like most of my colleagues who have joined, my sole reason for membership is the insurance. I teach in a school where court cases are seen as a get-rich-quick scheme. I've only had to talk to the association twice in 25 years, but I see my dues as a cost of doing business. My education professor hammered in that you just do not want to go into the classroom without some kind of liability insurance. I think of it as being like my team on the Verizon commercials. As with other insurance, my attitude is "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.".
I don't really care about the dues (or the politics, honestly). My main reason would be access to legal advising, but it would be nice if there were also professional development perks that were of any real use. I get tired of going to continuing ed ops that are a waste of time, because they're not geared toward what I do.
Though I love the positions taken by my state's association, I did not see ANY benefits to joining and paying inititial fees and a monthly due..it ain't a union and there is no real coverage other than they might foot the lawyers bill?
Same thing here in non-union Missouri. The state association is barred from unionizing and cannot negotiate on behalf of teachers in collective bargaining. The sole benefit is legal access and liability insurance; but that is a very huge benefit.
For professional development, you might want to find an association specific to your field. For example, orchestra teachers join the state chapter of ASTA.
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