Tree Planting Ceremony in Honor of KNEA's 150th Anniversary. You are invited!

Education has always been the pillar of our community and state.  In 1863 there were 564 teachers in the state of Kansas, and 34 of them gathered in Leavenworth in the fall to establish the Kansas State Teachers Association.  On October 1, 2013, the Kansas National Education Association will celebrate its 150^th anniversary by planting a Legacy Tree in Tenth Avenue Park  (located at the Leavenworth Tree Legacy which is in the city area by Warren Middle School).   An invitational flyer is attached.  The tree planting ceremony will be led by KNEA President Karen Godfrey, Vice President Mark Farr and Secretary Sherri Schwanz.

KNEA will also appear on the City Commission agenda for a proclamation on September 24th at 7 pm. 

More History

KNEA’s rich history began in Leavenworth with the organization of its first local teachers association.  The leaders of the Leavenworth organization put out the call to all teachers in the state to join together in one organized group.  A series of resolutions explained that the purpose of the new organization included  “securing in Kansas the best system of public schools;” and recommending appropriate “provision for the school buildings, personal attention of parents to the progress of their children at school, the employment of teachers of good mental and moral qualification and daily reading of the Bible…” (100 Years in Kansas Education by C.O. Wright).  The minutes from the first meeting celebrated the new organization by reporting, “Teachers and friends of education return to their respective fields of labor with the consciousness of having discharged their full duty in a noble cause.”   

Today, the Kansas National Education continues its mission to advocate for education professionals and to unite KNEA members, Kansans, and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.  KNEA members have adopted a set of core values that guide their work as an organization and define their mission.  These core values are: Equal Opportunity for All, a Just Society, Democracy, Professionalism, Partnership and Collective Action.  

Superintendent Isaac Goodnow served as the first president of KSTA.  Superintendent Goodnow earlier established Bluemont Central College which later became Kansas State University. 

Congratulations to Member Jeff Baxter!

Our LNEA colleague Jeff Baxter  was chosen as the Northeast Kansas Teacher of the Year this week in Topeka.   Mr. Baxter was awarded a financial prize and qualifies as a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. LNEA would like to add its congratulations to those of LHS principal Dr. Tom Barry, who says "We wish Mr. Baxter the best of luck as he competes with other State Finalists for that honor.  Go Pioneers and please know how proud we are of Jeff as he represents himself and our school.   Hurrah!"

Certain members eligible for Extended Educator Employment Liability

Any members who are occupational therapists, physical therapists, or athletic trainers are eligible for Extended Educator Employment Liability (EEL) Coverage at no extra cost through KNEA.  Email lneanews@gmail.com for an application form to take advantage of that coverage.

This policy is intended for professionals whose activities as an OT/PT involve teaching and supervising those activities; professionals who are rendering physical therapy or occupational therapy are covered by the Basic EEL policy. Also covered by the Basic EEL policy are all members administering medication when advance written authorization from guardian is provided, all members administering emergency first aid when a nurse is unavailable, nurses rendering first aid, psychologists rendering psychological therapy, etc. Most of us have no need of this extended coverage, but if you do teach or supervise PT or OT activities, please let us know.