Teresa England Testimony
April 11, 2001
Teresa M. England
Dedham, Maine
Testimony before the Maine Legislature Education and Cultural Affairs
Committee, public hearing on LD 1765
Senator Mitchell, Representative Richard, members of the committee....
My name is Teresa M. England, and I live in Dedham. I am currently a teacher
in Brewer and also serve as Vice President of the Brewer Education Association.
I have spent many years in Brewer as a leader in our local education association.
I do not speak to you today in an effort to represent every educator in Brewer.
However, I would like to share with you the concern that I have that is very
obvious as a challenge to many associations. The challenge is to hear the voice
of the association as a whole. As a member and leader of the Brewer Education
Association, I am also a member of the Maine Education Association. Last
year our local association held a meeting in which MEA President Idella Harter
and MEA Lawyer Sean Keenan heard many concerns from our members. Since that
meeting the MEA Representative Assembly was held and MEA voices were heard from
local associations across the state.
In May of 2000 the MEA Representative Assembly, in Resolution E21, adopted
unanimously that "the MEA oppose fingerprinting and other invasive requirements
to secure initial credentials, the maintaining of these credentials, and
educational employment." My reason for stating this today is I am not sure that
this resolution has ben shared with you as a committee.
Please note the direction given by many MEA members from across the state, to
the MEA leadership on this fingerprinting law. The members -- their voices
heard through the Representative Assembnly -- are seeking full repeal of this
fingerprint law!
I urge you to listen to the many voices of educators across the state. I join them
as I ask that you vote "ought not to pass" on LD1765.
Thank you.