<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1> September 30, 2023<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'> <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>Ladies and gentlemen, Lee County Association of Professional Substitute Teachers has come to a crossword in its existence. The past couple of years have been catastrophic for so many on so many levels, but if this Association is to continue, we must come together as a unit.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>Depending upon our sources we have between 1500 and 1800 Guest Teachers on the roster. However, we rarely hear from you. We will only succeed if we come together in numbers. We need your help.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'> Many Guest teachers aren’t even aware that we have an Association, which has been in existence for over 20 years. We are always fighting for better wages, parity with surrounding counties and inclusion in the educational process, which we maintain in the absence of full-time teachers, some of whom are leaving the teaching altogether. But we need numbers.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>LCSD has shown, to present, how little they care about the survival of “Guest Teachers”. I am no longer comparing salaries with surrounding counties. Those figures change depending upon who wants the information. We are focusing on the inability of employees to live in Lee County. Talking about a quality education, by qualified educators for our children. This District is running them off, by offensive salaries like ours. We will not be satisfied with $15.22. And that only because the entry levels came in at $15. These are issues that “WE” must address as an Association.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>Issues about long-term pay. What happens in a disaster for those who depend on this as their salary?<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>Things need to be put in perspective. Our demands should be realistic. We need volunteers to man committees. We need a Webmaster. We need members to pay their annual dues of $20 a year.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>We are in dire need of dues paying volunteers.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>We need your participation if we are to accomplish any of our goals. <o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>There is a scheduled meeting, Tuesday at 6pm, at the LCSD, 2855 Colonial Blvd, Fort Myers. I think it is imperative that Substitute Teachers attend and show our solidarity. There are changes we need to be abreast of. This is our opportunity.<o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'>All Substitute Teachers can access Lee County Association of Professional Substitute Teachers at: <a href="http://lcapst.org">lcapst.org</a> or email me at: <a href="mailto:sheridanc@leeschools.net">sheridanc@leeschools.net</a><o:p></o:p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial'> "The hope of the world lies in what one demands, not of others, but of oneself." James Baldwin<o:p></o:p><div><div><div><div>Sheridan Chester<o:p></o:p></div><div>President, Lee County Association<o:p></o:p></div><div>of Professional Substitute Teachers<o:p></o:p></div><div><o:p> </o:p></div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=0 width=0 style='width:361.5pt'><tr><td width=482 style='width:358.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr></table><div><o:p> </o:p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>