Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE)

1. Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) • Georgia’s largest association for professional educators • Founded in 1975 as an alternative to teachers’ unions • Founded in response to unification of dues between GEA (now GAE) and NEA • Founded to stop forced unionism in Georgia

2. PAGE Does Not… • …contribute to political campaigns • …endorse political candidates • …contribute PAC money to fund controversial social issues • …send money to Washington DC • …resort to adversarial or militant tactics

3. PAGE Does… • Lobby effectively for teachers and students in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. • Promote positive professionalism in education • Protect educators’ freedom of choice • Place the interests of children first

4. PAGE Membership Growth 1975 1985 1995 2005 PAGE currently has 72,000 members. More Georgia educators join PAGE than any other professional association in the state.

5. PAGE’s Core Business • Our core business is to provide professional learning for educators that will enhance professional competence and confidence, build leadership qualities and lead to higher academic achievement for students. www.pageinc.org

6. The PAGE Foundation • The PAGE Foundation promotes world-class education for all of Georgia’s children through initiatives that recruit, develop, retain and recognize highly accomplished teachers. www.pagefoundation.org

7. PAGE & the PAGE Foundation A system of support that spans a teacher’s career… Additional PL Opportunities TOTY Leadership Institute NBCT Support Teacher Academy STAR Teacher Recognition SPAGE FEA Scholarship Opportunities

8. PAGE Legal Services • Provide you direct access to staff attorneys without any hassle or “red tape.” • Are paid for by your membership dues. You don’t incur out-of-pocket legal expenses for PAGE’s legal representation. • Provide you with access to a network of local attorneys (in addition to the staff attorneys) who are trained in education law.

9. Student PAGE (SPAGE) • Designed specifically for college students who are pursuing teacher certification • $7 for one year • $12 for two years • $18 for three years • $24 for four years • Any of the above memberships can be renewed as long as you are in college.

10. Benefits of Student Membership • $1 million professional liability insurance • Legal representation on issues that arise from your duties as a student educator • GACE workshops • Additional workshops & conferences • Reduced prices for PAGE conferences • Scholarship opportunities

11. PAGE Foundation Scholarships • Competitive • $1,000 award payable to your college • Learn more at: www.pagefoundation.org Click on Scholarships

12. Affordability • Professional membership in PAGE (when you graduate) is $150/year, about 1/3 the cost of belonging to a union. • Former SPAGE members receive their first year of Professional membership at half price: $75/year.

13. Important Note About Coverage • Student membership does not provide legal/liability coverage for any contract or paid position. • When you graduate, you must upgrade your membership to professional to be covered as a certified teacher. • If you are currently working as a parapro or substitute teacher, you will need PAGE’s Support Personnel membership ($75/year) in order to have legal coverage. This will also provide coverage for any duties you perform as a student educator. • If you have any questions about what type of membership is best for you, please contact PAGE’s membership department at: membership@pageinc.org 770-216-8555 (metro Atlanta) 1-800-334-6861 (outside Atlanta)

14. How to Join SPAGE • Log onto: www.pagefoundation.org • Click on SPAGE tab at the top. • Click on “Join SPAGE” at the left. • Scroll to the bottom of the page. • You can join online or print a membership form to mail in.

15. Questions? • Visit us at: PAGE www.pageinc.org PAGE Foundation www.pagefoundation.org • Contact the PAGE membership department at: 1-800-334-6861 (outside Atlanta) 770-216-8555 (metro Atlanta) membership@pageinc.org