NewsYouCanUse: Week of 11/14-11/21

Mental Health Discussion: Please consider participating in a special discussion about school-based mental health services on Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. We’d like to hear from all our members who provide school-based mental health services. The goal of this meeting is to learn about your experiences, what is going well and what could be improved. Facilitating the conversation will be IEA Government Relations Consultants John Kohlhepp and Unique Morris, and IEA Education Policy and Agency Relations Director Diana Zaleski, Ph.D. Zoom Link Meeting ID: 821 3639 6830 Passcode: 578047  Reminder: SCORE Grants for Locals:SCORE Grant deadline approaching! Jan. 15 is the application deadline for IEA SCORE Grants. All IEA members are encouraged to apply! Funds are available for IEA members and their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects. To learn more and apply online, visit ieanea.org/score.  The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is now offering both onsite and virtual field trips to our world-class exhibitions! Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition for grades 7-12, Make a Difference! The Harvey L. Miller Family Youth Exhibition for grades 3-6. Take a Stand Center for grades 7-12. Each offers character-building lessons drawn from the Museum’s artifacts and exhibits, including photographs, documents, and rich, first person accounts of Holocaust survivors and Upstanders. The field trips are complete with questions for reflection and discussion, glossaries, and extension activities. These resources invite students to consider the power of choice, responsibility, citizenship, and human rights, and to discover what influences our decisions to act as bystanders or Upstanders in response to inhumanity. For more information on our onsite and virtual field trips, please click on the link: Museum Field Trips | Illinois Holocaust Museum. IEA Legislative Platform:The IEA Legislative Committee is soliciting input for the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform. Amendments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2022. The most recent version of the Legislative Platform and the proposed amendment form can be found on the IEA website under Legislative & Political Action.  Request for funding applications are being accepted for the following conferences.2023 Higher Ed Conference Date: March 17-19, 2023 Location: San Jose, CA Application due by Dec 12 2023 NEA Leadership Summit Date: March 10-12, 2023 Location: TBD Application due by Dec 12  Applications are open for ISBE’s 2023 Those Who Excel and IL Teacher of the Year Awards! You can nominate an educator for:  IL Teacher of the Year  Outstanding Early Career Educator of the Year  Outstanding Community Volunteers  Outstanding Teams Applications can be submitted here! Aspiring Educator’s Spring Conference will be held in Oakbrook on April 28-29, 2023. If you would like to present on the 29th, please submit an RFP by January 15, 2023. Educator Rising will be having their Annual Conference on March 6, 2023 in Bloomington. If you would like to present on the 6th, please submit an RPF by January 15, 2023. Budget Open Hearings Schedule for January 2023  NEA National Leadership Summit Request for Proposals – deadline Dec. 12: The 2023 summit will be held March 10-12, location to be determined. Here is more information and the RFP form. Additional information can be found on the NEA website.

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS

Student loan relief and financial planning: contact Mike Walls RSVP for one on ones NEA Learn about new opportunities for student debt cancellation! Workers comp attorneys: contact David Barish & Frank Bertuca Please call for an appointment Katz Friedman 800-444-1525 Please see this flyer for Rockford office hours For curated regional news & content: Follow the IEA Sinnissippi Region Office Facebook page

NEA – MEMBER BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT

Deals –Hot Deals and Discounts from NEA Member Benefits—November 2022 –California Casualty $1,000 Middle and High School Athletics Grant Program**–Flyer (Entry deadline: January 15, 2023.) –NEA Discount Tickets Program—Holiday Flyer8 Money-Saving Ideas for the Holidays Protection IEA-NEA Liability insurance protection -If you are sued for actions within the scope of your employment, the IEA liability insurance program protects you with up to $1 million in liability insurance coverage. This valuable protection is provided as a part of IEA-NEA membership at no additional cost.  Professional Content -When Educators Face Problems, the Union Can Help –Front Office Staff Open the Door to the School Community –Parents and Educators Want the Same Thing –Are There Trade-Offs in “Good Teaching?” Misc. –Prevent a Holiday Cooking Fire –6 Reasons to Clean Your Gutters Before Winter

NewsYoucanUse: week of 11/01/2022

Resources for IEA members, please share with your colleagues

IEA Bylaws: Proposed bylaw amendments must be received by the IEA Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, in care of the President’s Office, Illinois Education Association, 100 E. Edwards Street, Springfield, IL 62704-1999, no later than 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.   IEA Legislative Platform: The IEA Legislative Committee is soliciting input for the 2023-2024 Legislative Platform. Amendments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2022. The most recent version of the Legislative Platform and the proposed amendment form can be found on the IEA website under Legislative & Political Action.   Speaker Series on ACEs and Toxic Stress The Partnership for Resilience will be hosting a Quarterly Speaker Series on ACEs and Toxic Stress. The first session in the series will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, from 5:30-7:00 pm. Aside from sharing this with members, staff may also find the content valuable. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/PFRSpeakerSeries1. This series is designed to serve as Intentional support for parents, guardians, & community through discussion of important topics that matter!!! It will address the following questions: What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress?What are some signs in adults & children?What are the potential impacts of toxic stress?How can we build resilience and reduce the impact of toxic stress?   Attend this session to learn more about ACEs and Toxic Stress from the parent’s perspective. It will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5:30-7:00 pm. Aside from sharing this with members, staff may also find the content valuable. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/PFRSpeakerSeries1 or contact Vanessa Williams at vwilliams@partnership4resilience.org   The Illinois Labor History Society (ILHS): Union Hall of Honor event Friday, Dec. 2.   Request for funding applications are being accepted for the following conferences. 2023 NEA ESP ConferenceDate: March 24-26, 2023Location: Seattle, WAApplication due by Dec 12 2023 Higher Ed Conference Date: March 17-19, 2023Location: San Jose, CAApplication due by Dec 12 2023 NEA Leadership Summit Date: March 10-12, 2023Location: TBDApplication due by Dec 12   Applications are open for ISBE’s 2023 Those Who Excel and IL Teacher of the Year Awards! You can nominate an educator for:IL Teacher of the YearOutstanding Early Career Educator of the YearOutstanding Community VolunteersOutstanding TeamsApplications can be submitted here!    The Elimination of Poverty Commission is seeking members for the following committees. Members interested should reach out to IEA Vice President Al Llorens. Sub-committee SelectionWe are working to build membership for our five Commission Sub-committees that will meet quarterly beginning late this year and early next. The five sub-committees will be based on our five strategic pillars included in our Strategic Policy Brief: Ensure IL is Best in Nation for Raising Families Stabilize Homes and Communities   Ensure Just and Equitable Access to Economic Security Programs  Address Barriers to Paid Work, Education, and Advancement      Economic Policy Institute EPI is an independent, nonprofit think tank that researches the impact of economic trends and policies on working people in the United States. EPI’s research helps policymakers, opinion leaders, advocates, journalists, and the public understand the bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary Americans.See the YouTube webinar: What matters most for student success from parents’ and educators’ perspectives

Student Loan Forgiveness Calendar for 2021-2022

The IEA Sinnissippi regional office is offering free workshops for members to learn more about their options for student loan forgiveness programs.

• Learn from a nationally recognized expert how hundreds of your peers are already taking advantage of this valuable training!

• The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program allows all School District employees regardless of their job title the ability to lower monthly out of pocket payments, with some qualifiers.

• As a full-time employee in Public Service, once you make 120 qualifying payments, any remaining Federal Direct Loan balance will be forgiven

• Don’t pay anyone to help you, your Association has local resources to help you for free!

• This seminar will give you the tools, tips and resources you need to successfully start the path to have your loans forgiven with options to do it yourself or get expert assistance for free!

We have virtual, in person and one on one options to choose from.

Virtual Options

Tuesday, October 12, 2021 – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, November 18, 2021 – 5:30 pm

Monday, December 13, 2021 – 4:30 pm

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – 5:30 pm

Thursday, May 12, 2022 – 5:00 pm

In Person Workshops

IEA Sinnissippi – 7029 Rote Rd. Rockford, IL 61107

Tuesday, September 28, 2021 – 5-6:30 pm

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – 5-6:30 pm

Thursday, April 14, 2022 – 5-6:30 pm

Friday, June 24, 2022 – 5-6:30 pm

One on One Meetings

Michael J. Walls

Do you need a personal consultation?

Cell: 630-465-6592 

IEA resources: week of 06/01/2021

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 Webinar – Juneteenth: Taking Time to Unravel Unconscious Biases

A Case Study from Washington State. June 17, 7 p.m. EST.  Info and Registration

ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring

Information and links to apply.

• Application Deadline: Monday morning, June 7
• Application Selection: Applicants will be notified no later than June 21

NEA Center for Social Justice: A series of great offerings are scheduled for next week as part of the Season for Justice and include next week’s LGBTQ Pride events. The link to register for the CSJ Season of Justice (including the LGBTQ Pride Series) is live. Download/share the flier.

Summer PD: Earn clock hours with an online book study, courses and a variety of content specific opportunities. Check out the Professional Development Summer Newsletter.

IEA resources: week of 5/17/2021

Professional Development

Summer PD: Members can earn clock hours with an online book study, courses and a variety of content specific opportunities. Check out the Professional Development Summer Newsletter and share with members.

Micro-credential Opportunity: In partnership with NEA, IEA is offering its members an opportunity to participate, AT NO COST, in a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support successful completion of a NEA Micro-credential.  Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time! The 2021 IEA Micro-credential PLC: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy will meet on TUESDAY mornings, June 22 – August 3, at 10 a.m., for 30-60 minutes. Register here!Registration closes Friday, May 28.(Share with members)

Program Development

In case you missed it last week: Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)  July 19-22 and July 26-29:  We are happy to announce that the SLA registration is now open with over 70 session choices for members. Session offerings include trainings on equity, trauma responsiveness, restorative practices, communications, school finance, health insurance, organizing, and grievance to name a few. SLA will also contain additional sessions designed for local association presidents, association representatives, local treasurers, and those seeking a National Board Certification.  Many sessions at SLA will also provide PD clock hours to attendees.

Training sessions will be held July 19-22 and July 26-29 with a limited number of attendees in each session to provide the best virtual training experience. In the event a session is full, most sessions will be recorded and made available after SLA is over. Take a moment to review the “Schedule At-A-Glance” document for the session choices.  Members can register now! Deadline to register is Friday, July 9! (Share with members)

Staff Training: Brush up your Word skills with the May 2021 Word 101 Virtual Training! This two hour virtual training will be held ONLY on Tuesday, May 18 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. (due to IEASO GMM on Monday) and will cover several of the basic features in Word including: adjusting auto-recover, using styles, find and replace, the advanced clipboard, headers and footers, boarders and shading, tables, tab stops, breaks, hyperlinks, inserting a table of contents, and SmartArt. Calendar invite and materials will be sent the week of the training so make sure to mark your calendars after registering! Register here.

IEA Resources – week of 5/11/21

Share with all members   Professional Development: BetterLesson Spring Virtual Learning Series – Leading and Learning Through Covid & Beyond: Bridge the Gap Between Now and the Not Yet. Join coaches, educators, leaders, and experts as they share student-centered learning practices that will help you address your most pressing challenges as we begin to look past pandemic teaching and towards what’s next. Sessions will focus on one of the five elements of student-centered learning: student engagement, instructional leadership, responsive and inclusive practices, flexible instructional models, and curriculum and academic content. See all the sessions and register now!  

IEA UniServ Intern Program: The brochure and program booklet for the 2021-22 UniServ Intern program is available on the IEA website under Resources. The deadline for applications is June 15, 2021.  

Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) July 19-22 and July 26-29:  We are happy to announce that the SLA registration is now open with over 70 session choices for members. Session offerings include trainings on equity, trauma responsiveness, restorative practices, communications, school finance, health insurance, organizing, and grievance to name a few. SLA will also contain additional sessions designed for local association presidents, association representatives, local treasurers, and those seeking a National Board Certification. Many sessions at SLA will also provide PD clock hours to attendees.   Training sessions will be held July 19-22 and July 26-29 with a limited number of attendees in each session to provide the best virtual training experience. In the event a session is full, most sessions will be recorded and made available after SLA is over. Take a moment to review the “Schedule At-A-Glance” document for the session choices. Members can register now! Deadline to register is Friday, July 9!  

NEA EdJustice event for ESPs (and all members): We’re coming together—educators, activists, and students—for an important briefing on how we can win student debt cancellation. Sign up to join us Thursday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. ET!     Resources   Job Search Resource If you or someone you know will be job hunting, here is a link to an IEA resource: JOB LINKS   CPDU & Professional Development If you or someone that you know is looking to fulfill CPDU requirements, the IEA provides free and convenient online professional development training to IEA members. PD in in your PJs! Please visit the IEA Learning Portal.

Upcoming Labor Notes Resources

Interested in hearing about the latest in organizing and building power? Check out this resource.

Upcoming Month of Troublemaking Workshops Labor Notes is holding a series of workshops and conversations throughout the month of April via Zoom. We’re more than halfway through, but there’s plenty more chances to gather with workers from across the country to learn new skills, talk tough challenges, and rekindle troublemaking energy. See below for a list of remaining webinars and workshops. You can find more info on our Month of Troublemaking event page. $20 registration includes access to all the below events.Register NowAusterity: The Myth and How to Fight It Thursday April 22: 7 PM EDT The Covid-19 pandemic, while unique, has created a familiar crisis in the form of shrinking tax revenues and demands for concessions from workers. In this panel, we’ll hear about how austerity is a political choice—not a material necessity—as well as how some unions are fighting back against austerity-driven concessions.  Panelists: Geva Hickman-Johnson, high school English teacher and bargaining committee member with the Prince George’s County Education Association, John Courtney, president, ATU Local 265, Anneta Argyres, president of the Professional Staff Union (MTA/NEA) and director of the Labor Extension Program at UMass Boston.  Organizing at Amazon: Lessons Learned and the Work Ahead Saturday April 24: 4 PM EDT Amazon is now the second-largest employer in the U.S., and a presence everywhere in the lives of Americans, reshaping the retail and logistics landscape. This panel will provide an overview of the company’s operations and growth and the threat it poses to members of the Teamsters, postal unions, UFCW, ILWU, and other unions, as well as working conditions generally. And we’ll hear from workers and journalists on what it’s like to work at Amazon and about organizing in the company’s warehouses. Moderator: Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief of The Real News Network and host of the Working People podcast. Panelists: Peter Olney, retired organizing director, International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), Lauren Kaori Gurley, senior staff writer at Motherboard, VICE’s tech site, and representatives from Amazonians United NYC. Labor and Climate Change Solutions Sunday April 25: 6 PM EDT In the past few years, the gravity of the climate crisis has become ever more clear even as policymakers and corporations refuse to act. At the grassroots level, labor has become increasingly active in finding a solution, but much remains to be done. What are local union activists doing to build a more sustainable workplace and world, and how can rising union activism connect with the global struggle to stop catastrophic climate change?  Panelists: David Yao, Vice President, Seattle local, APWU, Brahim Kone, Secretary Treasurer, SEIU Local 26, and Lexie, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice. National Educators Call: Assessing and Building Power in the Pandemic and Beyond Tuesday April 27: 8 PM EDT What have we learned? What are our next struggles? Join preK-12 educators from across the country to identify the struggles ahead and discuss how to use lessons learned from the pandemic going forward. Read more and register HERE.Cost$20 for the whole month. Includes access to all workshops until limits are filled.Also available: registration plus 50 percent off a one-year subscription to Labor Notes magazine: $35!Reduced registrations at $10 are available for those who need. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information contact Dan DiMaggio at dan@labornotes.org.Register NowIn solidarity, Labor Notes staff

RESOURCES: 4/12/2021

COVID ResourcesIEA COVID Newsstay updated – click HERE.

Share with all members HCR Activists Training:Please join us for the HCR Activists Training Weekend, April 23-24. Our theme – Social Justice Unionism and Leadership!! Here is a flier with the agenda and Zoom registration link.  Share with ESPs NEA ESP Learning NetworkWebinar – Supporting Our Own through ESP Mentoring: Lessons from the FieldApril 15, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. EST. Flier and registration link. Resources Job Search Resource If you or someone you know will be job hunting, here is a link to an IEA resource: JOB LINKS CPDU & Professional Development If you or someone that you know is looking to fulfill CPDU requirements, the IEA provides free and convenient online professional development training to IEA members. PD in in your PJs! Please visit the IEA Learning Portal.

IEA Resources – week of 2/22/2021

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COVID Resources

IEA COVID News stay updated – click HERE.

IEA Legislative Update – Feb. 19: Director of Government Relations Sean Denney   Summer Leadership Academy RFP form is now available! The Summer Leadership Academy will be held over 2 weeks – July 19-22 & July 26-29, 2021. If you are interested in presenting a school or elective, please complete the SLA RFP form no later than March 24.   SCORE Grants:  The IEA Foundation recently awarded 12 SCORE grants totaling $10,455 to IEA members. See the list of funded projects. A list of recipients by region can be found here. The next application deadline is July 15, 2021. All IEA members are encouraged to apply! Visit https://ieanea.org/score/ for more info.    NEA 2021 NEA ESP National Conference: Memo from NEA President Becky Pringle   Misc. Resources Virtual Learning Program: Naper Settlement Launches New Virtual Learning Programs   Heather McGhee’s Book Event – Feb. 24, 3:30 p.m. ET: What Racism Cost Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, and explore its connections to the labor movement   REMINDER School Board Elections Training: IEA staff and IEA locals are invited to a communications training for school board elections. We will be discussing the tools available through IEA communications and setting up a winning communications strategy. If you have a local getting involved with a school board race, or considering doing so, please join us as they will be the only available training dates. To register, click on the date for the training you would like to attend:Tues., Feb. 23: 5-6 p.m.Thurs., Feb. 25: 4-5 p.m.   The Bylaws Committee released an updated version of the Model Local Bylaws. We encourage locals to utilize the Word version to make it easier to adopt the model language, language that was developed to ensure compliance with IEA and NEA governing documents. This update reflects COVID-19-related concerns, e.g. electronic meetings and electronic voting. [The books are on the Members Only site, under Bylaws, Values & Vision, as well as on eShare.] As a reminder, a local needs to review their bylaws every five (5) years. The Bylaws Committee is available to review the locals’ changes prior to their adoption, and will provide feedback to the local. A final copy of the adopted bylaws should be submitted to be on file at IEA. For questions, please reach out to Mary.Hartman@ieanea.org.

NEA & AFT Fireside chat with Dr. Anthony Fauci

IEA Resources week of 02/01/2021

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IEA Resources

Feb. 17 is the deadline to submit nominations for the IEA spring governance elections!

• Nominations are currently being accepted for NEA RA State Delegates, ESP and Higher Education Council positions, and for several ethnic minority, higher education and ESP sectional representative and alternate positions. The online nomination form is available on the IEA website until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. Contact Kim Trader with any questions.

Summer Leadership Academy

• The 2021 Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) will be a virtual event held over 2 weeks – July 19-22 & July 26-29. Due to the PD sessions not being held at this year’s IEA RA, we plan to add additional PD sessions during the 2021 SLA.

NEA Resources

NEA Representative Assembly

• The NEA RA will be held this year as a virtual event. The TENTATIVE DATES are June 30 – July 3.

Misc. Resources

• IEA member Kim Archer from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville composed a piece for the inauguration and it was played in the hour prior to the ceremony by “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band just below the dais where the inauguration took place. The piece, titled, “Fanfare Politeia”celebrates America’s traditions of free and fair elections and the peaceful transition of power.

•  Youth Opportunity
• The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is excited to announce the No Malice Film Contest, a wonderful opportunity for Illinois youth and young adults, ages 11-21, to learn filmmaking and screenwriting strategies from industry experts and to create short films addressing racial healing. To prepare youth to share their experiences and perspectives in film, Chaz Ebert graciously scheduled five sessions with expert filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers to guide students in the process of creating effective, meaningful films. The sessions are free of charge, but registration is required. All youth are welcome, even those not participating in the contest, to attend these sessions and a bonus screening of Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise. 

IEA Resources (week of 1/19/21)

Share with All Members   2021 Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) In light of the current COVID-19 situation that is still active in Illinois, the IEA BOD voted to host the 2021 Summer Leadership Academy as a virtual event. Information will be updated on the IEA website as it becomes available.   Active TRS educators — If you are planning to retire in 2021 (or for that matter are just interested), We encourage you to attend a virtual “It’s Time to Retire” meeting this winter. The meetings are designed to explain how to initiate the retirement process.  We will review the retirement paperwork and provide members with valuable information about TRIP health insurance and post-retirement employment.  TRS has arranged several virtual meetings during the months of January and February. These will be held each week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You may register for any of the virtual meetings regardless of where you live. Register for the one most convenient for your schedule. You must register for a meeting in order to receive the email link that will allow you to join.   All webinars start at 3:30 p.m. and will last approximately an hour —https://www.trsil.org/Time-to-Retire-Meeting   Resources   Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach and Building Mentor Program for New Teachers The Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois State Board of Education have joined together to create a program designed to help provide wraparound professional support for first-year teachers. The Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach and Building Mentor Program for new teachers pairs new teachers with a trained virtual coach, a trained and certified building mentor, a virtual coaching platform and the support of other first-year teachers. Click here for more information.   Facing History & Ourselves Is an online resource that uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. Their most popular topic has been in response to recent major events. Responding to the Insurrection at the Capitol What Happened During the Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and Why?

IEA Resources (week of 10/26/2020)

Share with All Members   Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach & Building Mentor Program: Great opportunity for the new teachers in your district!   NEA Micro-Credentials NEA Teacher Quality (TQ) is pleased to announce that registration has opened for the National NEA Micro-Credentials Virtual PLCs being offered for Cycle 4: December 7, 2020 to February 7, 2021. Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time! Learn more!   Check out Gumdrop Books! For over 45 years, Gumdrop Books has prided itself on delivering unparalleled product knowledge and customer service. They work directly with educators worldwide, to save them valuable time and money, providing onsite presentations and convenient ordering options. LevelUp Intro Video Early Reading program. Lexile based with Phonics input. Students assessed, leveled, books loaded to a shelf, monitored, rewards for achievement. Finalist for Tech Edvocate Award for Best Personalized/Adaptive Learning App. EyeDiscover DemoWorld Languages DemoToggle between 11 languages and not have to change devices! Lightbox DemoTop content providers – Google Maps, NASA. Videos, web links, firsthand accounts, maps, activities, quizzes. AV2 Non-Fiction Demo

IEA Resources – week of 8/31/2020

COVID Resources ·     IEA COVID News – stay updated – click HERE. Share with Members ·     K-12 Art and Writing Exchanges through the Memory Project: ·     The Memory Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a kinder world through art. Since 2004, they have connected over 280,000 children and teens in over 55 countries. Learn more about the Memory Project. ·     The National Board Resource Center (NBRC) ·     is a nonprofit organization that has been charged with overseeing the Illinois State Board of Education program that enables teachers and counselors to become National Board certified. The NBRC provides payment for teacher-candidate fees and support through the process in the form of cohorts, certificate-alike webinars, and matching candidates with National Board Resource Center trained readers. ·     Please share the 2020-2021 NBPTS Awareness Power Point Presentation with teachers and school counselors! ·     Register Today for a live ZOOM presentation, on September 8, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., about the National Board program that is designed for Illinois teachers and counselors! ·     The Illinois National Board Candidate Fee Subsidy application window for teachers and school counselors pursuing National Board Certification beginning in the 2020-2021 school year opened Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. ·     Applying Learning Science in the Remote Classroom – ·     Rolling registration – participate any time before Oct. 1 ·     8 Clock Hours ·     In this new era of remote instruction, educators face unique and specific challenges. This is not a technology training. This course introduces practical applications of learning science for the remote classroom. In other words, teaching practices that will help you and your students find success in a non-traditional learning environment. Unlike our past online courses, this course has rolling registration and is entirely asynchronous. This means members can register and participate any time before the course closes on October 1, 2020. Participants may complete requirements at their own pace and will receive clock hours when course requirements have been completed. View the flier or Register Online. Registration Extended!! We still have seats available!!  ·     Paul Gorski and EdChange Present the September Equity Series: Teaching Racial Justice in P12 Schools; A Learning Series ·     In this 5-part series, racial justice educators share key philosophical, practical, pedagogical, and theoretical insights about how to teach racial justice in P-12 schools. We will explore what it means to engage youth of various ages in critical conversations that transcend “celebrating diversity”; how to cope with resistance from colleagues, parents, and others; where to find powerful resources; what it means to approach teaching for racial justice in “age appropriate” ways; and how to make sure we’re teaching racial justice in the most transformative, pedagogically sound ways. ·     The series includes four 75-minute webinars/discussions with educator-activists of color. Some of these webinars/discussions will be more instructional, others will be part-interview or part-demonstration. All will include resource and reading recommendations. ·     When: ·     Tuesday evenings in September 2020, 6:00pm-7:15pm CDT. ·     (NOTE: Sessions WILL BE RECORDED for people who register but aren’t able to view them live, so if you can’t make it live, don’t worry!) ·     Click here for Registration: https://site.ieanea.org/survey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=981Hl795 ·     For questions, contact Sherri Jones at sherri.jones@ieanea.org ·     NEA MEMBER BENEFITS VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS: ·     Representatives from NEA Member Benefits program will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to help you explore valuable benefits available to all IEA Members. ·     Please join your benefits team to learn how to save and recoup your dues dollars with programs carefully vetted for your peace of mind. ·     LIVE Gift Card drawing – Winner receives Amazon E-Gift card ·     Please click on a link below to attend any of these virtual meetings. ·     August 20th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     August 24th, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ·     August 24th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     August 25th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     August 26th, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. ·     September 9th, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. ·     September 10th, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. ·     September 16th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     September 22nd, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. ·     September 23rd, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     September 29th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. ·     September 30th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m.

 

2020 NEA MEMBER BENEFITS VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS

I’ve been with the IEA for a number of years and the #1 thing that surprises me is how many members have no idea of the many great benefits that they have access to.

When they do find out……they are over the moon!

With social distancing the norm and time in short supply, the NEA Member Benefits team has set up a series of informational zoom meetings for members to attend at their convenience.

Please share.

NEA MEMBER BENEFITS VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS: Explore Your Benefits   Representatives from NEA Member Benefits program will be hosting a series of virtual meetings to help you explore valuable benefits available to all IEA Members.    Please join your benefits team to learn how to save and recoup your dues dollars with programs carefully vetted for your peace of mind.   LIVE Gift Card drawing – Winner receives Amazon E-Gift card   August 20th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. August 24th, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. August 24th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. August 25th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. August 26th, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. September 16th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. September 23rd, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. September 29th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. September 30th, 5:00 – 5:30 p.m.   We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming virtual meeting!   Your NEA Benefits Team,   Justine Sallee, Mike Walls, & Sandy Hupp   Printable Flier: Click Here   PS – please be on the lookout for upcoming virtual Degree not Debt and Financial Essentials workshops     Wishing you a wonderful year of positive professional and union experiences.   Thanks for everything that you do!

IEA Resources – week of 7/20 & 7/27

COVID Resources IEA COVID News – stay updated – click HERE. Back-to-School survey: Please take the COVID-19 Back-to-School Survey. Webinar recording: Educating Through Crisis (COVID-19): Reopening Schools and Campuses for In-Person Instruction Upcoming ESPQ webinar – Aug 20, 6 p.m. CT: It Takes a Whole School to Support a Whole Child – Harnessing Social and Emotional Learning to Support the Well-Being of Education Support Professionals During the COVID-19 Crisis The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and Urban Education Institute are hosting a virtual professional development series beginning July 29, Helping Teachers Create Learning Experiences that Support Students and Families During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic, designed to help teachers navigate the unique challenges that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. This seven-part series will help teachers leverage this time as an opportunity to: Implement innovative teaching practices, Facilitate meaningful conversations about race and social justice, and Promote resilience and self-care in their students’ lives as well as their own. The series will feature experts in the fields of social work, trauma-informed teaching, school organization, and STEM education. Recommended practices will be compatible with both virtual and in-person learning settings. Here is the complete list of courses with registration links. Professional Development Applying Learning Science in the Remote Classroom Course Opens on August 17, 2020; 8 Clock Hours In this new era of remote instruction, educators face unique and specific challenges. This is not a technology training. This course introduces practical applications of learning science for the remote classroom. In other words, teaching practices that will help you and your students find success in a non-traditional learning environment. Unlike our past online courses, this course has rolling registration and is entirely asynchronous. This means members can register and participate any time before the course closes on October 1, 2020. . Participants may complete requirements at their own pace and will receive clock hours when course requirements have been completed. View the flier or Register Online Virtual Meet-Up for Early Career members (1-5 years) – Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. Now more than ever we need to come together as educators and support one another. Join other early career educators from across the state as we prepare ourselves for the fall. Please sign-up and take the survey to let us know which topics you would like to discuss. We expect the event to last no longer than an hour.

IEA Resources – week of 7/13/2020

COVID Resources

• IEA COVID News – stay updated on the latest COVID news as it relates to education- click HERE.

• Friday, July 17: NEA WEBINAR FOR EDUCATORS: Safely Returning to In-Person Instruction. 2-3:30 p.m. RSVP here.

• Saturday, July 18: ESP Empowerment Virtual Roundtable: ESP Reduction in Force (RIF) – What you Need to Know

IEA Resources – week of 07/06/2020

COVID Resources   IEA COVID News – stay updated – click HERE.     Professional Development   Danielson Group FREE Summer Webinar Series – Danielson Group team members and friends will share their ideas on implementing the Framework for Teaching and its principles. Some webinars in the series will support teachers in reflection, self-assessment, and growing their own practice. Others are for those who support teachers and focus on teacher inquiry and innovation. While the series will not provide formal Danielson Group training, they will encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and changes in practice. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.   Danielson Group Online Workshops – An Introduction to the Framework of Teaching and Talk about Teaching: Growth-Focused Observation and Feedback. Align your knowledge with the time-tested Framework for Teaching. These week-long professional learning and training workshops give educators a chance to reflect and focus on the capacity of all learners to further develop skills and construct greater understanding. LEARN MORE HERE.   Webinar: Managing Complex Change – July 14, 2020, 10:00 -10:30 a.m. The Midwest Organizing Collaborative is offering a free 30-minute webinar on Managing Complex Change during COVID-19 and beyond. This webinar will provide strategies on how to ground ourselves for what lies ahead. Kristine Argue-Mason, IEA Instructional Resource and PD Director will be the presenter.   Leaders for Just School Cohort: The IEA and the Opportunity Coalition are pleased to announce our second Leaders for Just Schools cohorts for the 2020-21 school year. The cohorts will be hybrid delivery, with virtual activities, and in person if conditions allow. Each cohort will meet one Saturday morning per quarter for training and leadership development over the course of the school year. The instructors are state and local leaders, award winning educators and experienced community organizers who will help you build momentum for change in your local schools and communities. Cohort members who successfully complete the program will receive a micro credential and will have the opportunity to earn an organizing stipend to continue the work. Due to the hybrid and virtual format this year, cohorts are limited to 20 people each, so sign up today!

IEA resources: week of 6/29/2020

COVID Resources   IEA COVID News – stay updated – click HERE.     Professional Development   Professional Development: NEA Micro-Credentials Virtual PLCs: July 13 – August 31, 2020 NEA will be providing members an opportunity to participate in a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support successful completion of a NEA Micro-credential from start to finish. Educators who participate in a PLC to complete a micro-credential are more likely to earn their badge the first time. The virtual PLC will be facilitated by a trained micro-credential facilitator and consist of weekly support meetings via zoom. PLCs will meet on the day indicated below, anytime from 3-9pm EST for 30-60 mins. Facilitators will reach out to participants with exact dates and times. Members may register for more than 1 PLC. Share the flier.   Members may register for any of the following PLCs:  Exploring Restorative Practices In this PLC, educators will explore restorative practices to strengthen relationships and build a community where harm can be addressed and repaired.PLC will meet once a week on Monday afternoon/evenings (from July 13-August 31).See micro-credential here: https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/RP/1.%20Exploring%20Restorative%20Practices.pdf ·         Technology for Educational Leaders: Curating Content In this PLC, educators will use a variety of curation tools to collect meaningful content for their students.PLC will meet once a week on Tuesday afternoon/evenings (from July 13-August 31).See micro-credential here: https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/TFC/Curating%20Content.pdf ·         Technology Integration: Citizen In this PLC, educators will inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly participate in the digital world.PLC will meet once a week on Wednesday afternoon/evenings (from July 13-August 31).See micro-credential here: https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/TI/Technology%20Integration-%20Citizen.pdf ·         Teaching the Teacher: The Importance of Continuous Learning In this PLC, educators will demonstrate the impact of continuous professional development and its application on their own teaching practice and student success.PLC will meet once a week on Thursday afternoon/evenings (from July 13-August 31).See micro-credential here: https://nea.certificationbank.com/images/NEAdocuments/InTasc/Continuous%20Learning.pdf   Link to registration: https://form.jotform.com/201493148665157 Registration closes June 29Please note, this professional learning opportunity is open only to NEA members.   Resources on NEA Micro-credentials: Learn more about NEA Micro-credentials View all Micro-credentials on NEA Certification BankJoin the Conversation on NEA edCommunities       August 4-6 Educators’ Summit promoting awareness/education about “Domestic and Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking Awareness.”    The Mayor’s (Rockford) Office of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Prevention, along with several regional partners, has convened an Educators’ Team of area teachers, social workers, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and violence prevention professionals, working to bring awareness, education, and programming about sex trafficking, domestic violence, teen dating violence, and sexual abuse and violence into the schools. We have focused on public, private and parochial schools within the 17th Judicial Circuit Court boundaries and coverage areas of the ROE/KIDS.   The target audience for this virtual Summit is teachers, administrators, school staff (including bus drivers, paras, cafeteria workers, and clerical workers), social service providers, and other staff working in the related fields of domestic violence/sexual violence/human trafficking in the Northern Illinois region.   Goals for the Summit include: 1. To provide comprehensive education on DV/SA/HT 2. To give teachers practical tools to understand and support students experiencing DV/SA/HT 3. To allow teachers to make contacts with local resources/experts who can provide support throughout the year   The topics addressed will assist teachers and staff in the areas of ACEs, SEL, trauma-informed learning, mandated reporting, and improved relationships with students. The Summit will also include contact information for students to reach out and for teachers to follow up on concerns of possible abuse or trafficking.   -Virtual webinar -Free CPDUS -Register HERE Flyer

A message from Workers Comp attorneys re: COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has been on the minds of all Illinois employees and it is heightened now that more companies are opening up and more individuals are returning to work. As we know, First Responders, Front Line Workers and employees deemed “essential” have been working throughout this pandemic and unfortunately many have contracted the condition. We have been advising such employees and filing claims to assist injured workers who have suffered with the disease. However, to establish that someone contracted the condition at work can be tricky with privacy rights, an employer’s reluctance to test for the condition and the fact that the disease is literally everywhere.  However, Governor Pritzker recently signed into law a “Presumption Provision” in Illinois, which will make it easier for certain employees and their families to recover workers’ compensation benefits. Technically speaking, the “Presumption Provision” was added to The Illinois Occupational Diseases Act, the sister act to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, which provides benefits which include payment of 100% of all reasonable and necessary medical benefits, 66-2/3% of your average weekly pay for temporary total disability benefits for as long as you are unable to return to work and payment for permanent partial disability caused by the COVID-19 virus. There are also death benefits for surviving spouses and minor children. This new law provides a rebuttable presumption that First Responders, Front Line Workers and Essential workers (employees who have been working under the governor’s previous executive order) who contract the COVID-19 illness are “presumed” to have contracted the disease as a result of a workplace exposure. In other words, for such employees, this rebuttable presumption will make it easier to legally establish that the COVID-19 illness is work-related entitling you to the benefits mentioned above.  This is compassionate and humane attempt to compensate such employees and their families if they contract COVID-19 and is consistent with the underlying principles of protecting injured workers in the workplace. Employers and their insurance companies can challenge and deny the injured workers’ claims. Similar to other laws, the law also takes into account the Illinois employers’ interests and provides exceptions to this “Presumption”.  In other words, the law removes this “Presumption Provision” if the employer can establish that appropriate protections were in place in the workplace at least 14 days prior to the diagnosis/symptoms (the employer can accomplish this by providing evidence of effort to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines and that the employer provided appropriate PPE), showing that the employees were not exposed to members of the general public during the transmission or that the employee was not exposed to large numbers of co-employees. The good news is that we can help! Even if the “presumption” is removed, the employee can still prevail if he/she can show that the condition “arose out of” and “in the course of” their employment or phrased differently, the evidence establishes that it is more probably true than not that the illness was contracted at work.    This new law is significant! If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 exposure or benefits, please feel free to contact us at 800-444-1525.