IEA Education Support Professional Council

Licensure Staff:

If you have a Professional Educator’s License, please read and be advised to review your licensing status. This content has very important information concerning the timeline for renewal for those staff whose license will expire this summer. If you have any specific questions, please be sure to contact your Regional Office of Education.

Licensure renewal for all licenses due in 2023 will begin April 1st.  This includes the Professional Educator License (PEL), the Educator License with Stipulations-Chief School Business Official (ELS-CSBO), the various Career and Technical Educator (CTE) licenses, the Substitute (SUB) license, and the Paraprofessional (PARA) license.  EVERY licensed individual should verify through their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account if they hold a license that is only registered until June 30, 2023:

• The Expires date in the ELIS account displays the year of renewal. The Registered Thru date displays the year that fees have been paid up until.

• Individuals should check the Expires verses the Registered Thru dates in ELIS.  These years need to match. If the expiration date is after the registered thru date, then additional registration fees are required to prevent the license from lapsing. 

• If the Registered Thru date is blank, registration fees have never been paid and are required to prevent the license from lapsing. 

Educators with a PEL, ELS-CSBO and CTE license that expires July 1, 2023 will have until August 31, 2023 to complete any Professional Development (PD) required for renewal and pay all registration fees.  If not renewed, the license will lapse on September 1, 2023 and the individual will no longer be eligible to work in an Illinois public school until the license is reinstated.  To reinstate the license, the individual must complete 9 semester hours of coursework in the appropriate content area(s) or pay a $50 penalty fee in addition to submitting any required PD prior to reinstating.  Once reinstated, individuals must also pay all back and current registration fees. 

Documents to assist individuals with understanding the required PD for the various credentials, the instructions on how to enter PD into ELIS, and general renewal information can be found on the ROE under the Licensure tab.  It is recommended that individuals periodically review the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) renewal page for updates.  Please distribute this information within your district and contact the ROE with any questions.

1st – Log into your ELIS account

2nd – Click Renewals in the Action Center

3rd – Double check dates as described above and pay fee for renewal

Time

Thursday, June 22

7 – 8pm EDT 6-7pm CST

Location

Virtual event

Join from anywhere

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About this event

It’s no secret that ESPs are underpaid. Recent data shows that ESPs, on average, earn at least $10,000 below a basic living wage in every state of our country.

Join NEA ESP Quality (ESPQ) and Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy (CBMA) staff, who will walk participants through the new 2023 ESP Earnings Report data and share information on how to advocate for livable wages for ESPs.

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Accessibility

This event meets ADA standards

Audio descriptions for video

Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.

The Conference on Racial and Social Justice (CRSJ)
The conference provides a unique space for educators, students, parents and families, organizers, community members, and leaders to unite to advance justice in education. Join us in Orlando, Florida, at the Hilton Orlando (June 29-July 1, 2023), for three days of “Joy, Justice, Excellence: The Strength of Educators. The Brilliance of Students. The Power of Community.” Come be in community with us! For more information and to register for the conference, please click here: www.nea.org/conferenceonracialandsocialjustice.

Questions can be directed to NEA’s Human and Civil Rights (HCR) Department Director, Harry Lawson, at hlawson@nea.org.

Wed.  |  May 24  |  7-8 p.m. Yes, you can! Learn how to create the positive momentum needed to reach your personal and professional goals. Many of us start the new year by setting goals or making resolutions. It’s hard to believe, but we are almost one quarter of the way through the new year. If you’ve made progress on your goals, congratulations; If not, this workshop will focus on what is holding you back. We will examine goal setting and vision mapping, limited versus empowering beliefs, our circles of influence and the time management skills needed to reach our goals. Facilitator: Crystal Bush Crystal is an IEA UniServ Director and coordinator for support and services for Educational Support Professionals. REGISTER HERE

Tues.  |  June 6  |  6-7 p.m. How to write a grant Did you know IEA has grants for up to $1000 available for members to use for community organizing projects? IEA also offers grants for locals looking to increase membership engagement. In this training, you will learn the ins and outs of the SCORE (Schools and Community Outreach by Educators) grant and the Stronger United Micro grant, how to apply, as well as the rubric used to score the grant applications. The scoring of the next Score grant will be in July so you don’t want to miss this workshop! Facilitator: Lindsey Jensen Lindsey is the IEA Early Career Development and Aspiring Educator Director, state coordinator for EdRising and chairs the IEA SU RRE (Stronger United Recruitment, Retention and Engagement) team. REGISTER HERE

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About this event

Cheers to an AMAZING year! Join the ESP council for our final virtual roundtable of the school year on May 18. It has been a long year and summer is right around the corner. We want to celebrate you and all the great things that we’ve accomplished together.

Topic: Year in review and year-end celebration.

Pursuing a career in education should not mean sacrifice. It should not mean that your family has to go without. Our Education Support Professionals deserve to THRIVE, not just survive on their salaries. Thank you Tina Pizzitola for sharing your story.

Apply today for funding

Request for Funding applications are being accepted for the following conferences:

·       2023 IEA Summer Leadership – due June 16

·       NEA’s Conference on Racial & Social Justice – due May 21

1.      ESP Community Conversations: Professional Development  
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 7-8:30 p.m. ET. (rescheduled from February) 
Join us for a virtual networking session where you’ll connect with fellow NEA ESP members across the country to discuss your professional development experiences and the resources and support you need for professional growth. Register Here. 
*Open to NEA ESP members only 
 

2.      ESP Learning Network Webinar: Investing in Paraeducators: Develop, Empower, and Transform 
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET 
Paraeducators play an essential role in our schools and classrooms and are critically important to student and school success. Join us on May 18 to learn about how one school’s commitment to paraeducator development transformed how a district invested in ESPs. Register Here. 
 

3.      ESP Learning Network Webinar:  Achieve More Just and Equitable Salaries for ESP 
Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET 
It’s no secret that ESPs are underpaid, and the cost of living varies greatly throughout the United States. Join Samuel Walters, Science Paraeducator and living wage expert, as he explores concepts, tactics, and tools to advocate for better pay. Register Here. 

And may summer vacation come quickly!!

One Conference – Request for Proposals Now Open!

Is there a professional development session that you are looking for? Do you have a talent or skill you feel would benefit Education Support Professionals? We are looking for energetic, knowledgeable presenters for this years conference.

The 2023 IEA One Conference will be held on October 13 & 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Oakbrook. 

We are seeking proposals for presentations for the conference.  The One Conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired Members to develop professional skills, earn professional development credit, and network with colleagues from around the state. 

The deadline for RFPS is May 5, 2023 so please submit session proposals as soon as possible.

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Upcoming TOMORROW, April 26, 5 p.m. – Deadline to vote in the Spring election. Please vote for your ESP Council members and other statewide positions. Vote Here! TOMORROW, April 26, 6 p.m. – NEA student debt webinar. Explore more opportunities to receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Register Here! May is right around the corner!May 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – rESPect Campaign steering meeting – Join the Zoom meeting! Meeting ID: 846 7843 0657 Meeting passcode: 768962 May 18, 7-8 p.m. – ESP Celebration roundtable. You don’t want to miss this event. Register today for the May ESP Celebration!

Time

Thursday, May 18

7 – 8pm CDT

Location

Click here to register: Virtual event

About this event

Cheers to an AMAZING year! Join the ESP council for our final virtual roundtable of the school year on May 18.

Topic: Year in review and year-end celebration.

Request for Funding applications are being accepted for the following conference.

• 2023 IEA Summer Leadership – due June 16
• Other funding options – members may also have funding opportunities available at the local and region office.

Click here for a list of Illinois Education Association region offices.

We are planning for this years One Conference. Our goal is to offer our members sessions and opportunities that will benefit and support their needs. Help us as we plan and organize. The 2023 IEA One Conference will be held on October 13 & 14 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Oakbrook. 

We are seeking proposals for presentations for the conference.  The One Conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired Members to develop professional skills, earn professional development credit, and network with colleagues from around the state. 

The deadline for RFPS is May 5, 2023 so please submit session proposals as soon as possible.

Loveworks – Joy and Justice: Abolitionist Teaching in the Classroom
Register Online or Via QR Code:
htps://ieanea.link/loveworks

Thank you to all of the education support professionals and IEA staff who joined us tonight on our April rESPect Campaign steering meeting.

I’m not sure exactly how many we had on the Zoom meeting tonight, but we had a lot of first time attendees which is extremely exciting!

Great work is happening here in Illinois to support the amazing support staff who keep our schools running!

Licensure Staff:

If you have a Professional Educator’s License, please read and be advised to review your licensing status. This content has very important information concerning the timeline for renewal for those staff whose license will expire this summer. If you have any specific questions, please be sure to contact your Regional Office of Education.

Licensure renewal for all licenses due in 2023 will begin April 1st.  This includes the Professional Educator License (PEL), the Educator License with Stipulations-Chief School Business Official (ELS-CSBO), the various Career and Technical Educator (CTE) licenses, the Substitute (SUB) license, and the Paraprofessional (PARA) license.  EVERY licensed individual should verify through their Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS) account if they hold a license that is only registered until June 30, 2023:

0. The Expires date in the ELIS account displays the year of renewal. The Registered Thru date displays the year that fees have been paid up until.
1. Individuals should check the Expires verses the Registered Thru dates in ELIS.  These years need to match. If the expiration date is after the registered thru date, then additional registration fees are required to prevent the license from lapsing. 
2. If the Registered Thru date is blank, registration fees have never been paid and are required to prevent the license from lapsing. 

Educators with a PEL, ELS-CSBO and CTE license that expires July 1, 2023 will have until August 31, 2023 to complete any Professional Development (PD) required for renewal and pay all registration fees.  If not renewed, the license will lapse on September 1, 2023 and the individual will no longer be eligible to work in an Illinois public school until the license is reinstated.  To reinstate the license, the individual must complete 9 semester hours of coursework in the appropriate content area(s) or pay a $50 penalty fee in addition to submitting any required PD prior to reinstating.  Once reinstated, individuals must also pay all back and current registration fees. 

Documents to assist individuals with understanding the required PD for the various credentials, the instructions on how to enter PD into ELIS, and general renewal information can be found on the ROE under the Licensure tab.  It is recommended that individuals periodically review the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) renewal page for updates.  Please distribute this information within your district and contact the ROE with any questions.

1st – Log into your ELIS account

2nd – Click Renewals in the Action Center

3rd – Double check dates as described above and pay fee for renewal

About this event

Join the ESP council for a virtual roundtable discussion on April 3. New faces are always welcome!

Topic: What are the big takeaways from the IEA RA/RESPECT? Were you able to attend the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly? Yes, awesome! Come share your thoughts. If you were not able to attend then this is the perfect opportunity to hear from those in attendance to get all of the important information you need.

Great things are happening here in Illinois for education support professionals. Come join the discussion.

A leadership training was held on Feb. 4 at the
Matteson IEA office. Pictured L to R: The new
LEFA Executive Board: Kate Chamberlain, president;
Janet Edwards, vice president; Lisa Robinzine,
secretary-treasurer.

I am so excited to welcome LEFA local!! Woohoo!!

Saturday  |  April 1  |  10-11 a.m. Paper Cuts: Understanding Microaggressions in the Workplace Microaggressions can cause discord in the workplace and prevent ESPs from doing their personal best in schools with their students and colleagues. Participants will learn what they are, when they happen, how they contribute to creating toxic work cultures along with strategies to reduce their occurrence. We will have clear conversations about microaggressions to create deeper and meaningful collaboration among ESPs and their colleagues. Facilitator: Linda Matsumoto Linda is an ESP Council member, Ethnic Minority Representative and this year’s Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award recipient. An educator in Region 41, Linda is also an Asian American advocate who presents AAPI history workshops at IEA and NEA conferences.

Summer Leadership Registration Now Open!

Summer Leadership will be held July 24-27, 2023 in-person at Illinois State University at the Bone Student Center and the Alumni Center in Normal, IL.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE-Apply for the scholarship on the registration website – or – request funding through your region.

2023 Summer Leadership
July 24-27, 2023 Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Application Deadline:  June 16, 2023
Scholarship: $375.00

A wide-range of professional development sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoon, July 25 and Wednesday morning, July 26. Summer Leadership Retreats will be offered Wednesday, July 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Organizing School will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. So please sign up for any number of sessions that meet your needs.

Register now at the discounted rate of $42.50. The rate will go up to $85.00 on May 1 and up to the full conference rate of $125.00 on July 1!

You are invited to attend our next Education Support Professional Council Meeting.

The ESP Council has their next Council meeting scheduled on Saturday, April 15 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Illinois Education Association Professional Development Center, 3440 Liberty Dr. Springfield, IL 62704 DIRECTIONS Stay for an hour or for the whole day.

All local education support professionals are invited! Lunch will be served at noon. Join us to learn more about your ESP Council and to bring your voice to the table as we advocate for education support members and bring rESPect.

Please RSVP by Monday, April 13 to arlene.criglar@ieanea.org to

Request for Proposals IEA One Conference 2023

Please be on the lookout for your Illinois Education Association spring election information. This envelope will give you directions for online voting. Your voice is important so please take a few moments to vote.

The election closes at 4:00 pm Central time Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Congratulations Pamela Johnson!

Paraeducator and Behavior Interventionist from Washington Education Association NEA’s 2023 Education Support Professional of the Year!

#WeLoveOurESPs #ESP2023 #rESPect

Last night at the graduation of the NEA ESPLI Class of 2023 and recognition of Dr. Hazel Loucks. What an amazing night! Congratulations to all the graduates .

#NeaEsp #MtaEsp#EawEsp #Esp2023 #WeLoveOurESPs #NeaEspConference2023 #rESPect#ESP #EducationSupportProfessional #Educators #Seattle #WashingtonState

If you are attending the NEA ESP Conference in Seattle and have a rESPect t-shirt, please bring them and let’s represent rESPect together.

The countdown has begun. In just a few days ESP’s from around the country will be meeting in Seattle, Washington for the 2023 NEA ESP Conference. Are you attending? If so, what are you most looking forward to?

2023 ESP NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Theme: Joy, Justice, Excellence: The Strength of Educators. The Brilliance of Students. The Power of Community.

March 24-26, 2023
Seattle, WA

The purpose of the NEA ESP National conference to grow and strengthen the professional excellence of ESP members working in Pre-K to Higher-Ed through Association-convened, educator-led, and student-centered learning experiences. With multiple interactive workshops to choose from over the course of three days, participants enhance their knowledge and skills to advocate for students and educators, champion racial and social justice, build community relationships, strengthen and grow membership, and sustain stronger local associations, helping members excel in their careers and positively impact student success.  

Join us this summer for training on leadership skills that make a difference for our students, our locals, our schools and our communities.

Summer Leadership will be held July 24-27, 2023 at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Professional development sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoon, July 25 and Wednesday morning, July 26.  Summer Leadership Retreats will be offered Wednesday afternoon, July 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 and Thursday morning, July 27 from 8:30 to 12:00.  The Organizing School will be held on Tuesday, July 25 & 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Early Bird Registration will close, April 30, 2023!

REGISTER NOW

View Agenda 

Request funding to attend here:

Scholarship Form

Wow!! What a fabulous first day of the Illinois Representative Assembly. We heard from fabulous speakers, listened and debated several New Business Items that will direct and lead our union. We celebrated our new IEA award winners. I presented to a standing room only group of amazing ESP in our Education Support Professional Open Hearing. Then, I had the opportunity to present for an impromptu group when their presenter was unable to present. I had a great time and felt like we had a really beneficial discussion! Last but not least I gave an update on rESPect to 1100 of my closest union friends. 🙂 Wooo…long day!

Day two is off to a great start!! A lot more business will be accomplished.

Great things are happening here in Illinois.

Today Debra Ward Mitchell, 2022 NEA ESP of the Year and IEA Vice-Chair on the Education Support Professional Council spoke in front of the Illinois Labor and Commerce Committee on behalf of HB2784. With a vote of 17 in favor and 8 opposed the committee moved our bill out of committee. We still have a ways to go…but we are one fabulous step closer to getting this bill passed.

Thank you, to everyone who supported HB2784! In two and a half days we rallied and our members came through with 678 witness slips in support of raising the ESP minimum wage.

This Wednesday legislators are bringing our bill, HB2784, on raising the ESP minimum wage up for a vote. Create a witness slip to show support and help push this forward.

Last night the rESPect Legislative Team had a very informative meeting regarding creating witness slips to support legislation. The IEA Lobbyists Unique Mickens and ShiAnne Shively walked us through step-by-step directions for creating a “Witness Slip” on the Illinois General Assembly website. The attached video and PowerPoint show’s how you can help us support House Bill 2784. Please share this with your members. This is IEA’s Legislation that would set a minimum ESP hourly rate at $20 for the 2023-24 school year, $21 for the 2024-25 school year and $22 for the 2025-26 school year.

Click here – Click Create Witness Slip, Scroll to HB 2784, click the pencil on the right. Review attachments for additional supports to complete.

Need your help and support now

HB2784 will be in committee on Wednesday, March 8th. In order to show a LOT of interest in this bill we need YOUR help TODAY or by the end of session TOMORROW. It was mentioned in the meeting that this is normal to collect witness slips a couple days before the proposal.

You can copy the recording information below and share with others

https://ieanea-org.zoom.us/rec/share/_TvKeRr5punx71gEVXEyzNs65yWOpPKm_tsqF6a97dBU_YsWnUcEzeVbFtYtdLtj.5tixXrC3y6Phbopi
Passcode: 1.mCtH8Q

Urgent Action Needed!

This Wednesday, legislators are bringing the IEA’s bill, HB2784, up for a vote in House Commerce & Labor Committee. We need YOUR help to get this bill passed! Join IEA lobbyist Unique Mickens for a training on how to fill out witness slips and support this critical legislation.

Congratulations to three new Education Support Professional locals!

• Red Bud Education Support Professionals (Region 4)
• Minooka Education Association (Region 51)
• Brussels Support Staff Association (Region 6)

Congratulations to a growing local!

• SPEED Education Support Association (Region 55), is now more than 120 members strong!

When was the last time you visited the Education Support Professional page on the IEA website?

This site has so many resources and so much information to support you and your local…from:

• Organizing Toolkit
• Privatization/Subcontracting and the Law
• Professional Development
• ESP Bargaining Resources
• ESP Star and ESP of the Year awards
• My favorites…connecting you with the ESP Council and rESPect Campaign
• SO MUCH MORE!!

Spring officially begins on March 20th

Happy Friday!!!!

Wow, this has been a crazy, but amazing week! 4 rESPect presentations (3 in-person and 1 virtual). I love advocating for education support professionals. It’s time we all get rESPect!

Join today

If you would like a member from the rESPect Campaign to come to your region or local association and present on rESPect, please contact, Dave Vitoff at dave.vitoff@ieanea.org

With teacher shortages all over the state and nation, education support professionals have been stepping in to help fill the gap yet again. This time as we step up it may have negative affects on our future by affecting our pensions. Join the webinar this Saturday to learn how and what we’re doing about it.

Time/Virtual

Saturday, February 25

10 – 11am CST

Join from anywhere

I can not express how important it is for ALL IEA educational support professionals to receive this newsletter. You should be receiving it in your email inbox regularly. It is filled with important information, including celebrations, trainings, updates, and so much more. Do you ever wonder what your union does for you? This is a great place to see. If you aren’t getting your ESP Insider, please check your spam folder. Then contact IEA Connect to further assist you. It could be as simple as updating your email address in their system.

I try to share as much as I can on this site…but truth is, sometimes I may miss something and I do NOT want you to miss out on ANYTHING!

We would love to hear from you and the exciting things you do in your local. Let’s celebrate your members/local accomplishments. If you would like to post something in the Insider please send it to Arlene.Criglar@ieanea.org .

We have three webinars scheduled specifically for education support professionals. Join us as we discuss important issues, learn how we are advocating for members, and celebrate the amazing things that you do every day. Click the links below to register.

• Scheduling ESP Council virtual meeting/Roundtables:
  • February 25, 2023 RESPECT Campaign/Sub Certification and the impact on IMRF
    • https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/550175/
  • April 3 IEA RA Recap/RESPECT Campaign
    • https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/550178/
  • May 6, 2023 10am-11am Respect Campaign/ESP Celebrations
    • https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/550181/
• Upcoming council meetings
  • April 15, 2023 – Springfield PDC 
  • June 3, 2023 – Naperville Office

RESPECT | Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on four areas:

Wages – A minimum salary, fair substitute teaching compensation and unemployment insurance

Health insurance – Affordable health insurance for the currently employed and the retired

Pensions – Making the Tier 2 pension system equitable for all education employees

Retention, recruitment and job duties – Tuition reimbursement, Grow Your Own Teacher from ESP to certified, paid family leave, licensing fees relief, quality job-related professional development, “hold harmless” language for assigned duties, appropriate access to IEPs and suitable job duties for ESPs.

Saturday  |  Feb. 25  |  10-11 a.m. Keep Emotions Away from the Table: How to handle the emotional aspect of bargaining In this conversation, we will discuss how emotions impact the bargaining process and how to work with difficult personalities. We will also share techniques one can implement prior to the bargaining process to help create a positive bargaining environment. Lastly, we will discuss how to handle emotions and outbursts that occur at the bargaining table. Facilitator: Crystal Bush, IEA UniServ Director Crystal is the coordinator of support and services for Education Support Professionals, highly experienced as a negotiator and has taught contract law to college students. Register here!

Saturday  |  March 4  |  10-11 a.m. Afraid of Public Speaking? Anyone can do it! Participants will learn how to enhance their public speaking skills and strategies for creating a winning presentation. In order to enhance our learning, each participant will be coached on a brief presentation for feedback and positive tips. Facilitator: Ryan Danzinger Ryan was an IEA ESP member, middle school teacher and graduate of the NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow training. He coached the John Hersey High School Debate team for 16 years, winning three state championships. Register here!

Saturday  |  April 1  |  10-11 a.m. Paper Cuts: Understanding microaggressions in the workplace Microaggressions can cause discord in the workplace and prevent ESPs from doing their personal best in schools with their students and colleagues. Participants will learn what they are, when they happen, and how they contribute to creating toxic work cultures along with strategies to reduce their occurrence. We will have clear conversations about micro-aggressions to create deeper and meaningful collaboration among ESPs and their colleagues. Facilitator: Linda Matsumoto Linda is an IEA ESP Council member, Ethnic Minority representative and educator from region 41. She is also an Asian American advocate who presents AAPI history workshops at IEA and NEA conferences. Register here.

Wednesday  |  April 12  |  6:30-7:30 p.m. Get Your MIND Right! Join us for an intimate conversation on meditation and mindfulness. Listen, share and adopt strategies that best meet your personal and professional needs. Facilitator: Hanifah Ross Hanifah is an IEA Instructional Resource and Professional Development Director with more than 25 years of educational experience serving as a classroom teacher, dean of students, and program coordinator. Hanifah specializes in program development, creating restorative practice-infused programs and professional development focused on improving the attendance, behavior and academic performance of at-risk-of-not-graduating high school students. Register here!

Wednesday  |  April 19  |  6:30-7:30 p.m. You’re a member, now what?  – Understand the structure of the IEA? In this training, participants will learn about the structure of the IEA with a focus on the role and relationships between staff and governance. Participants will also learn various ways to become involved at the state level including participating on state level committees. This is an ideal workshop for newer members who want to learn more about the inner workings of the IEA. Facilitator: Amy Evans Amy is a K-4 Educational Support Professional in Canton School District where she works as a reading aide. Amy is co-president of her local, an IEA Region chair and a member of the IEA Board of Directors. Register here!

Thursday  |  April 20  |  6:30-7:30 p.m. Van Gogh “Starry Night” Paint & Sip In this session, we will put “mindfulness” in action. Artist DeSande R. will walk you through a watercolor painting on Van Gogh’s Starry Night. A list of suggested materials will be sent to you prior to the event. Join us with a glass of wine or your favorite evening beverage as we enjoy a relaxing evening of painting and lively discussions. Facilitator: DeSande R. DeSande is an art professor at John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL where she has been teaching for more than 20 years. DeSande received her Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from SIU Carbondale in 2002. Register here!