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I received this in my email and wanted to share it with you. Hello IEA Member! The Illinois Education Association has received a generous grant from the NEA to start IEA Educator Voice Academies across the state. The goal of the EVAs is to identify, elevate and implement effective educational policies that can positively impact our students, our schools and our profession. The statewide EVA steering committee will be selecting and supporting Educator Voice Fellows in every IEA office across the state. Every EVA Fellow will receive an organizing stipend and a micro-credential that could qualify them for local salary advancement based on their local collective bargaining agreement. We are excited to announce that we are accepting applications for Educator Voice Academy Fellows for the 2024-25 school year. Applications will be accepted through May 31, but take a moment to apply now, as we will be starting to reach out to applicants about next steps. Thanks for all you do!

APPLY NOW!

A note from the Regional Office of Education!

As we approach licensure renewal season starting April 1st, please remind your Professional Educators, ELS-CTE, Substitutes, and Paraprofessionals to check their license expiration date. 

Renewal season begins April 1, 2024, for those with an expiration date of 6/30/2024.

Professional Educator License

ELS-CTE

SUB License

PARA License

For Professional Educator License (PEL) holders, ensure:

• Professional Development requirements are up to date.
• Employment status is verified and updated.

Thank you!

Join us to help bring rESPect to education support professionals!

Register: APRIL https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592189
 Location: Zoom – Date: April 11th, 2024 – Time: 5:30-7:00

ONE Conference- Request for Proposals Now Open!

The 2024 IEA One Conference will be held on October 18 & 19 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 10, 2024 so please submit session proposals as soon as possible.

Whether your spring break is just beginning or coming to an end, take time to enjoy.

Enjoy Your Spring Break

• Smile because the world is better because you are in it!
• Play a game with friends. Playdates aren’t just for kids.
• Rest, you deserve it!
• Ignore your emails….Ignite a new passion
• Notice the beauty of nature. Go for a walk; look and listen for the beauty of spring.
• Give yourself grace to not be perfect. No one is and who wants that pressure!

• Breathe in your blessings. They are all around us!
• Recharge your mind, soul, and body.
• Erase your worries. Prepared how you can, do what you can, then let go and let God.
• Accentuate the positives. Bad things will happen…it’s inevitable, look for the helpers.
• Keep heart and know that you are essential in the lives of those around you!

Education Support Professionals we need your voice to join an IEA governance committee and/or Board subcommittee. It is important that we have more of an ESP presence and voice at every table where decisions are being made. Interested education support professionals please apply today using the link below.  DEADLINE:  April 1

Opportunities to serve – IEA is seeking interested members for Committee and board subcommittee appointment procedures.  Electronic applications are available on the IEA website until April 1.

All applicants are required to enter their Members Only login information. Any questions, please direct them to Courtney Gillespie

If you are an education employee hired after Jan. 1, 2011, you are enrolled in Tier Two of either the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) or the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Tier two pensions are unfair and inequitable. That is why our union is fighting to Undo Tier 2, and we have filed legislation (Senate Bill 2024) to do so. Graphics and fact sheets available at UndoTier2.org

What a fantastic time at the National Education Association’s Education Support Professional Conference in Las Vegas! So much learning, growing, and opportunities to make new friends and reconnect with old union family! Okay, how many of you like public speaking? Um, my fabulous friend Debra Ward-Mitchell and myself are definitely not fans, but we had several amazing opportunities to present and help facilitate multiple sessions. It was phenomenal!!

I want to encourage each of you to take a step out of your comfort zone. We truly can’t grow if we don’t push ourselves to get a little uncomfortable. You all have a power in side of you that is just waiting for you to release. Join us at our next rESPect meeting in April
https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592189/ The RESPECT Teams need you and your leadership to help us make the changes we need and deserve.