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“I had a growing interest in politics and how unions help support educators and students, and I was looking for opportunities to be active in my association. I campaigned at some #RedForEd events at our statehouse, and I worked with my local on membership recruitment. Then I learned that the Ward 1 School Committee seat, which is where I live, was open. I ran for office for the first time and won!

I’m a parent, and I have a 5-year-old who attends school in that district. I really wanted to add an educator voice to the school committee. I built my confidence to run by attending See Educators Run, NEA’s candidate training program.

The program connected me with a community of individuals that were all seeking the same thing: to win their campaign. The diversity within the community helped us become aware of opportunities and challenges a campaign can face.

It’s important for educators to hold office. I come into school every day, and I see kids who need a hug. I see kids who need a change of clothes. I see kids who really need a minute to decompress from their weekends. I think what’s really important is that teachers feel supported, that teachers have the necessary tools to do their jobs and take care of students and make sure they have a safe learning place.

There are some hard conversations that we need to have about some of the racial bullying incidents and other tensions in the community. In this new role, my goal is to bring everyone to the table and collaboratively find ways to solve some of these problems.

People who want change need to step up and do. People can either accept what they have or they can try to make that change. I think that everybody needs to come together. Whether it is a small input or a large input, everybody has something to contribute, which is why getting involved in the union and politics is critical.”

Rose Walker, Elementary Paraeducator, Lewistown, ME #NEAMemberMondays

We are stronger when we work together, and joining your local union is the best way to advocate for the children you will one day serve.

Visit our interest form and join our movement: https://bit.ly/2K20O4W

As debate over reopening schools intensifies, NEA recently took questions from its members to address the unprecedented challenges facing educators and students. With the new school year less than two months away, educators are working in overdrive to figure out the best and safest ways to continue instruction for our country’s students.

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Thank you!!

Thank you to all who attend this mornings ESP Roundtable: ESP Reduction in Force (RIF) – What you Need to Know with special guest Rob Lyons, IEA Associate General Counsel. Please join us for next months roundtable: ESPs Health and Safety as we return to in-person instruction. More information on this will come in the near future.

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The White House is blocking US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield and other officials from the agency from testifying before a House Education and Labor Committee hearing on reopening schools next week, just as the debate over sending children back to classrooms has flared up across the US.

White House officials informed the committee of its decision in an email, a staff member on the House panel told CNN.

“Dr. Redfield has testified on the Hill at least four times over the last three months. We need our doctors focused on the pandemic response,” a White House official said, confirming the decision to block the CDC’s participation in the hearing.

Join us next week for a webinar on how to effectively use video conferencing platforms to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues and students.
Register here👉 https://bit.ly/3fDcj0G

Does your region need support with upcoming new employee orientations? Would a refresher on the Stronger United toolkit resources be helpful to you? What will we do differently in a virtual environment to sign up new members and keep returning members engaged?

The Stronger United Recruitment, Retention and Engagement (SU RRE) team is pleased to announce a series of virtual trainings this week and next, to help locals with reaching potential members, recruitment and organizing. The content of these trainings is different than that provided by IEA membership processing to region offices for membership manias. Topics include best practices for new hire orientations, an ESP specific round table, the power of one-on-one conversations and more! Training dates and descriptors can be found on the registration page. Deadline to register is July 21. The ideal participant in the training is a local membership chair, member organizer, president, welcome committee member, or other member looking to get more involved with their local. Please contact IEAStronger@ieanea.org if you have any questions about the trainings.

Register Today!

Tips & Tricks on How to Effectively Utilize Video Conferencing Platforms

Thursday, July 23, 2020 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm EST

Unprecedented times call for creative ways to stay connected with family, friends, colleagues and students. In this webinar participants will learn how to effectively utilize video conferencing platforms. Learnings will include customizing settings using Zoom or Google Meets, adding add-ons to enhance user experience on the Google Meets platform, understanding the difference in features when using a computer versus a tablet or mobile device, and learning how to access virtual meetings from your Gmail account. 

Presenter(s):
Sabina Ellis, Data Entry Manager, NJEA- Essex County

Register Now!

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

Thursday, August 20, 2020 | 7:00pm – 8:00pm EST

It takes a whole village to support a whole child, and the strain on our school communities, including our education support professionals, is unprecedented. In this webinar, Dr. Chris Cipriano, Assistant Professor and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, will provide social and emotional learning (SEL) strategies to support ESPs within the school ecosystem to navigate the challenging emotions of these rapidly evolving times. Participants will have the opportunity to explore their complex feelings surrounding the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and learn strategies for harnessing emotions to cope in healthy and productive ways. Resources for building resilience will be provided and tips for practicing self-care will be tailored to support the unique needs identified by participants.

Presenter(s):
Christina Cipriano, Ph.D., Ed.M., Assistant Professor, Yale Child Study Center Director of Research, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Yale School of Medicine

Register Now!

ESP EMPOWERMENT ROUNDTABLE

ESP Reduction in Force (RIF) – What you Need to Know

Rob Lyons, IEA Associate General Counsel Saturday | July 18 | 10–11:30 a.m.

Attention education support professionals: You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s first roundtable with special guest Rob Lyons who can answer some of your most pressing RIF questions.

Please join us as we learn, discover and advocate for ESP throughout Illinois. Your ESP Council is here to support you during this trying time and beyond. If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit http://www.ieaespcouncil.com.

Join the Zoom Meeting ID: 361 562 2707 Password: 4dkz5f