We have ALWAYS been essential!!
NEA Digital Learning Series: Two Webinars Listed Below
As you know, digital learning has become our new norm. As partners in this work, we are still committed to providing useful resources that will assist you and your team with planning key organizing tactics to help increase membership virtually.
NEA is launching the Digital Learning Series with the two webinars listed below.
May 12: In this webinar, learn to deploy a best-practice membership form to support organizing across different platforms. Together with C4O staff, OGC counsel Jeff Burritt and Maryann Parker will establish the urgency of the moment in terms of both organizing goals and litigation threats. We will review top priorities for membership applications, including the new NEA model form, and cover general legal principles for online membership and payment authorization systems. The webinar also will feature organizers and lawyers from state associations that have created systems for recruiting members virtually.
May 19: Now more than ever, strong public sector unions depend on their members. It is essential to meet and organize prospective members as early as possible. Accessing and maintaining up-to-date information on all employees represented by the Local Association is an essential building block to a strong and effective organization. This session will walk participants through the List Acquisition Toolkit and provide best practices that Affiliates are using in the field.
It’s not too late. Registration for the Year-Round Organizing Digital Learning Series is still open to all local leaders, state staff, and those responsible for organizing at the state and local level.
Please click the link below to register.
Below is the list of the entire series and dates:
- May 12: Resilience: We can Organize and Thrive in a Virtual
Environment (Hosted by the NEA Office of General Counsel)
- May 19: Strengthening your List Acquisition & Cleaning your Data
- May 26: Maximizing Online and Digital Recruitment Strategies
- June 2: Ensuring Success for Member Organizers in a Virtual Environment
- June 9: Digital 1:1 Conversations: Best Practices, Choosing and Using the Best
Tools
- June 16: Virtual New Employee Orientations
- June 23: Building Mapping for Power
- June 30: Virtual Issue Organizing
- Volunteer to share your ideas and plans: If your affiliate has begun to think through these issues and you are willing to share examples on a national webinar related to the topics above, please email us at Glueteam@nea.org. We need case studies, materials, and resources to share with our colleagues across the nation.
- Access our Resources: Go to www.nea.org/newedresources and request access. You will need these materials during the webinar.
- Engage and Prepare Your Locals: Begin having conversations with your UniServ Directors, Local Associations, and school districts to plan for a virtual Back to School season or at least one with social distancing limits in place. It will be essential to ensure your union’s access to any platform that school systems utilize to communicate and onboard new and veteran employees. In addition, securing your employee bargaining lists with personal email addresses and cell phone numbers will be imperative to following up with each member and potential member.
These are unprecedented times, but we believe with a little bit of planning and ingenuity, our union can thrive in this new environment. We’ve got a new reality – let’s leverage it to win for our members, our students, and our communities.
Remote learning prep clock hours, new online learning portal experience
| JUST ANNOUNCED! IEA is providing professional development clock hours to members for completion of PD activities in preparation for remote learning. Video message from IEA President Kathi Griffin Remote Learning PD Clock Hour Request Form |
| Hello Friend, The Illinois Education Association strives to offer you free, high-quality online professional development that fits your needs and is available on-demand to fit your changing schedule. |
| To help you gather the ISBE clock hours you need to renew your license, we’re excited to announce that on Monday, May 18, we will launch our new platform! The new platform has one-click sorting to quickly find course-by-course categories or course tags. |
| Are you actively using the IEA Online Learning Portal now? Don’t worry, you’ll continue to have access to the legacy platform until June 2. To help ease the transition, during the week of May 15 you can expect to receive an email with your course completion certificates for all courses completed as of April 30. If you complete a course after April 30, please download and save the course completion certificates as you complete them. We’re so looking forward to offering you this updated platform as a benefit of your membership. Thank you so much for all you’re doing for our students. We’re so glad you’re an IEA member. |
Webinar Opportunity
Cleaning Schools to Control for Viruses and Bacteria: Maintaining Healthy Indoor Learning Environments
Registration is Open!
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM EDT
Please note, audio will not be available through the webinar portal. You must call in by phone to access the audio. Details are provided after registration.
Cleaning for health, using effective and efficient products, policies and practices, has always been the first line of defense for schools when it comes to controlling the spread of infectious disease and providing healthy, safe and productive indoor learning environments. This webinar is designed to help school district facilities and custodial staff put action plans in place to meet modern day environmental health challenges, while maintaining good indoor environmental quality, ensuring staff safety and protecting occupant health.
During this webinar, our expert speakers will:
· Explain some of the most effective methods and strategies for cleaning schools to control for viruses and bacteria, while preserving a healthy indoor learning environment.
· Introduce preliminary findings from new research on the link between cleaning practices and occupant health in schools.
· Explore proven strategies, approaches, and resources used by thousands of schools across the country to implement effective healthy cleaning practices as part of a comprehensive IAQ management plan.
ESPs Making A Difference Today and Everyday!
Thank you for all you do!! ESPs from all across the country have been doing everything they can to support our students and families. Thank you!! You have always been essential to the success of our students. ESPs are rising up all across the country not only supporting students in the virtual classrooms but supporting whole communities through this trying time.
As you scroll through these pictures posted from the National Education Association, you will see some of our very own ESP heroes from Illinois. Please add pictures of you and your colleagues in the comments below of the work you are doing on the front lines during this Covid-19 pandemic. Always remember, #StrongerUnited, #rESPect,
ESP Insider Update
| IEA Stand Strong Even though you might feel alone, we are all standing together. Watch our new video! IEA 4@4IEA President Kathi Griffin and IEA Executive Director Audrey Soglin answer your questions. Tune in for the 4@4 every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. (There will not be a 4@4 on Thurs., April 30 due to the IEA Tele Town Hall at 4 p.m. The next 4@4 will be Tues., May 5.) |
| Don’t miss these upcoming events for ESPs! |
| Thurs., April 30, 4 p.m. IEA Tele Town Hall: Join IEA President Kathi Griffin and special guest, State School Superintendent Carmen Ayala, Ph.D. You should receive a call to join, or go to ieanea.org/live at 4 p.m. Thurs., April 30, 6 p.m. NEA Webinar: COVID-19 sick leave, family leave and unemployment benefits Thurs., May 7, 6 p.m. NEA Webinar: School meal policy in the COVID-19 era |
| Two quick surveys Your input is important to us! Please take a few minutes and respond to both surveys:Interest Survey: Please complete this three-question survey. Your local wants to know your interests to ensure you receive the resources, supports and communications that most interest you. Thanks for participating! Do you know an unsung ESP he/shero? Tell us about that person! |
| Ohio paraprofessional named ESP of the Year |
 Congratulations Andrea Beeman, 2020 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year! NEA Today: ESP of the Year offers guidance, advocacy during crisis |
| ESP STAR Award |
| Nominate an ESP member today! Use the online nomination form to nominate a special ESP member. A video can be included along with the reasons why the local association president or member of the IEA Board of Directors has nominated the member for an ESP STAR award. Nominees must be a current ESP member of IEA. |
| ESP reporter form |
| We are working to recognize ESP contributions and actions through the ESP Insider. When you participate in an event involving ESPs or hear of such an event, please complete the ESP Insider Reporter form. |
| ESP Council news SAVE THE DATE! The council is planning to host a virtual ESP Assembly/Council meeting on Sat., June 13, 10 a.m. to noon. More information will be forth coming on how to join using your computer or phone. All ESP members are welcome to participate. |
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| Stay connected with other ESPs:IEA ESP Council websiteIEA ESP websiteESP Professional Caucus on FacebookESP Connections on Facebook |
 Letter to ESPs from Jill Scarcelli, IEA ESP Council secretary From my heart to yours… |
| ESPs support students during the COVID-19 crisis |
| ESP members from Troy School District 30c volunteered to help distribute Chrome Books to families for their children to use during remote learning. |
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| More on COVID-19 from NEANEA Today: School nurses join fight against Coronavirus NEA Education Policy: Coronavirus and schools NEA to Congress: Put people first to alleviate suffering caused by COVID-19 NEA RA: NEA to host 2020 Representative Assembly virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| Stay at home shopping essentials Check out the member guide with offers and links from Access (an IEA Partner). |
| All in Illinois Go to allinillinois.org to hear heartfelt messages and watch short video clips from your favorite Illinoisans. Join IEA and take the pledge to being All In! |
| Other news IEA Connect is here to help! Contact IEA Connect by phone at 1-844-432-1800, live chat or email, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2020 U.S. Census is happening NOW! The Census is safe, important and necessary. The Census questionnaire can be completed online, by phone or by email. SCORE Grants Information and online application link. Deadline to apply is July 15. Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) This year’s SLA, July 20-22, will be a virtual, on-line event. Watch for further details. Save the date! IEA One Conference, Oct. 2-3, Oak Brook |
TOMORROW!! – Webinar: COVID-19 sick leave, family leave, and unemployment benefits
The webinar takes place tomorrow, 4/30 at 7 pm EDT.
Join NEA’s Office of General Counsel for an informative webinar about your rights to new paid sick and family leave benefits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
We’ll also discuss expanded benefits under unemployment insurance programs for workers who have had their hours reduced or have lost employment due to the pandemic.
Note: Although we cannot give you legal advice on your specific situation, we will answer questions about the new benefits and educator rights under these federal laws. To cover the most relevant information possible, please submit a question when you register so our team can tailor the presentation. Any questions submitted during the webinar will be recorded with the intent to answer in future webinars or NEA online resources.
Link to Register: https://www.mobilize.us/nea/event/269730/?utm_source=EdAction0428&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=covid19
Don’t Miss This and All 4@4 with IEA President Kathi Griffin and Executive Director Audrey Soglin
4@4: Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Illinois Education Association · On today’s IEA 4@4 we answer your questions about the school year ending early, clock hours, the Illinois Department of Aging and about meetings in school buildings.
NOTE: There will not be a posting of IEA 4@4 this Thursday because of the tele-town hall with special guest State Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala, which will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The IEA 4@4 will resume again on Tuesday, May 5. Please leave any questions you have for the 4@4 in the comments below.
NEA/IEA Covid-19 Webinars and More
During these recent months both NEA an IEA have been working tirelessly to provide members with the information necessary to successfully go through this time of virtual learning and uncertainty due to Covid-19. NEA and IEA have been rallying for our rights! They have been a strong voice at tables, bringing our concerns and advocating for our members, helping to make decisions on behalf of ALL of our members. Check back often as webinars, and tele-town halls are being organized often and many happen quickly.
National Education Association
Education Support Professionals Quality (ESPQ) Department
Center for Great Public Schools Webinar
School Meal Policy in the COVID-19 Era
Thursday, May 7, 2020
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Register at
http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/eivdud78dqn9/event/event_info.html
This webinar will explore the policy and practice of feeding hungry children in the midst of an epidemic. What intelligent and pressing advocacy has the NEA Government Relations engaged in? How have food service workers met the challenges in spite of obstacles and risks? NEA lobbyist, Christin Driscoll, NEA New Mexico Director of Instruction and Professional Learning, Ignacio Sanchez, and Angelica Castañon, Senior Policy Analyst with NEA’s Education Policy and Practice, will lead this timely and lively discussion.
PRESENTER(S):
Christin Driscoll, NEA Lobbyist
Angelica Castañon, Senior Policy Analyst, NEA’s Education Policy and Practice
Ignacio Sanchez, NEA New Mexico Director of Instruction and Professional Learning
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
NEA affiliate leaders, staff, members and partners. All interested parties are welcome. You are encouraged to forward this invite to your partners, leaders and other team members.
FACILITATOR(S):
Tim Barchak, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst
Jessica Brinkley, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst
Questions? Contact Jessica Brinkley at jdbrinkley@nea.org.
For more ESP professional development opportunities, visit www.nea.org/esppd
Also-Join Kathi Griffin this Thursday for a Tele-Town Hall
Please join State School Superintendent Carmen Ayala, Ph.D., and me for a tele town hall on Thurs., April 30, from 4 to 5 p.m. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about remote learning, certification, evaluations and anything else involving PreK-12 education in Illinois.
IEA members should receive a call on Wednesday around 4 p.m. as a reminder of the tele town hall. The caller ID should show IL Education from 217-203-0491. For the actual event, members should receive another call beginning before 4 p.m. on Thursday. Simply answer the call and you will be connected. If for any reason a call does not come through, members can still join the tele town hall at 4 p.m. Thursday by going to ieanea.org/live.
Thank you and we look forward to having you join us for the tele town hall on Thursday.
Be well,
Kathi Griffin
IEA President
ESP and the Covid Crisis: The Next Response Webinar
JOIN US
NEA Education Support Professional Quality & NEA Center for Organizing
ESPs and the COVID Crisis: The Next Response
Monday, 4/27
7:00–8:15 pm Eastern Standard Time
As states decide to keep school campuses closed and the federal government proposes a plan for reopening the country, there is much uncertainty about the next school year. And while we grapple with the current crisis, we need to think about what’s next. What will the school year look like this Fall? What can we do now to prepare as the crisis continues? Join us as we share strategies through legislative action, member advocacy, organizing, and professional development so we can ensure ESPs are there next year to help build back students’ lives.
Presenting
- Rae Nwosu, President, National Council of Education Support Professionals (NCESP), TX
- Brent McKim, President, National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA), KY
- Andrea Beeman, 2020 NEA ESP of the Year, OH
- Arizona Education Association
- Association of Salem Keizer Education Support Professionals, Oregon Education Association
- Northshore Education Association, Washington Education Association
- NEA Government Relations
- NEA Center for Bargaining and Member Advocacy
Please click the link below to join the webinar on 4/27 at 7:00 pm EST:
https://zoom.us/j/99137314466?pwd=cHNobDZLeEo2THJDT0Q3cjJrem9DQT09
Password: 145713
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13126266799,,99137314466#,,#,145713# or +16465588656,,99137314466#,,#,145713#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 991 3731 4466
Password: 145713
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/am4kud6yQ
IEA Education Support Professional Council 