PASS202

IEA Insider News

NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow graduates

Kathy Johnson (Springfield School District 186, IEA Region 11) and Jenn Lattimore (Special Education DuPage, IEA Region 57) recently completed a year of intense leadership training and received their certificates of completion at this year’s NEA ESP Conference in Dallas.
Congratulations Kathy and Jenn!​
Kathy Johnson receiving certificate of completion.
Jenn Lattimore receiving certificate of completion.

Chair and vice chair elected to ESP Council

Alex Wallace, a bus driver for Oswego Community Unit School District 308, IEA Region 65, has been elected chair of the ESP Council.

Patricia “Pat” Hendrix was elected ESP Council vice chair. Hendrix is a special ed paraeducator and job coach for Grundy County special ed coop, IEA Region 15.

Human and Civil Rights conference – June 9-11

Plan to attend the inaugural NEA Ethnic Caucus Symposium in Las Vegas. Please note: This symposium will be a substitute for our yearly NEA Hispanic Issues conference and will be hosted by the various NEA ethnic caucuses.

The Ethnic Caucus Symposium is a joint effort to educate our organizational constituency about the systemic patterns of inequity that continue to disenfranchise communities of color in the United States.

Click here for additional information and online registration.

Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)

July 24-28, Illinois State University, Normal. Hundreds of Illinois Education Association leaders (elected, appointed, emerging and aspiring) will gather together this summer for training on leadership skills and abilities that make a difference for our students, our schools and our communities.

Funding request application available on the IEA website.

On the afternoon of July 26, two volunteer service projects will be held in conjunction with SLA. Please vote for the two that most interest you.

Grassroots Political Activists (GPA) program

Learn more about becoming a GPA by contacting your UniServ Director or visiting the IEA website for information and an application. Deadline to apply is July 10.

Training and facilitation opportunities available

ESP career trade buttons

Profile: Lyons Township paraeducator Dan McCarthy
Dan McCarthy is one of Lyons Township High School’s (LTHS) greatest assets, says Mary Ann Rivera, Lyons Township Paraeducators Association co-president.

“Dan is always willing to help a colleague or student, regardless of the task.”

McCarthy, who has been reassigned numerous times, meets each assignment with a smile and accepts every challenge with an open mind and heart.

According to Rivera, Dan’s commitment to LTHS extends well beyond the end of the school day; he donates his time to countless after-school activities such as board game club, bowling, archery and dances.
“Without Dan, many students would be excluded from extracurricular activities that give them a sense of belonging and pride.

Dan’s dedication, positivity and strong work ethic make him an integral and invaluable part of the community at LTHS,” Rivera said.

Members honored at Region 54 appreciation dinner

Region 54 held an appreciation dinner on April 24 in Rockford. Honored for their service to their local and region are left to right: Nancy Palmer, school nurse and Huntley ESPA secretary; Chris Karn, Huntley ESPA co-vice president and region representative; and Tammra Fabis, Huntley ESPA president.

Join the Illinois Educators Action Network

Work on the issues that excite you!

IEA One Conference Oct. 20-21 in Oak Brook

Other important dates

  • Jun. 9-11 – NEA Ethnic Caucus Symposium: Human and Civil Rights conference, Las Vegas
  • Jun. 28-29 – The 2017 NEA Conference on Racial and Social Justice (formally known as the Joint Conference of Concerns of Minorities and Women), Boston
  • Jun. 30-Jul. 5 – NEA Representative Assembly, Boston
  • Jul. 24-28 – Summer Leadership Academy (SLA), Normal

For information:

May is member appreciation month!
NEA Member Benefits

Quick links

IEA Connect is here to help

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  |  Monday – Friday
Contact an IEA Connect specialist by phone, email or live chat.
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ASKING FOR YOUR HELP

We have recently been informed that one of our members is in need of our help. Jennifer Small, head custodian at Bonnie McBeth/District Office, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon cancer this past October. She has since undergone surgery to remove the cancer from her colon as well as a portion of her liver. She tried to return to work in March while undergoing chemotherapy but was told by her medical team that trying to go back to work due to the nature of her job was not in her best interest at this time.

The family is asking for your help to defray the costs incurred for the COBRA insurance to cover her medical expenses. They have set up a GOFUNDME page to help raise money to pay for the coverage. Their goal is to raise $10,000 and so far they have had commitments for over $2,000. Here’s the link to that page: https://www.gofundme.com/jennifer-smalls-cancer-fund

We ask that you help our member in any way you can. Please donate what you can to help her and her family out during this difficult time. As of this date they do not know when she will be able to return to work.

Thank you for any help you can give,

Your Executive Board

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Board of Education Members

The Board of Education on Monday night seated its new members and elected its officers. The district is updating the Board info on the web site but I wanted to share this information with you now:

 

The Board of Education now comprises:

Board 0517

Front Row Seated from left to right:

Secretary David Koch, President Greg Nichols and Vice President Kevin Kirberg

Back Row left to right:

Rod Westfall, Heather Drake, Bob Smith and Dr. Michael Robey

 

PASS202

BASH Update

  The deadline for RSVPing for the End of Year Bash is now Wednesday nite. Please -email Fun4pass202@gmail.com if you want to go. Date is Friday May 12th from 7-10 pm @ Giovans in Crest Hill. Dinner and dance. $10 each and members get theirs back at the door. Feel free to bring a guest.