This is a new section to our website. One of the ways of recovering our dues from the State and National level is the sponsorship of our members at local, state and national conferences. Here is where those members who are elected, volunteered or chosen to attend will report on what they learned and hopefully impart some of the knowledge they received. If you are interested in attending any of these future events, please email my office at MatSuCEA@gmail.com
2023 NEA ESP Conference Reports
2023 NEA ESP Conference Reports
The 2023 ESP Conference in Seattle, WA is a must go for all ESP’s! The content was very relatable, fresh, and applicable to Alaska as a state and our students.
I learned as a Union and district we have the resources for grants and really need to utilize those MORE!
I’d like our Union and district to send out interviews, stories, a day on the life of an ESP in our monthly newsletters like another state is doing to raise awareness of our positions.
We are not here because of teachers or any other position, we as ESP’s are here because our support to the students daily education and school life is critical and irreplaceable.
The power of unity is paramount!
Thank You,
Kendra Miner
I learned as a Union and district we have the resources for grants and really need to utilize those MORE!
I’d like our Union and district to send out interviews, stories, a day on the life of an ESP in our monthly newsletters like another state is doing to raise awareness of our positions.
We are not here because of teachers or any other position, we as ESP’s are here because our support to the students daily education and school life is critical and irreplaceable.
The power of unity is paramount!
Thank You,
Kendra Miner
The ESP Conference of 2023 was a great experience, one I would definitely love to do again. And even the pre-conference as well. Most classes were not long enough. The time slots needed to be longer, with a mini break in-between to stretch legs and get some water. The three classes I went to included, Culturally Responsive and Trauma Sensitive, Taking a Stand: Creating Safer Schools, Prioritizing Self Care, and Promoting School Safety and Crisis Preparedness.
In Culturally Responsive and Trauma Sensitive, we learned how to assess situations and different actions we could take to help students. Like if a student is late to class ask them if they are okay or pull them aside later to make sure everything is okay, instead of reminding them to be on time and talking with them in front of the entire class.
Taking a stand: Creating Safer Schools for LGBTQ+. This was pretty self-explanatory, they apologized for barely making it into the presentation with all of the comments they had, and the conversations when they opened it up to commentary on the 1 of 4 scenarios. Respect people’s pronouns, and if you mess up apologize and correct yourself.
Prioritizing Self Care we learned ways to help us with our health while at work. Like taking breaks, taking our lunch and going for walks around the building. Reminding others that this is our non-scheduled work time and to come back in however many minutes to help them. And to just keep reminding them until they respect our boundaries.
Promoting Safety and Crisis Preparedness taught us ways to deescalate students with bad days. We learned what to do in differences between natural disaster preparedness and manmade disaster preparedness. What we can to do be better prepared. How we can make everyone feel safe at school.
I do hope in the future they give the presenter’s longer times in the classes to get through all of the presentation, instead of just getting through 1/4 or 1/2 of the material. I think we would have benefitted more from each class had we the opportunity to hear the endings instead of just the setting up. Most classes got through what the problems are versus how we can help solve them together. The food wasn’t the best, specifically the breakfast, the soupy eggs were not it. All in all the conference was pretty great. I wish I got to go to the preconference. I heard the classes were longer and more information. And I think I would have benefited well with it. I can’t
wait to see the classes they will offer next year. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to attend the ESP Conference and the Delegate Assembly.
Melissa Gregory
In Culturally Responsive and Trauma Sensitive, we learned how to assess situations and different actions we could take to help students. Like if a student is late to class ask them if they are okay or pull them aside later to make sure everything is okay, instead of reminding them to be on time and talking with them in front of the entire class.
Taking a stand: Creating Safer Schools for LGBTQ+. This was pretty self-explanatory, they apologized for barely making it into the presentation with all of the comments they had, and the conversations when they opened it up to commentary on the 1 of 4 scenarios. Respect people’s pronouns, and if you mess up apologize and correct yourself.
Prioritizing Self Care we learned ways to help us with our health while at work. Like taking breaks, taking our lunch and going for walks around the building. Reminding others that this is our non-scheduled work time and to come back in however many minutes to help them. And to just keep reminding them until they respect our boundaries.
Promoting Safety and Crisis Preparedness taught us ways to deescalate students with bad days. We learned what to do in differences between natural disaster preparedness and manmade disaster preparedness. What we can to do be better prepared. How we can make everyone feel safe at school.
I do hope in the future they give the presenter’s longer times in the classes to get through all of the presentation, instead of just getting through 1/4 or 1/2 of the material. I think we would have benefitted more from each class had we the opportunity to hear the endings instead of just the setting up. Most classes got through what the problems are versus how we can help solve them together. The food wasn’t the best, specifically the breakfast, the soupy eggs were not it. All in all the conference was pretty great. I wish I got to go to the preconference. I heard the classes were longer and more information. And I think I would have benefited well with it. I can’t
wait to see the classes they will offer next year. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to attend the ESP Conference and the Delegate Assembly.
Melissa Gregory
Becoming: Your Journey as a leader We learned about what it means to be a leader and how a true leader makes space for others to lead. NEA has a leadership Competency guide to help individuals monitor and map where they are in their current path and what they could do to improve and advance in their effectiveness as a leader. How leaders should warry of volunteering people into roles they are not comfortable with. There was also discussion about true leadership not asking a member or a follower to do a job or task they themselves would not do.
Membership Conversations and Beyond We learned about: How to engage with potential members and answer hard questions. Such as “I don’t agree with NEA’s politics” – The politics is such a small part of what NEA does. No member dues go into political activism. Also, how to listen to and engage with stories of why you are a member. This doesn’t need to be your own story, but can also be a story that you were involved in. It is important to make the “connection” with the potential member. Don’t make it an ongoing sales pitch, but a conversation. Make a clear “Ask” to join.
Clear Concise Compelling CommunicationThis was a difficult workshop. The information came fast and was difficult to follow due to the speed. The take-away for me was stop using unnecessary language and punctuation in communication. You have about 4 seconds of attention in an email before you lose the audience. Use links to more information and use highlights in the beginning of the writing followed by relevant details at the end for those that want the deeper detail.
Chad Swarthout
Matsu CEA member at Large| Rights Committee | Bargaining Chair
NEA Region VII NEA-Alaska Director
Membership Conversations and Beyond We learned about: How to engage with potential members and answer hard questions. Such as “I don’t agree with NEA’s politics” – The politics is such a small part of what NEA does. No member dues go into political activism. Also, how to listen to and engage with stories of why you are a member. This doesn’t need to be your own story, but can also be a story that you were involved in. It is important to make the “connection” with the potential member. Don’t make it an ongoing sales pitch, but a conversation. Make a clear “Ask” to join.
Clear Concise Compelling CommunicationThis was a difficult workshop. The information came fast and was difficult to follow due to the speed. The take-away for me was stop using unnecessary language and punctuation in communication. You have about 4 seconds of attention in an email before you lose the audience. Use links to more information and use highlights in the beginning of the writing followed by relevant details at the end for those that want the deeper detail.
Chad Swarthout
Matsu CEA member at Large| Rights Committee | Bargaining Chair
NEA Region VII NEA-Alaska Director
This year I had an opportunity to attend the National ESP Conference in Seattle, Washington. The theme was Joy, Justice, Excellence: The Strength of Educators. The Brilliance of Students. The Power of Community. While I was there, I took classes on White Fragility and Deconstructing Whiteness. My greatest take-away from these two particular classes was I need to stop being afraid to talk about it.The conversation needs to start now. I also took a couple classes on growth of the ESPs in our community and union. I really liked the idea of Peer mentoring programs (we have all been the new person and we have no idea about anything from logging into the computer to using the curriculum), the 4 pillars for membership (retention, development, engagement and recruitment), and within those 4 pillars how to bring in and keep members. Many ideas were from brainstorming as a whole group, some are examples of what other locals are doing, and some were just dreams.
If you have an opportunity to be a part of this amazing conference please do it!! It is a time for all ESPs to get together and talk. Our people with our people:)
Amanda Johnson:
Member at Large CEA Board of directors, Bargaining team, Legislative Action Team.
If you have an opportunity to be a part of this amazing conference please do it!! It is a time for all ESPs to get together and talk. Our people with our people:)
Amanda Johnson:
Member at Large CEA Board of directors, Bargaining team, Legislative Action Team.
2023 NEA ESP National Conference
I attended the ESP Conference for the first time this year. It was definitely an interesting experience and I hope to attend the next one. My classes were; That’s Not a Union Issue...Or is it?, True Colors of ESPs, Anti-Racist Educator Toolkit: Actions for ALL Educators and Avoiding Burnout with Mindful Self-Care and Self-Compassion. We were asked by our amazing CEA President Rick Morgan to write up something about our experiences and our take away from our workshops. It took me a little time to get this done as I needed to think about what I wanted to say. I want everyone to know it was a whirlwind of sensory experiences. Was it all amazing and life changing .... No it was not. There were some things that I enjoyed so much I didn’t want that workshop to end and others that I did not feel I got much out of it. So here is the synopsis of my take away from each of the workshops I attended.
That’s Not a Union Issue... Or Is it?
Investigating, Analyzing and Addressing Member Concerns
This really is something I am always interested in. As a newer member I am still learning what is and is not a union issue. Things that we think are, are in fact a gripe not a grievance or issue. But this workshop was not great at all. The presenters were ill prepared to actually present this topic. I did actually learn anything about union issues in the workplace. I went in with fairly high expectations and came out knowing no more than I already did. It did start off late due to computer issues so that was not their fault but at that level of presenting you kind of have to expect the unexpected and be better prepared. In the 2 hours though we covered next to nothing and it was more the attendees ran the show rather than the people up front.
True Colors of ESPs
This class I really enjoyed and wish it had been longer or something. I would take it again. This class went by too fast. There was so much to cover and do that it was hard to keep up. If you ever get the chance to do this class, DO IT!! You learn some things about yourself and what you think you are and what you actually are.
Anti-Racist Educator Toolkit: Actions for ALL Educators
This class was very hard for me. I was very uncomfortable and did not feel I could actually say anything. That is how I felt and it wasn’t because of the presenter or anyone in the room. The class is uncomfortable because we don’t always take this type of thing seriously. There are so many factors that go into a subject like this.
People from different backgrounds, age, where you grew up all play a factor in this. It is totally on me how I felt in this class. Why? I honestly don’t know why I felt that way at the time. The presenter was AMAZING, she knew what she was presenting and how
she wanted to do it. The only thing I didn’t agree with was when she asked for the whitest song someone could think of and someone said “Ice, Ice Baby”, I think that is pretty darn white. They played something else instead. I learned that norm is no longer used. I am still not sure why exactly it’s not a term to use. This goes back to individuals and just who we are. I try my best to not fall into a racist term or slang but I don’t know all the right words. Luckily the middle schoolers at my school are very forgiving and always willing to help me be the best person for them I can be.
Avoiding Burnout with Mindful Self-Care and Self-Compassion
This was my last workshop at this event. It was the best thing I could have picked to end the conference. At this point I was a little burnt out and just had so much going on in my head. We have to take time for ourselves. Don’t give up that free time at work if you are in a position that gives breaks and lunches. Take your break and your lunch. Leave the building if you have to or just let co-workers, students, parents or whoever know that hey this is my break time or this is my lunch time and I can get back to you after. Just remember to take that time for yourself and talk to others if you are having a hard day. I am lucky to not only work with my best friend everyday but also my oldest daughter. They are always there to listen if I am just having trouble letting something go that happened that day or week or month. Take the time for yourself and don’t let anyone begrudge you that. I highly recommend taking this class and that you attend union conferences. During this class I painted a rock and a coaster. It was just relaxing to do this.
Charlie Weaver
WMS Building Representative
I attended the ESP Conference for the first time this year. It was definitely an interesting experience and I hope to attend the next one. My classes were; That’s Not a Union Issue...Or is it?, True Colors of ESPs, Anti-Racist Educator Toolkit: Actions for ALL Educators and Avoiding Burnout with Mindful Self-Care and Self-Compassion. We were asked by our amazing CEA President Rick Morgan to write up something about our experiences and our take away from our workshops. It took me a little time to get this done as I needed to think about what I wanted to say. I want everyone to know it was a whirlwind of sensory experiences. Was it all amazing and life changing .... No it was not. There were some things that I enjoyed so much I didn’t want that workshop to end and others that I did not feel I got much out of it. So here is the synopsis of my take away from each of the workshops I attended.
That’s Not a Union Issue... Or Is it?
Investigating, Analyzing and Addressing Member Concerns
This really is something I am always interested in. As a newer member I am still learning what is and is not a union issue. Things that we think are, are in fact a gripe not a grievance or issue. But this workshop was not great at all. The presenters were ill prepared to actually present this topic. I did actually learn anything about union issues in the workplace. I went in with fairly high expectations and came out knowing no more than I already did. It did start off late due to computer issues so that was not their fault but at that level of presenting you kind of have to expect the unexpected and be better prepared. In the 2 hours though we covered next to nothing and it was more the attendees ran the show rather than the people up front.
True Colors of ESPs
This class I really enjoyed and wish it had been longer or something. I would take it again. This class went by too fast. There was so much to cover and do that it was hard to keep up. If you ever get the chance to do this class, DO IT!! You learn some things about yourself and what you think you are and what you actually are.
Anti-Racist Educator Toolkit: Actions for ALL Educators
This class was very hard for me. I was very uncomfortable and did not feel I could actually say anything. That is how I felt and it wasn’t because of the presenter or anyone in the room. The class is uncomfortable because we don’t always take this type of thing seriously. There are so many factors that go into a subject like this.
People from different backgrounds, age, where you grew up all play a factor in this. It is totally on me how I felt in this class. Why? I honestly don’t know why I felt that way at the time. The presenter was AMAZING, she knew what she was presenting and how
she wanted to do it. The only thing I didn’t agree with was when she asked for the whitest song someone could think of and someone said “Ice, Ice Baby”, I think that is pretty darn white. They played something else instead. I learned that norm is no longer used. I am still not sure why exactly it’s not a term to use. This goes back to individuals and just who we are. I try my best to not fall into a racist term or slang but I don’t know all the right words. Luckily the middle schoolers at my school are very forgiving and always willing to help me be the best person for them I can be.
Avoiding Burnout with Mindful Self-Care and Self-Compassion
This was my last workshop at this event. It was the best thing I could have picked to end the conference. At this point I was a little burnt out and just had so much going on in my head. We have to take time for ourselves. Don’t give up that free time at work if you are in a position that gives breaks and lunches. Take your break and your lunch. Leave the building if you have to or just let co-workers, students, parents or whoever know that hey this is my break time or this is my lunch time and I can get back to you after. Just remember to take that time for yourself and talk to others if you are having a hard day. I am lucky to not only work with my best friend everyday but also my oldest daughter. They are always there to listen if I am just having trouble letting something go that happened that day or week or month. Take the time for yourself and don’t let anyone begrudge you that. I highly recommend taking this class and that you attend union conferences. During this class I painted a rock and a coaster. It was just relaxing to do this.
Charlie Weaver
WMS Building Representative