This two-day summer retreat is intended to grow and strengthen the professional excellence of ESP members working in Pre-K to Higher-Ed through Association-convened and educator-led learning experiences. Education Support Professionals will engage in several trainings that will enhance their knowledge and skills to advocate for students, educators and themselves.
WHEN: JUNE 14 - 15, 2024
AGENDA
All times are ET.
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
10 a.m. – District Council Meeting
11:30 a.m. – Trauma Informed Schools
1 p.m. – Lunch
2 p.m. – Culturally Competent Schools
3:30 p.m. – ESP Mentoring Programs
6 p.m. – Group Photo/ESP T-shirts
6:15 p.m. – Dinner at ISTA Conference Center & Indiana ESP Bills of Rights
7 p.m. – Reception
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
8 a.m. – Breakfast at Home 2 Suites
9 a.m. – ESP Collective Bargaining
Noon – Micro-credentials for Professional Growth
1 p.m. – Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 10-Minute Meeting/Wrap-up
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
Trauma Informed Schools
Learn more about trauma, the impact trauma has on a child’s developing brain and strategies to use with students to help. Becoming more trauma informed allows education support professionals to take a proactive approach to discipline rather than waiting for something to go wrong.
Culturally Competent Schools
To understand the students we serve, we must adopt an attitude of cultural humility and acknowledge that there is always more to learn. In this session, attendees will examine their own biases and develop an understanding that what we bring to a situation can help when we are dealing with challenging behaviors. An increased understanding of others helps prevent us from unintentionally causing harm in the things we say and do.
ESPs: Supporting Our Own Through Mentoring Programs
Are you seeking greater professional support for ESPs during all stages of their careers? Are you looking for ways to motivate and engage ESPs, increase employee retention and morale and decrease absenteeism? Join us and learn how ESP peer mentoring can support ESPs in their professional practice, build ESP community and voice in the workplace and the Association and address some of your most challenging organizational challenges.
Indiana ESP Bill of Rights
Educations support professionals play critically important roles in our public schools by providing individual and small-group instruction to students with disabilities, assisting in early education classes, supporting English learners, driving buses, preparing meals, keeping schools clean and performing myriad administrative and education support functions. In exchange, it’s only fair to expect: a living wage, affordable health insurance, health and safety, paid family and medical leave, job security, recognition as educators and affordable education to strengthen careers.
ESP Collective Bargaining
Do you want to learn and enhance some influential verbal skills to be used at the bargaining table? Do you want to practice contract language writing? Come to this bargaining training to work on verbal skills, contract writing and more to further develop your skills in preparation for negotiations.
Micro-credentials for ESP Professional Growth
A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition allowing an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area. NEA micro-credentials are grounded in research and best practice and designed to be:
Personalized: You can create your own learning journey, based on your interests and career goals; gaps in your skills; and the specific needs of your students, school and district.
Flexible: You can study when it’s convenient for you, alone or with your peers.
Performance-based: Unlike “sit-and-get” certifications, NEA micro-credentials are awarded based on demonstrated mastery of the subject matter, not just for showing up.