“December is the time for remembering the past and reaching toward the future.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Trivia Night Fun with the SEA & SEEO
Weekly Contract Reminder
SEA Member Resources
The District shall maintain a School Leadership Team (SLT) at each school building. The SLT shall be comprised of at least seven (7) members and must include parents, assistant principal, principal and a fair and equitable representation proportionate to the number of SEA staff and SEEO staff. An employee who is a parent of a child in the building in which they work cannot fill the parent position on SLT. The term of service for an SLT member is three (3) years with one‐third (1/3) of the membership rotating off each year. Upon the completion of a three (3) year term, staff members must take a one (1) year hiatus from the committee before beginning a new term. In the event that no one expresses an interest in filling the vacated position, the outgoing member can volunteer to fill the vacancy for one (1) additional year. Following that one (1) year, they must rotate off for the one (1) year required hiatus. Any staff member may run for an open SLT position.
School Leadership Team
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Join members of SEA’s Leadership Team after Wednesday’s PD on December 3rd at the Fox and Hound (1416 N. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg) for our monthly “Sips N’ Snacks” with the SEA. Members of my team will be there from 3:30-5:15 PM to chat with our members. Stop anytime after your PD is over. We will provide the snacks and you can purchase your sips. We look forward to seeing and connecting with you on the issues that are most important to the SEA Membership.
What a great night we had at our SEA/SEEO Taco and Trivia night! Congratulations to the team at Eisenhower for their 1st place win that evening. It’s always nice to have a room full of educators laughing and relaxing together. Amuzgo’s tacos and nacho bar was delicious. A shout-out goes to Kara Zielinski for running the trivia contest for us. Missed out on the fun? Be sure to join us at our next event!
SEA’s December Listening Session - Dec. 3
Mark your calendars…
Upcoming Opportunity…
IEA’s First Walk-In on December 1
The IEA is a member of the May Day Strong coalition under the umbrella of the United We Win campaign. In the face of ongoing, escalating attacks on public education and unions, there has been no moment in our lifetimes more important to our future.
The IEA is organizing Walk-In’s across the state of Illinois to build relations and serve as a visible reminder of our collective power.
The SEA would like our SEA & SEEO members to wear our new Red for Ed shirts and walk in to our schools together in SOLIDARITY on Monday, December 1st. Please take some photos and text them to Lori Mobley (847) 344-5249.
Religious observance leave language was first added to SEA’s contract during Bill Eliasek’s presidency in 1987-1990.
What event is taking place for SEA & SEEO members on December 18th?
Fun Fact about the SEA
Mark your calendars to wear your new SEA/SEEO Solidarity shirts at all of the upcoming Walk-in Dates:
What is SPARKS?
SPARKS is a fun, spirited learning experience targeted toward newer emerging voices in our Associations (SEA and SEEO). Attendees will gain a better understanding of our Associations while learning skills and making connections that will help increase your success on the job.
The goal is to create an energy of honesty and openness to be shared among and increased by SPARKS participants. Frank, honest dialogue in a safe setting is at the center of the SPARKS experience.
The SPARKS experience is a springboard for emerging voices to connect with other voices as they explore and make their own discoveries about the Associations.
We can't wait to see you on
January 30!!
TO DO
Applications due: January 17
Please send a $100 REFUNDABLE check made out to "Schaumburg Education Association” �to Lori Mobley @MacArthur when you apply. Your check will be returned to you upon your attendance at SPARKS.
�Tentative Schedule of Events
Friday, January 30:
3:00 - 4:30 pm: Check-in
4:30 pm: Opening Activities
5:30 pm: Dinner and Bonding Activity� (“SPARKS After Dark”)
Saturday, January 31:
8:00 am: Breakfast
8:30 am - 12:00 pm: Morning Sessions
12:00 pm: Lunch
12:45 - 2:30 pm: Afternoon sessions
What is included?
SPARKS
January 30 to
January 31
Game on!
Who is eligible to attend SPARKS?
10 years or less work experience
SEA or SEEO membership
The Illinois Coaching & Mentoring Program will continue for Fiscal Year 2026, in collaboration with ISBE and funded through the Illinois State Budget, with a $5 million allocation. The focus will be to support teachers in their 1st, 2nd, & 3rd year of entering the education profession. The Program is a comprehensive program that provides wraparound professional support to beginning teachers new to the profession. If you are a new teacher and would like to find out more, click here for the enrollment survey. If you are not a new teacher and would like to be a virtual instructional coach, click here to apply. There is a stipend available for your work!
Join members of the IEA for their next Education Policy Online Book Club January 12 - March 8. The group will be reading Mike Hixenbaugh’s book, They Came for the Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity and the New War for America’s Classrooms. This is an asynchronous learning opportunity that does not require member participation at a set time. You can earn 8 PD hours for you participation. Scan the QR code on the flier to join the Google classroom to participate.
IEA New Teacher Coaching and Mentoring Program
IEA Book Study - They Came for the Schools
More opportunities offered to YOU
as a member of the SEA/IEA/NEA…
What does your labor
union do for you?
Professional Development Funding Opportunities IEA allots $40,000 to be spent on professional development to meet the specific needs of its members across the state. The IEA Professional Development Funding Opportunities Committee oversees �distribution of these funds. � Apply for funding here.
Exec Board Member of the Week: Kelly O’Reilly
SEA’s Website
Mark Your Calendars
Questions about joining SEA? Contact our Membership Chairs, Sue Hindenburg (Fox) or Michelle Mason (Frost).
Wear #RedForEd on Wednesday
Region 35 Chair
Kelly O’Reilly is a Special Olympics Program Specialist at the RAC. This is her 20th year in the district. On SEA’s Exec Board, Kelly serves as our Elections Chair and runs all of the region and local elections for SEA and SEEO. Kelly’s original plan was to double major in international business relations and Japanese but quickly pivoted to Special Education about 6 weeks
SEA Spirit Wear
Become a Member
Kelly’s favorite quote
We're all stories in the end, so make it a good one. �~ Doctor Who
into her freshman year of college. Did you know Kelly also listen to podcasts at 2.5x? Kelly enjoys the travel discounts on flights and rentals cars offered
to her as a member. Be sure to check out NEAMB.com soon!