Need a good laugh? Check out IEA’s Facebook post from December 8: �What’s the funniest thing a student said to you this week?
Humanitarian Aid for Gaza Educators and Students
Mobley’s
Monday � Message
January 8, 2024 | Issue №18 | SEA54.org
Welcome Back & � Happy New Year 2024, SEA!
Welcome back everyone! Hope you had a restful winter break! I wish all of the members of the SEA good health, happiness, and great adventures in 2024.
Attached are the results from the December 2023 SEA/Region 35 Elections. Thank you to the following members who will be representing the SEA at the IEA Representative Assembly in March: Stephanie Krizmis (RAC), Daniel Argueta (Stevenson), Michelle Mason (Frost), Tracy Conlin (Frost), Michelle E. Burke (Hale), Iris Santiago (MacArthur), Amanda Silverman (Aldrin), Sue Hindenburg (Fox), Kara Zielinski (Enders-Salk), Kelly O’Reilly (RAC), Rachel Rosone (Hanover Highlands), Hailey Hazlet (Lakeview), and Deanne DiDomenico (ELC).
Also, joining this team as automatic delegates according to the Region 35 and SEA Bylaws are the following: Cynthia Dressler (ELC), Victoria Mikos (Blackwell/Hale), Reina McKenzie (MacArthur), Adriana Caballero (Fairview), and Lori Mobley.
Special thanks to Kelly O’Reilly, our elections chair, and to our ballot counters, Michelle E. Burke, Diana Duran, Lisa Rysavy, Anne Salinas, Stephanie Krizmis, Keith Lange, and Cynthia Dressler.
The Jason Eliasek Scholarship was created in memory of Jason Eliasek who is the late son of Bill Eliasek. Bill was an active SEA leader in the 70’s and 80’s and was the organization’s first full release time president. Jason was pursuing a degree in law enforcement when he died tragically. This is the 29th anniversary of the scholarship.
Applicants must be a child, stepchild or legal dependent of a current SEA/SEEO member. Scholarships will be awarded to any high school seniors or current full or part-time college student students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in the area of public service (public education, physical therapy, social work, nursing, law enforcement, firefighting, EMTs, and library sciences.
The JES application with all supporting documents must be postmarked by March 18, 2024.
Jason Eliasek Scholarship
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Message from NEA President Becky Pringle and NEA Executive Director Kim Anderson: The impact of the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused loss of human life in both Israel and Gaza and has left education communities and the whole world in shock. NEA extends its unwavering support to all students and educators in the region, and we are committed to advocating for a peaceful resolution, the protection of schools, universities, and educational personnel, and the prioritization of education in relief efforts. If you would like to make a donation, here is the GoFundMe link.
Important information from the SEA
Check out IEA’s Learning Portal for opportunities to earn professional development hours from the convenience of your own home. �You must be logged in to the Members Only site to be able to access it. There are courses available to you in the areas of �teaching and learning, leadership, advocacy, social emotional, classroom culture, and more.
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SEA Awards - Nomination Window Open
Just a reminder, we are now taking nominations for the awards we present in April at the SEA/SEEO General Meeting: the Felicia Cichy Award, the Friend of SEA Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. A description and qualifications of each award is listed in the Google Form. Please complete this 2023-2024 General Meeting SEA Award Form to submit your nominations by January 19.
The Illinois Education Association offers our members the opportunity to apply for a SCORE grant. SCORE stands for “Schools and Community Outreach By Educators”. All IEA members are encouraged to apply. Grants for up to $1,000 are available for IEA members and their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects that build deeper relationships with students, families and communities. Proposals should be substantive and meaningful. Applications are due January 15, 2024, by 11:59 PM. Applicants will be notified of their funding status by February 15th from score@ieanea.org. Apply for a SCORE grant or find out more information here.
SCORE Grants from the IEA
“Living a Hip Hop & Abolitionist Life”
Join the IEA Department of Racial and Social Justice and Dr. Bettina Love via Zoom on January 24th from 7:00-7:45 PM for a special Loveworks Keynote Address “Living a Hip Hop & Abolitionist Life: Resistance, Creativity, Hip Hop Civics Ed, Intersectionality, & Black Joy”. Click here to register for the event. Registration is limited to the first 300 participants.
For more information about this event, here is the flier.
IEA’s Summer Leadership - Presenters Needed
The 2024 Summer Leadership Academy will be held July 22-25, 2024, at Illinois State University Bone Student Center in Normal, IL. We are looking for presenters who can deliver training sessions in the areas of bargaining, grievance, organizing, equity, political action, and leadership development. Please consider submitting sessions which will help our local leaders & members prepare for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Sessions at ISU will include 1-, 2-, 3- or 6-hour sessions to be held on Tuesday afternoon, all day Wednesday & Thursday morning. Six-hour sessions will only be held on Wednesday, July 24. Anyone interested in submitting for a session should complete the Summer Leadership Proposal by January 15, 2024.
Please take a few minutes each week to look over this information, which includes potential member opportunities for you.
Happy New Year 2024, SEA!
Mark Your Calendars
STAMPED From the Beginning
In the Netflix documentary Stamped from the Beginning, Dr. Kendi dispels myths and presents counter narratives to what we continue to teach in our schools. We will be gathering members of Region 35 (SEA/SEEO) for a group discussion. Please be sure to watch the documentary in advance. If you are interested in participating in our group discussion, please fill out this Google Form by this Friday, January 11. Date, time, and location for our discussion will be determined by your feedback.
Here are some of the questions that will be discussed:
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SEA’s Website
SEA Spirit Wear
Don’t forget to wear #RedForEd �on Wednesdays
Become a Member
Contract, Appraisal, & other SEA Information
Short sleeve and long sleeve T-shirts, sweatshirts & more!
Questions about joining SEA? Contact our Membership Chair, Sue Hindenburg, Fox School.
Netflix Documentary - Region 35 Discussion
“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book,
waiting to be written.” —Melody Beattie
Student performers needed!
If you have any student groups interested in performing at the IEA-RA in Rosemont on March 14,15, or 16, either live or via recording, please email the contact information to Robin Ehrhart at the IEA by January 15, 2024.