FREE Training – Creating Equity and Access for Our Students
The MEA is pleased to offer a series of round table Zoom discussions for all educators – including those who aren’t members of MEA – on several key issues that impact our schools and students. The discussions are intended to help support educators around the state and will be hosted by members of the Maine Education Association. If you have ever wondered about the value of union membership, this is your opportunity to find out. We’re the leading voice for public education, working to promote, advance, and protect public education as well as the rights and interests of our members. Join us for these important discussions and see what MEA is all about.
Sessions include Race Equity & Social Justice; Understanding Implicit Bias and Equity; Creating Equitable Systems for All Students; Reaching Students Who are Not Connecting; What’s Working and What’s Not in Remote Learning; and two sessions with a focus on the role of Education Support Professionals – Remote Support for Teachers and Students and Supporting the Whole Student. The last two sessions, while focusing on ESP issues, are not restricted to ESPs and all sessions are open to all educators. All sessions will be offered twice during August so as many members as possible can attend.
Register for as many sessions as you would like by clicking on the links below. Each round table discussion requires a separate registration.
If you already know you want to be a member, you can join now for FREE and not pay dues until September 1st. To join, click here.
Focus on Support Staff: Supporting the Whole Student – Rose Walker – Thursday, Aug. 6, 10am; Tuesday, Aug. 11, 10am
From feeding students to connecting with learners who need extra support, Maine’s support staff accomplished it all during the emergency remote learning in the Fall. But what’s next? How are support staff preparing to head back to school, whatever it looks like? What’s working in your district? What questions do you have to best meet the needs of the whole students? This facilitated discussion will center around support staff sharing ideas with each other and learning from the past so we can best focus on the future.
Race, Equity & Social Justice – Rebecca Cole, James Ford, Michele Lawless – Friday, Aug. 7, 10am; Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7pm
This “big picture” discussion will allow educators to discuss the issues in an open forum to get a clearer picture of how the topics of race, equity and social justice impact their students and schools. The discussion, in a safe space, will give educators time to talk with each other, ask questions, share ideas and more. This roundtable zoom discussion will not offer a presentation, instead it will give educators an open space to learn from each other.
Understanding Implicit Bias and Equity – Rebecca Cole – Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10am; Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7pm
During this roundtable Zoom discussion participants will create a working definition of “equity” and will both learn and discuss the topic of implicit bias. This discussion will help educators better understand how to create equitable learning environments for their students while assessing their own biases and the experiences that have led to them.
Creating Equitable Systems for All Students – James Ford – Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7pm; Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7pm
During this discussion educators will challenge themselves to take a closer look at several scenarios and discuss evidence of inequity and privilege in each one. The discussion during this Zoom roundtable will challenge participants to discuss ways they, as advocates, can respond to help establish more equitable practices in and out of the classroom.
Reaching Students Who are Not Connecting – Barbara Slote – Thursday, Aug. 20, 10am; Thursday, Aug. 27, 10am
As all educators took to digital teaching during the end of the school year there were successes and items to work on – one of the biggest being reaching students who didn’t “show up.” What are you excited to try again and ready to throw into the virtual trash can? What lesson plans worked best? What are you excited to share with other educators? This Zoom roundtable discussion will focus on sharing ideas that worked to connect with students and families during remote learning. Participants in this discussion are encouraged to come to the virtual table with best practices to share with the understanding that the discussion will help all learn from each other’s successes and failures.
Lessons Learned – What’s Working and What’s Not in Remote Learning – Rachel Maloney-Hawkins – Thursday, Aug. 13, 7pm; Wednesday, Aug. 19, 10am
Whether you’re going back in person or staying remote, how will you maximize the time you have so you’re not working all hours of the day? Creating that work life balance, when your work is also your home is difficult. What were your biggest “wins” and “losses” in the time department? Participants in this Zoom discussion should be prepared to share and learn from each other. This conversation works best when you’re ready to both talk and listen!
Focus on Support Staff: Remote Support for Teachers and Students – Michele Lawless – Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10am; Thursday, Aug. 13, 10am
This Zoom roundtable discussion is geared specifically for Education Support Professionals (ESP-Support Staff). With some experience under your belts, you know what worked and what didn’t during the emergency remote learning in the Spring of 2020. Now, it’s time to share with others your best practices. Support Staff from all fields are encouraged to come learn and listen during this facilitated conversation.
You will receive a reminder email for your selected session with the link to ZOOM.
