FEA’s Professional Development and Educational Research Department is in full Zoom and here to assist, support and provide you the resources you need. We are working with locals to build and strengthen local professional development (PD) programs that provide high quality, member-developed and member-led learning opportunities throughout the state.
To help in that mission, Blanca Sotelo and Charley McClaren have joined the team as FEA’s professional development specialists. Both come with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in union advocacy and professional development.
Our working and learning environments have changed, and educators are experiencing new stressors that impact our health and wellbeing.
The PD team is eager to provide services to our members pertaining to mental health and self-care, as well as social justice and racial equity in schools. In addition, we provide National Education Association (NEA) micro-credentials and traditional professional development opportunities in reading, math, classroom management and other key areas that directly impact our students and educators.
We are proud to announce the launch of the 2021 Teachers of Color Virtual Series. The kick-off celebration was held in January. The series will celebrate diverse groups each month this year and provide a space for aspiring teachers to network with teachers of color across Florida. We will offer training, mentoring opportunities, book talks, exciting guest speakers and other engaging activities. To participate, reach out to your local president or Dr. Primrose Cameron, primrose.cameron@floridaea.org.
We congratulate the locals with education staff professional (ESP) members who have been accepted into the Across the Bridge program. This program, led by ESP Program and Policy Council leaders and FEA’s PD team, was created to build and support local members to achieve knowledge in professional advocacy, equity and mental health. Although registration for the program has closed, ESP members across the state will be receiving online training in topics such as technology, self-care, grief and loss, trauma-informed practices, and leadership development during the coming months.
One of our primary objectives is to support locals interested in developing their professional development programs and create a community of PD advocates and organizers. We hope to increase the number of PD offerings and certified trainers statewide. FEA’s Train the Trainer program has risen to the challenges of providing PD to our members and positively impacting the students they work with. Our courses are designed for virtual presentation, and deliver high quality, engaging and relevant content. As part of our Train the Trainer program, we will be offering the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Recertification Course. It is designed to meet the state 20-hour ESE teacher recertification requirements. It will prepare local trainers to implement the course in their home local on an online platform. Trainers will learn to lead teachers to a better understanding of:
- The characteristics of special needs students
- Required documentation and statutory requirements
- Effective differentiation, engagement, and management techniques
- New ways to build teams and communicate more effectively with parents and other staff
- Bullying awareness and prevention.
To schedule a time to meet with your professional development specialist or to learn more about upcoming trainings and sessions, please contact your local president or Dr. Primrose Cameron, FEA Professional Development and Educational Research director, primrose.cameron@floridaea.org.
Keep up with FEA Professional Development and Educational Research on the web at feaweb.org/professional-development and onFacebook.
