---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Utah School Employees Association <information@useautah.org> Date: Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 12:38 PM Subject: Professional Development for EPS's at no charge To: Erik <eadams@useautah.org> FYI. These are great opportunities. The professional growth continuum is awesome as well as many other opportunities the NEA offers. Stay strong and safe everyone! Opportunities for ESP's provided by NEA ESPQ View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/useautah/professional-development-for-epss-at-no-charge?e=b7dee2f54e> USEA Members, we are hearing from across the country that many districts are asking ESP's to participate in professional development during the crisis. We wanted to share a few NEA resources you may find helpful. ------------------------------ *Webinars:* NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) Quality offers online webinars on a variety of topics. For a list of upcoming webinars, visit http://nea.org/esppdwebinars <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=3015004b89&e=b7dee2f54e>. Archived ESPQ webinar recordings can be found here http://www.nea.org/esppdrecordings <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=a058e45650&e=b7dee2f54e>. The webinars are available to anyone (members and non-members) at no cost. Please Note: You are able to receive a personalized certificate when you complete a live webinar (when it originally airs). We are unable to provide personalized certificates of completion for archived webinars at this time, but you can download a blank certificate from the file share box on the evaluation screen at the end of each recording (click on the file then click the download button). Please check with your school/district to determine if a personalized certificate of completion is required to receive credit. You may also want to ask if there are other ways you can verify or demonstrate that you completed the webinar such as by submitting a copy of the PowerPoint and other handouts. We are looking into a resolution for this, but not sure how long it will take or if we will find a resolution. Also, we have found that Chromebook users are experiencing some issues with accessing some of our archived webinars. The issue involves the usage of Flash which is not compatible with Chromebooks. AdobeConnect software updates have since eliminated the need for Flash, so our newer recordings should not present a compatibility issue. We are working on a resolution for this, but please make note for yourself or others who will be using Chromebooks to access the webinars. Our next webinar, NEA CGPS Grants: The In’s and Out’s will be on April 30, 2020 at 7:00 PM EST. NEA micro-credentials are another opportunity for professional development. Micro-credentials are short, competency-based recognitions that allow educators to demonstrate mastery in a particular area, such as creating a safe learning environment for LGBTQ students or education policymaking. NEA has compiled all of the micro-credentials that can be completed without student interactions or face-to-face contact with others here <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=400479a164&e=b7dee2f54e>. Once at this page, click on the COVID-19 image and you will be redirected to a page that lists micro-credentials that will help educators enhance their skills/knowledge in topics related to distance learning (red link), micro-credentials that can be completed during social distancing (green link), and micro-credentials that are specifically designed for education support professionals and can be completed during social distancing (purple link). Currently NEA’s ESP Professional Growth Continuum (PGC) micro-credentials <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=990d296d59&e=b7dee2f54e> are listed on this page. You can learn more about the PGC at http://www.nea.org/esppgc <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=5bcfe64add&e=b7dee2f54e>. We are currently analyzing the Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams Micro-credentials to determine if they can be completed in the current environment. Stay tuned for more on this. In the interim, you can learn more about this stack at https://nea.certificationbank.com/NEA/CandidatePortal/CategoryDetail.aspx?St... <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=c7078c0460&e=b7dee2f54e> . *Check with you school/district and/or state department of education to see if they have already approved the use of micro-credentials for credit. To explore micro-credential policies and implementation stories across the U.S. visit the interactive map at https://digitalpromise.org/initiative/educator-micro-credentials/micro-crede... <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=ceb9e94d34&e=b7dee2f54e> . *Blended Learning Courses: * Visit https://learn.nea.org/topclass/topclass.do?login <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=9bb79115ce&e=b7dee2f54e> and register if you do not already have an account. There, you will find courses on how to conduct virtual learning, using Zoom, and other technical resources for online learning. [image: Twitter] <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=bcc7978b5b&e=b7dee2f54e> [image: Facebook] <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=0226f9aa0d&e=b7dee2f54e> [image: Website] <http://www.useautah.org> *Copyright © 2020 Utah School Employees Association, All rights reserved.* Your membership with the USEA entitles you to receive periodic updates regarding issues important to your role as Education Support Professionals in Utah's public education system. *Our mailing address is:* Utah School Employees Association 864 E Arrowhead Lane <https://www.google.com/maps/search/864+E+Arrowhead+Lane?entry=gmail&source=g> Murray, UT 84107 Add us to your address book <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/vcard?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=5a6258d69f> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/profile?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=5a6258d69f&e=b7dee2f54e> or unsubscribe from this list <https://useautah.us6.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=1b12227752f4304a32ad741e5&id=5a6258d69f&e=b7dee2f54e&c=2f9fe5301f>. -- Erik Adams Executive Board Member Utah School Employees Association eadams@useautah.org Mobile: 801.750.4473 Office: 801.269.9320