2024 NEA National Leadership Summit

The 2024 NEA National Leadership Summit is a pivotal event for education professionals, focusing on sharpening activism and advocacy skills to guide public education into the future. The summit's theme, 'Education. Democracy. Freedom. Our Right! Our Responsibility!', emphasizes the collective mission to advocate for education professionals and unite members to ensure every student succeeds in a diverse and interdependent world. It aims to strengthen public education as the foundation of an inclusive democracy, economy, and society. --- **Import Information:** - **AI Model:** Gemini 2.5 Flash - **Processing Time:** 166.1s - **Estimated Cost:** €0.0071 (~0.71¢) - **Tokens Used:** 23 990 input / 19 569 output

Event Start:Mar 1, 2024
Event End:Mar 3, 2024
Hyatt Regency Chicago
America/Chicago (CST/CDT)
Join Event Group on Event Group

Agenda View

Browse all sessions organized by day

Filters:

Day 1

Friday, March 1, 2024

9 Sessions(4 Break-out Sessions•1 Briefing•1 Discussion•1 Keynote•1 Reception•1 Registration)

09:00 - 22:00

Add location

Registration opens

Registration
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Room:

Grand Ballroom Level (East Tower)

A Transformational Approach to Transactional School Board Campaigns

Break-out Session
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Participants will learn why taking a transformational approach to organizing school board elections creates better outcomes for educators and students and increases engagement in the union. They will gain skills to operationalize transformational campaigns in their locals.
Lead:
Katie LukinsLindsay RayElvyss ArguetaSara Whelan
Room:

Regency Ballroom A

Advocacy: From Self-Awareness to Political Reform

Break-out Session
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Participants will examine their comfort levels with political issues and explore strategies to leverage their learning to advocate for needed change in education at local, state, and national levels. They will develop personalized steps to facilitate the passage of policies, regulations, and laws that students need.
Lead:
Kristy Oborny
Room:

Atlanta

Bargaining for the Common Good

Break-out Session
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on strategies to build power and fight for the common good, as NEA affiliates rethink bargaining and advocacy to include economic, social, and racial justice. Participants will reflect on local circumstances and consider how these strategies can be implemented for impact in their schools and communities.
Lead:
Brian BeallorCharles Holmes
Room:

Acapulco

Leadership to End Gun Violence: How to Prepare and Respond Using NEA's New Gun Violence Crisis Guide

Break-out Session
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session uses NEA's new Gun Violence Crisis Guide as a framework to help leaders identify crucial roles in preparing for and responding to gun violence in education settings. Participants will work through case studies, conduct a self-assessment, and begin devising an individualized action plan.
Lead:
Joel SolomonOvidia MolinaCrystal Foxx
Room:

Toronto

Presenter's Briefing

Briefing
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Room:

Grand Hall MN (East Tower)

State Connections Sessions

Discussion
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Connect with other Summit participants from your state to reinforce Summit objectives, facilitate networking, and brainstorm ongoing leadership development.
Room:

Various locations

Friday Plenary

Keynote
6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Featuring NEA President Becky Pringle and other special guest speakers.
Lead:
Rebecca "Becky" Pringle
Room:

Grand Ballroom (East Tower)

Summit Social & Networking Opportunities

Reception
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Join the Summit Mixer and Summit Game Lounge for networking and social engagement.
Room:

Riverside Exhibit Hall (East Tower)

Day 2

Saturday, March 2, 2024

49 Sessions(46 Break-out Sessions•1 Keynote•1 Lunch•1 Break)

06:30 - 15:00

Add location

Breakfast

Break
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Room:

Riverside Exhibit Hall (East Tower)

Power of Storytelling: Using Your Authentic Voice to Galvanize and Inspire

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores how educators can use personal stories to advance student success, public education, and education professions. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how personal stories change attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors to win support for public education.
Lead:
Brenda AlvarezMary Ellen Flannery
Room:

Grand Hall L

Winning the Fight Against Extreme Politicians, Wealthy Donors, and Disinformation

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This interactive session helps participants connect the dots between extreme politicians, wealthy donors, and disinformation wars impacting public education. Participants will learn to identify well-funded players behind efforts to restrict freedom to teach and learn, as well as book bans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and gain tools to win without compromising values.
Lead:
Miguel GonzalezMichael MisterekKatie O'Connell
Room:

Grand Hall H

Understanding Leadership Styles to Bolster Engagement, Accountability, and Advocacy

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Participants will break into cohorts based on Daniel Goleman's “Six Leadership Styles” to discuss and analyze how to successfully lead self and others. They will develop strategic leadership development goals to enhance their association and cultivate member engagement.
Lead:
Stephanie HagemanLisa Weier
Room:

Solider Field

Building Transformative Community Schools: Creating Thriving Schools and Communities

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session prepares leaders to lead strategic conversations about Community Schools as a strategy to strengthen public schools. It begins with stories of transformation and transitions to a panel of community school member leaders articulating the five steps to Community Schools, providing innovative ideas for action.
Lead:
Angelia EbnerDave Greenberg
Room:

Michigan 3

101 Ways to Energize Your Association and Build Power

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session helps educators brainstorm and leverage 101 ways to build power and overcome organizing challenges within their association. Participants will share challenges to building internal capacity and generate non-stop ideas for increasing engagement.
Lead:
Karmen Lee Ortloff
Room:

San Francisco

Money Talks: Using NEA's Student Debt Resources to Engage Organizing Efforts

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session equips participants with knowledge and tools to amplify NEA's student debt resources for organizing. Participants will gain background on higher education financing, student debt-related programs, and best practices for using these to engage new and prospective members.
Lead:
Samuel DunietzRonny Lau
Room:

Roosevelt 1B

Advancing Racial Justice

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This training builds participants' skills through awareness of white supremacy culture, interpersonal racism, and systemic racism. Participants will learn how to deepen this awareness in others, navigate issues of race, and access valuable resources for support.
Lead:
Alonzo Mendoza
Room:

McCormick

A Roadmap to Tackling the Vaping Crisis—Let's Strategize!

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session addresses the vaping crisis affecting school communities, with a focus on increased vape use in marginalized youth. Participants will design a project implementation roadmap to address the crisis in a hypothetical school community, applying basic tools and techniques for strategic planning.
Lead:
Sheila Caldwell
Room:

Stetson D

emPOWERing Education Support Professional Leadership

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session utilizes NEA's Professional Growth Continuum and Leadership Competency Framework to explore ways Education Support Professionals (ESPs) can lead on professional development. The focus is on enhancing and empowering ESPs to lead within their affiliates.
Lead:
Maryanne HyacintheSarah Fulk
Room:

Randolph 1A

Media 101: Applying the Fundamentals of Working with the News Media to Everyday Comms Needs

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session covers fundamental skills for working with the news media to amplify your voice and persuade audiences. Professionals will share tips on using credibility as an educator to win over hearts and minds.
Lead:
Staci Maiers
Room:

Grand Hall MN

Social Media for Advocacy

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This dynamic session explores digital storytelling and how to amplify your voice online as an educator across evolving platforms. Participants will gain insights and best practices for using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for digital organizing and advocacy.
Lead:
Justin ConleyElizabeth Barcelos
Room:

Grand Hall J

From 3.1(g) to EMAC

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Participants will learn about bylaw 3.1(g), its historical significance, and its connection to the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee. This session includes a historical timeline of the four NEA ethnic caucuses and explores how 3.1(g) encourages minority representation and leadership pathways.
Lead:
Karen MooreChristine TrujilloTracy Hartman-Bradley
Room:

Haymarket

Artificial Intelligence: Leading Education into the Future

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session discusses the implications of artificial intelligence for pre-K-12 and higher education classrooms, schools, institutions, and educators. Participants will learn about NEA's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and strategize how to ensure educators' voices are at the forefront.
Lead:
Stacey Pelika
Room:

Randolph 3

Reigniting Educators' Fire through Professional Growth

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores how to reimagine professional growth by grounding in union values, area-specific needs, and a racial and social justice lens. It discusses adult learning and improvement science to drive decision-making, sharing tools and strategies for applying an equity lens.
Lead:
Carrie WolfeLupita Almanza
Room:

Michigan 2

Making Your Meeting Pop!

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on creating fun, engaging, and meaningful meetings to communicate and disseminate information effectively. Participants will learn key strategies and tools to support and hold members accountable for information shared during effective meetings.
Lead:
Amanda ThompsonVeronica Hall
Room:

Roosevelt 3B

Adult SEL and Collective Well-Being

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores the importance of understanding collective well-being and self-awareness for maintaining professional equality. It highlights the vital role of educators and the impact of work on well-being, especially in stressful outcomes.
Lead:
Eboni Rucker
Room:

Crystal Ballroom A

Make the Road by Walking: An Educator's Journey to Global Awareness

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session enables participants to think systematically and reflect on their personal and professional practices and theoretical understandings of leadership. Participants will reflect on their leadership journey to develop skills as global education practitioners and expand thinking and understanding of education, and their approach to students, classrooms, and communities.
Lead:
Stephanie Johnson
Room:

DuSable

Superpowers that Protect, Promote, and Support Public Education

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Board members will examine challenges and common issues around diverse partnerships and coalitions. Participants will gain strategies and solutions for coalition building to protect, promote, and strengthen public education.
Lead:
Susan NicholsLinda McCrary
Room:

Plaza B

Don't Dismiss Me: Addressing the Needs of Educators of Color via Culturally Responsive Leadership

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores how association leaders can address racial transgressions by understanding implicit bias and stereotypes. Participants will recognize the importance of social and racial justice training and apply NEA Leadership Competency Framework to develop leaders.
Lead:
Wafá Safi-Hassan
Room:

Gold Coast

Leadership Development for State Affiliate Presidents: Best Practices for Supporting Leaders (Part 1)

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores the value proposition for leadership development and discusses what meaningful leadership development entails. Participants will also discuss Hahrie Han's How Organizations Develop Activists, highlighting the importance of leaders committing to outcomes and leadership development.
Lead:
Scott DiMauroAmie Baca-Oehlert
Room:

Comiskey

Powerful Advocacy for Black Youth: Designing Black-Affirming Educational Spaces

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on concrete steps to establish Black-affirming educational spaces, advancing racial justice by identifying how anti-Blackness impacts schools. It provides actionable, culturally relevant approaches to lift Black youth and problem-solving steps for members.
Lead:
Kerri UllucciJoi Spencer
Room:

Randolph 1B

Building Solidarity for Black Lives in Asian Communities

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores how to build real, meaningful solidarity to fight anti-Blackness in pan-Asian communities. Participants will gain a shared understanding of historical and current driving forces behind anti-Blackness and learn about strategies pan-Asian grassroots organizing groups use to address it and build cross-community solidarity.
Lead:
Roksana Mun
Room:

Roosevelt 1A

Embrace, Empower, Excel: Cultivating Social and Emotional Intelligence for Democratic Leadership

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This immersive workshop empowers educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, and all education staff with essential social and emotional intelligence skills. Participants will embark on a transformative journey connecting education, democracy, freedom, and leadership potential.
Lead:
Cynthia Thompson
Room:

Burnham

Knowing Myself to Better Connect With Students, Educators, and the Community

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session examines the influence of culture and socialization, developed from foundations of diversity, cultural competence, and social justice. Participants will engage in exercises to enhance cultural self-awareness, reflecting on how it affects their views of themselves and others, and exploring the process of socialization.
Lead:
LaVeta WeatheringtonJackie Wooten
Room:

Field

Strategic Budgeting 101

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session helps participants learn strategic budgeting basics for maintaining the association's fiscal health through the use of the strategic plan.
Lead:
Bob Maleta
Room:

Addams

Public Speaking: Say What?! Fundamentals of Great Public Speaking

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session helps participants master the fundamentals of great public speaking, ideal for beginners or those looking to polish their skills. It aims to help beat nerves, defeat 'umms,' and feel comfortable speaking in front of audiences.
Lead:
Ramona Oliver
Room:

Grand Hall K

Always Together: EA and ESP Units Working Together in K-12 Districts

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session guides participants through a multi-year effort to build better communication and relationships between education association (EA) and education support professionals (ESP) units. The goal is to improve outcomes for all members and students, fostering collaborative working relationships and long-term leadership.
Lead:
Anthony PennockSarah Garrett
Room:

Picasso

Using the NEA Leadership Competency Framework to Strengthen Association Representative Programs

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session shares how a local used NEA leadership competencies to build a strong association representative structure and training system. Participants will receive a template to create their own plan and work collaboratively to strengthen the universal use of competencies in locals.
Lead:
Emma BadeJoshua Brown
Room:

Water Tower

Buzz, Buzz, Ding, Ding! Navigating the Impact of Social Media and Cell Phones in the Classroom

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on research regarding the impact of social media and technology on students. Strategies will be offered to empower educators in advocacy efforts to establish policies that counteract distracting influences and can be implemented at the district level and beyond.
Lead:
Alicia KleoppelLindsey WeatherbyAndy Slaughter
Room:

Randolph 2

Best Practices to Engage Students from Minority Serving Institutions in Our Union

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores the impact of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and strategies to engage MSI students in the union. Participants will learn how to lead change and create different outcomes for underrepresented MSI students within NEA and state affiliate chapters.
Lead:
Demetrius Dove
Room:

Michigan 1B

The Future of Solidarity

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This interactive session explores how association leaders can build solidarity within unions and communities. It examines how the Illinois Education Association Opportunity Coalition has unified members and co-conspirators around racial, social, and educational justice.
Lead:
Andrew “Andy” HirshmanAnne F. JacobsonKristine Micheles
Room:

Roosevelt 3A

Believe: Lessons in Unionism from Ted Lasso

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This interactive session explores clips from the popular TV show, Ted Lasso, to relate them to union work. Participants will engage in self-reflection on building union power, empathy, and healthy relationships, focusing on how union values align with NEA's Mission, Vision, and Values.
Lead:
Amy WolfgangStephanie Cramer
Room:

Crystal Ballroom B

Addressing Education Needs and Funding Them

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores how associations can address major barriers to quality education, such as lack of teachers/staff and staff diversity. Participants will bring a challenge and explore ways to fund their approach to meeting these needs, with their education association leading the way.
Lead:
Barbara HopkinsShannon RasmussenMarlin Jeffers
Room:

Stetson E

Race Class Narrative: Telling Our Story and Organizing for Our Future

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session introduces the Race Class Narrative, a research-tested messaging strategy to communicate values and organize for the future. Participants will learn and practice the strategy to promote freedom to read and learn for every student.
Lead:
Michael ScottMerwyn Scott
Room:

Grand Hall G

Developing Committees and Boards that Empower, Motivate, and Foster a Pipeline of Diverse Leaders

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This interactive session explores how to bring clear purpose and roles to boards and committees, fostering inclusion and diversity. Attendees will explore their responsibility to actively bring others into leadership and develop an action plan linking the competency framework to functioning boards and committees.
Lead:
Eva MenefeeMarcia Mackey
Room:

Columbian

What Does It Really Mean to be the Local President: Tips, Tricks, and Traps of Local Leadership

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session provides an opportunity to connect with others who understand the unique and sometimes isolating challenges of serving as a local president. Participants will learn what it means to serve the highest level of local leadership.
Lead:
Tony MartinetDonna Christy
Room:

Wrigley

Building an Inclusive Association

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on building inclusive associations by reaching out to and uplifting diverse voices of members, new hires, education support staff, students, parents, and community members. Participants will gain ideas and action steps to create schools where students and educators thrive, fostering sustainable community partnerships and developing future leaders.
Lead:
Stephanie Tellez
Room:

Michigan 1A

The Secret Key to Increasing Member Engagement

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Member leaders will explore ways to transition from being a “doer” to a “leader,” focusing on effective leadership development strategies, organizing, strategic communication, and relationship building. These transferable strategies can help local leaders increase engagement and organizational health.
Lead:
Alana Ward
Room:

Michigan 1C

In Search of More Respectful Interactions between People with and without Disabilities

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session helps NEA leaders grow in knowledge, empathy, and respect for people with disabilities by defining ableism, identifying examples, and creating awareness of respectful interactions. Participants will determine strategies to share this information with others to foster inclusive schools.
Lead:
Traci ArwayClinton SmithJen Curran
Room:

Crystal Ballroom C

Fiduciary Responsibilities and Association Policies to Support the Ethical Culture of Your Association

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session emphasizes the importance of understanding fiduciary responsibilities for maintaining an association's reputation and assets. Participants will learn how a code of ethical conduct, conflict of interest, whistle-blower policies, and an audit committee promote an ethical culture and deter fraud.
Lead:
Rodney RowePaula Purdy
Room:

Stetson F&G

Send the Right Message: Student-Centered Communications for NEA

Break-out Session
8:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores the NEA Message, a tested approach for connecting with decision-makers, parents, and community members. Participants will gain practical takeaways to improve their ability to inform, persuade, and lead through effective communication.
Lead:
Tory Brown
Room:

Grand Hall I

Saturday Plenary

Keynote
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Featuring NEA Vice President Princess Moss and John Jackson.
Lead:
Princess MossJohn Jackson
Room:

Grand Ballroom (East Tower)

Lunch Program

Lunch
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Room:

Riverside Exhibit Hall (East Tower)

Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions Repeal. It's Everyone's Problem

Break-out Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
Participants will gain an understanding of the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions (GPO/WEP) of Social Security, which reduce or eliminate educator benefits. The session discusses how these penalties impact recruiting and retaining educators, providing a toolkit for action.
Lead:
Kathryn DiasJoslyn DelanceyStephanie Salvador
Room:

Acapulco

Building from Ashes: A Love Letter from Florida's Anti-Racist Educators

Break-out Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session explores Florida as a microcosm of national events, challenging participants to rise up and fight back. Participants will revisit their journey as anti-racist educators, gaining advocacy tools to advance belonging in public education and developing an action plan for racial and social justice work.
Lead:
Tamara RussellKimberly Skukalek
Room:

Atlanta

Navigating the Education Policy Landscape: Strategies for Building and Sustaining Influence

Break-out Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session focuses on building positive relationships with policymakers, providing tools for trust and effective change, and engaging community allies to amplify educators' voices. The goal is to enhance their ability to shape better educational environments for all students, educators, and communities.
Lead:
Matthew ComptonMargaret "Peggy” Hoy
Room:

Regency Ballroom C

Beyond Your Vote - Become an EdActivist!

Break-out Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session delves into electoral organizing with a focus on the 2024 election. Participants will learn about NEA programs like Knock-tober, relational organizing fundamentals, and the EdActivists tool, leaving with knowledge to help elect pro-education candidates.
Lead:
Cynthia Sebian-Lander
Room:

Regency Ballroom A

I Got 99 Indicators and Test Scores Ain't One: How to Talk About Our Great Public Schools (Part 1)

Break-out Session
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hyatt Regency Chicago
This session discusses how to combat the mischaracterization of schools by online apps that over-rely on test scores. Participants will receive advice for evaluating schools beyond test scores and strategies for diminishing public overreliance on them, building key relationships to shape public perception.
Lead:
Christine DonFrancescoElic Senter
Room:

Regency Ballroom B