Sensational Teacher Conference!

On Friday & Saturday, Feb 8-9, IEA hosted a conference for future teachers in Bloomington, IL. The two-day conference was meant to help attendees prepare for the teaching profession.

SEA/KDP leaders and members attended a multitude of sessions that covered various topics including student teaching, addressing controversial topics in the classroom, integrating the Arts, understanding the basics of a first year teacher’s contract, incorporating movement and brain breaks, student engagement, culturally responsive teaching, social emotional learning, etc. The sessions were led by current teachers and administrators.

In addition to the sessions, attendees had the opportunity to meet and talk with retired teachers from the IEA Retired Mentor Program. Throughout the conference, current education students were able to enter tickets into a raffle to win teacher-supply bundles/prizes donated generously by the retired teachers. IEA members who are graduating in May received their honorary cords.

As always, the IEA Student Conference was very beneficial and succeeded in providing future teachers with useful information and advice. SEA & KDP would like to thank IEA and the IEA officer team for a sensational experience that will truly be unforgettable!

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

For more photos from the IEA Student Conference 2019, click here.

Growing Up Wild Training

The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (KDP) hosted the Growing Up Wild training workshop on Monday, February 4th, 2019 from 4:30- 8pm at Governor State University (GSU).  The training workshop was facilitated by GSU’s very own Associate Provost, Dr. Colleen Sexton. The seventeen attendees received the Growing Up Wild book that includes twenty-seven field-tested, hands-on, nature-based activities for children, ages 3-7. Dr. Sexton presented four of the activities from the Growing Up Wild guide and then participants used materials provided to make the activities. The activities were both fun and informative. The future educators who attended this workshop have an amazing science resource they will be able to use in their classrooms.

The leaders of SEA/ KDP would like to thank Dr. Sexton for her time and commitment to making this event a success!

Written by Keelin Crotty

Featured: Dr. Colleen Sexton explaining an activity.    

Featured: attendees working hard on their Project Wild crafts.

See more PLT photos here.

IEA Advisory Board Meeting – Lombard, IL

On January 26, 2019, the SEA/KDP leader team including Jessica White, Michelle Westergaard, Aimee York, Hailey Czerwinski, Sireen Hamarshah, Keelin Crotty, Kia Taylor, and Kaitlyn Zalkowski met with all of the other IEA leaders from other universities throughout the state of Illinois in Lombard, IL. There was a panel of three guest teachers, group activities, and important discussions regarding race and diversity in the classroom. Thank you to IEA for hosting a wonderful meeting! We look forward to the IEA conference in February. 

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

Register Now for the IEA Student Conference!

On February 8 & 9, the Illinois Education Association (IEA) will be hosting it’s annual student conference for educators which will take place at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, IL.

This conference is for future teachers throughout Illinois. All students who are in or entering education programs at colleges and universities around the state are encouraged to attend. The conference consists of several professional development sessions/seminars on various teaching topics and will offer attendees breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

On Friday, Feb 8, the sessions are from 3-9pm. On Saturday, Feb 9, the sessions run from 7:30am-3:30pm. Although they are able to commute, students will be given the opportunity to stay the night at the hotel, which is highly encouraged. The dress code for the conference is business attire.

The registration deadline is Monday, February 4, 2019 which can be completed online. Students will have to pay a small fee. If they register on or before January 8, students will receive the early bird discount of $5. Registering between January 9-31 will cost $15. Depending on whether students are commuting or staying the night in the hotel, the total cost will vary. For a breakdown of the pricing, please click here.

For more information on the various sessions offered, please click here.
To register, please click here.

We hope to see you there!

Print

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

Google Chrome Extensions Workshop

Do you use Google Chrome?

If so, did you know that Google offers Chrome-users extension programs that can increase browsing functionality and efficiency?

According to Google, these extensions customize your browsing experience and tailors it to your individual needs or preferences. 

If you would like to know more about Google Chrome extensions that are geared towards those in the field of education, please attend SEA and KDP’s Media Workshop event.
Educators will earn a CPDU for free!

Date: Monday, November 12, 2018
Time: 3:30 – 5pm
Location: D2430B 

The deadline to RSVP is November 9th! Space is limited.
Please contact Aimee York, aminette@student.govst.edu, to secure your seat.

For more information on Google Chrome extensions, click on the following links.
What are extensions? Google Chrome
What is a Google extension? Bleeping Computer

We hope to see you there!

Here is the event flyer: flyer, media workshop – vF 10.11.18

Google Chrome Extensions

Written by Sireen Hamarshah

New Media Workshop

SEA & KDP are, once again, hosting a media workshop in the GSU library.
Please join us on Monday, November 12th @ 3:30-5pm in D2430B.

Cari Didion, GSU’s Science Librarian and Assistant Professor, will inform students on the best Google Chrome extensions/plugins for education. Whether you are a teacher or a student, these extensions will help you make your online time more productive and enhance your information literacy tool belt!

Students in any major are welcome to attend.
Educators will receive a CPDU for free upon attendance.

Space is limited!
Please RSVP to Aimee York at aminette@student.govst.edu by November 9th.

We hope to see you there!

Flyer: flyer, media workshop – vF 10.11.18

Google Chrome

Teacher Panel Success!

The Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society (KDP) hosted a Teacher Panel on Tuesday September 18, 2018 in the Hall of Governors.  The room was filled with Governors State University students in the education field. Panelists answered questions related to teaching and answered questions from the audience. Topics included student teaching, first year teaching strategies, what to include on resumés, tips on applying and searching for jobs, educators as professionals, specialty fields in education, interview suggestions, and prepping for edTPA.

Panelists in attendance:

  • Jeff Pennington – Instructional Specialist, Former SPED Teacher
  • Charles Robinson – 3rd Grade Teacher, GSU Alumni
  • Joseph Baud – Kindergarten Teacher, GSU Alumni
  • Margie Trigg – Retired Teacher, IEA Mentor
  • Roger Schnitzler – Principal
  • Vernecia L. Gee-Davis – Principal
  • Dr. Adam Thorns – Principal
  • Jon Nebor – High School English Teacher
  • Jaimie Metoyer – High School English Teacher
  • Adam Tourlakes – Middle School Paraprofessional
  • Dr. Steven Sharp – Former ESL Teacher, Professor at GSU
  • Dr. Angela Thompson – edTPA Coordinator, Professor at GSU

SEA and KDP are thankful for all the wonderful panelist that volunteered their time and wisdom to help GSU’s education students prepare for their future careers.

This event was organized by SEA President/KDP Vice-President, Jessica White, and SEA/KDP Committee Chair, Dr. Katy Hisrich.

See Teacher Panel photos here.

 

Join Us TODAY! Social Media Workshop

Today, SEA and KDP will be hosting a free Social Media Workshop geared toward educators, social workers, psychologists, and others who work with children and their families.

Please come join us at today:

Wednesday, April 18th @ 3-4:15pm
D2401A (GSU Library)

This workshop will highlight the dangers of connecting online, review the best practices for using social media to connect safely with parents and students, and provide guidelines to follow for educators working with the public.

We hope to see you there!

Flyer: flyer social media safety for educators 4.18.18 – GSU Library SEA KDP .

Career & Internship Fair – April 12!

Need a job? Want an internship?

Careers
Come join us for the Spring 2018 Career & Internship Fair on campus!

Thursday, April 12th, 2018
2 – 5pm
Governors State University Gymnasium

All students, alumni, and community members are welcome to attend.
The focus will be on careers in Education, Business and Technology, and Communications.

Please:

  • DRESS PROFESSIONALLY
  • BRING RESUMES

This event is sponsored by the Office of Career Services
For more information, please visit www.govst.edu/careerservices or call 708-235-3974.

We hope to see you there!

SEA Members Contribute Voices

Through an initiative to hear students’ voices, President Elaine Maimon presented one of

UniversityPresident

Jessica White, Dr. Elaine Maimon, Michelle Westergaard

many opportunities for students to join in round table discussions with campus leaders on Thursday, February 1.  Taking initiative, Jessica White (Student Education Association Treasurer and Kappa Delta Pi Secretary) and Michelle Westergaard (Student Education Association Membership and Activities Director and Kappa Delta Pi Secretary) joined students, faculty, and staff for an evening of sharing experiences.

StudentPresident

Jessica White, Justin Smith, Michelle Westergaard

After Dr. Maimon made introductions, participants spoke from personal perspectives resulting in productive dialogue about both issues on campus as well as potential solutions.  Michelle said, “The evening was an excellent opportunity to talk about our overall experiences as GSU students.”  These experiences included involvement in student activities, clubs, and honor societies such as the Student Education Association (SEA) and Kappa Delta Pi (KDP).

Michelle said that she and Jessica shared with the room “how involvement is crucial for having a positive overall collegiate experience.”  She went on to say, “Joining organizations helps students to feel like they are an integral part of the University, and provides excellent opportunities for networking.”  For Michelle and Jessica, being involved in SEA and KDP have been vital to their success and enjoyment as students at Governors State University.

Students interested in joining SEA or learning more about KDP should check out the website or contact Michelle Westergaard (mweatergaard@student.govst.edu) for more information.