We are excited to announce that the virtual 2023 Classified Conference will be occurring on Saturday, March 11th, from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Registration is now open for this event, which includes workshops on
De-escalation and Support;
Food Insecurity and Student Learning;
Gender Diversity;
Supporting Special Education Students;
And more!
This conference is open to all union members. Many workshops will qualify for professional development and continuing education credits.
Register here - space is limited!
This year's workshops:
Cues and Signs of Trouble Brewing*
Behaviors can be positive, negative, attention seeking, or attention avoiding. Generally in school we want to encourage positive behaviors and extinguish negative ones. This training will help you develop a common understanding of what student behavior is and how we can influence it. We will talk about school-wide behavior intervention systems, as well as individual tools and techniques that you can employ to encourage positive behavior and extinguish negative ones.
Nutrition, Food Insecurity, and Student Learning*^
Access to nutritious food is necessary for every child to learn. School nutrition programs play a vital role in getting healthy food to students. Workshop participants will learn about food insecurity and its increase during the pandemic, changing trends in nutrition programs, and the role access to food can play in students’ ability to learn.
Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Dealing With Burnout and Self Care*^
In air travel, we are told to put on our mask before assisting others with theirs, which is good advice for dealing with the stress we face. While supporting each other, and receiving support from each other, is a key part of managing burnout and giving ourselves care, it is not the only tool we have to assist with the stresses and challenges we face on the job.
Your Power As A Union Member
The Washington State Labor Education and Research Center and AFT Washington are presenting a participatory training that combines knowing your contract and knowing your rights as union members. Learn how to use the LERC’s incredible RightsatWorkWA.org website to help your coworkers, friends, and family protect their rights at work, and also learn how to use your contract to ensure that you receive the benefits and protections your contract entitles you to. We find legal protection inside and outside of the union contract, and this workshop teaches both approaches through an organizing lens.
Retirement*
Many of us look forward to retirement – but it’s common to ask yourself: “How do I know when I’m ready?” If you are 2 years, 5 years, or even 10 or more years from retirement, this panel is for you! This workshop is in two parts. The first part is a presentation from the Department of Retirement Systems with information that classified employees should be aware of to prep for retirement. The second part is a panel discussion with retired members of AFT Washington, answering some of the less technical questions about retirement and how they knew if they were ready to retire. We will have a Q&A with the panel, so bring your questions!
Supporting and Working with SPED Kids*
This workshop explores instructional methods that can be used to assist classroom teachers and support special education students. It also touches on topics like sensory ideas for classrooms and other technological tools we can use to support our students.
Deepening our Understanding of Gender Diversity*
Our schools are a reflection of our history, developing over time in response to the conditions, values, and needs of our society. We live in a society where gender diversity is recognized more than ever before. This workshop is aimed at understanding gender diversity and learning appropriate ways to respect and support gender-diverse students and colleagues.
Professional Development Credit has been approved. Workshops marked with an * are approved for TFESP members; workshops marked with a ^ are approved for Northshore members.
Questions? Contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org.