IEA Aspiring Educators Executive Team

Early Career is teaming up with Aspiring Ed to support FUTURE educators through words of wisdom and helpful tips from CURRENT educators - like you! Scan the QR code or follow the link below to share your valuable thoughts! 🍎💙

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSen9yMrANJP6aiLbbdLQnap-DmByJ5ZCj7FALyeIF0YKDmquQ/viewform

In your first 10 years in education? This retreat is for YOU. 💙

Join fellow IEA Early Career educators April 10–11 in Bloomington for meaningful PD, connection, and support.

Spots are open now — register by March 20!
🔗 https://web.cvent.com/event/6536de66-ac8d-4cc3-ab07-a77676faecc0/register

Aspiring Educators and Early Career Members are speaking up and sharing their stories with unpaid student teaching! Proud of the work that we are doing.

We asked more than 450 IEA members: While student teaching, how much stress did you experience regarding your personal finances?

Nearly 85% of respondents selected “high stress” as their answer.

Our next generation of educators should not have to suffer through the student teaching experience. That is why IEA is fighting for paid student teaching in Illinois, which would require the Illinois Board of Higher Education to administer stipends and ensure all educators receive fair compensation for their labor.

Support House Bill 1375! We need paid student teaching in Illinois!

Registration for the 2026 Early Career Spring Retreat is LIVE! In conjunction with the IEA Aspiring Educators, the Early Career Committee is hosting a professional conference retreat in Bloomington on April 10-11. Educators in their first 10 years are invited to join us! AE and EC attendees will be together for meals and speakers, but separated into relevant union- and classroom-focused breakout sessions (CPDUs/PDHs available!). Ask your local president or region chair for opportunities to get your registration fee and hotel reimbursed by your union.

View more information and register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/6536de66-ac8d-4cc3-ab07-a77676faecc0/websitePage:0ec06611-4737-4d92-b368-748cb7b3c255

**Update** For those who are unable to attend the memorial service for Al Llorens in person, a live stream will be available. The service begins Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. View the live stream: https://trinityunitedchurchofchrist.online.church/

Love to see our Early Career family hosting impactful events for its members!

Good morning and happy American Education Week!!! 🎉🎉🎉

We celebrate our amazing educators every day. Thank you for helping every student reach their full potential. Thank you for making our public schools STRONG.

REMINDER: IEA is hosting a Know Your Rights training exclusively for members this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Learn how we can protect our students, our coworkers, our communities and ourselves. Presented in both English and Spanish. RSVP: https://ieanea.org/communities-of-care/