The Case for Joining ELP, Courtesy of the Wisconsin Education Association Council
This summer we were thrilled to learn that one of ELP’s original founding partners, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), was ready to join our program during Year 2 of the pilot.
During this school year, they are focused on internal communication about the program, gauging participant interest, and working with Locals/Districts to prepare for full participation in the 2023-24 school year.
If you’ve been following ELP for a while, you know that our intention is to expand the program, both within the Midwest and beyond. WEAC Executive Director Bob Baxter was more than happy to share with us why WEAC is joining now - and why other state affiliates, Locals and Districts may want to consider joining ELP in the future.
WEAC members need more support than ever
Like many state affiliates, WEAC is deeply concerned about the current direction of public policy in the US. “We believe in a free and open democracy,” Executive Director Bob Baxter stated, “and not the suppression of individual or collective rights. Public school educators must be able to use their knowledge and expertise to educate our children without constant interference.”
“Our members are concerned by the dysfunctional, disrespectful attacks from school boards,” he continued, “administrators who are not experienced enough to deal with all the challenges; and parents and guardians who have one demand after another. We are asking classroom educators and support professionals how they are going to solve problems that are not of their making. So many dedicated educators are exhausted, and we are not even at the end of the first month of the school year.”
These are massive, societal issues, and WEAC knows that advocating for members at the state government level is only part of the solution. Professional development opportunities that allow educators to build knowledge and expertise and receive support from other members is another.
Robust professional development support is a key need of educators
“We are very proud of the WEA Professional Development Academy, a separate organization that offers our members numerous learning opportunities,” Bob shared. “It could be virtual instruction for curriculum development or it could be a meeting/study group. Essentially our members teach other members on issues that will be helpful for them, whether they’re just starting out or looking to grow their skills. We have great participation in the Academy, and the Milwaukee Public School System has even partnered with the Academy to handle all of their district’s professional development.”
Even with an established and popular professional development program already in place, WEAC leaders are eager to learn how ELP might complement their current efforts. As Bob noted, “We want to grow opportunities for member involvement and advocate in a more holistic way on behalf of our members, especially around what they need in their daily work with students.”
WEAC and ELP seem like a natural fit based on that statement alone. But dig deeper into who WEAC is, and there’s a natural dovetail between the two organizations.
“Our mission is to advocate for great public education for the common good,” Bob shared. “And our vision includes the statement that ‘public educators are respected partners in developing an innovative and responsive educational system’. It seems to us that ELP fits perfectly with us and vice versa.”