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2020 ESP Professional Development Conference
THEME: Building a Safe and Productive Environment

Sign-in and continental breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch is provided.

MSEA’s ESP Professional Development Day provides members with the skills they need to build stronger locals, build stronger internal and external relationships, organize members, and influence the creation of professional development opportunities for ESP at the local level.

Seats are filled first-come, first-served. This is a very popular conference and seats fill up quickly! It is possible you may be placed in your second choice.
NOTE: This conference is for MSEA members only. If you are not yet a member and would like to attend, contact the local association in the county where you work for more information on how to become a member.

QUESTIONS: Yusuan Smithson at [email protected] or 410.263.6600

DEADLINE: Registration closes April 20, 2020 or when seats are filled. 

Session Descriptions

Are you Prepared for De-escalating Crisis?—Helen Wilkerson, Technician and Tammy Zimmerman, Secretary, Anne Arundel County
De-escalation is aimed at calmly communicating with an agitated client in order to understand, manage, and resolve their concerns.  This interactive session will discuss and strategize conflict solutions, focus on five proven techniques and help safely de-escalate conflicts between the individuals involved in incidents. The session incorporates self-care strategies and practices.

Bargaining for Safety and Protection—Sean McKillop, MSEA UniServ Director
From working with dangerous materials to aggressive students, safety is an increasing concern for our support staff. How can we negotiate contract language that provides for a safe work environment for our members? This session will review the negotiations process, provide some sample contract language on work safety, and discuss some contract campaign ideas to support your bargaining goals..

Being Smart on Smart Devices—Damon R. Felton, Esq., MSEA Associate Counsel
Do you know what you should do if you are falsely accused by a student, parent, or colleague? Do you know how school systems often react when their employees are accused of improper behavior? Are you aware of new school policies that restrict activities which may have been permissible in the past? Do you know how school employees are disciplined? Do you know what are the most commons reasons educators may find themselves in court? Do you know your legal responsibility when handling school funds? This session will address these questions and more.

Creating Action and Strategic Movement through the “Story of Self”—Danielle Jones, MSEA UniServ Director
Storytelling has been used as a powerful tool to excite change around the world.  Storytelling allows individuals to share facts while creating a narrative that speaks to a given purpose. In this workshop, participants will learn how to use the “story of self” to organize around issues that foster change. This concept has allowed our local organization to push through communication barriers and organize around issues that affect the full organization. The “story of self” is also a catalyst that brings community shareholders together for the common good. 

How to Minimize the Impact of Traumatic Experiences on Educators—Veronica Fellows, Paraeducator, Cecil County
Participants will learn short-term and long-term strategies on how to minimize or avoid the impact of traumatic experiences. Participants will understand the different types of trauma and how to recognize signs of trauma within themselves as well as others.

Innocence Stolen: Protecting Our Children Online (Part 1)—Vincent DeVivo, Community Outreach Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
This internet safety program provides communities the necessary information to keep children safe on the internet. It is free of charge and available to your community, PTA, school faculty, and professional development meetings. The multimedia presentation informs adults about how best to protect young people from negative and criminal influences online. Topics include social networking, cyber bullying, sexting, and internet predators. The program provides prevention and intervention strategies and internet safety resources. 

Innocence Stolen: Protecting Our Children Online (Part 2)—Vincent DeVivo, Community Outreach Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
Participants who have taken Innocence Stolen Part 1 today, or at a prior conference, may join in Part 2 to have questions answered and receive additional updated information.

MSEA Legal Talk: Know Your Rights—Damon R. Felton, Esq., MSEA Associate Counsel
This workshop will focus on legal and contractual issues that are of interest to ESP personnel throughout Maryland including: child abuse allegations, employee discipline, overtime pay, compensatory time, working outside of classification, the right to union membership, right to union representation, and unlawful retaliation. After completing this workshop, we hope that members will be empowered to protect their rights and the rights of others, understand the grievance process, suggest new language for their respective negotiated agreements, and protect themselves from the negative consequences of false allegations.

School Safety— Sergeant Shannon Earl, Gang Intelligence/Training Instructor, Department of Security Service, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Participants will learn about various safety topics on how to protect students and faculty on school grounds, in the classroom, and on school buses. Topics include: state law on safety protocol, dos and don’ts in the middle of crisis, safety preventive measures, and examples of the role educators play in ensuring students are safe. Participants will be given an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session.

Strategies for Creating Workplace Harmony (Workplace Bullying)—Seleste Harris, MSEA UniServ Director
Have you ever felt that you were in the midst of adult-on-adult bullying? Great focus is often placed on student bullying and adults’ inappropriate behavior is not acknowledged. It’s a far too common occurrence that is often not discussed.  This workshop discusses it.

Strategies to De-Stress Your Life—Elaine Crawford, MSEA UniServ Director
Stress is the number one reason for burnout and can be the culprit behind many physical and emotional issues.  Find out how you can take charge of stressful moments in your life by following simple yet effective strategies.  The answer to reducing stress is as easy as following some tried and tested activities that anyone can do. This session will show you how to de-stress, no matter where you are, at any time of your day.