NETA Fall Updates: Good News, Big Plans, and Teacher PD
By Evi Wusk
I recently had a whiplash online experience. I read one article about a small-town school: budget troubles, behavior issues, declining enrollment…and then I read an article about the small-town school where my kiddos go. For once, it was all good vibes and positive news! We’re building a new school addition. Enrollment is up. Reading it reminded me that sometimes things are just good, and it’s okay to focus there.
NETA is like that right now.
I know there’s a hubbub online about AI and tech-lash, but NETA is still the zesty teacher organization that got me excited to keep learning as a teacher years ago. And there is SO MUCH good stuff going on.
We have a collaborative conference in Lincoln this fall, NEFETC, where we partner with NASB. UNL is hosting an Unconference that we’re helping spread the word about. The Spring NETA conference is already underway. AND we’re hiring a new Executive Director.
Much like that small-town newspaper article, I feel like it’s just good vibes. And if you’re not in on it, you should be!
We’re past the rush-rush of back to school and settling into fall. Let’s set ourselves up with some teacher rituals that refill our buckets and keep us energized for working with the students who depend on us. Here are three ways to get in on the NETA good vibes:
It’s in October at the Cornhusker Hotel. You could even bring your teacher buddies, stay at the Marriott, and make a trip of it!
I KNOW it can feel like one more thing, but oftentimes there are ways to get yourself to a conference. School boards want to support their teachers—even if it doesn’t always feel that way. This is one way we can advocate for ourselves as educators. Just ask about PD money and a day off—what could it hurt?
I know, I know. You don’t want that sting if your request gets rejected. But as teachers, we have to continue to hold kids accountable and ask them to do hard things. We can continue to ask for the support we need, too!
You can sign up here NEFETC
Everyone I know who has led a session at NETA seems to say the same thing: “Oh, I’m not an expert!”
You don’t have to be.
The lifeblood of NETA is awesome teachers who are willing to share their own messy experiments and learn together. NETA is us! If you haven’t submitted before, you could also do it as a collaboration. If your presentation is accepted, you get a discounted rate. Plus, pre-service teachers can come on the uber-cheap! Spread the word.
Writing up a session doesn’t have to be rocket science. If you have an idea but aren’t sure how to write it up, reach out to any NETA board member, and we’ll help you make it happen.
While you’re at it, you can also register for Spring NETA and get it on the calendar. It’s April 22–23 at Younes in Kearney. It’s our flagship event, and our board has some exciting new things planned. You won’t want to miss it.
- Maybe…apply to be our new Executive Director!
NETA is in a shifting phase. We’ve got Jackie Ediger serving as our interim director, but we’ll be starting the hiring process shortly. If you know someone who would love a part-time gig where they can help support Nebraska and Midwest teachers who want to make a difference, we would love to have them apply. All the information you need will be posted on our website or email executivedirector@netasite.org for more information.
After the excitement of the new year wears off, teaching can start to drag a little. Tough parent interactions, the online yuck, and those particularly challenging days with students can drain our teacher batteries. NETA is one way to recharge and reset throughout the year.
Make sure you’re tapping into this amazing resource right here in Nebraska. And while you’re at it, share this message with a new teacher who could use that extra support in their first few years. The teacher shortage is real, and teacher attrition is high. We need places that remind us why we wanted to do this work in the first place, and get us excited for something innovative to bring home to our classrooms!
NETA is one of the ways I continue to re-energize myself for the hard and important work of teaching.
And that is some very good news worth sharing.
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