Healthy & Empowered Schools: Reclaiming and Reframing Public Education
Thank you for your interest in the Western Maryland Ed Practices Summit. This page will be updated as the date for the summit gets closer!
During lunch, which is provided compliments of Marathon Health, participants will have the opportunity to peruse information and visit with each other at various tables during the Conversation Café & MSEA Opportunities Fair.
- Licensure & Certification Conversation Café
- Retirement Information Conversation Café
- PAC Table & Activists Conversation Café
- MSEA Educators of Color Conversation Café
Workshops
Trauma, SEL, & Verbal De-escalation in the Classroom – MSEA Organizational Development Specialist Evan West. More and more, educators are confronting the realities of trauma and stress related behavior in our day-to-day work. It can be overwhelming to consider all the factors that lead to escalated student behavior and how they impact the learning environment. But with some basic understandings of what how trauma and stress impact learning and how to use practical, next-day strategies to help students manage stress responses- it doesn’t have to be so daunting.
“Not Today, Chaos!” — How to Push Back Without Getting Written Up – MSEA UniServ Directors Joia Clevinger (FCTA) and Mary Heeringa (WCTA). Ever wish you had a script for saying “no” without landing in HR? Want to stand up for what’s right without setting off fireworks? Join us for a lively and practical session where we’ll explore the art of pushing back politely — and effectively. We’ll dive into how to say “no” without sounding insubordinate, how to resolve issues at the lowest level possible to avoid unnecessary drama, and the best practices for contract enforcement that protect both your rights and your relationships. Come ready to laugh, learn, and leave with tools to keep you in “good trouble” — the kind that sparks positive change without burning bridges.
Holy Behaviors Batman! Handling Behaviors and Knowing Your Rights – MSEA UniServ Director Cresta Kowalski. We all handle difficult behaviors in our day-to-day lives, and we want to give you knowledge and strategies to overcome and handle challenges like the superheroes you are! Come and hear what the law says about your rights as an educator and how you can manage situations as we discuss scenarios appropriate for both classroom teachers and ESPs.
Holding your Political Friends & Adversaries Accountable – MSEA Organizational Development Specialist Dan Chambers. There’s two ways to hold decision makers accountable: proactively and reactively. Both have their place, and both are important. The best plans for accountability for people in power include setting expectations of them by who they are accountable to and holding their feet to the fire when they fall short. This training will go through strategies for both that you can employ over the course of a campaign, budget fight or longer term issue based struggle.
Restorative Practices in the Elementary Classroom – Lauren Weaver, Harford County teacher: In this workshop, Lauren Weaver, Restorative Practices Educator and MSEA member from Harford County will lead us through the essentials of restorative practices in the elementary classroom as part of a wholistic approach to classroom culture.
Focus on Your Future: Retirement 101 – ACEA President Kim Sloane. If you are interested in your future financial wellness, then this workshop is for you. This session will introduce you to The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, the historical development of the various pension systems for educators within the MSRPS, how to access your account, and the various resources available such as choosing your allowance, unused sick leave, as well as touching on other important considerations for retirement.
The Black History Project: An Authentic Learning Experience – FCTA Advisor Kate Ehrlich with FCPS Oakdale High School Students. Student volunteers and their advisor, Kate Ehrlich, will be presenting information about the Black History Project. For the past two years, students have researched and found innovative ways to share local Black history with members of the community. The group has produced a traveling exhibit about Frederick’s Black history and hosted an all-day walking tour of Cambridge, Maryland for FCPS staff. Educators will learn how to incorporate similar learning experiences into their own classes. Visit website to learn more: https://theoakdalepost.com/blackhistoryproject/
Equity is Our Business: Unions and Movements for Racial, Social and Economic Justice – MSEA RSEJ Managing Director Tamara Robinson. Learn about the complicated history American unions have had with movements for liberation. When has labor won BIG by partnering with struggles for equity and justice? When has it given up progress by not aligning with communities experiencing hardship simply because they held different social identities? What can we learn from that fraught past? The current social and political climate is asking union leaders “Are you a movement for all, or a movement for some?” To truly live and lead with labor’s values, we must understand and embrace the power of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and understand why our opponents are adamant about disrupting it.
Conflict Resolution for Employees (Strategies for Adult-to-Adult Issues in the Workplace) – MSEA UniServ Director Carlos Mellott (FASSE). Description to be added soon.
August 8, 2025, 6:30 PM Game: See the Hagertown’s Flying Boxcars Baseball Team at play the Long Island Ducks at Meritus Park
The first 50 registrants will receive one free ticket each to the game, compliments of Marathon Health. Additional tickets may be purchased directly from the team at the special portal provided for us for friends and family! If you miss the free ticket give away and still want to come out, click into the portal to purchase tickets in the same section as the group.
Come out to the new local baseball stadium, Meritus Park, for a Fireworks Friday after the Summit has concluded. If you don’t see the info you are looking for here, please send an email to WCTA President Carol Mowen. She will respond as soon as possible.
If you are one of the first 50 registrants, you will receive an email with your ticket information once the registration is processed.
If you would like to purchase tickets, please click here for the portal to our group’s section and use the password WCTA2025.