SPARKS for WCTA

WCTA is starting a SPARKS cohort in 2025-2026, and we are seeking candidates for this special opportunity to learn more about WCTA, MSEA, and NEA and the power of union membership and involvement. MSEA has been providing grants to locals to support SPARKS programs for more than 10 years. It’s one of the leadership and professional development opportunities MSEA provides for young members. FCTA (Frederick County, MD) has an established SPARKS program since its beginning. Click here to learn more about their SPARKS work and to see what SPARKS can do for WCTA members.

Although SPARKS isn’t an acronym, per se, the WCTA planning team members, led by Giovanna Grimm and Kimberly Toms, are looking for members who are (or who want to be) savvy, proactive, aspiring, respected, kind supporters of each other and the greater union family. We are now seeking recommendations for SPARKS Candidates so that we can establish a co-hort of 15-20 members for our SPARKS experience in March.

• SPARKS Candidates & Recommendations Deadline: December 31, 2025
• SPARKS Experience in Annapolis: March 20-21, 2026

To recommend candidates (or recommend yourself!) to this SPARKS cohort, please complete this form. Kimberly and Giovanna will follow up with invitations in January.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Your Name *

First

Last

Your Email Address *

Who are your recommending for SPARKS? (Note, you can recommend yourself or someone else!) *

First

Last

Why are you recommending yourself or another WCTA member for the SPARKS Opportunity? *

member yourself, recommended

How long have you been a member of WCTA?

• 1-5 years
• 6-10 years
• 11+ Years

If you are recommending a member other than yourself, how long has the recommended SPARKS candidate been a member of WCTA?

• 1-5 years
• 6-10 years
• More than 10 years
• I'm not sure.

Do you know if the recommended candidate (yourself or someone else) is available to attend the overnight retreat in Annapolis March 20-21, 2026?

• Yes, those dates will work.
• No, those dates won't work.
• I am not sure.

Submit