The Employees of Color Resource Group’s mission is to provide an affinity space for Employees of Color to understand how our racial/ethnic identities impact our experiences at RPS and to collaborate with the District in creating a more supportive, anti-racist school and work environment for students and staff. We seek to increase the retention of Black, Indigenous, and other Staff of Color by supporting and celebrating the impactful work we do to inspire, challenge and empower all students.

Our website is live! Check it out https://www.rochesterschools.org/eocrg. The page is under the careers section of the Rochester Public Schools webpage.

There you will find information about becoming a member, a communication form, and mentorship information

If you need resources to help process the events at the Capitol, please see the links below.

Responding to the Insurrection at the US Capitol

Talking About Capitol Takeover with Students

We will also be having a safe space FRIDAY, JANUARY 8TH FROM 4-6PM. Feel free to come for part or all if you wish to discuss the current events at the capitol in a safe space with other members of the EoCRG group.

meet.google.com/eyh-vbar-ttt

2021 NEA ESP National Conference

Education Support Professionals: Our Democracy, Our Responsibility, Our Time!

The 2021 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) National Conference will take place virtually on March 19-21, followed by the NEA ESP of the Year award celebration on Friday, March 26. The NEA ESP National Conference is the premier professional development opportunity for ESPs across the nation.

This year’s conference will offer up to 30 live and 15 on-demand professional learning opportunities over the course of three days. In addition, participants will have multiple opportunities to network and share best practices and strategies with their peers.

The conference is offered to NEA members only. Registration will open in February 2021 and will be free of charge. Because there is no cost to participate in the conference, state affiliates will not need to submit state-nominees to attend this year. Registration will be capped at 2,000 participants and will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Information about the NEA ESP Conference can be found at www.nea.org/espconference.

Because February is Black History Month, let's look to celebrate our own! We need your help! We are looking to support minority business, so we want to create a list of businesses around Rochester and SE Minnesota owned by minorities! If you know of a great place, please let us know!

Hello! I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I attended Chicago Vocational High School majoring in Secretarial Practice (typing and shorthand). I graduated from Chicago State University with a B.S. degree in Special Education and became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho,Sorority. I attended graduate school at University of Illinois-Chicago with M.Ed - Administration. I have taught grades from 1st grade through 9th grade over a period of 35 years at Chicago Public Schools. My last eight years was an Assistant Principal at O’Keeffe Elementary School grades Kdg,- 8th grade. I was in the CTU because educators need protection and their expertise needs to be validated and appreciated.

I have two daughters (a son-law) and three granddaughters. My entire family and friends are important to me especially my granddaughters. I moved to Minnesota in 2013 to be closer to

my two older brothers and their families. I joined Rochester Public Schools in September 2013 as the Minority Liaison at John Adams Middle School. I love working with students and their families. That is when I’m in my ‘zone.” Educating students and empowering them. I love to read, dance, travel and also do artwork on my color app on my cell phone,

It gives me great pleasure to see my colleagues working with students. I’m a team player. I believe it is important for educators to work together to provide the best education possible for students. You must have that innate ability to love working with all students and their families.

I make sure that my students know my sincerity and commitment to being there for them.

I also like to keep it real and be honest so that I can have a relationship with them that can be trustworthy.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”

Maya Angelou

A huge congratulations to Nicole Andrews for winning the Mayor's Medal of Honor for Educational Excellence Award!!

Also, thank you to Nicole for offering to help with any grants we could use. If you see or hear of any grants you would like to apply for, please contact the board to get started!

As a reminder, if you are interested in getting mentored (1st 3 years at RPS) or being a mentor, please contact Ian Naatz at Ianaatz@rochesterschools.org, or complete the Contact Us form at the bottom of the newsletter. Both mentors and mentees will be compensated.

Do you have a PD that you would like to administer to the district on February 12th? Please contact us below on the contact us form to let us know.

EdMN Professional Development Grants are Due April 2, 2021. There are several grants to apply for including:

• Bruce Vento Science Educator Grants

• Classroom-Focused Grants

• IMPACT Grant

• Professional Development Grants

• National Board Certified Teachers Scholarship

Please visit https://edmnfoundation.org/overview/ for more information.