TEACHER EXCELLENCE
Teacher Excellence
At ETA, we deliver high-impact professional development that raises standards, sharpens skills, and drives educator success. Our teacher-led workshops are designed to spark collaboration, strengthen instructional practices, and inspire continuous growth. Every session is led by ETA members or our trusted community partners—ensuring that what you learn is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable in the classroom.
Stipend Pay Schedule for 2025-2026
- Workshop Presenter: $250 check per person (max 2 per academic year)
- Workshop Panelist: $150 check per person (max 3 per academic year)
- Workshop Attendee – ETA Members: $50 cash at the end of each workshop
- Workshop Attendee – Local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators: $40 cash at the end of each workshop
❗ Note: President Lori Young, ISTA Racial and Social Justice Coordinator Rita Taylor, UniServ Director Mark Lichtenberg, and our partners do not receive stipends for presenting or serving at ETA-sponsored workshops, seminars, or panels.
ETA 2025–2026 Professional Development Workshops
August 21, 2025
Workshop: Classroom Management: Real Talk, Real Strategies, Real Teachers
Presenter: Lori Young. President Lori Young does not receive stipends for presenting or serving on ETA workshops or panels.
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Presenter: Lori Young (ETA, formerly of Reitz)
Panelists: Jewell Gourley (New Tech), Ashley Kappler (North HS), Amy Price (Thompkins)
Participants: Open to all educators – no union membership required
Class Size: 30 - 50
Stipends: Stipends are available only to ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college. Potential members and non-members are not eligible for any stipend from ETA.
Registration: Classroom Management Signup!
August 28, 2025 (4:15 – 6:15 PM)
Seminar: Retirement Seminar
Partners: Horace Mann • Liberty Mutual • ISTA
Time: 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: This workshop is limited to ETA members
Class Size: 30 - 50
Stipends: No stipends are provided for this seminar
Registration: Retirement Seminar Signup
September 18, 2025
Workshop: Praxis 5205: Your Roadmap to Success
Presenter: Gena Allen (Tekoppel)
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Open to all educators – no union membership required
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: Stipends are available only to ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college. Potential members and non-members are not eligible for any stipend from ETA.
Registration: https://forms.gle/pq93ZpFVxWRx2wTK9
October 2, 2025
Workshop: Cultural Communication
Presenter: Rita Taylor – ISTA Racial & Social Justice Coordinator. Rita Taylor does not receive stipends for presenting or serving on ETA workshops or panels.
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college.
Registration: https://forms.gle/8DFEfFJj5EGA8xXh9
October 23, 2025
Workshop: Let Your Gadgets Work for You, 2.0
Presenter: Henry Kathman (North HS)
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college.
Registration: https://forms.gle/yVkt4vnmuXESkYvG8
November 20, 2025
Workshop: Accommodations vs. Modifications: What, When, Why & How
Presenter: TBD
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college.
Registration: https://forms.gle/tqsK1cT65UyePTzE7
January 29, 2026 (4:15 – 6:15 PM) - Canceled due to snow!
Seminar: Retirement Seminar
Partners: Horace Mann • Liberty Mutual • ISTA
Time: 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: This workshop is limited to ETA members
Class Size: 30 - 50
Stipends: No stipends are provided for this seminar
Registration: https://forms.gle/FXP9eoQfV5mHCcc7A
February 19, 2026
Workshop: Canva in the Classroom
Presenter/Panelist/Partner: Heather Dougan, Stockwell
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college coursework.
Registration: https://forms.gle/qgQCYtvDmWX2LWLr7
March 19, 2026
Workshop: TBD
Presenter/Panelist/Partner: TBD
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college coursework.
Registration: Forthcoming
April 16, 2026
Workshop: TBD
Presenter/Panelist/Partner: TBD
Time: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Location: ISTA Southwest Conference Center, 705 John Street, Evansville, IN
Participants: Union membership required – open only to ETA members and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators.
Class Size: 20 - 30
Stipends: For ETA members in good standing and local ISTA-sponsored Aspiring Educators actively enrolled in college coursework.
Registration: Forthcoming
2024-2025 WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
- August 29, 2024: Retirement Seminar for Members in partnership with Liberty Mutual
- September 12, 2024: Make Your Gadgets Work for You 1.0. Presenter Henry Kathman (North HS)
- November 14, 2024: Trauma Response Behavior Management in partnership with Southwestern Behavioral Health
- December 4, 2024: Sip and Stretch: An Educators’ Mindfulness and Renewal Workshop! Guest Instructor: Kelly Lejman
- January 16, 2025: Strategies for Success: Conquering the Early Literacy Praxis. Presenter Gena Allen (Daniel Wertz)
- January 30, 2025: Retirement Seminar for Members in partnership with Horace Mann, ISTA-Vanderburgh County Retire, and Liberty Mutual.
- February 27, 2025: Supporting Exceptional Learners in the General Education Classroom. Presenters Olivia Crowe (EPCC) and Laura Norris (EPCC)
2023 - 2024 WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
- August 22, 2023: Retirement Seminar for Members in partnership with Liberty Mutual, Horace Mann, and ISTA
- October 26, 2023: What’s the Buzz Around the Science of Reading? Presenter Gena Allen (Daniel Wertz)
- November 30, 2023: Supporting Exceptional Learners in the General Education Classroom. Presenters Laura Norris (EPCC) and Olivia Crowe (EPCC)
- December 7, 2023: Stand up, Fight Back: Empowering Teacher Voice in Educational Policy. Presenter Shelby Phelps (Central)
- January 25, 2024: Retirement Seminar for Members in partnership with Liberty Mutual, Horace Mann, and ISTA
- February 29, 2024: Cultural Communication. Presenter Rita Taylor (McGary)
- March 18, 2024: Up Your IEP Game – Specialized Strategies for Special Education Teachers. Presenters Olivia Crowe (EPCC) and Laura Norris (EPCC)