Midvale — More than 120 educators from across the state gathered at the Zion Technology Center in Midvale for the Utah Education Association’s inaugural Summer Learning Institute, a groundbreaking two-day professional development event designed to elevate and connect teacher leaders across Utah.
Held June 10 and 11, the institute is part of a broader initiative funded by the National Education Association’s Great Public Schools Grant and marks the official launch of UEA’s Professional Learning Platform, a new, educator-driven resource developed to support members’ ongoing learning and leadership.
“Teachers make connections that impact all professions, even ones that do not exist yet,” said Carley Maloney, 2025 Utah Teacher of the Year and opening keynote speaker. “Teachers create the connections that last and matter most. As teachers and teacher leaders, we are stronger together because of the connections we make with one another.”
Maloney’s remarks set the tone for the institute, which centered on collaboration, leadership, and the power of representation in public education.
The UEA Professional Learning Platform, now live through the LearnUpon portal, features seven unique academies: Professional Practice, Early Leadership, Social and Racial Justice, Political Action, Educator Wellness, Leadership, and Safe and Healthy Schools. The platform provides asynchronous, high-quality courses developed by educators for educators.
“Our members don’t have to wait for the next in-person event,” said Lillian Tsosie-Jensen, UEA’s Director of Professional Learning. “This platform offers flexible, meaningful opportunities for educators to learn and grow on their own schedule and within a supportive, union-led framework.”
Sayre Posey, the 2025 Utah Teacher of the Year, also highlighted the role of the UEA in shaping educator voice and leadership.
“We really are stronger together,” Posey said. “We are demanding our representation in education and policy decisions.”
During her keynote, Posey spoke passionately about the transformative impact of union engagement on her teaching and leadership journey.
“My involvement in UEA is shaping me into a more effective, informed, and empowered educator. I’ve gained advocacy skills and found a community of educators who share my passion for equity, justice, and representation in education.”
Posey also emphasized the critical importance of representation for students and educators alike, especially amid increasing challenges to public education.
“Sometimes I feel so small and alone in this state,” she said. “But that is not the case at all. We have each other. I had chills when 1,000 public educators and public employees sang ‘Solidarity Forever’ together at the state capitol.”
“There are safe places to have conversations about representation, but even in the scary places, they need to be had. The stakes are too high. We have to keep fighting and talking about the issues that impact our students and our school communities.”
The Summer Learning Institute is just the beginning of a renewed commitment from UEA to support educator leadership at every level, every month of the year.
To explore the UEA Professional Learning Platform, visit myueaportal.learnupon.com/catalog.
