Convention & Education Exposition

UEA Convention Discontinued

The Utah Education Association Board of Directors has determined the Association will no longer hold its annual UEA Convention. School districts may continue holding a fall recess in October, but there will no longer be a fall statewide teacher convention. (Schedules for local public schools are available on the Utah State Board of Education school calendar.)

“This was a difficult decision for our Board,” said UEA President Heidi Matthews. “For more than 100 years, Utah teachers have gathered annually in a statewide convention for professional learning and social networking. However, the statewide convention format is now proving difficult for many, as evidenced by declining UEA Convention attendance in recent years.”

Background:

For more than 100 years, Utah teachers have gathered annually in a statewide convention for professional learning and social networking. The statewide convention format is now proving difficult for many, as evidenced by declining UEA Convention attendance in recent years.

Educators cite desire for “time off” from increased teaching demands as a primary reason for not attending the Convention. This feeling is supported by a recent University of Utah Education Policy Center study showing “emotional exhaustion, stress and burnout” as the No. 1 reasons teachers are leaving the profession. The UEA hopes to address teacher “emotional exhaustion, stress and burnout” by bringing additional resources to the classroom.

Appreciation to vendors and sponsors:

“We want our UEA Convention vendors, exhibitors and partners to know how much we appreciate their loyalty to Utah teachers over many decades,” said UEA Convention co-manager and Communications Director Mike Kelley. “As we move forward, we hope to find new ways to connect educators with products and services tailored to their needs.”