VEA’s 2023 EPIC (Education Professionals in Collaboration) Conference: Call For Proposals

VEA’s EPIC Conference is used to advance the mission, vision, and goals of the union. You are invited to submit a session proposal that aligns with the following:

Mission: The mission of the Virginia Education Association is to unite our members and local communities across the Commonwealth in fulfilling the promise of a high-quality public education that successfully prepares every single student to realize his or her potential. We believe this can be accomplished by advocating for students, education professionals, and support professionals.

Vision: A great public school for every child in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Strategic Focus: The VEA will advance a culture that supports racial and social justice, excellence in the profession, educating the whole child, and builds respect for the professions and every individual in our diverse society.

Theme: Daring to Be Bold for Our Students

Registration: overnight/commute
Professional member: $75/$50
ESP, Retired, SVEA-AE member: $40/$30
Non-member: $240/$125

Proposals to present are due by 11:59pm EST on April 9, 2023.

You will be notified of the status of your application by April 21, 2023.

You are invited to submit a session proposal for VEA’s 2023 EPIC Conference at The National Conference Center, Leesburg, Virginia. The VEA supports research that informs practice for teachers, counselors, administrators, education support professionals, and aspiring educators.

Submission/Presenter Tips
1. Conference workshops are 75 minutes. Sessions should be designed to engage participants with no more than two presenters.
2. Presenters/co-presenters may submit no more than two proposals.
3. Presenters are required to register for the conference and pay registration fees. Presenters will receive a 20% discount off the regular rate. All presenters are required to register by April 28, 2023.
4. The VEA will provide each session with a Screen, LCD Projector, Speakers, Clicker, Laptop and Wifi. If you wish to use your own laptop (including Mac), please bring the necessary dongles to connect VGA/HDMI to the VEA projector. If your session requires any other AV needs, it will be your responsibility to provide those, but please make us aware in case technical support may be needed.
5. If you need to stream a video, please save it to a jump drive and bring with you as the internet provided by the venue may not be suitable for streaming media.
6. Presenters may provide handouts during the presentation and are encouraged to submit electronic copies to us by July 3, 2023. VEA will share handouts digitally with conference participants if they are provided in advance of the conference. Please be sure to cite appropriate sources and obtain permission when required for use of materials. [No guarantee on wifi connection]
7. VEA prohibits the advertisement or sale of products and services during conference presentations. Referencing or citing one’s own publications is acceptable.
8. Proposals are encouraged that highlight:

• Best instructional practices
• Strategies and model practices that advance equity and inclusion
• Racial and social justice in schools
• Trauma specific practices
• Cultural responsiveness
• The evaluation process
• Recruitment and retention strategies for all positions
• Collective bargaining
• Political strategies
• Staff wellness
• Community and family engagement


Review Process
Proposals are reviewed by staff on the planning committee. Each proposal is scored by a minimum of three reviewers using the following criteria:

• Alignment with mission, vision, and strategic focus
• Evidence of adult learning principles, participant engagement, and clear outcomes
• Informed by research or evidence-based practice
• Demonstrate effect on student achievement, educator performance, or school improvement

The number of submissions for a particular topic will also be considered in the selection process.

1. Primary Presenter

2. Title and Description - *Preference will be given to proposals that are interactive in nature.

Concurrent Sessions will be 75 minutes.

2. Session Focus

3. Intended Audience

Select one from each list

4. Secondary Presenter

Please list your secondary presenter, if applicable.
Sessions are allowed a maximum of two presenters: one primary and one co-presenter.

Please note that this is not a vending opportunity but an educational training for our members.

Preference in selection will be given to VEA members as Presenters/Co-Presenters.

Questions? Please call or email Chastity Urquhart
toll free at: 800-552-9554 or choward@veanea.org