Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming IFT Professional Development

The Spring semester of IFT’s Union Leadership Institute (ULI) program begins soon! Members and leaders in all constituency groups are encouraged to join us for learning, networking, and fun at this long-running, highly popular union skills training program held in Westmont, Illinois.

ULI North Spring 2026 semester courses will be conducted over three weekend sessions on February 7-8, March 7-8, and April 11-12. (You may register for only one course per semester, and must attend all three sessions to complete the course.) Course descriptions, fees, and hotel information are available here.

As always, courses will be taught by experienced union staff and leaders who can help you meet the challenges you face in your unions and workplaces.

Classes usually fill up fast! The deadline to register for the spring semester is Friday, January 9.

Learn more about all the union's professional development and leadership training opportunities on the IFT website, including regional ULI classes and our Administrator Academy:

• January 23-24: At the Fairview Heights ULI, we’re offering Boot Camp for Union Leaders and Introduction to Collective Bargaining. Register here by January 16!

• January 14, 24, 25: Illinois Performance Evaluation – Initial Teacher Evaluation Training / AA2001. Registration is open through January 6.

• February 21: Teacher Evaluator Retraining / AA3000. Registration is open January 12 through February 12. 

• March 14: Save the date for a regional ULI in Quincy. Course information and registration will be provided soon - check our website for more details early next year.

• June 12: IFT Teacher Evaluators Training / AA1801. Register by May 29.