IEA Education Support Professional Council

The Education Support Professionals Council is wishing you and your families a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and 2026.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and a heart full of thanksgiving!!

I am thankful for each and every one of you! Thank you for what you do every day to support students, colleagues, schools, and communities! Schools couldn’t run without you!

#ieaesp#IEArESPect#OneJobShouldBeEnough#HappyThanksgiving

It’s a party! Join the ESP council via Zoom for an ESP celebration!

Education Support Professionals (ESPs) are school cafeteria workers, secretaries, bus drivers, librarian associates, nurses, paraprofessionals, custodians, building and grounds staff, technology, security and other school support staff. Our schools couldn’t work without them. Join us tonight as we come together and celebrate each other and the essential work we do!

Join us virtually tonight, Wednesday, November 19th from 6:30-8:00

Public education is under attack! Education support professional positions are under attack! 

Next virtual meeting: November 13th, 5:30-7:00pm Come join us to learn organizing strategies and how to activate your power. At this meeting we will be collaborating to create proposals for the IEA Representative Assembly that will promote ESP issues and support the goals of rESPect.   We need YOUR voice and your action! Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link and automatic reminders for our RESPECT meetings.    *The RESPECT campaign is led by education support professionals (bus drivers, library associates, paraprofessionals, secretaries, security, nurses, cafeteria workers and other school and campus support staff) and supported by ESP allies and IEA staff.

Use this mobilized link to register: JOIN US!

PD Funding

Funding is available for members interested in earning Professional Development Hours outside IEA, but still in Illinois. Requests must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. For more info and to apply: https://ieanea.org/professional-development/iea-professional-development-funding-opportunities/

ESP of the Year Nominations are now open!

The IEA ESP of the Year nominations close December 15. This award is meant to further emphasize the contributions of Education Support Professionals to their association, their schools, and their communities. Please share this with your local leaders. Nominations Here

Let’s Celebrate Education Support Professionals

Join us as we gather together to celebrate the essential work Education Support Professionals do every day for our students, school/universities, and communities in which we live. Prizes will be given out to ESP Members! Let’s Celebrate ESP’s

Be on the lookout for your IMRF ballot

Please make sure you fill out and return the postage paid ballot. We are supporting union members: Doug Cycholl and Jason Isaac.

The IEA is recommending Jason Isaac and Doug Cycholl for the two active IMRF Trustee positions up for election. 

Jason Isaac and Doug Cycholl are the ONLY UNION candidates running for these two trustee seats.

Jason Isaac is an IEA member that currently serves on the IMRF Board of Trustees. Jason is the Vice-President of the Champaign ESP Association.

Doug Cycholl is the President of AFSCME Local 337. He works in Springfield for City Water, Light and Power. Doug currently serves as the Vice-President of the IMRF Board of Trustees.

Electing these two union members to the IMRF Board of Trustees will continue to protect your IMRF retirement. Jason and Doug are qualified IMRF Board members that have a history of representing our members’ interests in everything they do as Board members. When will voting begin? Active IMRF members will begin to receive ballots mailed by IMRF to their homes during the last week of October and into the first week of November. It is important that our members vote for these two candidates (Jason and Doug) and return these ballots in the prepaid postage envelope as soon as possible. The election concludes on December 5^th.

Additionally, we urgently ask local leaders to discuss this important election with ESP members. Please print/share this POSTER among members.

Visit IMRF.org for additional information.

We have been working so hard to create an experience that is filled with amazing learning opportunities, that is fun, inspiring, FUN, energizing, and did I mention fun? I can’t wait to see you there! We’re gonna have a good time!

Scan QR code to register. We hope to see you there.

2025 One Conference Registration is now OPEN!

The One Conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education members and Retired members to develop professional skill, earn professional development credit and network with colleagues around the state.  There is a variety of sessions to choose from.

• Great professional development, fellowship with education support professionals from all around Illinois, and a whole LOT of FUN!
• Did I mention fun?…DJ and dancing on Friday night!
• Sessions will begin on Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. and run through Saturday, October 18 at 12:45 p.m.
• Keynote Speaker will be Representative Sean Casten
• Registration link – https://cvent.me/kyWnWo 
• Hotel reservation link – https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/2025oneconferenceattendees/
• IEA scholarship request https://ieanea.org/forms/iea-request-for-funding-scholarship-form/ (other funding: contact your local and region office)

The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is committed to empowering Education Support Professionals (ESPs) by providing resources and support for mentoring, leadership development, and professional growth. Through the “Empowering Our Own” program, ESPs have access to:

• Training and Resource Materials: Equip your mentors with the tools they need to succeed.
• Guidance on Program Structure: Develop a clear, sustainable framework for your mentoring efforts.
• Sample Bargaining Language: Advocate for your program with ready-to-use language tailored to your needs.
• Professional Development Support: Enhance the skills of your team through targeted training and development

These resources are designed to help you create a mentoring program that is both impactful and sustainable. For more information and support contact: crystal.bush@ieanea.org or visit the ESP website at: https://ieanea.org/members/esp/empowering-our-own/

Union leaders call for “Workers over Billionaires” protests across the United States.

From the assembly line to the classroom, from the hospitals to the farms, working people make this country run. Our solidarity is how we protect what we’ve built and win what we still deserve.

On this #LaborDay, and every day forward, we know together we can transform public education and our country to ensure every child, no matter the color of their skin, background, or zip code, has the freedom to learn in a great public school.

Did you know…

YOU are the union! As soon as you (members) realize this and organize to activiate power into action we will be UNSTOPABLE!

Need funding to attend? Apply today for an IEA scholarship. Other funding opportunities could include your local and/or IEA Region Office.

2025 IEA One Conference
Date:  October 17-18, 2025
Location:  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago, Oak Brook, IL
Application Deadline:  September 3 (by end of day)
Scholarship Amount = $200.00 

About this event – September 11, 5:30-7:00pm

Come join us to learn organizing strategies and how to activate your power. Together we will bring improved wages, benefits and working conditions for education support professionals (ESPs) throughout Illinois.

We need YOUR voice at the table! Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link and automatic reminders for our RESPECT meetings.

*The RESPECT campaign is led by education support professionals (bus drivers, library associates, paraprofessionals, secretaries, security, nurses, cafeteria workers and other school and campus support staff) and supported by IEA staff.

Public edcuation is under attack…find a rally near you to advocate for our students and educators.

When: 5:30-7pm, 2nd Thursday of each month

We have restructured our monthly virtual rESPect meetings to better equip and “empower ESPs to know their strength and use it”. All education support professional allies are welcome. Attendees must register as this is a new link to join. Together we can bring the changes we need and transform this meeting in to a movement!

Come for learning, leave with so much more!!

The ONE Conference offers great professional development, amazing net working, good food, lots of prizes…and we can’t forget dancing.

This Conference is planned by members for members in collaboration with IEA staff. Planned specifically for IEA Education Support Professional members, IEA Higher Education members, and IEA Retired members to develop professional skills, earn professional development credit and network with colleagues around the state.

During this past summer rESPect Campaign leaders met to and discussed how the campaign can better Organize And Empower ESPs To Know Their Power And Use It. You won’t want to miss these virtual organizing opportunities!!

We will NOT be meeting in August but will resume September 11th from 5:30-7pm.

It’s time for education support professionals to be seen as the essential educators they are! The summertime classroom shuffle, repair, and cleaning is done and new routines and relationships are beginning to grow. Students are being transported to schools… or our college learners are walking across campus’. Teachers/prof have long been planning and differentiating instruction in preparation for their arrivial…but don’t forget learning couldn’t happen without education support professionals!

Thank you to the West Aurora Paraprofessional Association (WAPA) for inviting me to come speak at your beginning of the year institute about how essential you are to our students and to our union. We all deserve rESPect! The stonger our power, the louder our voice!

Help keep an ESP voice at the IMRF table

The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) will be holding an election for Trustees of IMRF. Two active members of the system will be elected to the IMRF Board of Trustees in 2025. It is extremely important that we have ESP voices at the table so please help support this candidate.

The IEA-recommended Trustee candidate seeking election: Jason Isaac from Champaign Unit 4 School District

Please help us collect signatures to get Jason’s name on the ballot. You can follow the directions for collecting and submitting listed on the form.

Grow ESP Power…and use it!

The Cumberland Support Staff (Cumberland CUSD #77) are having a rally before the Support Staff’s next negotiations meeting this Thursday at 4:30-5:15pm. If you are in the area…come join our sisters and brothers and support them as they advocate for their members.

Meet at the Cumberland Unit Office lawn before the Support Staff’s next negotiations meeting. Where: Cumberland Unit Office 1496 IL Rte 121 Toledo, IL 62468 Bring your families and friends to support the Cumberland Support Staff who are starting the school year without a contract.

We are bargaining for fair wages and insurance benefits to retain the best support staff for our students.

PLEASE WEAR RED!

Thank you for your support!

You are invited to attend this amazing Leadership Development Retreat

This is for ANYONE interested in learning more about how to better support our black and brown students, the histories of our education system and how we can help to bring the changes we need in a culturally responsive way. Scan the QR Code on the flier for more information.

When you apply to attend, please let them know where you learned about this event (ESP Council social media).

To ensure student success, it is critical that teachers and paraeducators understand their roles and responsibilities, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and respect one another in the process. That’s why NEA offers Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams, a series of trainings designed for teams to engage in together. Follow the link for this NEA ESP Webinar.

In Arlington, Va., education support professionals are making sure immigrant students and their families have the information and support they need.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Black Independence Day, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is an important time to reflect on and celebrate the resilience and achievements of Black Americans. 

I hope this summer gives you the opportunity to rest, recharge, and time for personal and/or professional growth. Please take time for you…take time to fill your “cup” because we can, help more, give more, and do more, when we have replenished our soul.

Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams

Time: Thursday, August 28, 7-8pm EDT

Location: Virtual event – Join from anywhere

About this event

To ensure student success, it is critical that teachers and paraeducators understand their roles and responsibilities, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and respect one another in the process. That’s why NEA offers Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams, a series of trainings designed for teams to engage in together. …

Wow…that was a rough year. I’m officially on summer break. You probably have noticed I haven’t been able to post as often as I used to. By the time my work day and union opportunities finished each day…I just didn’t have it in me to post. I think you all can relate. Thank you for all you do! I hope you enjoy your summer and can rest and recharge! I know that is my goal!

Received May 16th

Today, on World ESP Day, I am reminded of the impact education support professionals (ESPs) have on school communities not only in this nation, but around the world. In every state and almost every country, ESPs are educating, nurturing, and caring for our students and communities. They are with us on picket lines and in front of legislatures, protecting our rights and freedoms from those who try to take them away.

In many countries, including our own, ESPs are overworked and underpaid. We recently surveyed NEA ESP members and found that 90 percent of those who work in K-12 schools see low pay as a “moderate or serious” concern for them. Thirty-seven percent take on a second job and one-third have a moderate or serious problem buying food. This is unacceptable. Every education support professional deserves fair pay, good benefits, better working conditions, quality professional development, and respect. As an ESP leader in Michigan recently said, they deserve not just living wages but thriving wages.

The good news: we have the power to make big changes. In this newsletter, you will find several ways to take action in support of ESPs and the students they serve. I hope that you will join us to protect our public schools and the educators who make them safe, welcoming, and inclusive places for students everywhere.

In solidarity,

Amber Parker
Director
NEA ESP Quality Department

Come on summer!!! Please don’t be a train.

It has been a challenging year. I’ve had to stop, breathe, and count my blessings…and yes, I’ve found so many blessings! If noone has told you lately… Thank You!! Thank you for being a blessing to me, your students and your colleagues.

Early bird registration for the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy is $45 and is open. On Saturday, May 23rd, registration will go up to $90.00 per registrant.

To guarantee your early bird pricing, please register with the – SLA Early Bird Registration link.  Once the schedule is complete, you will receive an email to select sessions and submit your payment.

How are you doing…? No, really?

This school year has been a real challenge for me! I love what I do, but my work schedule was to say the least…extremely draining. I just haven’t been able to do…and keep up with everything like I want to.

Why is it easier to give others grace…but not so easy to give ourselves that same benefit. I want you to know that you matter! What you do matters! You are enough! You are needed in this space! Thank you for just being you!

Hope you are doing well and looking forward to a relaxing summer! 😊

Summer Leadership Academy registration is now open and the early bird cost is $45.  This Early Bird rate will close on May 1st so I wanted to be sure to send this information out in advance. Here is the registration link. You may sign up multiple people at time to secure a spot. Please encourage your exec boards and local leaders to attend.  Once the schedule is complete, you will receive an email to select sessions and submit your payment. SLA is held July 28-31 at Illinois State University.

The 2025 SLA agenda has not yet been created/finalized, however, I have attached LAST YEAR’s agenda so you can get a feel for what sessions may be provided this year. SLA usually starts the first day with new BOD training and stakeholder summit, followed by a series of training sessions over the next two days.

Undo Tier 2 Week of Action

I hope this finds you well on this beautiful sunny day!!

Important Call To Action!! Please register for the upcoming Undo Tier 2 Week of Action. There is a We Are One Legislative Update webinar tomorrow, Monday at 6pm. – Here is the link to register –
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wwjkvgHGRSOkcEYl1uDfoQ?link_id=0&can_id=8d5cdedaa04d37e9a64c9d1c57a193e0#/registration

This is very important to bring a push to Undo Tier 2!! Time is of the essence for this legislative session to push this over the finish line.

What is Undo Tier 2 and why is it important we fight to undo the inequitable retirement requirements? Click to learn more – https://ieanea.org/undo-tier-two/

Tonight 33 amazing education support professional leaders, certified allies, and IEA staff collaborated on ways to improve how we advocate and support ESPs around the state. It is important to review our progress regularly so effective adjustments can be made and targets can be hit.

Topics discussed:

• Legislation goals and successes
• Suggestions for improving ESP presence and voice at the Illinois Representative Assembly
• Suggestions for improvement at the ONE Conference
• Challenges ESP are facing in locals to review how we can support

Please join us at our next rESPect Steering meeting on May 8th from 5:30-7:00.

We could see a vote from state senators this week on SB1799. Take action for ESPs TODAY! Write your state senators and ask them to VOTE YES on SB 1799 to protect Education Support Professionals from third-party contracting. Senate Bill 1799 will Increase the accountability of third-party contractors, Reduce wasteful spending, and Ensure school districts are hiring district employees for long-term services.

Click HERE to take action!

1100 Delegates from across the state came together to discuss, debate, and direct the next year of our Illinois Education Association. We had several guest speakers who attended. One of the extremely important goals of our union is to ensure that every student has a high quality public education and as you can imagine that was an important topic of discussion.

Bring your voice to the table

NEA will be hosting a series of virtual town hall meetings for food service members across the country, starting on Thursday, March 6, 2025., at 5:30pm EDT, 4:30pm CST, 3:30 MST, and 2:30pm PST. We invite all members and staff who care about our students to join in this important conversation! Please view this flyer for more information, including how to register for the town hall.

If not…you are missing out on important information on a wide variety of member benefits including grants, professional development, leadership and so many other opportunities!

Contact IEA Connect to update your email. IEA Connect can help with a WIDE variety of questions and issues you may have.

Click here for past ESP Insider Newsletters (member login is required)

It is always a productive and heart filling time to spend it with my union brothers and sisters! This is definitely an interesting time…we have to organize to protect our students, families, and public education as a whole!!

IEA ESP Council members bringing their advocacy and voice to IEA.

Stop waiting, check out how these amazing ESP advocates are growing rESPect!

This past Thursday, February 13th, an amazing group of ESPs and ESP allies came together to collaborate on ESP issues and planned for growing rESPect at the upcoming Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly, where elected member delegates will come together from all across the state to advocate and drive the goals of IEA.

Thank you to everyone who came and shared their time, ideas, and talents to grow this campaign. We couldn’t do it without you!

Reminder, NO steering meeting in March due to the IEA RA. Next meeting is April 10th 5:30-7:00pm.

We need ESPs voices where decisions are made

Each summer, approximately 6,000 educators meet to debate the vital issues that impact American public education and set National Education Association policy and activities for the year ahead. As you know, I am a huge proponent of education support professionals having a seat where decigions are made. Here is your opportunity to help drive the goals of our union, to help steer it’s priorities. If you are elected in the spring election, all of your travel, meals, hotel costs will be funded (reimbursed) according to IEA travel policies.

The 2025 Representative Assembly will meet in Portland, OR, July 2-6, 2025.

IEA Spring Statewide Elections

Nominations for 2025 NEA RA state, retired, and aspiring educator delegate elections and elections for statewide positions

Nominate Online Now

Additional information regarding the spring elections

Closes February 12, 2025 @ 4pm