Education Support Professional Council consists of thirteen (13) members all of whom are ESP school employees and members of the Illinois Education Association. The ESP council's goal is to represent and support ESP's throughout Illinois.
September 30 – October 1
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Chicago-Oak Brook
Oak Brook, IL
Please join us for the 2022 One Conference for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members. The two-day event will offer a variety of elective sessions and feature keynote speaker, Mary Kusler, Senior Director, Center for Advocacy – National Education Association.
Access to COVID admin days remains so long as the Gubernational Disaster Proclamation remains in place. Each proclamation lasts 30 days and must be renewed to remain in effect. The proclamation was most recently renewed on September 16, 2022.
The ability to access admin days retroactively was limited to the 2021-22 school year.
It is our mission to bring change to members by focusing on three goals this year:
Click the link to learn more about how we are also advocating for affordable health insurance, equitable pensions, and more! Join us, we have BIG plans to bring you RESPECT and we need you to make it happen!
This month, the NEA ESP Learning network is excited to offer learning webinars for education support professionals, including a webinar on Thursday, September 15, that will be presented in Spanish.
ESPacios de Libertad (Freedom Spaces): Live Spanish Webinar Experience
Thursday, September 15, 2022, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
En conmemoración del Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana, reunimos a un grupo diverso de educadores para discutir las formas en que sus valores y normas han promovido la equidad, la justicia y la alegría en sus escuelas y universidades. No te lo pierdas. Pa’lante.
English Translation: In commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we bring together a diverse group of educational support professionals to discuss the ways their values and norms have advanced equity, justice, and joy in their schools and colleges. Don’t miss it. Pa’lante.
Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/nea_espq/event/497776/
In case you missed it: US Department of Labor inducted ESPs as essential employees of the pandemic into the Labor Hall of honor!
2020 NEA ESP of the Year, Andrea Beeman spoke at the induction ceremony. Learn more and watch the speech 
In recognition of their sacrifices and efforts to protect the health of all Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor (DOL) inducted Essential Workers of the Pandemic into the U.S. Labor Hall of Honor today. Those inducted include educators like Andrea Beeman, a special education paraeducator from Maple Heights, Ohio.
The U.S. DOL Hall of Honor recognizes the life-changing contributions that a unique group of people have made on the American way of work over the nation’s history, including the workers of 9/11, farm workers, Chinese rail workers, and sanitation workers.
Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
As the new school year begins it is important to make sure you know your rights as a union member. If you feel you could be disciplined for any reason, please respectfully request union representation. It is your right to have a union representative with you. You can NOT be denied.
I hope you are able to take some time to relax and enjoy your long weekend!
One Conference: Please join us for the 2022 One Conference for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members. The two-day event will offer a variety of elective sessions and feature keynote speaker, Mary Kusler, Senior Director, Center for Advocacy – National Education Association.
Where: The DoubleTree by Hilton, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523
Registration Fee: $20 per registrant prior to the event; $30 per registrant onsite
Housing: $119 per night + tax. Housing closes on Sept. 21 at noon. (Funding is available through IEA region offices)
Registration Deadline: Sept. 26 at noon
ESP – Southern/Central Section Alternate (Regions 1-14, 45, 47, 48 and 62) – as interim until election is held next spring for remainder of term to 2024. ESP – Northern/Central Section Alternate (Regions 15-25, 37, 38, 40, 44, 49, 51, 53, 54, 60, 61, 63, 65 and 66) – as interim until election is held next spring for remainder of term to 2025.
If you are a member who works in one of the above listed regions please consider running to fill this important open position.
Active IEA members wishing to be nominated must provide a written statement of interest by Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Please email statements to Denise Ward or mail to IEA President’s Office, 100 E. Edwards St., Springfield, IL 62704.
These positions are to be filled in accordance with applicable existing procedures for filling a vacancy. IEA-NEA Bylaws state:
…And New Year! I wish you a blessed week. New routines and new relationships are forming as we start a new school year. Thank you for all you do for students, staff, and schools!
Click to watch President Kathi Griffin https://www.facebook.com/ieanea/videos/1066909954023784
With the teacher & education employee shortage getting worse, we must do everything we can to make education an attractive profession. That means:
Competitive wages
Restoring and Protecting our pensions
Respecting the work ALL teachers and education employees do
The IEA ESP Council supports the Workers’ Rights Amendment!
Learn more about the WRA: www.ieawra.org
#IEAstronger #IEArESPect #IEAESPCOUNCIL
Checkout the IEA Store to get your latest Illinois Education Association/Education Support Professional swag. I just ordered my rESPect campaign t-shirt and hoodie.
Please join us for the 2022 One Conference for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members. The two-day event will offer a variety of elective sessions and feature keynote speaker, Mary Kusler, Senior Director, Center for Advocacy – National Education Association.
Funding: Contact your union local or IEA region chair to request funding to attend.
Where: The DoubleTree by Hilton, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523
Registration Fee: $20 per registrant prior to the event; $30 per registrant onsite
Housing: $119 per night + tax. Housing closes on Sept. 21 at noon.
Registration Deadline: Sept. 26 at noon
Participants can find more information and the registration link at IEA One Conference.
I saw this post on FB recently and thought it important to share! As we all start this new school year it won’t take long for that overwhelming feeling to creep in. Please remember for your own health and sanity, do what you can. It is important to set boundaries. I believe it is in education support professionals DNA to go above and beyond “for the children”, but… you need to remember that you are just as important. When we work beyond our own hours or take work home we actually hurt our own bargaining power. Why should they pay you for doing something that is getting done without pay?
I know I am going to try my best to set boundaries so I am not so stressed and I can enjoy my family and friends outside of the work day.
Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
Today is August 13th…how can that be? School is right around the corner for most while some are already back in session. My hope for you today is for you to take a few moments to remember that what you do as a education support professional (ESP) is extremely important for the success of our students, colleagues, and school districts.
You matter! What you do matters! Thank you for all you do!!
Amendment 1 Would Constitutionally Protect Our Rights:
“Right to organize and to bargain collectively” *Prohibit any law “that interferes with, negates or diminishes” that right. It would also Prohibit “Right-to-Work” laws in the Private Sector.
Public Sector unions are prohibited from negotiating “Fair Share” by the U.S. Supreme Court (Janus)
Protect our Voice and Our Rights
•The current Educational Labor Relations Act could be repealed or radically changed by a simple majority of the General Assembly.
•IELRA has changed several times since its passage.
•Passage of Workers Rights Amendment on November 8 would require “Supermajorites” of the Legislature and Voters to Repeal our Rights.
Funding options available – Apply for funding using link below. You may also get funding from your local and/or region IEA office.
September 30 – October 1
DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Chicago-Oak Brook
Oak Brook, IL
Please join us for the 2022 One Conference for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members. The two-day event will offer a variety of elective sessions and feature keynote speaker, Mary Kusler, Senior Director, Center for Advocacy – National Education Association.
Hotel | Session Times | Session Descriptions | Agenda
Registration Fee: $20 per registrant prior to the event; $30 per registrant onsite.
Registration Deadline: Friday, September 26, 2022 at noon
Hotel Reservations
Participants needing to reserve a hotel room for the night can do so at One Conference Hotel. Housing closes on September 21, 2022 at noon.
Funding Application
IEA request for funding application for the One Conference, due by August 29.
I am extremely honored to be asked to participate in this extremely important discussion with our National Education Association brothers and sisters. ESP voices must be at every table where decisions are being made that affect our students and members.
Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
Join us on the Second Saturday of each month from 10 am-12 pm Mountain Time for exciting topics and presenters! The schedule for the next 12 months will be:
August 13, 2022 – Working Effectively with Students with Challenging and Severe BehaviorsPresenter: Glenn Dyke
September 10, 2022 – Teachers and Paraeducators Team Teaching in the Classroom: Enhancing Communication Between Paraeducators and General Education TeachersPresenters: Deb Andrews and Marilyn Likins
October 8, 2022 – Autism/Non-Verbal Training/StrategiesPresenter: Katie Harris
November 12, 2022 – Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities: IDEA, IEP’s, and BIP’s! Oh my!Presenter: Christine Manning
December 10, 2022 – Dispelling the Myths of Unreachable, Unteachable, and Uncaring StudentsPresenter: Dave Forbush
January 14, 2023 – 10 Ways to Help the Non-worker: Jumpstarting Work Completion BehaviorPresenter: Melisa Genaux
February 11, 2023 – Best Practices and Tools to Help Students LearnPresenter: Jeri Rigby
March 11, 2023 – Strategies for AnxietyPresenter: Alex Langevin
April 8, 2023 – Understanding and Supporting Social-Emotional GrowthPresenter: TBA
May 13, 2023 – Effective Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom: Practical MagicPresenter: Melisa Genaux
June 10, 2023 – Parents and Students with Disabilities Panel: Stories and Lessons LearnedPresenter: Kimberly Hutter
July 8, 2023 – The Necessity for Ongoing Paraeducator Preparation: Before and Throughout EmploymentPresenter: Marilyn Likins
Don’t Miss Out on this amazing opportunity to have one year of professional development at an affordable price of $25 per webinar! Group discounts are available! Register today!
The IEA and the Opportunity Coalition are pleased to announce the Leaders for Just Schools cohort for the 2022-23 school year. The instructors are state and local leaders, award winning educators and experienced community organizers who will help you build momentum for change in your local schools and communities. Cohort members who successfully complete the program will receive a micro credential and will have the opportunity to earn an organizing stipend to continue the work.
Together we can make a difference!
Voting for public education means voting for candidates who will support our students, our public schools and our union. Visit IEA Votes for campaign resources, including the school Board Election Toolkit, your Voter Guide, and IPACE recommended candidates.
Please remember all those who work so hard to support our students, staff, and schools.
Yesterday, a fabulous group of IEA members and IEA staff met virtually to discuss, organize, advocate, and grow rESPect for education support professionals throughout Illinois.
Far to many education support professionals barely make minimum wage while they provide some of the most important work in our schools and universities. We are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with their health, safety, and nutritional needs, and are the last people who see students safely home at the end of the day. The value of our work is priceless.
The Leaders for Just Schools training program brings together IEA members from across the state. You have an opportunity to connect with new people, grow in your profession and make an impact on your schools and communities. Learn more and apply for the 2022-23 Level 1 cohort at ieaopportunitycoalition.org
Congratulations and thank you to our ESP of the Year, Debra Ward-Mitchell, for inspiring us, being a proud union member, and leading the fight for professional respect for all ESPs.
Learn more about Debra: https://bit.ly/3RcYxFt
Click the link to looking back on the four days of the 2022 Representative Assembly, where 6,000 educators gathered to shape the future of public education and our union. Check out RA in review: https://bit.ly/3bYbXoH
Just imagine around 6000 people in-person and virtual, debating new business items, legislative amendments, and resolutions submitted by members. It is amazing!!
It’s official, the 101st NEA RA, the nations largest representative assembly has begun in Chicago. It’s time to get busy and do the work of supporting our members by debating and voting on important topics that will determine the direction of our union over the next year.
I am preparing to travel to Chicago with about 8,000 of my closest union friends. The experience is indescribable!! We will discuss, debate, and vote on many items that will direct the corse of our union.
One extremely important item on the agenda is new more powerful language that adds the essential work of support staff in public education, prek-12 and higher ed, to the NEA Legislative Platform. Your Education Support Professional Council submitted this language and is excited to lobby for its approval.
RESPECT | Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by Education Support Professionals, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on five areas:
Support staff are typically the first to arrive at school as they unlock doors and turn on lights. They are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive at school in the morning, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with their health, safety, and nutritional needs, and are the last people who see students safely home at the end of the day. The value of their work is priceless.
So it’s time we start treating them that way! Join today so we can build our strength and raise our voice from a wisper to a roar.
You can still requesst funding from your IEA local and/or region chair. If you don’t know who your region chair is please contact a representative from your local and they can assist you. You can also contact your region office. Illinois Education Association regions each have money specifically budgeted for professional development specifially for support staff. Click here to find an Illinois Education Association office near you.
At a time of profound stress for the teaching profession, educators are finding relief by seeking professional support opportunities in personal self-care practices for themselves and for their students. Learn how to apply healing-centered, personal self-care practices that support you in your work with your students.
This Pride Month, learn from ESP members about the importance of pronouns and how to use them effectively in schools to ensure a supportive environment for everyone in the school community.
Register for our webinar 
I’ve had a few members contact me to see if education support professionals will be eligible for unemployment insurance this summer. Unfortunately, support staff will not be eligible to collect unemployment benefits this summer. The spring legislative session was extremely abbreviated, though IEA did push and advocate for it to be extended again, it was not picked up for renewal.
Are you frustrated about this? Then bring your voice and power to the table and join the rESPect Campaign! This is just one of the many issues and benefits the rESPect campaign is fighting for. This campaign is a new initiative lead by educational support professional members with the support of IEA staff to bring RESPECT to ALL of our ESP members. Please go to www.iearespect.org to learn more and join. We are in the organizing and growing stage and encourage you and ALL of your colleagues and neighbors to join the campaign.
We have BIG expectations for change! This will not be easy and most of our goals will take legislative action. That is why we need you, your colleagues, your neighbors, and all public education allies to join our movement! Share this on your social media and sign up to join today!!
I hope you find time to rest and recharge this summer. How many days do you have until the end of your school year? How many of you will be working another job this summer? Please comment below.
~Volunteers for the NEA RA~
Registration and Information Booth (Afternoon of July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) Information booth volunteers will operate the information booth and distribute materials. A knowledge of Chicago would be a great asset! Registration volunteers will assist delegates through the registration process. Volunteers in these two areas usually work full days.
Ushers and Special Event Support (Afternoon of July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) Ushers assist in patrolling the floor checking name badges and assist in managing traffic flow. Ushers are usually on their feet for a lot of the day and are typically scheduled in two different shifts.
Physically Challenged Support Team (8am July 2 until the completion of the RA on July 6) Volunteers for the physically challenged area are usually 15-18 year old students who assist delegates by pushing wheelchairs to different areas of the RA. These positions work no more than 6 hours a day and are a great opportunity for students needing service hours!
Microphone Monitors (Noon on July 2 until the completion of the RA on July 6) The microphone network volunteers serve as communication personnel on the floor of the RA and will need to commit to working the entire event. These volunteers will work full day shifts.
Treasurer Team (Noon on July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) Volunteers for the treasurer team assist in the processing of vouchers and other financial paperwork for the RA. These volunteers typically work full days.
NEA Fund for Children and Public Information (PAC) Team (Afternoon of July 1 until completion of the RA- July 6) Volunteers for the PAC team will staff the political action booth at the convention center. These volunteers typically work full days.
COVERED EXPENSES
Transportation: – NEA will not cover transportation costs (Amtrak, Plane, mileage, etc.) for volunteers to travel into town. This applies to volunteers from the Chicago suburbs, Illinois and out of state. – NEA will cover parking (either through validation or volunteer provides receipt for reimbursement), or public transportation costs (Bus, L train) with receipt.
Meals: – All volunteers will be eligible for provided meals.
Stipend: – All volunteers that work a minimum 6 hour shift will be eligible for the $40/day stipend.
I was extremely proud to attend the End of School Year Celebration with State Rep Terra Costa Howard where she received The Friend of Education award. The ESP Council was proud to nominate her as her voice/leadership helped to win the long fought fight for lowering the hours to 1000 to qualify for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) for education support professionals. Thank you again for all you do for public education!
RESPECT | Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on five areas: Wages, Health Insurance, Pensions, Retention and Recruitment, and Job Duties.
Please Join Us to Educate, Organize, and Take Action!!
IEA Education Support Professional Council 