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.
When asked what you do…how many of you say, I’m just a…… para-pro, bus driver, or fill in the blank with your job position? Let me make this very clear. You are not “Just” anything! You are important and what you do is essential to our students and school community! You are an Education Support Professional!! Thank you for all you do for out students, schools, and the communities that support us.
We need to see value in ourselves if we expect others to see value in us.
As ESP we often are treated like we are a dime a dozen profession. Not worth the time and energy to support or respect. Well today I started a journey. A journey that my IEA (Illinois Education Association) president suggested I apply to take. Wow, yes, how do you say no to that? A journey that NEA believes ESPs deserve. A journey that I’m told will test and stretch me. I believe it…its day one and for me to step this far out of my comfort zone, to fly across the country in to LAX by myself is extremely unnerving but also so exciting! I will update this blog post as the weekend continues. I hope you follow and will be encouraged that you are apart of something great, something that sees greatness in you as an awesome ESP.
Day 1 NEA ESP Leadership Institute: Started early as I flew from Chicago to Los Angeles. I arrived in LAX nervous but excited for this weekend. As we came together for the first time it was evident to see how much love, strength, and personality was in the room. So much love for their students, their schools, and communities. I saw the strength of each ESP as we got up in front of everyone and told our “Why” of why we do what we do. Tears were spilled as well as so much laughter. The personality in the room…lets just say this will never be boring! So many hilarious amazing new “sisters”. I look forward to tomorrow as we continue this journey.
Day 2: NEA ESP Leadership Institute: Wow, today was a long but amazing day. My interpretation of today’s theme was self-awareness. It was an extremely reflective, and challenging day. We were challenged through many activities to discover our true self, our sense of self, self-image, and self esteem. We learned that if you want to make a change and develop new skills, you have to know where you are so you know which skills you need to develop that will help you get to where you need to be.
One quote from today that has resonated with me is: Start were you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied. – George Washington Carver (My interpretation: Start with who you are, with the skills you have, do the work, and never stop learning)
Day 3: NEA ESP Leadership Institute: Growth and self reflection was a continued theme today. We tested our own ideas and beliefs on our leadership qualities to see where we are. Am I passive, assertive, or aggressive? What are my weaknesses? I feel a huge difference today with my confidence during discussions and activities. I feel more comfortable sharing my thoughts and ideas. This class of 20 ladies have come together from all across the country, most extremely unsure of what to expect during this weekends training. We are ladies from different experiences, cultures, and races and we have become so close in such a short amount of time. I love my NEA ESPLI 2020 sisters! Bring on tomorrow!!
Nine out of 10 students in America attend public schools. Public Schools Week is a national celebration to highlight the great things happening in our nation’s public schools as well as bring attention to the critical issues facing our schools, students and educators. This initiative shows the strength and potential of public schools in a democratic society. Public Schools Week 2020 will be held February 24-28, 2020. Click the link above for more information and to take the pledge of support for public education.
The 166th Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly (RA) convenes on March 5, 2020. The debates and decisions made by the assembled delegates set the direction of IEA for the coming year. Attending the RA helps you to understand how the Illinois Education Association works, helps you to network, and have a voice in IEA policies and legislation. Your voice matters!
We missed you today!! We were so happy to have several guests attend, but if you were not able to come today, mark your calendars for the next meeting on April 18th in the Sterling IEA office. The ESP Council and Presidents Round Table met in the Matteson IEA office this morning with lots on the agenda. A lot of great items were discussed on how to better support ESPs throughout Illinois. We are continuously planning and brainstorming on how to better reach our ESP members and to improve our support. We are excited about what is to come. If you are attending the IEA RA on March 5th-7th in Rosement, Illinois, you won’t want to miss coming to the ESP resource room. We also began researching ideas on how to make the One Conference that is in October bigger and better than ever.
One task we challenge ourselves is to provide intriguing sessions at the One Conference that are helpful, relevant, and encouraging for our members. If you have a topic, or suggestion for a session please post below. Your voice matters!
Truth: Without ESPs our students, schools, and communities would greatly suffer. Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate a deserving ESP. If you know of an ESP that deserves a little recognition, nominate them today at: https://ieanea.org/forms/esp-stars-nomination-form/
The IEA-NEA ESP EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY (ESP-ELA) is a partnership between the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) to provide a state based ESP Leadership Institute (formerly ESP Leaders for Tomorrow) for IEA ESP members. The ESP-ELA is designed to provide leadership training and support for IEA’s emerging ESP leaders.
The application deadline has been extended to February 14, 2020.
What is IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA)?
March 5-7, 2020
Hyatt Regency O’Hare
9300 W Bryn Mawr Ave.
Rosemont, IL
The 166th Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly (RA) convenes on March 5, 2020. The debates and decisions made by the assembled delegates set the direction of IEA for the coming year.
All NEA RA nominations forms are due soon. Check your local IEA office to confirm nomination deadline.
As a member of the Illinois Education Association-NEA you possess the unique opportunity to participate in the democratic selection of your local, regional, statewide and national officers. A couple weeks ago you should have received a publication in the mail that alerts you to the election of your representatives to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly. Be involved in the selection of your leaders.
You can find spring election nomination forms for various open seats:
Your voice matters! You can make a difference in the lives of our students, communities, and members. It’s always better to get involved!! #StrongerUnited
Thursday, February 20, 2020 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Register at: http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/ehjzon8gyiey/event/event_info.html
“Running” for office is just that. You run your buns off to connect with members, run your brain constantly to make sure you are delivering the right message, and, literally, run to get from meeting to meeting to charity dinner to some other event. Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes. Is throwing your hat in for state-wide association office right for you? Do you have the desire, commitment, know-how and grit to throw in your hat? As a proud ESP member and the new Washington Education Association Vice President, Janie White is looking forward to having a conversation where we’ll all get real about what it takes to run for office.
PRESENTER(S): Janie White, Vice President Washington Education Association, ESP Member
INTENDED AUDIENCE: NEA affiliate leaders, staff, members and partners. All interested parties are welcome. You are encouraged to forward this invite to your partners, leaders and other team members.
FACILITATOR(S): Jessica Brinkley, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst Lisa Connor, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst
Questions? Contact Jessica Brinkley at jdbrinkley@nea.org. For more ESP professional development opportunities, visit www.nea.org/esppd
IEA is here to support ESPs throughout Illinois. The IEA Teaching and Learning supports IEA staff, members, and local associations by providing professional development opportunities to improve teaching and learning. Please complete this form to indicate your interest in professional development for your local association, school, or district. This form should be submitted at least one month in advance to allow enough time for IEA Teaching and Learning staff to assist you in meeting your professional development goals.
The Discounts & Deals program combines the power of more than 500 world-class brands with the advantage of local merchants in communities throughout Illinois and the USA. With a collection of more than 300,000 discount providers, the program offers unparalleled value of up to 50 percent off at the places you shop every day in categories like: Dining, shopping, hotel and travel, car rental, movies and entertainment, outdoor recreation, home and garden, health and beauty, and auto service.
Wow, watch till the end…my eyes are leaking.
Thank you Dr. King for showing us what it means to honorably stand up for what is right. Today on Martin Luther King Jr Day we celebrate and give honor to this amazing man.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
ieaespcouncil.com
| Elevating ESPs |
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| ESP survey question |
| ESP Insider reporter form |
| We are working to recognize ESP contributions and action through the ESP Insider. When you participate in an event involving ESPs or hear of such an event, please complete the ESP Insider Reporter form available on the ESP webpage. |
| ESP awards and grants |
| Wed., Jan. 15 is the application deadline for SCORE grants! $50,000 in grant money available!Open to ESPs in the first 10 years of their careers Grants up to $1,000 are available.For ideas, take a look at previously funded projects. |
| Thurs., Jan. 16 is the nomination deadline for IEA’s ESP of the Year award! For details and the nomination form, go to the ESP page on the IEA website. |
| Fri., Jan. 31 is the application deadline for the $2,500 Burroughs Education Scholarship!Applicants must be graduating seniors heading to college.Applicants must have at least one parent or legal guardian who is a school employee.Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, career goals and character. Information/application. |
| Applications for the ESP STAR award accepted monthly! Use the online nomination form to nominate a special ESP member. A video can be included along with the reasons why the local association president or member of the IEA Board of Directors has nominated the member for an ESP STAR award. Nominees must be a current ESP member of IEA. |
| Paraeducators, join us for our January NEA webinar! |
| Jan. 16, 6-7 p.m. (CST): Accommodations and Modifications: What paraeducators need to knowDo you work with students who receive special education services? Do you know what accommodations and modifications they are entitled to in their Individualized Education Program (IEP)? Do you have a clear understanding of your role in providing them? This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of accommodations and modifications, how they differ, and the process through which they are determined for individual students. Examples of a variety of accommodations and modifications that support instruction will be reviewed. Information/registration. |
| Next ESP Assembly and Council meeting – Feb. 8 |
| Let your voice be heard. All ESPs are welcome! The next ESP assembly will be held on Sat., Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Matteson IEA office. Please join us and share the flier! Mark your calendar with these future dates: Sat., April 18, 10 a.m. – Sterling IEA office Sat., June 13, 10 a.m. – Edwardsville IEA office Stay connected with other ESPs:► IEA ESP Council website ► IEA ESP website ► ESP Professional Caucus on Facebook ► ESP Connections on Facebook |
| ESP Emerging Leaders |
| Application period extended to Feb. 14! A couple spots are still open for the 2020 cohort of the IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy. The application period has been extended until Feb.14 or until the spots are filled (whichever occurs first). Information/registration |
| IEA and NEA conferences |
| Mar. 5-7: IEA Representative Assembly, Hyatt Regency O’Hare (Rosemont) Information/registration Mar. 12-13: NEA Higher Education Conference (Orlando) Information/registration Mar. 13-15: NEA National Leadership Summit (Orlando) Information/registration Mar. 20-22: NEA ESP National Conference (New Orleans) Information/registration |
| IEA-NEA elections |
| There were no additional declarations of candidacy submitted for the IEA officer or NEA Director positions. Therefore, an election will not be necessary and the following candidates will be declared elected at the 2020 IEA RA: President: Kathi Griffin Vice President: Al Llorens Secretary-Treasurer: Tom Tully NEA Directors: Amy Biancheri, Karl Goeke, Gladys Marquez |
| IEA-NEA spring elections Nominations are open for the NEA RA State, Retired and Student Delegate elections as well as for sectional representative positions on the IEA Board of Directors and the ESP, Higher Ed and Retired Councils. Hard copy nominations were sent to every member the first week in January. Here is a link to the online nomination form, which is posted on the IEA website at the top of the home page.. Nominations must be received by Feb. 19. If you have any questions, contact the IEA Governance Elections/Fair Share Paraprofessional Kim Trader. |
| Member benefits |
| As an IEA member, there are special benefits available to you! Log in to Members Only and access your discounts and deals today! |
This past weekend 19 locals from 9 states attended the ESP: Supporting Our Own Through Peer Mentoring training at NEA headquarters in Washington DC. Three locals from Illinois were among those in attendance, District U-46 DUEA, Park Ridge Teachers Association, and Troy Education Association. The representatives from these associations experienced an intensive two day forum that helped each collaborate, plan, and develop an ESP mentoring framework specific for their members.
These union representatives from around the country were lead by a group of amazing leaders, both ESPs and NEA staff. It was extremely obvious that NEA and IEA know how important education support professionals are to our students, schools and communities. I for one as one of those lucky ones able to attend this awesome experience want to thank them for their support and truly appreciate the confidence they have in every ESP member!!
Tomorrow a fellow ESP colleague and I, along with our IEA staff uniserv director will travel to Washington DC to represent our Local.
Several months ago NEA sent out a call to ESP locals who were interested in developing a mentoring program. I applied and my local was chosen to have a team travel to Washington DC and work with NEA staff to develop a plan specific for my district. What will this look like? That is yet to be determined, but I am excited to be able to be apart of this.
I truly love working in education and at Troy. You may disagree but I think I have the best students and work with the most dedicated staff around. My goal this weekend is to be fully committed to working with our team and creating a framework on which we can build a program that will benefit not only our amazing ESPs but our whole staff and students.
I know unions make a difference!! I will make a difference. My colleagues deserve it….our students deserve it!!
YOU DESERVE IT TOO!! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your local please contact your IEA ESP Council. We are here to assist area locals throughout ALL of Illinois. We would be happy to assist you. Thank you for what you do everyday!!
ESP of the Year Award Nominations Due Soon!!!In 1995, the lEA Representative Assembly passed a New Business Item establishing the ESP of the Year Award. This award is meant to further emphasize the contributions of Education Support Professionals to their association, their schools, and their communities.To insure the widest possible participation, the nomination procedure for the ESP of the Year Award shall be as follows:
Join Us for Our January Webinar!
Accommodations and Modifications: What Paraeducators Need to Know
January 16, 2020 | 7:00pm – 8:00PM EST
Do you work with students who receive special education services? Do you know what accommodations and modifications they are entitled to in their Individualized Education Program (IEP)? Do you have a clear understanding of your role in providing them? This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of accommodations and modifications, how they differ, and the process through which they are determined for individual students. Examples of a variety of accommodations and modifications that support instruction will be reviewed.
Presenter(s):
Lynn Goss, Special Education Paraeducator, St. Croix Central Middle School, Hammond, WI
Tresina Alvested, Special Education Teacher, McQuerry Elementary, Odessa, MO
The Illinois Education Association announces the availability of grant funds. The purpose of SCORE is to encourage early career members and their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service projects or school projects. Proposals should be substantive and meaningful. They should build visible foundations for deeper relationships with students, families and communities. Additionally, IEA wants to foster the deeper value of the association in the life of our members and identify new leaders to carry forth the mission and goals of IEA.
Gratitude…something so simple but…so powerful at the same time. I am grateful to be able to have my dream job and have had these past two weeks to rest and spend with family. I understand that many ESPs must work multiple jobs and winter break can be a time of additional stress. Please know that your ESP Council is here to be an added resource for you and your local.
I’m grateful for each and everyone of you! I’m grateful for all you do and realize many of you face unspoken challenges and yet give everything you have for your students.
I pray you enjoy these last few days of winter break. I wish you good health, rest, and an abundance of love today and all through this year. You deserve it.
My local was chosen to participate in the National Education Association ESP mentoring program. Myself, the ESP vice-president of my local and our Uniserve director will be traveling to Washington DC in January. We will be working with a NEA mentoring team that will help us create a framework for an ESP program that will work specifically for our local and school district. This is where I need your help.
Do you have an ESP mentoring program in your district? What works? What doesn’t?
Do you wish you had an ESP mentoring program? What would you like it to look like? What topics would you like to see covered in this program, ie autism education, behavior management?
Please fill out the information below and help me help my team create the best framework for our ESPs.
As 2019 comes to a close, it’s good to take stock of where labor has won and the places we still need to win. Help make a difference in 2020 as educators demand rESPect in your local, in your state, and across the nation.
Everyone from your ESP Council wishes you a very happy holiday season and a safe and blessed new year.
The 510,000 Educational Support Professional members of the National Education Association and the 29,500 ESP members of the Illinois Education Association take care of our children every day and make sure they have the tools they need to succeed in our schools and classrooms. We are truly the unsung heroes of public education.
Please click the above link to visit your IEA ESP page for a wealth of information and tons of resources for all ESPs.
We’re raising our voices together for our students, for our schools, and for ourselves as educators. That’s why we’re wearing Red for Ed.
“Whether you’re a teacher, paraprofessional, counselor, or school resource officer, every staff member cares deeply about students. And that means being exposed to the traumas students bring into school every day, including poverty, grief, family problems, racism, drug abuse. The emotional and physical toll is often severe. Even if they have not endured trauma themselves, educators can begin exhibiting symptoms similar to those of their students – withdrawal, anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue.”
I wanted to post this before…but this sums up this past week. If you know someone who works in education, check on them….they are not okay. HAHA
SENT ON BEHALF OF IEA:
Share with Certified PreK-12
Professional Development: Illinois State University is offering convenient online workshops this winter and spring on a variety of topics for K-12 teachers. Check out the flier for more information.
Share with All Members
Prosocial Skills Training is a targeted intervention for adolescents that is consistent with the restorative practices framework. This intervention empowers youth to take responsibility for their behavior and learn healthier ways to interact with others. This convenient online course will begin January 6, and allow IEA members to participate from across the entire state through interactive discussions and activities. This course is for members who have already participated in restorative practices training.
The course will last 4 weeks and will require approximately two hours of your time each week to participate. This means that upon completion of this course you will receive 8 clock hours. All of the course materials will be provided through the online platform we will be using for the course.
This is an asynchronous course which means you may participate in each week’s discussions and activities at a time that is convenient for you. The goal of this training is to provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to incorporate prosocial skills training into your school and/or district’s multi-tiered system of support. We will conclude the course with a live online component to further discuss and practice what we have learned.
The course will be facilitated by Dr. Diana Zaleski, IEA Instructional Resource and Professional Development Director. Please register online and we will send you an invitation to join the online course. For more information, please contact Amanda.Plunkett@ieanea.org.
Note that space is limited to 25 participants per section of each online course. If the course is full when you register please contact Amanda.Plunkett@ieanea.org, and she will add you to a waiting list for the next course. If we get at least 15 people who have indicated interest after a course is full we will open a second section of the course.
ESPs make a difference in the lives of students throughout Illinois and the country. Thank you for what you do everyday! IEA gives ESPs a voice and fights for the needs of its members. Tell us your story. Your ESP Council is here to bring your ideas, and concerns to IEA and help be an added resource for you and your local. Visit the “Contact Your ESP Council” page for assistance.
CHICAGO – The Illinois Education Association (IEA) last weekend won an Emmy at the 61st Annual Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy Awards. The IEA won for Outstanding Achievement for Public/Current/Community Affairs Programming – Series for IEA Teachers Stories. The composite entry featured three IEA members: Susan Hudson from Thornwood High School in South Holland, Gladys Marquez from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island and Nathan Etter from Prairie View Elementary School in Burlington.
“We represent 135,000 strong, powerful educators across the state who work every day to ensure that all students have access to a fair and equitable public education,” said IEA Media Relations Director Bridget Shanahan. “And we tell their stories. Their voices matter. Your voices matter.”
The IEA Teacher Stories series amplified the voices of more than 135,000 educators across the state of Illinois. These stories highlight the valuable work that our members do for all students in Illinois, regardless of their zip code. Susan Hudson’s story featured her work collaborating with educators to bring trauma-informed practices to Thornwood High School.
“While it is a tremendous honor to be included in this Emmy Award-winning video, my goal has been, and always will be, to collaborate with my colleagues in an effort to address the strategies and resources needed to best assist students who experience daily trauma,” said Hudson. “The importance of cultivating relationships with the students and recognizing their value, our compassion and empathy will continue to be the foundation for our work as educators.”
Gladys Marquez’s story featured her empowerment of her students and advocacy efforts in support of the DREAM Act.
“Our students are the catalyst that drives everything we do. They are depending on us to be worthy of them. It is our responsibility to help them achieve their greatness,” said Marquez. “This is their award, too.”
Nathan Etter’s story started with a teachable moment after his husband sent him flowers on Valentine’s Day.
“Me, living my life authentically, means we won’t think alike, act alike or live alike,” said Etter. “But when we learn to harness the power of our differences, together we cannot fail.”
The IEA Teacher Stories are available for view on IEA’s Vimeo page. Susan Hudson’s story is available here. Gladys Marquez’s story is available here. Nathan Etter’s story is available here. The attached photo is available for use. Pictured left to right: Lucid Creative Agency’s Morgan Jackson and Steven Walsh, IEA Media Relations Director Bridget Shanahan, Lucid Creative Agency’s Rumen Andonov and Matt Goett. Lucid Creative Agency was responsible for shooting and editing the videos that were awarded.
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The 135,000 member Illinois Education Association (IEA-NEA) is the state’s largest education employee’s organization. IEA represents preK-12 teachers outside of the city of Chicago and education support staff, higher education faculty, retired education employees and students preparing to become teachers, statewide.
CHICAGO — School boards across Illinois have said no to allowing teachers and other employees to carry guns at schools.
The vote — 249 against and 198 for — took place Saturday at the Illinois Association of School Boards 2019 delegate assembly meeting.
School boards, including several in the Rockford area, sent representatives to vote on a variety of matters before the association, including resolutions that help shape its legislative agenda for the coming year.
The Student Safety resolution would have put the association’s support behind proposed legislation, if any were filed, that would allow teachers and other school staff to carry guns at school on a voluntary basis if their local school board approves. Most of the support for the resolution came from small rural school districts that can’t afford to hire school resource officers, as state law dictates, and face long response times when violence threatens their schools.
An increase in school shootings has prompted similar discussions across the country, and several states have adopted changes to laws that govern who can carry guns on school property. A similar measure before the state school board association was defeated last year by a vote of 203-179.
NEA president Lily Eskelsen García gets the candidates to go on the record about how they’ll support public education.
NEA is inviting all presidential candidates to participate in a one-on-one interview with NEA’s Lily Eskelsen García to help our members better understand their positions on issues of vital importance to the success of our public schools. To qualify for interviews, candidates were asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire; once complete, candidates were invited to sit down with Lily. As additional interviews are confirmed, these candidates will appear in the grid above, so stay tuned!
National Education Association
Education Support Professionals Quality (ESPQ) Department
Center for Great Public Schools Webinar
What Does it Mean to be a 21st Century Education Leader?
Thursday, December 12, 2019
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Register at
http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/emtjcx3anoxa/event/event_info.html
Education Support Professionals, like all educators, are making, and will face, some of the toughest decisions in the history of their union and public education. To be equipped, educators must come to see themselves as leaders in their unions and in their professions. Developed by practitioners, and using proven research and theories on leadership development, the NEA Leadership Competency Framework provides a lens through which educators can self- identify their leadership competency. When used with intentionality, the framework is also a developmental tool that can help educators create a plan for continuous, life-long learning and growth. In this session, we will discuss an approach for deepening the awareness and use of the framework.
Presenter(s): Kisha Davis-Caldwell, Sr. Program/Policy Specialist, NEA Leadership Development Team
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
NEA affiliate leaders, staff, members and partners. All interested parties are welcome. You are encouraged to forward this invite to your partners, leaders and other team members.
FACILITATOR(S):
Lisa Connor, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst Jessica Brinkley, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst
Questions? Contact Jessica Brinkley at jdbrinkley@nea.org.
For more ESP professional development opportunities visit www.nea.org/esppd
National Education Association
Education Support Professionals Quality (ESPQ) Department
Center for Great Public Schools Webinar
What Does it Mean to be a 21st Century Education Leader?
Thursday, December 12, 2019
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Register at
http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/emtjcx3anoxa/event/event_info.html
Education Support Professionals, like all educators, are making, and will face, some of the toughest decisions in the history of their union and public education. To be equipped, educators must come to see themselves as leaders in their unions and in their professions. Developed by practitioners, and using proven research and theories on leadership development, the NEA Leadership Competency Framework provides a lens through which educators can self- identify their leadership competency. When used with intentionality, the framework is also a developmental tool that can help educators create a plan for continuous, life-long learning and growth. In this session, we will discuss an approach for deepening the awareness and use of the framework.
Presenter(s): Kisha Davis-Caldwell, Sr. Program/Policy Specialist, NEA Leadership Development Team
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
NEA affiliate leaders, staff, members and partners. All interested parties are welcome. You are encouraged to forward this invite to your partners, leaders and other team members.
FACILITATOR(S):
Lisa Connor, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst Jessica Brinkley, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst
Questions? Contact Jessica Brinkley at jdbrinkley@nea.org.
For more ESP professional development opportunities visit www.nea.org/esppd
We know that the climate and culture of a school district can be extremely stressful to staff members. Please take this wellness survey to give IEA the information/data they need support members. The survey is for ALL staff!!
Illinois Educator Well-Being Survey
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the University of Illinois Springfield invite you to participate in the Illinois Educator Well-Being Survey. The purpose of this survey is to examine how the climate and culture of your workplace impacts the quality of your life.
When considering how to improve the climate and culture of a school district, it is important to consider the impact of school climate and culture on educators who work both in and out of the classroom. This includes teachers, education support professionals, and other professional staff such as counselors, psychologists, social workers and nurses.
This anonymous survey takes only about 10 minutes to complete. The only required identifying information is the county in which the district is located, however the district name can be provided, if you so choose. The survey closes Dec. 1. See the informed consent document for additional information.
https://ieanea.org/2019/10/16/illinois-educator-well-being-survey/
National Education Support Professionals Day is Wednesday, November 20! Join NEA and schools across the country for a celebration in honor of the ESPs who keep our schools running and our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. This year, we’re continuing the festivities online through #WeLoveOurESPs.
To help you celebrate the ESPs in your schools and communities, we’ve created a toolkit with event ideas, media outreach templates, social media graphics, and printable signs and cards.
● Download Signs and Thank you Cards
Be sure to spread the word! Below are some sample posts to share on your social media channels and get the party started.
● Education Support Professionals Day is November 20. Thank the ESPs in your schools and communities by hosting a celebration event and sending them words of appreciationà bit.ly/ESPday2019 #WeLoveOurESPs
● How are you celebrating Education Support Professionals on November 20?! Share with us your ESP Day plans using #WeLoveOurESPs bit.ly/ESPday2019
Join our ESP Facebook group and follow us on Twitter(@NEArESPect and @NEAToday) if you haven’t already done so.
We hope to see you at the online celebration!
On November 9th, IEA ESP Council members, local presidents, and ESPs from around Illinois came together at the IEA office in Champagne, Ill. Presentations by Woodruff Johnson & Evans Law Offices – The Injured School Employee: Rights and Benefits and IEA Communication Consultant, Bridgette Shannahan spoke on – Communications Messaging and Tools. Great tools to help locals build strength, and unity through connection.
Save the date for our next ESP Assembly and President Support Team Roundtable
February 8th, 2020 in Matteson IEA Office
National Education Support Professionals Day is an important part of NEA’s American Education Week celebration, taking place November 18-22. The occasion was first celebrated in 1987 after NEA’s Representative Assembly, the Association’s decision-making body of nearly 8,000 member delegates, called on the organization to honor the contributions of all school support staff. National ESP Day is observed on Wednesday of American Education Week. For more information please click the link below.
Applications are now being accepted for the IEA-NEA ESP EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY (ESP-ELA). The IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy is a partnership between the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) to provide a state based ESP Leadership Institute (formerly ESP Leaders for Tomorrow) for IEA ESP members. The ESP-ELA is designed to provide leadership training and support for IEA’s emerging ESP leaders.
The ESP-ELA is a six-session leadership training held over a period of seven months. This training is available to all dues paying IEA ESP members in good standing who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
For more information visit the ESP page on the IEA Website or at: https://ieanea.org/events/iea-nea-esp-emerging-leaders-academy/
Application deadline: Friday, December 6, 2019
| Hosted by IEA, Ayala will be interviewed first about the most pressing issues in education in Illinois and then members will have the opportunity to ask questions. How it works: You will receive a call at the phone number we have on file for you at 7:20 p.m. that evening. If you want to participate, simply stay on the line. If you are not sure we have a good phone number on file for you, please contact IEA Connect, or go to the Members Only page on the IEA website to update your information. The event also will be streamed live on the IEA website. |
Developed by speech pathologists and others at the non-profit Learning Empowers All People (LEAP), it is a free app for parents and caregivers with children from zero to four that reminds caregivers to interact with their children through a variety of developmentally appropriate stimuli and ideas. Learn more about it, and the LEAP organization.
Monday – Kickoff Day
Tuesday – Parents Day
Wednesday – Education Support Professionals Day
Thursday – Educator for a Day
Friday – Substitute Educators Day
For more on the weeklong celebration, go to NEA American Education Week.
| Well-being survey The Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the University of Illinois Springfield invites you to participate in the Illinois Educator Well-Being Survey. The purpose of this survey is to examine how the climate and culture of your workplace impacts the quality of your life. The purpose of this survey is to examine how the climate and culture of your workplace impacts the quality of your life. The IEA will use this data to develop and improve programs and services that support members’ well-being in the workplace. Data collected as part of this survey will remain confidential. Please see the informed consent document for additional information. |
