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

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:

• Each local association affiliate can submit one nominee through their local president.
• Any member of the IEA Board of Directors may also submit one nomination.
• Only one application per individual will be accepted. (If multiple applications for the same individual are received, application eligibility will be determined by the earliest received.)
• Members of the ESP Council and alternates are not eligible for this award.
• Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 16, 2020.

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

Register Now!

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.

Enjoy your holiday break! Rest, rejuvenate, and recharge, you deserve it!

About ESPs

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.

We are the…

• school bus driver who greets your child with a warm “hello” and delivers your child safely to school
• cafeteria worker who gives your daughter a warm, healthy meal
• paraeducator who provides your child with a little extra help in the classroom
• school nurse who comforts your sick child
• office assistant who makes sure your son’s records are up to date
• technician who wires the classroom computers
• custodian who works to keep the school environment safe and clean
• security professional who help keep students and school employees safe.

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:

• The application deadline for the IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy has been extended to Dec. 20, 2019. Apply here
• IEA ESP of the Year Award: Applications due Jan. 15
• ESP STAR Award: Nominations accepted monthly

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

• ***NEW***Winter Book Study begins Jan. 6: Our next book will be Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment by Tal Ben- Shahar. Dr. Ben-Shahar helps readers implement principles of positive psychology in their daily lives to reduce stress, feel more fulfilled, more connected, and happier. This is a great book to read (or re-read) as we begin a new year. Dr. Diana Zaleski, IEA Professional Development Director, will moderate the weekly reading assignments and discussions for this book study on NEA edCommunities. (Directions to access NEA edCommunities)
• Prosocial Skills Training Online Course

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.

• Jan. 13-14: Restorative Practices & Prosocial Skills – IEA Carterville Office: Interested in learning more about non-exclusionary student discipline? Register today for one or both of our training opportunities. On day one we will learn about restorative practices as a straightforward problem-solving framework that can be used as an alternative to exclusionary discipline. On day two we will learn about prosocial skills training as an intervention designed to promote prosocial behavior in adolescents using techniques to develop social skills, emotional control, and moral reasoning. Register today! (Promotional flier)
• Self-Care for Educators – IEA Bloomington Office: Working in a classroom evokes moments of tension, rigidity and stress that accumulate and interfere with your physical, mental and emotional health. As an educator you are often helping others in your life: students, coworkers, family, etc. Experience how making yourself a priority through better use of your body benefits both you and your students. In this experiential workshop you will learn how to use your body more effectively throughout the day, improve your ease in and out of the classroom, reduce pain and maintain your physical acuity. Register today! (Promotional flier)
• Feb. 8: Assessment Literacy – IEA Effingham Office: Understanding why we assess, what we assess, how we assess, and how we communicate the results of assessment is crucial to informing instructional decision making and improving student learning. This hands-on workshop provides a framework for maximizing your classroom assessments and engaging your students in meaningful assessment practices. Participants are encouraged to bring their classroom assessments. Register today! (Promotional flier)

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.

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWS

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!

RELATED CONTENT

• Check out our Candidate Comparison Chart
• Support public education as a state delegate at the national party conventions
• Get the latest 2020 campaign news from Education Votes

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 ESP Day Toolkit

●     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

November 20, 2019

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

Nov. 4 7:30-8:30 p.m. Teletown Hall with Illinois Superintendent of Schools Carmen Ayala, Ph.D.

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.

Nov. 7  |  4:30 p.m.
Webinar – Introducing the app: Beginning with Babble (For anyone who deals with parents of small children)

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.

Nov. 18-22  |  #AEW2019

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.

Take Survey Now

Thursday, October 24, 2019

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST

Register at

http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/e0ohc3w9ycnf/event/event_info.html

Autism is easily among the most misunderstood of all human conditions which poses daily challenges for educators and students alike. Have you ever asked, “Why do kids with autism do that?” The simple truth is students with Autism have several different behaviors that we, as educators, find difficult to understand because we cannot fully comprehend what it’s like in the mind and body of someone on the spectrum. This highly informative webinar will focus on identifying the traits and characteristics of autism, development and implementation of proactive strategies to help manage sensory processing issues and meltdowns and the similarities and differences between same aged males and females with ASD.

Presenter(s):

Donna Nielsen, graduate of NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow, NEA ESP Conference Presenter, Training graduate of Hands In Autism (an affiliate of Indiana University and Riley’s Children’s Hospital), Certified School Bus Driver Trainer, Certified Grief Support Group Facilitator, Grandmother of an Autistic Grandson, Retired NEA and ISTA Board of Director and a Retired 30 year Professional School Bus Driver.

Mickey Brady, graduate of NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow, NEA ESP Conference presenter, 28 year Professional Bus Driver and Certified School Bus Driver Trainer, Training graduate of Hands in Autism (an affiliate of Indiana University and Riley’s Children’s Hospital), Crisis Prevention Institute certified trainer in non-violent crisis intervention, certified True Colors trainer.

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.

Wear Red for Ed on 10.23.19

Our sisters and brothers across the state are fighting for the schools their students deserve. Let’s show them our support by wearing #RedforEd on Wednesday!

Share your #RedforEd pictures on social media with the hashtags:

#MendotaMatters
#ATA4Kids
#StandWithCTU
#IFTstrong

We stand with our union sisters and brothers who are on strike, the Mendota Elementary Teachers and the Chicago Teachers Union. And, we are supporting the Addison Teachers’ Association who could go on strike Thurs., Oct. 24, and are fighting for their students, as well.

Help us get the message out about our #RedforEd action by sharing IEA’s Facebook post.

The ESP Council and President Support Team have partnered to bring you two very important supports in one location. There will be an ESP Assembly and a President Support Team Presidents’ Roundtable in the Champaign IEA Office, 2110 Clearlake Blvd., Suite 103, on:

Saturday, November 9, 2019

* 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ESP Assembly featuring The Injured School Employee: Your Rights & Benefits and the President Support Team Presidents’ Roundtable

*12:00 p.m. Lunch

*1:00 p.m. ESP Council Meeting. All are welcome to stay.

RSVP by November 1 to Arlene.Criglar@ieanea.org or Valerie.Shoger@ieanea.org

Future ESP Assemblies & President Support Team Presidents’ Roundtables:

* February 8, 2020 in Matteson IEA Office

* April 18, 2020 in Sterling IEA Office *

* June 13, 2020 in Edwardsville IEA Office

* June 13, 2020 There will be an additional PST Presidents’ Roundtable in the Carterville IEA Office

Educational Support Professionals: Understanding and Supporting Students on the Autism Spectrum

Thursday, October 24, 2019

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Register at http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/e0ohc3w9ycnf/event/event_info.html

Autism is easily among the most misunderstood of all human conditions which poses daily challenges for educators and students alike. Have you ever asked, “Why do kids with autism do that?” The simple truth is students with Autism have several different behaviors that we, as educators, find difficult to understand because we cannot fully comprehend what it’s like in the mind and body of someone on the spectrum. This highly informative webinar will focus on identifying the traits and characteristics of autism, development and implementation of proactive strategies to help manage sensory processing issues and meltdowns and the similarities and differences between same aged males and females with ASD.

Presenter(s):
Donna Nielsen, graduate of NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow, NEA ESP Conference Presenter, Training graduate of Hands In Autism (an affiliate of Indiana University and Riley’s Children’s Hospital), Certified School Bus Driver Trainer, Certified Grief Support Group Facilitator, Grandmother of an Autistic Grandson, Retired NEA and ISTA Board of Director and a Retired 30 year Professional School Bus Driver.

·         Mickey Brady, graduate of NEA ESP Leaders for Tomorrow, NEA ESP Conference presenter, 28 year Professional Bus Driver and Certified School Bus Driver Trainer, Training graduate of Hands in Autism (an affiliate of Indiana University and Riley’s Children’s Hospital), Crisis Prevention Institute certified trainer in non-violent crisis intervention, certified True Colors trainer.

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.

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If you are interested in attending a future conference through IEA or NEA I highly encourage you to take the opportunity. Funds are usually available for ESPs to attend. Please check with your local president or contact your local region office. If you have any questions please submit your questions through the Contact Your ESP Council on this site. We would be happy to assist you in any way we can.

There were so many amazing sessions such as Teacher/Para Teams, CPR/AED Heartsaver Adult/Child/Infant, Time to Bargain: Is Your Team Ready?, Stress Management and Mindfulness, and so many more. Beyond the sessions, I love the opportunity to meet and collaborate with ESP members from across Illinois, and oh, my… the food!! So much great food!

#rESPect #StrongerUnited

Save the date for the next NEA #Education Support Professionals Conference, March 20-22, 2020 in New Orleans! You don’t want to miss this conference!!

National Education Association Education Support Professionals Quality (ESPQ) Department Center for Great Public Schools Webinar

Educational Support Professionals: My School, My Voice

Thursday, September 19, 2019 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST Register at http://neaorg.adobeconnect.com/eyblsvhupxng/event/event_info.html

Do students and ESPs at your school have everything they need to succeed? As educators, we have the opportunity to speak up and help ensure safe, healthy and supportive school environments for all students and staff. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) allows educators, parents, and students to set more meaningful indicators of success for their school. By sharing your voice and setting specific performance criteria for your school, you can let lawmakers know what kind of help your school needs to reach its full potential. In this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to see what educator voice looks like in schools across the country and discuss barriers to raising our voices as well as opportunities to amplify our voices.

Presenter(s): Bianca Singh, Sr. Policy/Program Specialist, NEA Education Policy and Practice Department

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): Dorothy Vu, NEA Sr. Communication Specialist Jessica Brinkley, NEA Sr. Program/Policy Analyst Questions? Contact Jessica Brinkley at jdbrinkley@nea.org.

For more ESP professional development opportunities visit http://www.nea.org/esppd.

🚨STATEWIDE #RedForEd ACTION 🚨Many Educators across Illinois are supporting Rockford High School and showing the dissatisfaction we have with Betsy Devos and her horrific education policies. Let’s remind her that Illinois is a state full of strong public school educators! ✊ ✏️ ✊ #IEAStronger

 The Chicago Ridge Educational Support Staff (CRESS) (Region 56)  IEA is pleased to announce the growth of a local! After a card campaign starting last April, 12 ESPs, including food service workers, aides and secretaries, joined their ESP local after all of them signed cards. Congratulations, CRESS!

You can do this!! I believe in you!!!

Have you ever wished there was a conference with ESPs in mind? If so you don’t want to miss the One Conference. Many ESP sessions are planned by ESPs for ESPs. Please join us for the 2019 One Conference for IEA Education Support Professionals (ESP), Higher Education, and IEA Retired members. The two-day event will offer a variety of elective sessions and feature keynote speaker,  Gordon Lafer, professor at the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center and author of The One Percent Solution: How Corporations Are Remaking America, One State at a Time.

Registration is open for the IEA One Conference! Join your fellow ESPs in Oak Brook, Oct. 4–5 DoubleTree by Hilton, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook  Registration fee: $20 per registrant, prior to the event; $30 onsite. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 20.

Visit the IEA website for the agenda, session descriptions, session grid and conference brochure. IEA funding available! Scholarship applications are due by Sept. 6.

Conference Registration Room Reservation