Received May 16th
Today, on World ESP Day, I am reminded of the impact education support professionals (ESPs) have on school communities not only in this nation, but around the world. In every state and almost every country, ESPs are educating, nurturing, and caring for our students and communities. They are with us on picket lines and in front of legislatures, protecting our rights and freedoms from those who try to take them away.
In many countries, including our own, ESPs are overworked and underpaid. We recently surveyed NEA ESP members and found that 90 percent of those who work in K-12 schools see low pay as a “moderate or serious” concern for them. Thirty-seven percent take on a second job and one-third have a moderate or serious problem buying food. This is unacceptable. Every education support professional deserves fair pay, good benefits, better working conditions, quality professional development, and respect. As an ESP leader in Michigan recently said, they deserve not just living wages but thriving wages.
The good news: we have the power to make big changes. In this newsletter, you will find several ways to take action in support of ESPs and the students they serve. I hope that you will join us to protect our public schools and the educators who make them safe, welcoming, and inclusive places for students everywhere.
In solidarity,
Amber Parker
Director
NEA ESP Quality Department
IEA Education Support Professional Council 