Author: ieaesp

#IEAFeedsIllinois

This past Saturday, Support Staff of Elgin Community Collage Association volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Thank you to our members who volunteered.

Congratulations to all those who were chosen to be delegates at this years IEA RA in March. Together we will democratically direct the priorities that are facing our students, colleagues, and schools today. Strong Unions = Strong Schools!

#ieaesps #weloveourESPs #IEArESPect #IEARA2026 #ieaespcouncil #OneJobShouldBeEnogh

IMPORTANT IEA SPRING ELECTION INFORMATION

Nominations for the IEA spring elections close at 4 pm on February 11^th.  A link to online nominations can be found on the IEA website.  If you have any questions, please contact Governance Elections Paraprofessional Kim Trader.

Click to review several IEA updates and member resources.

Reminder that due to the New Year holiday, our January rESPect Action Meeting will be next Thursday, January 15th from 5:30-7:00. Click the link below to get the link to join. I hope to see you there.

I hope this finds you well with time to reset and recharge. As I prepare for the new year, I am reflecting on all of the events of 2025, full of creating family memories, meeting new people, attending amazing learning opportunities, and always advocating for the public schools our students and staff deserve!

Refelctions on rESPect

• ESP Outreach – The council and rESPect team has presented at the local, state, and national level, advocating for rESPect and various other ESP topics
• Growth and development – Improved rESPect meeting format that incorporate strategies that empower ESPs to know their strength and use it in their locals and across the state, Many attended, Skills To Win, LoveWorks, and countless other learning opportunities.
• Organized and attended- rallies, witness slips for ESP legisilation, meetings, virtual roundtables
• Collaborated with IEA staff to focus specifically on ESPs and their issues. We are working to break down silos to better use our talents, tools, and resources to improve results

I’m excited for 2026 and the work we will accomplish together.

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