As we head back into our schools and universities, please remember some of our students missed us more than you realize as home can be difficult. Never forget what you do matters to so many!
I hope you had a great winter break!
Author: ieaesp
I am a proud education support professional and pro-education advocate!
2024 Spring IEA Elections Nominations Are Now Open
The IEA is accepting nominations for open positions on the ESP Council and other state level positions. If you’re ready to work to bring the changes we need, apply today.
The 2024 spring elections for NEA RA state, ESP, and aspiring educator delegates, and other state level positions opened today at 8 a.m. Nominations close at 4 p.m. on February 14th. The link to the online nomination form is on the elections page of the website. This information is also located on the home page as well. Also included with the online nomination form information is a link to the spring all-member governance mailer that includes the same nomination forms found online as well as the election notice for the region NEA RA delegate elections. Also included here is a link to the eligibility information for the retired, ESP, higher education and ethnic minority state level positions to be elected this spring.
We need you! Join us as we work to bring rESPect to ALL education support professionals.
Join Us Jan. 11
5:30 – 7 p.m.
rESPect Virtual Meeting
All ESPs Welcome!
(You will receive the Zoom link by email)
| 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 four areas: wages, health insurance, pensions, and retaining, recruiting, and job duties. |
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Years Eve!
Be safe if you plan to travel on this New Year’s Eve! I will be counting my blessings this New Year’s as I think of my family (both by blood and union siblings) and friends. So many great things are happening to support the goals of the rESPect Campaign; so much more work is left to do! I hope you will join us at our next IEA rESPect virtual meeting on Thursday, January 11th. Click for more information and to register for the upcoming rESPect meeting. Click link to register: https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592186/
I hope you all have a safe, healthy, and blessed holiday break!
What activity are looking forward to most to recharge during this holiday break?
Please take the time to rest and recharge! Education support professionals are so important in the education of our students and operation of our schools and universities. Self care is extremely for everyone to be at their best.
Join rESPect today.
Visit www.iearespect.org to learn more and join.
Advocating for rESPect
On Monday, Gina Lozano, chair of the rESPect Legislative Team, myself, Jill Scarcelli, chair of the rESPect Campaign, along with Derek Stevens, IEA Government Relations met with Illinois Senator Robert Peters, chair of the Labor Committee to advocate for our members and rESPect. Gina and myself spoke to educate and inform of who education support professionals (ESPs) are, what we do, and how we are essential for student success. We spoke specifically about UI: Unemployment Insurance and raising the minimum wage for education support professionals.
Senator Robert Peters was very receptive and spoke of his own personal story of being in special education as a young child and how education support professionals supported his education. He spoke honestly and said UI will be a huge challenge. There are several public labor committee hurdles that must be overcome before a vote could be taken. We knew this would be a marathon and not a sprint and we are committed to achieving this goal. Senator Peters also spoke regarding raising the minimum wage and gave us suggestions on how to better move this bill forward.
We truly appreciate Senator Robert Peters for taking the time to meet with us and give guidance as we advocate to support ALL of our members.
Join us for our next rESPect steering meeting
rESPect Steering meeting registration link
DECEMBER
https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592185/
Great Webinar Opportunities
FYI from: National Education Association-ESPQ
As we head into the holiday season and closer to a new year, we want to share several upcoming opportunities that will support ESPs in their personal and professional growth. Please add these events to your calendars and share them with your members and colleagues!
- ESP Community Conversations: Self-care for ESPs (NEXT WEEK!)
Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Self-care is important now more than ever. Join us for a virtual networking session centered around self-care. ESPs who join the conversation will have an opportunity to share self-care tips, learn from one another, and engage in activities to guide them in their self-care practice. Register now >
- ESP Mentoring in Oregon
Thursday, December 7, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Learn how to take an established ESP mentoring program and make it your own, suiting the unique needs within your district. Educators from two locals will share their successes and the roadblocks they encountered in building two successful ESP mentoring programs thriving in Oregon and how you can do the same within your state. Register now >
- ESP Rights and Respect Series: How to Build a Strategic Campaign
Thursday, December 14, 2023 (Webinar en Español), 7:00-8:30 p.m. ET
Join us for this webinar, offered in Spanish, to learn how NEA members, staff, and leaders have partnered to build a strategic campaign to increase ESP visibility, rights, and respect. Note: This webinar series is only open to NEA members, staff, and leaders. See the attached flyer and share it with your Spanish-speaking members and colleagues. Register now >
- NASP PREPaRE Workshop I: School Safety and Crisis Preparedness
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Are you interested in learning about school safety and crisis preparedness? No matter your role in our schools, it is important to understand how schools prepare, mitigate, and respond to a crisis. Join us for Workshop I of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) PREPaRE curriculum to learn more about how a comprehensive school crisis team functions and how to organize one. Each participant will receive a certificate of completion. All fees for the course and course materials will be covered by NEA. ***Space is limited, register today! Register now >
- Strengthening Family and Community Engagement for ESPs
Thursday, January 25, 2024, 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Through NEA’s Community Schools initiative, ESPs across the country are participating in powerful family and community engagement efforts, which help students and support positive worksites. Join us to hear from ESPs and Community Schools coordinators across the country discuss lessons learned and promising practices on family and community engagement, and how these insights can empower ESPs. Register now >
See all upcoming webinars for ESPs at www.nea.org/esppdwebinars.
ESP Mentoring in Oregon
Click to register: Virtual Training
About this event – Thursday, December 7, 6 – 7pm CST
Education Support Professionals (ESPs) play a vital role in schools and deserve quality ESP Peer Mentoring programs. These programs support and enable ESPs to fulfill their crucial roles in public education today. Join us as we highlight two ESP mentoring programs in Oregon. Hear how two locals worked together to support each other in the journey. Learn how to take an established ESP mentoring program and make it your own, suiting the unique needs within your district. They will share their successes and the roadblocks they encountered in building two successful ESP mentoring programs thriving in Oregon and how you can do the same within your state.
Presenters: Laura Warren, ESP, Lebanon Oregon Kim Grousbeck, School Administrator, Lebanon, Oregon Patty Lawrence, ESP, Grants Pass, Oregon Allison Orton, State Affiliate Staff, Oregon
IEA Education Support Professional Council 