
Today is a gift, unwrap it greatfully!

IEA Education Support Professional Council
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.


I am extremely honored to be asked to participate in this extremely important discussion with our National Education Association brothers and sisters. ESP voices must be at every table where decisions are being made that affect our students and members.

Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
Join us on the Second Saturday of each month from 10 am-12 pm Mountain Time for exciting topics and presenters! The schedule for the next 12 months will be:
August 13, 2022 – Working Effectively with Students with Challenging and Severe BehaviorsPresenter: Glenn Dyke
September 10, 2022 – Teachers and Paraeducators Team Teaching in the Classroom: Enhancing Communication Between Paraeducators and General Education TeachersPresenters: Deb Andrews and Marilyn Likins
October 8, 2022 – Autism/Non-Verbal Training/StrategiesPresenter: Katie Harris
November 12, 2022 – Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities: IDEA, IEP’s, and BIP’s! Oh my!Presenter: Christine Manning
December 10, 2022 – Dispelling the Myths of Unreachable, Unteachable, and Uncaring StudentsPresenter: Dave Forbush
January 14, 2023 – 10 Ways to Help the Non-worker: Jumpstarting Work Completion BehaviorPresenter: Melisa Genaux
February 11, 2023 – Best Practices and Tools to Help Students LearnPresenter: Jeri Rigby
March 11, 2023 – Strategies for AnxietyPresenter: Alex Langevin
April 8, 2023 – Understanding and Supporting Social-Emotional GrowthPresenter: TBA
May 13, 2023 – Effective Behavior Management Strategies for the Classroom: Practical MagicPresenter: Melisa Genaux
June 10, 2023 – Parents and Students with Disabilities Panel: Stories and Lessons LearnedPresenter: Kimberly Hutter
July 8, 2023 – The Necessity for Ongoing Paraeducator Preparation: Before and Throughout EmploymentPresenter: Marilyn Likins
Don’t Miss Out on this amazing opportunity to have one year of professional development at an affordable price of $25 per webinar! Group discounts are available! Register today!
The IEA and the Opportunity Coalition are pleased to announce the Leaders for Just Schools cohort for the 2022-23 school year. The instructors are state and local leaders, award winning educators and experienced community organizers who will help you build momentum for change in your local schools and communities. Cohort members who successfully complete the program will receive a micro credential and will have the opportunity to earn an organizing stipend to continue the work.

Together we can make a difference!
Voting for public education means voting for candidates who will support our students, our public schools and our union. Visit IEA Votes for campaign resources, including the school Board Election Toolkit, your Voter Guide, and IPACE recommended candidates.
Please remember all those who work so hard to support our students, staff, and schools.


Yesterday, a fabulous group of IEA members and IEA staff met virtually to discuss, organize, advocate, and grow rESPect for education support professionals throughout Illinois.
Far to many education support professionals barely make minimum wage while they provide some of the most important work in our schools and universities. We are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with their health, safety, and nutritional needs, and are the last people who see students safely home at the end of the day. The value of our work is priceless.