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.
The Leaders for Just Schools training program brings together IEA members from across the state. You have an opportunity to connect with new people, grow in your profession and make an impact on your schools and communities. Learn more and apply for the 2022-23 Level 1 cohort at ieaopportunitycoalition.org
Congratulations and thank you to our ESP of the Year, Debra Ward-Mitchell, for inspiring us, being a proud union member, and leading the fight for professional respect for all ESPs.
Learn more about Debra: https://bit.ly/3RcYxFt
Click the link to looking back on the four days of the 2022 Representative Assembly, where 6,000 educators gathered to shape the future of public education and our union. Check out RA in review: https://bit.ly/3bYbXoH
Just imagine around 6000 people in-person and virtual, debating new business items, legislative amendments, and resolutions submitted by members. It is amazing!!
It’s official, the 101st NEA RA, the nations largest representative assembly has begun in Chicago. It’s time to get busy and do the work of supporting our members by debating and voting on important topics that will determine the direction of our union over the next year.
I am preparing to travel to Chicago with about 8,000 of my closest union friends. The experience is indescribable!! We will discuss, debate, and vote on many items that will direct the corse of our union.
One extremely important item on the agenda is new more powerful language that adds the essential work of support staff in public education, prek-12 and higher ed, to the NEA Legislative Platform. Your Education Support Professional Council submitted this language and is excited to lobby for its approval.
RESPECT | Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by Education Support Professionals, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on five areas:
Support staff are typically the first to arrive at school as they unlock doors and turn on lights. They are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive at school in the morning, 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 their work is priceless.
So it’s time we start treating them that way! Join today so we can build our strength and raise our voice from a wisper to a roar.
You can still requesst funding from your IEA local and/or region chair. If you don’t know who your region chair is please contact a representative from your local and they can assist you. You can also contact your region office. Illinois Education Association regions each have money specifically budgeted for professional development specifially for support staff. Click here to find an Illinois Education Association office near you.
At a time of profound stress for the teaching profession, educators are finding relief by seeking professional support opportunities in personal self-care practices for themselves and for their students. Learn how to apply healing-centered, personal self-care practices that support you in your work with your students.
This Pride Month, learn from ESP members about the importance of pronouns and how to use them effectively in schools to ensure a supportive environment for everyone in the school community.
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IEA Education Support Professional Council 