Author: ieaesp

Debra Ward-Mitchell!! I am so proud of you! You are the epitome of ESP! Thank you for representing us so well!

We are proud to announce that Debra Ward-Mitchell is our 2022 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year! Debra is a paraeducator and assistant director at an infant care center in Illinois, and we can’t wait to share more about her inspiring work!

We are the…

• school bus driver who transports students to and from school safely and are the first person to greet them in the morning and last to say goodbye as they return home. In addition to driving, often in bad weather or heavy traffic, they are responsible for first aid and emergency evacuation procedures, student conduct and discipline, and the safe transportation of students with special needs.
• cafeteria worker who ensures that students have access to safe and nutritious meals and ensure that school districts are complying with the federal free and reduced meal guidelines.
• paraeducator who performs professional responsibilities that contribute directly to student achievement by providing direct services to students and their families including academic, social emotional, behavioral, medical and life skills supports for general education, English Language Learners, and students with special needs to ensure all students receive fair and equitable educational opportunities.
• school nurse who performs a wide variety of health assistance that improves and protects student health and welfare. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to traditional tasks of providing first aid, monitoring immunizations, conducting health screenings, and assisting sick and injured children.
• office assistant who interact daily with students, parents and staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, processing and maintaining vital, confidential data and student records.
• technician who leads the effort to maintain high standards of technology and communication in our schools. They install, repair, and upgrade computers and networks that enable the timely communication of essential information between parents, school district employees, and students.
• security professional who has a clear understanding of not only security techniques, but also the unique nature of the school population they work with.
• plus many other job categories that are essential for the support of our students, families, and communities.

We are essential for the success of our students, families, and communities.

Today I get to travel to New Orleans in preparations of attending the NEA ESP Conference. I am SO SO excited. Did you know that every IEA ESP member is eligable to attend both IEA and NEA conferences? Did you know that each local should and region does have funds in their budget to help cover costs of attending these amazing conferences specifically for ESPs? I am registered for some amazing learning opportunities. It was really tough to choose which ones to go to!!

Start planning now to attend.

Good Afternoon ESP Leaders and Advocates,

I encourage you to share with your colleagues and other ESP members, particularly food service members, these two opportunities for activism. The first is the looming expiration of the pandemic child nutrition waivers that would mean the end of free school meals for all kids, flexibility to serve in different learning modes, and the higher reimbursement rates that have helped schools deal with rising food prices – we need to keep pushing Congress to extend USDA’s authority to grant the waivers for longer as the pandemic is still ongoing: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/continue-flexibility-free-school-meals

The other is commenting from their own experience on USDA’s new rule on the heathy guidelines for school meals – which is a bridge to take school meals from current partial implementation to more full implementation of the healthy guidelines: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/support-healthy-school-meal-standards

The ESP Council is beginning preparations for the One Conference that will take place September 30-October 1st. Your ESP Council wants to offer professional development options that our ESP members want. Please give suggestions on PD topics and possible presenters you want to see.

2022 NEA ESP NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Education Support Professionals: Uniting for a better future for our students, our educators, and our communities.

March 25-27, 2022
New Orleans Marriott
555 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130

I am so excited for this conference! So many opportunities and intriguing sessons to attend.

What does RESPECT look like to an education support professional? Over the past almost two years as ESP Council chair I’ve heard from many ESPs from across the state and from what I’ve heard RESPECT means:

• Earning a livable wage where ESPs don’t have to work multiple jobs just to pay their bills
• Having good affordable health insurance
• Having a solid pension for when they retire
• Benefits that retain and recruit employees like quality job related professional development, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave and licensing fees relief
• Job duties that are relevant to their job description, having a voice at every table, and acknowledgement that what you do truly matters!

Get ready! RESPECT is coming!! Be on the lookout for more information coming soon!

Today I got to spend an amazing day with fabulous ESP advocates. The ESP Council met in the Naperville IEA office to continue our work. We are determined to fight for RESPECT!