Author: ieaesp

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year. It’s definitely not the start of the year any of us had looked forward to or had planned for. After ending last school year mostly learning in-person, lower case numbers, a vaccine readily available and gaining the ability over the summer to go maskless, the start of this year was looking bright.

While we are so happy that students are walking through the doors of our buildings this year, COVID-19 has not gone away. We know the best place for students to be is in the classroom, as long as it’s safe. We know you care about your students and you want them there, too. So, we are working hard to keep conditions where students can learn and where they, and all those around them, can remain safe and healthy. This isn’t about politics, it’s about safety.

That’s why we have supported the Executive Order on vaccinations and testing. Of course, we encourage members to get vaccinated because it’s the best safety measure, but we also recognize that members value their freedom and their right to privacy. That’s why we pushed to have testing be an option, to protect a person’s right not to get one. And when things were moving too fast, we, along with the Illinois Federation of Teachers, pushed to slow them down. On Friday, it was announced that instead of the deadline being Sept. 5 to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result, that date has been moved to Sept. 19. We recommend that if you are not fully vaccinated by that date, be prepared to get tested on your own and show up to work on Mon., Sept. 20 with a negative COVID test in hand.

We understand it’s been a stressful start to the school year. We want to help. Please reach out, whether it be to your local president, your UniServ Director or to IEA Connect. We will continue to advocate for you.

Thank you for all your hard work and patience. We are working to make sure you are safe, that students are safe and that your job and rights are protected.

Please take care and be well.
Kathi

The President Support Team will be hosting a training on Communications on September 15 at 6:00 p.m. using Zoom. This is one of four trainings being offered this year by the PST. Registration is not required. Participants will be placed into the lobby after logging in. Please make sure your first name, last name and local name are identified as your Zoom screen name. Each participant will be individually added to the training session.

For more information on the supports that the President Support Team has created for IEA Local Presidents and to see the upcoming trainings, view/download the updated pamphlet.

Communications Training | Sept. 15 | 2021

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 931 2972 8053  Passcode: 720082

Topic: Member Engagement 

Time: September 11, 2021 10:00 – 11:30 am, Central Time (US and Canada) 

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”): 

Please join us for our first roundtable of the 2021-2022 school year! IEA UniServ Director, Laura Urso (Region 59, Lombard) who will lead a discussion on member engagement. This opportunity will provide strategies for promoting a local culture that appeals to different motivations of members while recognizing the contribution of all members of the local. If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit www.ieaespcouncil.com. 

Join Zoom Meeting  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86318897479?pwd=amZaUjdrbThwUC9VL1dCUXJmTnE0UT09  

Meeting ID: 863 1889 7479  
Passcode: 345672  

Hello ESP Leaders,

As we begin a new school year during an ongoing crisis, we must continue to prioritize the mental health of everyone in our school communities. That’s why NEA has developed social emotional learning (SEL) resources and supports for teachers, education support professionals, and other educators to manage stress, practice self-care, and build SEL skills with their students. On the NEA website, you can access a wide range of SEL-related content for educators, including webinars, trainings, member stories, and more. View these resources at www.nea.org/sel and share them with your colleagues!Have a great year and stay safe everyone.

Register now for the One Conference!! Great ESP resources and growth opportunities.

Wow, this morning your ESP Council met for their first in-person meeting in over a year. Covid has forced us to learn, grow, and pivot and as a result we are able to offer a virtual option for our southern council members and guests who needed and wanted to attend. Mark your calendars… we have scheduled meetings across the state. For more information please contact Arlene Criglar at arlene.criglar@ieanea.org.

Upcoming ESP Meeting Dates, and Locations 

• 8/21/21 Naperville – 10:00-12:30 Fabulous meeting!
• 11/13/21 Lombard
• 2/26/22 Naperville
• 4/23/22 Carterville
• 6/11/22 Bloomington

ESP Roundtables

• September 11- Membership Engagement
• November 18th – ESP Discussion and Support

One Conference 2021 – REGISTER TODAY!! DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!

October 1-2, 2021
Virtual Conference

REGISTRATION

Conference Overview | Elective Descriptors | Elective Schedule

This year’s virtual conference will offer opportunities for professional development, informational sessions, and a keynote session featuring NEA ESP of the Year, Kimberly Scott-Hayden. We will also be recognizing IEA Retired Hauge Award winner, Gayla Dial, IEA ESP of the Year, Debra Ward-Mitchell, and IEA Higher Educator of the Year, Jim Grimes.

Elective sessions begin Friday, October 1 and will conclude with the keynote session on Saturday.

Registration is open to IEA members only. Please check elective descriptors for availability of Professional Development Hours (PD-Hr.)