Author: ieaesp

Even though you might feel alone, we are all standing together. We know solidarity is our greatest strength. We know we are better together. We know we are stronger united. #rESPect #IEAStronger #BetterTogether #IEANEA

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that all public and private schools across Illinois will remain closed for in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We knew the announcement was coming, but the anxiety and sadness still hits hard. Each day of e-learning I miss and worry a little more!! We will continue to support our students, teachers, and communities the best we know how. We are ESP!!

How are you? No, really?! I don’t want the I’m fine answer that we give everyone or the funny meme on Facebook! How are YOU really?!

I’m going to admit something..and this is going to be hard for me. So forgive me if it doesn’t come out right….Over these last couple of weeks I’ve mentally shut down in part. I had to. I’ve watched mindless TV. Worked hours upon hours in my Google Classroom. I haven’t been able to listen to news updates. I haven’t been able to listen to the mayors, governors, or presidential updates. The numbers of victims from this virus…the pain and heartache that each family is feeling has really gutted me. The frustration I feel!! Thankfully Easter came…For me Easter has been a time of healing and has reminded me that it is always darkest before the dawn.

This morning as I watch the sun rise on this new day, I have never been more proud to be an ESP. ESP along with grocery clerks, truck drivers and restaurant workers, gas station attendants and so many more “ESSENTIAL” positions are holding this country together. This horrific virus has shined a 1000 watt spotlight on what and who makes this country great. It’s YOU! It’s all the people who are giving, helping, supporting, and working to make sure product gets to where it’s going, our shelves are restocked, and students are learning. It’s not only the doctors and nurses (heroes for sure), but the orderlies, custodians, the receptionists in healthcare…, It’s the educators who aren’t just thinking outside of the box to support and educate their students…they have to recreate the whole damn box. It’s you! You are ESP, you are doing your best to support students, districts, and communities during this dare I say, unprecedented time.

We can’t let this time be for nothing. We can’t let the lessons we are being taught now be forgotten in a few months. Now is the time that our voices matter most. Those positions who were not worth more than or barely above minimum wage 6 months ago are keeping our country going. Remember in November! Your voice, your vote matters!!

Jill Scarcelli, IEA ESP Council Secretary

Hi IEA friends! We will be voting on this in about a week. What are your thoughts?

On April 19th, a committee of the whole that includes state affiliates, observers, and the NEA Board of Directors will be discussing a yet to be distributed motion to postpone or cancel NEA RA scheduled to be held in Atlanta GA.

The NEA Constitution “authorizes the Board, in cases of national emergency, to postpone or cancel the RA and it will take a 2/3 vote in favor to do this.”

The NEA board will be voting on the proposal April 20th, after the committee of the whole discussion.

As your NEA Directors, We would like your thoughts, comments, or questions about this proposal so that we can bring them to the discussion. Thanks in advance! Feel free to post them here or contact one of us.

I am not impressed with how this article is written…we as ESP seem to be second class citizens, but I think it is extremely important to show support for our ESP sisters and brothers in New York and across the nation. Thank you to everyone who is still supporting students, families and communities. As I say all the time, what you do matters. Now more than ever, your familiar face over Zoom, support given to teachers, meals made, handed out, and delivered, buildings cleaned and sanitized, and so much more. Continue to read article.

As of April 10, 2020, the 50 employees who have passed as reported by their family members and loved ones:

“This is painful news for too many of our communities-each number represents a life, a member of one of our schools or offices, and the pain their loved ones are experiencing is unimaginable. We will be there to support our students and staff in any way they need, including remote crisis and grief counseling each day. We mourn these losses and will not forget the impact each person had on our DOE family,” Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said.

After a grueling shift, exhausted nurses and doctors walk out hospital doors, their tired faces red and raw where masks have rubbed against their skin for many long hours. But when they’re met by a chorus of cheers and salutes from firefighters, police, and EMTs, those tired faces break into smiles, and, a lot of the time, tears.

Among them is Sue Weimer, the school nurse from Shawnee High School in Burlington County, New Jersey. Now she’s on the front lines, caring for the surge of coronavirus patients as a per diem nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she had been working part time as an ER nurse on weekends during the school year.

NEA will be hosting a live webinar, Student Loan Relief: What the COVID-19 Relief Law means for Student Loan Borrowers, on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

Educators, and particularly educators of color, have been burdened by student debt for far too long. And the COVID-19 crisis risks making that debt even more burdensome.

Congress has enacted the CARES Act, a COVID-19 relief law that includes big changes to those who have student debt.

These changes include a suspension of interest and payments for borrowers who have federal student loans from April 10, 2020 to September 30, 2020. NEA is still fighting for a more expansive and more extended suspension of payments. And NEA is also fighting to cancel some or all of our members’ federal student loans.

Join NEA for a Zoom webinar to discuss:

1. Details on the student loan provisions in the CARES Act;
2. What it means for you and what you should be thinking about doing with your student loans during the suspension period;
3. The support available to NEA members to help them manage their loans; and
4. What you can do to fight for broader suspension and cancellation.

Cafeteria workers need to be recognized with labor protections for risking their own health to continue serving free meals to students

“These essential workers deserve a federal guarantee that they will earn at least $15 per hour, have access to paid-sick leave and affordable healthcare, and retire with dignity. The pandemic has shown us just how important ‘lunch ladies’ are, and we owe it to them to remember this lesson when school is back in session.” #rESPect #WeLoveOurESP

The halls of K-12 schools across the country are eerily quiet, as teachers and students stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Yet cafeteria workers are reporting to work, figuring out innovative ways to serve children free, nutritious school meals in the middle of a pandemic that has caused unprecedented job loss and economic upheaval. Click to read more.

Save the Date! Presenters Needed!! Do you or do you know of someone who is an “expert” on a topic that would benefit ESP. The ESP Council is looking for presenters for the next One Conference, 2nd-3rd October 2020.

Do you have something that you’re passionate about? Do you teach yoga (self care)? Do you have special tips and tricks in your job category? How about presenting the benefits of an ESP mentoring program? There are countless topics that would benefit ESP. Share your talents with others.

Please submit your proposal! Deadline is April 20th. Please contact me if you have any questions.

This had tears running down my checks. Finally someone gets it!! When you feel respected and valued, it makes all the difference in the world. Please know today, your union family sees how amazing you are, knows that what you do (at home or in school) is vital to our students and communities. As we navigate these next few weeks and months we are here for you to remind you that you are smart, brave, vital, and together we can face anything!

I hope this makes you smile!!!