Category: Uncategorized

Center for Great Public Schools Webinar
What You Need to Know: ESP Mentoring ESP in the Workplace

Do you have inadequate opportunities for professional learning and support? Are you working in isolation with little to no feedback or support? Would you or your ESP colleagues benefit from mentoring?

Join our webinar and find out ‘what you need to know’ before developing or designing an ESP peer mentoring program. In this webinar, we will also hear from the Schaumburg Educational Employees Organization (SEEO) about their Partners mentoring program, which has been in existence since 1999 and from the Cedar Rapids Organization of Teacher Associates (CROTA), who are developing a mentoring program for newly hired paraeducators. Let’s learn more about how ESP can support one another through high-quality mentoring programs to build professional excellence across their entire career continuum and ensure student success.

Don’t miss this great opportunity!

You are cordially invited to attend!

July 22-25, 2019
Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

Hundreds of Illinois Education Association leaders (elected, appointed, emerging, and aspiring) will gather together this summer for training on leadership skills and abilities that make a difference for our students, our schools, and our communities. In addition, several professional development electives will be available.

Recognition Long Overdue: Congress Approves National Award Program for ESPs

The 165th Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly (RA)  convenes on April 11, 2019. The debates and decisions made by the assembled delegates set the direction of IEA for the coming year.

ESP Representative Assembly

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Dear Education Support Professional,   We need your help to repeal the 3 percent cap on pensionable earnings for TRS and SURS. Past practice has proven that once legislators change this threshold for TRS and SURS, they do the same for IMRF. So, if we don’t speak out now, our own IMRF contributions also could be capped at the 3 percent limit.

The bill to #repealthe3 has still not been called for a vote. That’s why we need your help now! Please call your lawmaker. Tell them to strongly encourage House leadership to call the bill before lawmakers leave for break on Friday. Click to call now or call 1-888-412-6570 You can also sign our petition to help #repealthe3. Thank you to those who’ve already signed. So far, we have nearly 50,000 signatures! We cannot delay any longer – our future depends on it! If we don’t protect our profession, our students will suffer and ultimately public education in this state will lose. We are the largest education organization in the state and when we stand together our voice cannot be ignored. We are always STRONGER when we are UNITED.  In solidarity, Kathi Griffin President Illinois Education Association

I’ve lost count of how many ESPs have said to me when describing their career as, “I’m just a teachers aid”, or I’m just a bus driver”. This is so far from the truth!! You educate the future!! It’s right in your title you are an Education Support Professional! There are many ESP job categories, all equally as important. Imagine a school day if just one category was taken away. Students, and learning would suffer GREATLY!! You name it, an ESP touches every aspect of a students day. Bus drivers are the first and last person students see, nurses keep them healthy administering medication, cafeteria staff gives our students the nourishment for them to stay focused, security keeps everyone safe, and so so much more. Listen to Saul Ramos NEA ESP of the year 2017 explains his leadership story and experiences as an ESP.

On the #SchoolMe podcast, Saúl Ramos shares his ESP leadership story and experience as a paraeducator.

Take a listen 🎧👇

We can’t say enough about how much we appreciate you! Thank you for all that you do for our students, schools, and communities.

#WeLoveOurESPs #Paraprofessionals