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This past Saturday the IEA Education Support Professionals Council met from 9:00-2:00pm to collaborate and advocate for education support professionals throughout Illinois. A wide variety of topics were discussed.

• rESPect Campaign: Advocating to bring the changes we need for ALL Illinois ESPs.
  • We need to make sure we better recognize higher ed ESPs as we grow rESPect and advocate for change.
  • All rESPect resources have been translated to Spanish and ready for download on the rESPect website.
• ONE Conference: reviewed feedback of attendees, so many great comments. We also discussed ways to improve for next year.
• IEA ESP of the Year: made improvements to our application to better align with NEA ESP of the Year application. The nomination December 15th deadline is quickly approaching.
• ESP Insider: Next ESP Insider will be coming our December 19th. If you have a story you would like to share about someone or something happing in your local, send it to Arlene Criglar arlene.criglar@ieanea.org no later than December 11th. We would love to hear what’s happening in your local or region!
• IEA RA: planning for our Open Hearing and ESP Engagement – nomination forms are due soon for you to be able to attend the Representative Assembly. Reach out to your local election chair or union executive board member for more information.
• NEA ESP Conference: March 22-24, 2024 Las Vegas, NV Caesars Palace 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Click the link for more information! Amazing experience!
• Bylaw/Legislative Committee:
  • reviewed/updated council bylaw language
  • began preliminary review IEA Bylaws and Legislative platform to make proposed ESP language improvements
• Member Connections Committee:
  • plan for new items for welcome gifts for new locals, ESP Celebration, and IEA RA
  • discussed improvements at welcome table for ONE Conference and IEA RA

It is an honor to spend our Saturday to represent you. You have five council members who bring ESP voices front and center at Illinois Education Association monthly Board of Directors meetings and you have three council members who sit on the IEA Executive Board of Directors where we bring ESP voices front and center. Included in those, we have one National Education Association (NEA) Board of Director at Large on our council. So when I say Illinois ESP voices are being heard…I mean, Illinois ESP voices are BEING HEARD.

National Education Week is week when educators are highlighted across the country. On Wednesday, November 15th, Education Support Professionals will be highlighted and the focus of American Education Week! Take the pledge, as I have, to support Public Education and Education Support Professionals (ESPs) and the work we all do for students across the country!

Thank you for all you do to build a better future for our communities, state, and world. Educators building the future one student at a time. Thank you for your time, commitment, and sleepless nights, What you do matters!

Support staff are typically the first to arrive at schools/campuses as they unlock doors and turn on lights. They are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with students’ health and nutritional needs and see to their safety throughout the day. Their work is essential.

Thank an education support professional for all they do. Without education support professionals, schools couldn’t run and students wouldn’t have the supports they need to be successful. Join our campaign to help improve working conditions for ESPs that focuses on wages, affordable health insurance, equitable pension, and other goals that help to retain and recruit ESPs so our students receive the quality education they deserve.

Click the link below to contact your senators and tell them education support professionals deserve fair compensation and respect for making the school day happen. Share widely!!

“Bill of Rights” Calls for Fair Pay and Good Benefits for Education Support Professionals | NEA

On Monday, National Education Association Vice President Moss and Stacey Tayman, president of the Calvert Association of Education Support Staff (in Maryland), spoke at an event hosted by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) announcing the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights (Senate Resolution 450).  The resolution, introduced by Senator Markey, is cosponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Click here to hear Princess Moss and others as they speak on the importance of better working conditions for education support professionals:  https://markeysenate.box.com/s/02dgq6fiv1uk86uztffl6cahitj6k3we

What a great rESPect Campaign meeting tonight! We had great conversations, setting actionable goals by amazing education support professional advocates!! Thank you, to all who joined us tonight and shared your time and talents!

If you would like to attend our next meeting on December 14th click: DECEMBER https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592185/

RESPECT

Ready to impact your school, district and community around racial and social justice issues?

Want to brainstorm with other leaders how to most effectively address equity related challenges that face your students?

The NEA, in partnership with the Kellogg Foundation, has developed a cutting edge leadership development program for those interested in racial, social and educational justice. The IEA and the Opportunity Coalition are pleased to announce the Leaders for Just Schools cohorts for the 2023-24 school year. The instructors are state and local leaders, award winning educators and experienced community organizers who will help you build momentum for change in your local schools and communities.

Cohort members who successfully complete the program will receive a micro credential and will have the opportunity to earn an organizing stipend to continue the work.

The 2023-24 Leaders for Just Schools Level I Cohort sessions will be held on Saturday mornings, from 9-11:30am. This year we will meet on November 18, January 27 and April 13. Virtual and in-person cohorts are both available.

Learn more about the Leaders for Just Schools program here!

• 2024 NEA ESP Conference
  • Date: March 22-24, 2024
  • Location: Las Vegas, NV
  • Application due by Dec 8

The purpose of the NEA ESP National conference to grow and strengthen the professional excellence of ESP members working in Pre-K to Higher-Ed through Association-convened, educator-led, and student-centered learning experiences. With multiple interactive workshops to choose from over the course of three days, participants enhance their knowledge and skills to advocate for students and educators, champion racial and social justice, build community relationships, strengthen and grow membership, and sustain stronger local associations, helping members excel in their careers and positively impact student success.