Hello fellow ESP colleagues,
Our union, the National Education Association, is creating an Education Support Professionals (ESP) Bill of Rights. This initiative is being developed by ESP members for ESP members and we want to hear from ESPs like you. The National Education Support Professionals Bill of Rights will be a living document that defines the issues most important to ESPs across the country. It will be used to help affiliates develop ESP bargaining strategies, a model for states that want to build their own ESP Bill of Rights, and a tool
that can be used to guide state and national level policy making.

We need your input! Education Support Professionals know the issues that matter the most to them. Please use this opportunity to share your voice by completing our short survey. It should take less than 5 minutes to complete. You can find the survey in both English and Spanish by clicking on the links below or scanning the QR code.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 6:00 – 7:30 PM CT

Join us in this webinar series to learn how NEA members, staff, and leaders have partnered to build a strategic campaign to increase ESP visibility, rights, and respect. Hear from three state affiliates—Massachusetts, Maryland, and Illinois—on how they built their campaign from the ground up, what successes and challenges they faced, and what resources and strategies they have for affiliates seeking to engage in their own campaign.

In this webinar you will learn how the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education operates.

Learn how IPACE funds are used to help elect education friendly candidates for statewide offices and local school boards. You will also learn the various ways your local can utilize IPACE services and funds when advocating for a particular candidate or education friendly legislation.

Another #IEAOneConference is in the books. The ONE Conference is my favorite conference here in Illinois! Where else can education support professionals come together, get professional development created especially for ESP by ESP and collaborate around common issues so close to home. Lots of fun, lots of laughter, and lots of memories were made. If you haven’t attended this conference before mark your calendars for next year.

One Conference

October 13-14, 2023 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Chicago, Oak Brook, IL

Join us for a two-day event offering:

• Professional development and elective sessions especially created for ESPs
• Time to collaborate with other amazing education support professionals
• Fabulous meals (Friday: Dinner, Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch)
• A time to be seen, heard, and appreciated!
• Low cost – $30 registration fee (at the door) 

RESPECT | Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on four areas: wages, health insurance, pensions, retention, recruitment, and job duties.

Join us virtually this Thursday and as we advocate to bring the changes we need. You are cordially invited to bring your voice to our table.

When: Thursday October 12th 5:30-6:30pm

MTA | Thursday, Oct. 5 @ 7:00-8:30 PM EST
MSEA | Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 7:00-8:30 PM EST
IEA | Monday, Nov. 27 @ 7:00-8:30 PM EST
Webinar en Español | Thursday, Dec. 14 @ 7:00-8:30 PM EST

Fall 2023 Bite-Size PD Series 

Join us NEXT TUESDAY, Oct 3, 2023 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. for Classroom/ Morning Meetings to Build SEL Skills & Create a Positive Learning Environment presented by Aleza Berube, M. Ed. with the Stress and Trauma Treatment Center.

The Fall 2023 Bite-Size Session Titles Include:

• Understanding the IEP for Educators (General Ed. Teachers & Paraprofessionals) 
• Social Emotional Learning
• Regulation and Col-Regulation Strategies
• Living in Alignment: Fostering Resilience and Stress Management through Mindfulness
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
• Understanding the Intersection Between Trauma and Disabilities
• Engaging and Motivating Students
• Depression in School-Age Children
• Autism
• Click here for more information or to register for a virtual session in the Fall 2023 Bite-Size Series Lineup. 

Fall 2023 Virtual Book Study

Registration is FREE. However, you must purchase a copy of the book to participate. *Educators working in Resilient Southern Illinois member districts or early childhood educators in SDA #16 are eligible for a gift card reimbursement thanks to a generous donation from the Poshard Foundation. See the registration page for more details.