Category: Uncategorized

Do you have student loans for yourself or your children? Join to see if you qualify for this amazing opportunity!

In October 2021, the Biden Administration issued a “Limited Waiver” of some of the strict requirements of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Prior to the waiver, only 16,000 borrowers had ever received forgiveness through PSLF. Between October 2021 and January 2022, 70,000 borrowers received forgiveness under the Limited Waiver. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it has identified an additional 30,000 borrowers now eligible, bringing to $6.2 billion the amount of student debt forgiven under the temporary waiver. In addition, the Department estimates that hundreds of thousands more borrowers will be on average 2 years closer to loan forgiveness because of the waiver’s provisions.

Regardless of whether a borrower is eligible for immediate forgiveness or is working towards eligibility, it is critical for educators and other public service workers to submit a PSLF application before October 31, 2022, to receive the benefits of the Limited Waiver.

And it is imperative that NEA and our affiliates ensure our members understand the importance of meeting this deadline and provide accurate guidance in navigating the PSLF process. To that end, NEA has created guidance and other resources for members as well as affiliates seeking to assist those members in obtaining the promise of PSLF.
Please join us for a webinar on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. (CST) to discuss the nuts and bolts of the PSLF program and the NEA resources that are available to our members. Feel free to extend this invitation to all staff members interested in learning more.
Please register for the webinar using the following link:
​ https://nea-org.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_0eAmXWekRX6viSFlzXWEaw

Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions. Visit the webpage. Stay connected with other ESPs! For updates and much more, follow us at ieaespcouncil.comIEA ESP webpage Join the ESP Facebook groupFollow @NEArESPect on TwitterGet involved with the National Council for Education Support Professionals (NCESP)

Our very own Debra Ward Mitchell is NEA’s ESP of the Year

Congratulations, Debra, for being named NEA’s 2022 Education Support Professional of the Year! Your IEA family is so proud of you! Debra is pictured with her sons at the NEA ESP Conference in New Orleans.

Present at the One Conference
We are seeking proposals to present at the 2022 One Conference. The focus of the Conference will be on Advocacy, Leadership and Professional Development. Only fully completed RFPs will be accepted. The deadline for RFPs is April 25, 2022, and no RFPs will be accepted after this date. Trainers for the sessions selected will be notified by e-mail.

Do you have a talent or passion you’d like to share with other members? I encourage you to complete an application to share your leadership and talent at this years One Conference.

Debra Ward-Mitchell!! I am so proud of you! You are the epitome of ESP! Thank you for representing us so well!

We are proud to announce that Debra Ward-Mitchell is our 2022 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year! Debra is a paraeducator and assistant director at an infant care center in Illinois, and we can’t wait to share more about her inspiring work!

We are the…

• school bus driver who transports students to and from school safely and are the first person to greet them in the morning and last to say goodbye as they return home. In addition to driving, often in bad weather or heavy traffic, they are responsible for first aid and emergency evacuation procedures, student conduct and discipline, and the safe transportation of students with special needs.
• cafeteria worker who ensures that students have access to safe and nutritious meals and ensure that school districts are complying with the federal free and reduced meal guidelines.
• paraeducator who performs professional responsibilities that contribute directly to student achievement by providing direct services to students and their families including academic, social emotional, behavioral, medical and life skills supports for general education, English Language Learners, and students with special needs to ensure all students receive fair and equitable educational opportunities.
• school nurse who performs a wide variety of health assistance that improves and protects student health and welfare. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to traditional tasks of providing first aid, monitoring immunizations, conducting health screenings, and assisting sick and injured children.
• office assistant who interact daily with students, parents and staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, processing and maintaining vital, confidential data and student records.
• technician who leads the effort to maintain high standards of technology and communication in our schools. They install, repair, and upgrade computers and networks that enable the timely communication of essential information between parents, school district employees, and students.
• security professional who has a clear understanding of not only security techniques, but also the unique nature of the school population they work with.
• plus many other job categories that are essential for the support of our students, families, and communities.

We are essential for the success of our students, families, and communities.

Today I get to travel to New Orleans in preparations of attending the NEA ESP Conference. I am SO SO excited. Did you know that every IEA ESP member is eligable to attend both IEA and NEA conferences? Did you know that each local should and region does have funds in their budget to help cover costs of attending these amazing conferences specifically for ESPs? I am registered for some amazing learning opportunities. It was really tough to choose which ones to go to!!

Start planning now to attend.

Good Afternoon ESP Leaders and Advocates,

I encourage you to share with your colleagues and other ESP members, particularly food service members, these two opportunities for activism. The first is the looming expiration of the pandemic child nutrition waivers that would mean the end of free school meals for all kids, flexibility to serve in different learning modes, and the higher reimbursement rates that have helped schools deal with rising food prices – we need to keep pushing Congress to extend USDA’s authority to grant the waivers for longer as the pandemic is still ongoing: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/continue-flexibility-free-school-meals

The other is commenting from their own experience on USDA’s new rule on the heathy guidelines for school meals – which is a bridge to take school meals from current partial implementation to more full implementation of the healthy guidelines: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/action-center/take-action/support-healthy-school-meal-standards

The ESP Council is beginning preparations for the One Conference that will take place September 30-October 1st. Your ESP Council wants to offer professional development options that our ESP members want. Please give suggestions on PD topics and possible presenters you want to see.