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Scan the QR code to meet November’s amazing ESP Star Award recipients. Do you have a member of your support staff who deserves recognition for all the amzing things they do? Nominate them to be next months ESP Star award winner. Log in to members only: https://ieanea.org/forms/esp-stars-nomination-form/

Okay….this is tough but amazing also!! Please join one of these amazing ESP advocacy opportunities.

ESP Learning Network webinars

• Advocacy | Thur., Nov. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. (CST): Using advocacy to address contemporary issues facing ESPs.
  • Hear a panel of UniServ from across the nation who will discuss how to advocate for education support professionals (ESPs) and address the issues affecting them in today’s school climate. What are the challenges ESPs face today, and what are the opportunities for ESPs tomorrow? How have pressing issues like COVID, staff shortages, and radicalized parents impacted the way we advocate? And in the future, how will demands for higher compensation and better professional development reshape the ESP world?

• ESP Leaders and Local President Empowerment Roundtable Thurs., Nov. 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Download flier with Zoom link.
  • Please join us for our 2nd roundtable of the 2021-2022 school year! This roundtable will be an open forum to hear from you on the issues/concerns ESPs are facing in your locals with ESP Council members and for the council to share updates on what they have been working on to advocate for ESPs! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Arlene Criglar at Arlene.criglar@ieanea.org.

Don’t let cost stop you from experiencing these great learning opportunities!! Apply today!!!

Applications are being accepted for the following conferences:

• 2022 NEA Leadership Summit – due December 17
• 2022 NEA ESP Conference – due December 17

The applications are available on Members Only under EVENTS/Funding.

Applications can either be mailed to the attention of Kathi Griffin, President of IEA, 100 East Edwards Street, Springfield, IL, 62704 or emailed to Courtney Gillespie. 

Any questions regarding funding for the conferences can be directed to Courtney Gillespie.

Our work is not done. The COVID School Employee Wage and Benefit Protection Bill (HB 2778) passed overwhelmingly out of the House and Senate yesterday, but now we need to ensure that Governor JB Pritzker signs it into law immediately.

We’re now accepting workshop session proposals for the 2022 ESP Conference, happening March 25-27, 2022 in New Orleans, LA.

Learn more and submit a proposal by Friday, December 3rd 

Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day is November 17, 2021! Join us to celebrate and advocate for the amazing school support staff who continue to go above and beyond for our school communities.

Click the link below for tons of fabulous resources, stories, and suggested ways to raise wareness to ESP issues.

What is the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly? The IEA RA convenes every spring where members from across the state come together, brings forth new business items (NBI’s), debate topics, that leads and directs the direction of our organization, and so much more.

Education Support Professionals are essential to the success of our students, and districts. Your voices are essential to help lead our organization and support ESP initiatives. Members who are voted to attend have their expenses paid for by their local/region. Every IEA region office has funds specifically marked for ESPs to attend the RA. Your voice is important!! We need you!!

Have you turned in your nomination form to attend next years representative assembly? If not ask your local leader for a nomination form and more information. You can also contact your local IEA region office for more information. Nomination forms must be turned in soon for your name to make the ballot so don’t wait.

2022 IEA Representative Assembly
April 7-9, 2022
Hyatt Regency O’Hare
Rosemont, IL

Happy Friday!!!

November 17, 2021 – ESP Day

Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day is November 17, 2021! Join us to celebrate and advocate for the amazing school support staff who continue to go above and beyond for our school communities.

We must elevate the important work ESPs do for our school communities and advocate for their professional respect. This includes advocating for better pay and benefits, providing access to more training, protecting jobs, and building back better to strengthen public education for all.