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Congratulations to Debra Ward-Mitchell this year’s IEA ESP of the Year!

Debra is the president of local 205 Union of Support Staff in Region 27. She is the Assistant Director of District 205 Infant Care Center and works as a paraprofessional. The Center provides services for teen moms and dads. This is Debra’s 37th year in her district. Debra’s extensive advocacy for members throughout Illinois, association involvement, community engagement and personal achievement greatly raises and enhances the ESP image. We are proud to have Debra as our 2021 ESPOTY.

ESPs: Where do we go from here?
Intentional navigation to bridge the cultural divide

Time: February 16, 2021 6:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”):
You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s February roundtable where the discussion will be facilitated by Robert Powell, IEA ESP Council Member. Our commitment to equity and excellence in education requires the centering of cultural competence in all of our endeavors and utilizing a racial and social justice framework to support all students.
Please join us as we learn, discover, and advocate for ESP throughout Illinois. Your ESP
Council is here to support you during this trying time and beyond. If you have any questions or would like more information, please visit http://www.ieaespcouncil.com.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82175117512?pwd=dXJUUmI0VlJFNm53NG9DQnIybVZPdz09
Meeting ID: 821 7511 7512
Passcode: 704708

Is it your turn to represent our state?

There is no time like the present to become a delegate to the National Education Association Representative Assembly.

The most important part of being a member of an association like the Illinois Education Association is the ability to have one’s voice heard on a variety of issues that affect the working conditions of school employees and learning environments of students across this nation.

There are a lot of issues that ESPs are facing and work that needs to be done. The fact is that ESPs make up only about 4% of delegates who attend the NEA RA. We need you to join us to make our voices heard.

You should have received in the mail the IEA CONNECT that includes additional application information or you can complete forms online at www.ieanea.org/about/elections.

IEA Springtime Election Information

The ESP Council has openings on the council and are looking for energetic, reliable members to join our team.

Nominations will be accepted if received in the IEA-NEA president’s office by February 17, 2021. Go to www.ieanea.org/aboutelections for more information and to fill out a nomination for online.

This week IEA presented the next two year budget during virtual open hearings. The proposed budget includes a dues increase for both certified and ESPs. For full time ESPs the proposed budget increase is $9 for the first year and $11 per year for the second year. IEA’s proposed ESP dues increase is following IEA bylaws that states that full time ESP dues will be 1/2 of the rate of certified staff dues.

The ESP Council knows this is not the time for any dues increase for ESPs. This has been a very difficult year for so many. We are doing our best to advocate and search other options and alternatives to work around the IEA bylaws.

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So many great lessons from a great man!

I want to give a huge shoutout to Sandy Hupp from NEA Member Benefits and Katie Dunn from IEA Member Benefits for spending their Saturday morning with some fabulous ESPs. Their presentation was filled with tons of information and tours of the Member Benefits websites. Here are just a few benefits discussed that your membership offers:

• (New) Market Place (cash back powered by Rakuten: for all your shopping needs)-extra deals for NEA members
• Shop Now Pay Later: no credit check, no interest charges and no annual membership fees for NEA members
• Discounts on phone, auto, and travel
• Every IEA/NEA member has a free life insurance policy. The only think you need to do is log in to https://www.neamb.com/products/nea-complimentary-life-insurance and choose your beneficiary. Don’t forget to update this if it’s been awhile since you set this up.
• And so much more!!!

Congratulations to our three winners of the $25 Target gift cards, courtesy of NEA Members Benefits. If you were unable to attend this event, it should be uploaded to the IEA Learning Portal soon.

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”):

You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s January roundtable where the discussion
will be about NEA Member Benefits for ESPs. Special guest, Affiliate Relations Specialist
from NEA Member Benefits, Sandy Hupp, will share all the savings and services available.
Sandy has also generously agreed to have 2 $15 Target e-gift cards for giveaways! Join us
for your chance to win!

Please join us as we learn, discover, and advocate for ESP throughout Illinois. Your ESP
Council is here to support you during this trying time and beyond. If you have any
questions or would like more information, please visit http://www.ieaespcouncil.com.

Topic: ESP Empowerment Roundtable
Time: Jan 16, 2021 10:30 AM-12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 823 1882 3409
Passcode: 423608
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Meeting ID: 823 1882 3409
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