IEA Education Support Professional Council

Each year, one Education Support Professional receives the NEA ESP of the Year Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their schools, communities, and profession.

The ESP of the Year serves as an ambassador for Education Support Professionals around the country, promoting the value of ESP members at national and state conferences.

While it showcases one outstanding support professional each year, the Award recognizes and honors the contributions to great public schools all Education Support Professionals make year-round.

Tina Pizzitola is our 2019 Illinois ESP representative. ESPs throughout Illinois are very lucky to have you representing us. You represent the very best of our profession.

NEA will present its 28^th annual NEA ESP of the Year Award at the 2019 NEA ESP National Conference on Saturday, March 23rd.  Good luck Tina Pizzitola and thank you for all you do for your students and for the betterment of all ESPs.

Paraprofessional, Instructional Assistant, Teacher’s Aide, Educational Assistant… these wonderful people go by many names. When we read these titles, however, we may not really understand what their jobs entail. After almost 10 years in education, though, I think I can sum up a parapro’s job description in one word: superhero.

Welcome Carbondale Educational Support Professionals Association (Region 2)

Pictured left to right: Secretary Amy Weber, President Tricia Lueker, Vice President Leatreasa Lilly-Madison (all three are building secretaries), Treasurer Donovan Burk and Regional Council Rep Phillip Wallen(both special education aides). Not pictured is instructional aide Joan Rogers, elected RCR alternate.

The Carbondale Educational Support Professionals Association-IEA/NEA (CESPA) has its first set of local officers! At their maiden general membership meeting Nov.1, members ratified local bylaws and then elected CESPA’s Executive Committee. CESPA is the newest affiliate of Region 2, served out of the IEA Carterville Office. They will partner with the longstanding Carbondale Education Association which represents teachers and other certified employees of Carbondale Elementary District #95. The ESP local representing nearly 100 aides, paraprofessionals,  secretaries, cooks and maintenance staff organized last spring with overwheling support.Submitted by IEA Organizer Dave Vitoff Edwardsville

Welcome Johnsburg Support Staff Organization (Region 23)

Members of JSSO met at Ringwood Elementary School in Ringwood on Dec. 11 to vote in their very first election. After a whirlwind three-month campaign, 48 paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides formed a new ESP local and they are already preparing to enter bargaining. Congratulations, JSSO!

(Pictured L to R): Jennifer Schmitt, association representative;Kathleen Zakrocky, regional council representative; Julie Young, treasurer; Laurie Stade, president;Dawn Becker, association representative; Kelly Berwick, vice president; Mary Kay Martino, secretary; and Suzy Martin, association representative.

I had the privilege to attend Region 51’s monthly meeting, which was held at the IEA office in Minooka, Illinois, this past Thursday Feb. 28th. Illinois Senator Michael Hastings was the honored speaker for the evening. Many topics were discussed but the 3% cap was the hot topic of the evening and how it is effecting many districts during the already stressful time of bargaining.

How does 3% effect ESPs if it pertains to certified staff retirement compensation?

Past practices have shown that ESP IMRF contribution rules usually follow TRS contribution rules. So if we don’t speak out now our own IMRF contributions could soon be capped at the 3% limit also.

Illinois has many districts that are “wall to wall.” Wall to wall contracts cover ESPs and certified staff under one contract. This usually means that all members under the contract get the same raise. The 3% cap is effecting ESPs who are already suffering from low wages making it much more difficult to get the raises they need and deserve.

Contact your local legislator: http://www.capwiz.com/nea/il/home/

A special thank you to Region Chair Dennis Grosskopf, Vice-Chair Beth Duesing, and Region GPA Kristin McGuire

I wanted to also thank Dennis Grosskopf for allowing me speak and hand out IEA ESP Council information at the meeting. We are ESP! StrongerUnited!

Jill Scarcelli-IEA ESP Council Member

Create a national award for ESPs: VOTE YES on H.R. 276 on the House floor.

Having a good time while getting things done!! Meeting amazing ESPs from area locals. Hearing what great and not so great things are happening for ESPs.  #StrongerUnited   #IEAESPs

What a great day spending it with Elgin area ESP’s! Thank you to our visitors who joined our meeting and giving us great insight into what is happening in their locals.

Concerns Discussed:

• Bargaining/Negotiations
• Fair Pay-some ESP’s are barely making over minimum wage
• Retirement Benefits
• Need for Full Time Nurses in Every Building
• Concern regarding edays
• Member apathy

Positives Discussed:

• Some locals saw very few member losses due to Fare Share
• Some growth in local memberships after Fare Share
• Ideas shared to grow member awareness-tee shirts, newsletter, quick monthly 10 min meeting (snacks), council member to speak at local meeting, host summer event