IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy
What type of future do you want?
What type of future do you want for our society? We are creating a society of followers and test takers. We need to help our students develop a sense of self and community. Music, Art, recess, and other activities such as these help students to find and develop skills necessary to build a sense of self and social skills. These activities help to build communication skills that are being lost in this technology based world. Not only do students get the much needed exercise and mind breaks during recess, and gym, but a tremendous amount of problem solving and social development happens. While Art develops parts of the brain that builds creativity that can enhance critical, and “out of the box” thinking and task management.
IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy
Review to see this GREAT opportunity.
The Illinois Education Association is partnering with the National Education Association to provide an IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA) based on the highly successful NEA Leaders for Tomorrow’s program (LFT). The ESP-ELA was develop to provide support and leadership training for IEA’s emerging ESP leaders. Many of IEA’s ESP leaders have attended the LFT program which has been instrumental in helping IEA’s ESP members acquire skills and the confidence needed to lead at the local level. Many program graduates have even stepped into state or national leadership positions. This strength and success has seeded a desire to expand its positive impact.
ESP’s Make a Difference Everyday
This school cafeteria manager has gone bananas. The kids love it.
“I want them to succeed in life and have an awesome day at school,” she said. “Whenever I can put a smile on all of those little faces, I’ve done my job.”
Although only about 10 percent of Kingston’s 540 students put bananas on their trays each day, many more have found Truman’s daily words of wisdom delightful, said the school’s principal, Sharon Shewbridge.
“She’s helped the kids to make healthier choices,” said Shewbridge. “But it’s more than that. Stacey genuinely cares and wants them to know they are loved. What I especially appreciate is that she does this without being directed or asked.” Read full article…
Thank you Kathi Griffin for representing our students, our members, and our communities.
Quote from Kathi Griffin, “I am honored to join Sen. Andy Manar, Rep. Chris Welch and CPS CEO Janice Jackson as we co-chair Governor-Elect JB Pritzker’s Educational Success Transition Committee. Together we will focus to make sure our students, parents and educators have the supports needed for student success.”
ESP STAR Award
Congratulations ESP STAR Award recipients
Sheldon Harris
Lyons Township Paraeducators Association
Region 59
Sheldon Harris, ESP STAR Award recipient, is a paraeducator at Lyons Township High School.
Sheldon is always working to meet the needs of not only his students, but all those in the classroom who can benefit from his insight. As a 10-plus year veteran of education, he lays out thoughtful options for students to help them with their schoolwork as well as the many emotional needs that students struggle with on a regular basis.
Colleagues describe Sheldon as firm but also compassionate. He encounters every obstacle with a win-win attitude, working alongside his students to help them succeed. And, his great work doesn’t end when school lets out for the day. Sheldon is an assistant football coach and above all else a wonderful role model. Congratulations Sheldon!
Travis Simmons
Pontiac Education Association #429
Region 62
Travis Simmons, ESP STAR Award recipient, is the building assistant, ISS supervisor and a coach at Pontiac Junior High School.
Travis has been involved in education for many years as a substitute teacher, a teaching assistant working with behaviorally challenged students in alternative schools and as a crossing guard while at the elementary school.
Recently assigned to the junior high school, Travis is the in-school suspension supervisor, building assistant and lunchroom supervisor. Staff members find Travis to be an integral part of their classroom. Aside from his daily responsibilities in the classroom, Travis is also a track coach and helps with the cross country team, as needed.
Travis has been on both sides of a union. As a former Caterpillar employee, he knew how important unions were for employee rights. Working in the education field, he knows how important his local is for the well-being of students and staff. Congratulations Travis!
Happy Thanksgiving
Sincelrely,
Your ESP Council
ESP of the Year Award
In 1995, the lEA Representative Assembly passed a New Business Item establishing the ESP of the Year Award. This award is meant to further emphasize the contributions of Education Support Professionals to their association, their schools, and their communities.
Nomination Form
To insure the widest possible participation, the nomination procedure for the ESP of the Year Award shall be as follows:
- Each local association affiliate can submit one nominee through their local president.
- Any member of the IEA Board of Directors may also submit one nomination.
- Only one application per individual will be accepted. (If multiple applications for the same individual are received, application eligibility will be determined by the earliest received.)
- Members of the ESP Council and alternates are not eligible for this award.
- Nominations must be submitted by January 18, 2019.
For more information please visit: IEA ESP of the Year Award
What’s New
Welcome to the New ESP Council Website and Blog. Please come back regularly to see new and updated information.
IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy
The Illinois Education Association is partnering with the National Education Association to provide an IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA) based on the highly successful NEA Leaders for Tomorrow’s program (LFT). The ESP-ELA was develop to provide support and leadership training for IEA’s emerging ESP leaders. Many of IEA’s ESP leaders have attended the LFT program which has been instrumental in helping IEA’s ESP members acquire skills and the confidence needed to lead at the local level. Many program graduates have even stepped into state or national leadership positions. This strength and success has seeded a desire to expand its positive impact.
What is IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA)?
The ESP-ELA is a four-session training process held over a seven month period that is open to all dues paying IEA ESP members who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a current IEA-NEA member
- Must have been an IEA-NEA member in good standing for at least one year
- Must believe in the importance of collective action and the right of employees to organize and participate in unions
- Must commit to participate in all three training modules as well as the “boots on the ground” organizing project
- Must commit to utilize skills learned at your local association
- Must be open to new experiences and willing to complete all assignments during and between sessions
Why an Emerging Leaders Academy?
IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy trains both current and future leaders in leadership attitudes, skills, and knowledge that will enhance their ability to be a visible, vocal advocates at the local, state, and national levels.
What will I learn and what kind of time commitment and resources does IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy require?
The program is broken into four modules which includes a “Boots on the Ground” organizing project.
MODULE 1: Leadership Development
Denver, Colorado
March 11- 17, 2019 (6 ½ days)
Training includes attendance at the NEA National Leadership Summit.
MODULE 2: Organizing and Mentoring ESP’s
Normal, Illinois
July 2019 (4 days)
IEA Summer Leadership Academy
MODULE 3: Boots on the Ground Organizing Project
Location TBD in Illinois
September 2019 (2-3 days)
MODULE 4: Politics and Governance
Oak Brook, Illinois
October 2019 (2 days)
One Conference
All participants are fully funded for the following expenses: Airfare, lodging in Denver, Colorado, at the Summer Leadership Academy and at the organizing project location. Breakfast and lunch, some dinners, substitute pay or salary reimbursement, and attendance to the NEA Leadership Summit are also fully funded.
Accepted candidates are expected to work with their Region chair and Local leaders to fund uncovered expenses such as lodging at the one conference (if needed), dinners and transportation to and from the airport.
What happens if I cannot attend all four sessions?
We understand that personal and professional emergencies can arise, however, it is expected that selected candidates will attend all sessions completely except in cases of an emergency. If an emergency arises, IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy participants commit to notifying the ESP-ELA program as soon as possible.
Downloads
IEA Education Support Professional Council 