Education Support Professional Council consists of thirteen (13) members all of whom are ESP school employees and members of the Illinois Education Association. The ESP council's goal is to represent and support ESP's throughout Illinois.
Thank you for all you do to build a better future for our communities, state, and world. Educators building the future one student at a time. Thank you for your time, commitment, and sleepless nights, What you do matters!
Support staff are typically the first to arrive at schools/campuses as they unlock doors and turn on lights. They are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with students’ health and nutritional needs and see to their safety throughout the day. Their work is essential.
Thank an education support professional for all they do. Without education support professionals, schools couldn’t run and students wouldn’t have the supports they need to be successful. Join our campaign to help improve working conditions for ESPs that focuses on wages, affordable health insurance, equitable pension, and other goals that help to retain and recruit ESPs so our students receive the quality education they deserve.
Click the link below to contact your senators and tell them education support professionals deserve fair compensation and respect for making the school day happen. Share widely!!
“Bill of Rights” Calls for Fair Pay and Good Benefits for Education Support Professionals | NEA
On Monday, National Education Association Vice President Moss and Stacey Tayman, president of the Calvert Association of Education Support Staff (in Maryland), spoke at an event hosted by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) announcing the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights (Senate Resolution 450). The resolution, introduced by Senator Markey, is cosponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Click here to hear Princess Moss and others as they speak on the importance of better working conditions for education support professionals: https://markeysenate.box.com/s/02dgq6fiv1uk86uztffl6cahitj6k3we
What a great rESPect Campaign meeting tonight! We had great conversations, setting actionable goals by amazing education support professional advocates!! Thank you, to all who joined us tonight and shared your time and talents!
If you would like to attend our next meeting on December 14th click: DECEMBER https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592185/
Want to brainstorm with other leaders how to most effectively address equity related challenges that face your students?
The NEA, in partnership with the Kellogg Foundation, has developed a cutting edge leadership development program for those interested in racial, social and educational justice. The IEA and the Opportunity Coalition are pleased to announce the Leaders for Just Schools cohorts for the 2023-24 school year. The instructors are state and local leaders, award winning educators and experienced community organizers who will help you build momentum for change in your local schools and communities.
Cohort members who successfully complete the program will receive a micro credential and will have the opportunity to earn an organizing stipend to continue the work.
The 2023-24 Leaders for Just Schools Level I Cohort sessions will be held on Saturday mornings, from 9-11:30am. This year we will meet on November 18, January 27 and April 13. Virtual and in-person cohorts are both available.
Learn more about the Leaders for Just Schools program here!
The purpose of the NEA ESP National conference to grow and strengthen the professional excellence of ESP members working in Pre-K to Higher-Ed through Association-convened, educator-led, and student-centered learning experiences. With multiple interactive workshops to choose from over the course of three days, participants enhance their knowledge and skills to advocate for students and educators, champion racial and social justice, build community relationships, strengthen and grow membership, and sustain stronger local associations, helping members excel in their careers and positively impact student success.
Hello fellow ESP colleagues,
Our union, the National Education Association, is creating an Education Support Professionals (ESP) Bill of Rights. This initiative is being developed by ESP members for ESP members and we want to hear from ESPs like you. The National Education Support Professionals Bill of Rights will be a living document that defines the issues most important to ESPs across the country. It will be used to help affiliates develop ESP bargaining strategies, a model for states that want to build their own ESP Bill of Rights, and a tool
that can be used to guide state and national level policy making.
We need your input! Education Support Professionals know the issues that matter the most to them. Please use this opportunity to share your voice by completing our short survey. It should take less than 5 minutes to complete. You can find the survey in both English and Spanish by clicking on the links below or scanning the QR code.
IEA Education Support Professional Council 