Shop the IEA Store for Education Support Professional Council and rESPect items today. Let us know if there is something you want. We will do our best to provide it.
We all deserve RESPECT
Donate to teachers affected by wildfires
More than 50 Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association union educators lost homes and classrooms in the Maui wildfires. For those who would like to help, HSTA has compiled donation pages of educators affected by the fires. #UnionStrong
Congratulations, Katherine Lofton! Our latest ESP Star award winner!
 August ESP STAR Katherine Lofton is a paraeducator in River Forest School District 90 and a member of the River Forest Educational Support Professionals (RFESP) in IEA Region 40. As a union leader, Katherine has been instrumental in creating the RFESP union and is currently an active, integral part in para contract negotiations. |
| Katherine goes above and beyond every single day as an assistant teacher. She works with some very challenging students and makes it look easy. She is caring, consistent and extremely insightful about human behavior. Katherine is a strong advocate for student equity and inclusion and child centered. She is involved as a sponsor of multiple after-school clubs and activities including Writing Magic, Broadcast News and Spoken Word Poetry Club. Katherine is an especially gifted writing teacher who is known for her graceful and creative expression. She has a flair for making things lighthearted. Katherine Lofton is an all-around AMAZING person. Our Middle School community recognizes Katherine as a true leader and we are thankful to have her on our team. Congratulations, Katherine – you are an ESP STAR! |
One Conference Registration and Funding Request are Now Open
Join us for a two-day event offering a variety of elective sessions for
Education Support Professionals, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members.
Hotel | Session Times | Session Descriptions | Agenda
Request for Funding applications are being accepted for the following conferences:
- 2023 IEA One Conference – due Sept 8 (by end of day)
NEA Today: What Does an ESP Leader Look Like?
ESP Leaders are creating change — and you can, too
What makes a good leader? Just ask these four support professionals who have answered the call to advocate for public education.
School-Home Communication Essentials for ESPs
About this event
As an education support professional, you know you have an essential role in the day-to-day work of schools, but you also play a unique role you may not even be aware of. Your smiling face, your understanding look, and your extra effort can help welcome families, build trust, and forge powerful communication highways between school and home. This webinar will highlight the knowledge and skills you need to make the most of every interaction you have with parents and caregivers. You will leave with a greater understanding of the power you have when it comes to engaging families and a greater understanding of how to use your words, tone, and information to build relationships and help bring families into the learning process.
Presenters: Patricia Weinzapfel, M.S. Shasta Rosales, ESP Leader, WY
Accessibility
This event meets ADA standards
Audio descriptions for video
Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.
Are You A Local President? Need Support?
President Support Team’s Purpose:
To support Local Presidents in their crucial role and to connect them to each other and to IEA.
Education Support Professional Retreat, AWESOME Experience!!
Our #IEAESPCouncil spent this weekend learning and growing as a team. We spent this time focusing on ourselves and learning to gel as a team, so we can better focus on the Education Support Professional members we represent.
I want to give a special thank you to IEA Secretary/Treasurer Gina Harris for joining and learning with us as we learned and practiced important Team Building skills. Also, a shout out to IEA Vice-President Karl Goeke for stopping by and encouraging our team.
Huge props to Amy Evans and Michael Williamson as they lead our True Colors session on Friday evening, and Robert Powell and Adrian Vargas for leading Team Building session on Saturday morning. Our council is better focused, more cohesive, and better prepared because of your great leadership. Thank you!!
We have HUGE goals and challenges that we are preparing for this year. Together we will succeed. If you haven’t joined the rESPect Campaign join now, together we will bring rESPect to all of our members!!!
2023 IEA One Conference – October 13-14
Registration is now open!
The One Conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professional, Higher Education, and IEA Retired members to develop professional skills, earn professional development credit and network with colleagues around the state.
The two-day conference, Friday, October 13 through Saturday, October 14, 2023 will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Oak Brook, IL.
Registration closes on October 10, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Hotel block for attendees is now posted on website as well and hotel block will close at midnight on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
ESP Community Conversations: Organizing and Engaging ESPs
Time – Wednesday, August 23
7 – 8:30pm EDT
Location – Virtual event – Join from anywhere
Education support professionals provide a critical voice in our school communities and make our union stronger than ever. But how do we get colleagues to a union meeting, and how can we keep members engaged and active in the important work to secure wins for our students, our professions, and public education?
This month, join us for ESP Community Conversations, a virtual networking session where you can connect with ESP members from across the country to share experiences, strategies, and insights on union organizing and member engagement.
IEA Education Support Professional Council 