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You are invited to attend: Our first Education Support Professional Council meeting of the 2023-24 school year

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You are cordially invited

Will you be in the Bloomington/Normal area on August 5th? We would love if you are in the area for you to come and join us. Lets discuss what you and your members are facing as the new school year begins. We want you to have a voice at our table. Let’s collaborate on what is working and where additional change is needed. Several members on the council hold positions on the IEA executive board and/or board of directors where they bring your stories and advocate for you.

Click for more information and to Register

Date: August 5th

Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Where: IEA Office: 304 S Eldorado Rd # 2, Bloomington, IL 61704

Education Support Professionals, Illinois Education Association

Heading to the Illinois Education Associations Board of Directors meeting and Summer Leadership Academy

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I’m excited to be heading to Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois for our August IEA Board of Directors meeting to do the work of advocating for our students and members.

Join the waitlist to attend Summer Leadership. https://ieanea.org/events/summer-leadership/

July 24-27, 2023 at Illinois State University in Normal, IL.
IEA has organized great trainings on leadership, organizing, and bargaining skills that make a difference for our students, our locals, our schools and our communities.

  • Professional development sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoon, July 25 and Wednesday morning, July 26.
  • Summer Leadership Retreats will be offered Wednesday afternoon, July 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 and Thursday morning, July 27 from 8:30 to 12:00.
  • The Organizing School will be held on Tuesday, July 25 & Wednesday, July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm.

REGISTER NOW – Waitlist Only

View Agenda | Scholarship Form | Hotel Information | Keynote Speaker

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Mark Your Calendar-ESP Community Conversations: Organizing and Engaging ESPs

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About this event

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.

Time 6-7pm CDTLocation
Wednesday, August 23 Virtual event

Education Support Professionals, Illinois Education Association

This summer keeps moving forward. What have you done this summer to recharge? Any fun suggestions?

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To all the educators out there, congratulations on finishing a busy school year. To those who assisted and supported students during summer school, thank you!, To those who have worked all summer prepping and preparing our buildings for students and staff to return, thank you!. Educators dedicate themselves to the safety and nurturing development of their students or staff, As the school year quickly approaches, I hope you are taking some time to focus on your own well-being.

What are some of the ways you have been recharging and renewing yourself this summer?

For me, I love to spend time with my family. I love to garden, and I have my own little bit of heaven right next to my back patio, my goldfish pond. Picture above.

Education Support Professionals, Illinois Education Association

Apply Today: Education Support Professional Leadership Institute

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Education Support Professionals: Don’t miss this opportunity!

The ESP Leadership Institute (ESPLI) is open to ALL ESPs: bus drivers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, nurses, librarians, teacher aides, custodians, techs and all school support staff.

Visit: bit.ly/3rpxQF4

DEADLINES:
Must submit the online application by 11 p.m. CDT on August 11, 2023.
Must submit the video requirement by 11 p.m. CDT on August 14, 2023

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National Education Association Representative Assembly

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A lot of great business has been done at this years NEA RA. It is always inspiring to participate in the this democratic process as we advocate for our students, members, and communities. I would like to highlight just a few of the business items that was accomplished.

  • Legislative Amendment that establishes an ESP Bill of Rights
  • New Business Item – to promote who education support professionals are, why education support professionals are essential, and what education support professionals do to those make decisions, ie legislators, local administration.
  • New Business Item – “A Day Without ESPs” video
  • Several other New Business Items that promote inclusion for ALL students and staff.
  • Several other New Business Items that promote safety for All students and staff.

At this year’s NEA RA eight fabulous education support professionals were elected to the NEA Board of Directors. Our very own Debra Ward-Mitchell was elected and received the top number of votes with 100.24 percent of the vote. (Yes, it is possible to get more than 100 percent of the votes if everyone who voted for Debra, and several voters target vote, meaning they only voted for Debra instead of voting for the 8 possible candidates.)

Check out some of our highlights from this years NEA RA:

President Becky Pringle’s KeyNote Address
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2023 NEA Representative Assembly

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Tomorrow (July 3rd) is our first official day of the National Education Representative Assembly, but there is still work to do today (July 2nd) as we prepare. I am blessed to be on the Illinois Education Association’s Executive Board and Steering Committee so a lot of pre-conference business has to happen.

First we meet as a steering committee to review all of the proposed amendments. We have NEA Constitutional, Bylaws, Standing Rules, and Legislative Amendments, plus around a hundred New Business Items to review, Then, we will have our first Illinois State caucus meeting to begin working our way through the items as a whole delegation . These items, are important! They are the work of our members as we push to advocate for our students, colleagues, and communities. The days are long but the work is amazing!!

Pictures to come!

#NEARA2023 #rESPect #

June 2nd, first Illinois caucus. Illinois delegates are ready to get to work and do the business for IEA.