The Education Support Professionals Council is wishing you and your families a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and 2026.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and a heart full of thanksgiving!!
I am thankful for each and every one of you! Thank you for what you do every day to support students, colleagues, schools, and communities! Schools couldn’t run without you!
Happy National Education Support Professional Day!
It’s a party! Join the ESP council via Zoom for an ESP celebration!
Education Support Professionals (ESPs) are school cafeteria workers, secretaries, bus drivers, librarian associates, nurses, paraprofessionals, custodians, building and grounds staff, technology, security and other school support staff. Our schools couldn’t work without them. Join us tonight as we come together and celebrate each other and the essential work we do!
Join us virtually tonight, Wednesday, November 19th from 6:30-8:00
You are invited!!
Public education is under attack! Education support professional positions are under attack!
| Next virtual meeting: November 13th, 5:30-7:00pm Come join us to learn organizing strategies and how to activate your power. At this meeting we will be collaborating to create proposals for the IEA Representative Assembly that will promote ESP issues and support the goals of rESPect. We need YOUR voice and your action! Please RSVP to receive the Zoom link and automatic reminders for our RESPECT meetings. *The RESPECT campaign is led by education support professionals (bus drivers, library associates, paraprofessionals, secretaries, security, nurses, cafeteria workers and other school and campus support staff) and supported by ESP allies and IEA staff. |
| Use this mobilized link to register: JOIN US! |
Imortant Information
PD Funding
Funding is available for members interested in earning Professional Development Hours outside IEA, but still in Illinois. Requests must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. For more info and to apply: https://ieanea.org/professional-development/iea-professional-development-funding-opportunities/
ESP of the Year Nominations are now open!
The IEA ESP of the Year nominations close December 15. This award is meant to further emphasize the contributions of Education Support Professionals to their association, their schools, and their communities. Please share this with your local leaders. Nominations Here
Let’s Celebrate Education Support Professionals
Join us as we gather together to celebrate the essential work Education Support Professionals do every day for our students, school/universities, and communities in which we live. Prizes will be given out to ESP Members! Let’s Celebrate ESP’s
Be on the lookout for your IMRF ballot
Please make sure you fill out and return the postage paid ballot. We are supporting union members: Doug Cycholl and Jason Isaac.
Attention!!! Important information that could affect your IMRF retirement! We need you to vote!!
The IEA is recommending Jason Isaac and Doug Cycholl for the two active IMRF Trustee positions up for election.
Jason Isaac and Doug Cycholl are the ONLY UNION candidates running for these two trustee seats.
Jason Isaac is an IEA member that currently serves on the IMRF Board of Trustees. Jason is the Vice-President of the Champaign ESP Association.
Doug Cycholl is the President of AFSCME Local 337. He works in Springfield for City Water, Light and Power. Doug currently serves as the Vice-President of the IMRF Board of Trustees.
Electing these two union members to the IMRF Board of Trustees will continue to protect your IMRF retirement. Jason and Doug are qualified IMRF Board members that have a history of representing our members’ interests in everything they do as Board members. When will voting begin? Active IMRF members will begin to receive ballots mailed by IMRF to their homes during the last week of October and into the first week of November. It is important that our members vote for these two candidates (Jason and Doug) and return these ballots in the prepaid postage envelope as soon as possible. The election concludes on December 5th.
Additionally, we urgently ask local leaders to discuss this important election with ESP members. Please print/share this POSTER among members.
Visit IMRF.org for additional information.
ONE Conference is just three days away!!
We have been working so hard to create an experience that is filled with amazing learning opportunities, that is fun, inspiring, FUN, energizing, and did I mention fun? I can’t wait to see you there! We’re gonna have a good time!
This Saturday! Don’t miss the Education Support Professional Roundtable discussion
Scan QR code to register. We hope to see you there.
Don’t miss the ONE Conference! Register NOW!
2025 One Conference Registration is now OPEN!
The One Conference is an opportunity for IEA Education Support Professionals, Higher Education members and Retired members to develop professional skill, earn professional development credit and network with colleagues around the state. There is a variety of sessions to choose from.
- Great professional development, fellowship with education support professionals from all around Illinois, and a whole LOT of FUN!
- Did I mention fun?…DJ and dancing on Friday night!
- Sessions will begin on Friday, October 17 at 5 p.m. and run through Saturday, October 18 at 12:45 p.m.
- Keynote Speaker will be Representative Sean Casten
- Registration link – https://cvent.me/kyWnWo
- Hotel reservation link – https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/2025oneconferenceattendees/
- IEA scholarship request https://ieanea.org/forms/iea-request-for-funding-scholarship-form/ (other funding: contact your local and region office)
Did You Know IEA Supports ESP Mentoring, Leadership, and Professional Growth Through “Empowering Our Own?”
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) is committed to empowering Education Support Professionals (ESPs) by providing resources and support for mentoring, leadership development, and professional growth. Through the “Empowering Our Own” program, ESPs have access to:
- Training and Resource Materials: Equip your mentors with the tools they need to succeed.
- Guidance on Program Structure: Develop a clear, sustainable framework for your mentoring efforts.
- Sample Bargaining Language: Advocate for your program with ready-to-use language tailored to your needs.
- Professional Development Support: Enhance the skills of your team through targeted training and development
These resources are designed to help you create a mentoring program that is both impactful and sustainable. For more information and support contact: crystal.bush@ieanea.org or visit the ESP website at: https://ieanea.org/members/esp/empowering-our-own/
IEA Education Support Professional Council 