IEA Education Support Professional Council

About this event

Join the ESP council for a virtual roundtable discussion on April 3. New faces are always welcome!

Topic: What are the big takeaways from the IEA RA/RESPECT? Were you able to attend the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly? Yes, awesome! Come share your thoughts. If you were not able to attend then this is the perfect opportunity to hear from those in attendance to get all of the important information you need.

Great things are happening here in Illinois for education support professionals. Come join the discussion.

A leadership training was held on Feb. 4 at the
Matteson IEA office. Pictured L to R: The new
LEFA Executive Board: Kate Chamberlain, president;
Janet Edwards, vice president; Lisa Robinzine,
secretary-treasurer.

I am so excited to welcome LEFA local!! Woohoo!!

Saturday  |  April 1  |  10-11 a.m. Paper Cuts: Understanding Microaggressions in the Workplace Microaggressions can cause discord in the workplace and prevent ESPs from doing their personal best in schools with their students and colleagues. Participants will learn what they are, when they happen, how they contribute to creating toxic work cultures along with strategies to reduce their occurrence. We will have clear conversations about microaggressions to create deeper and meaningful collaboration among ESPs and their colleagues. Facilitator: Linda Matsumoto Linda is an ESP Council member, Ethnic Minority Representative and this year’s Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award recipient. An educator in Region 41, Linda is also an Asian American advocate who presents AAPI history workshops at IEA and NEA conferences.

Summer Leadership Registration Now Open!

Summer Leadership will be held July 24-27, 2023 in-person at Illinois State University at the Bone Student Center and the Alumni Center in Normal, IL.

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE-Apply for the scholarship on the registration website – or – request funding through your region.

2023 Summer Leadership
July 24-27, 2023 Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Application Deadline:  June 16, 2023
Scholarship: $375.00

A wide-range of professional development sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoon, July 25 and Wednesday morning, July 26. Summer Leadership Retreats will be offered Wednesday, July 26 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Organizing School will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 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 p.m. So please sign up for any number of sessions that meet your needs.

Register now at the discounted rate of $42.50. The rate will go up to $85.00 on May 1 and up to the full conference rate of $125.00 on July 1!

You are invited to attend our next Education Support Professional Council Meeting.

The ESP Council has their next Council meeting scheduled on Saturday, April 15 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm in the Illinois Education Association Professional Development Center, 3440 Liberty Dr. Springfield, IL 62704 DIRECTIONS Stay for an hour or for the whole day.

All local education support professionals are invited! Lunch will be served at noon. Join us to learn more about your ESP Council and to bring your voice to the table as we advocate for education support members and bring rESPect.

Please RSVP by Monday, April 13 to arlene.criglar@ieanea.org to

Request for Proposals IEA One Conference 2023

Please be on the lookout for your Illinois Education Association spring election information. This envelope will give you directions for online voting. Your voice is important so please take a few moments to vote.

The election closes at 4:00 pm Central time Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Congratulations Pamela Johnson!

Paraeducator and Behavior Interventionist from Washington Education Association NEA’s 2023 Education Support Professional of the Year!

#WeLoveOurESPs #ESP2023 #rESPect