IEA Education Support Professional Council

IEA is accepting applications from IEA members to be RA Assistants for the 2022 IEA RA. There are a limited number of assistant positions available for the 2022 IEA RA. RA Assistants will be chosen from these applications on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline for submitting RA Assistant applications is midnight on January 14, 2022. Only non-delegates can be considered for these positions.

If you know anyone who may want to volunteer as an RA Assistant, please have them apply at this weblink: 2022 IEA RA Assistant Application (This link is also on the IEA Representative Assembly webpage).

This is currently me!! One more get up before holiday break! When does your break begin?

I saw this post on my school districts parent FB page and just had to share. Jeff Grigoletti is one of the fabulous school bus drivers who works for the Troy 30c School District in Plainfield, Il. This is his post:

(Meanwhile, on this dark and rainy Elementary run this afternoon…)

Students: Mr. Jeff, Emma is crying!

Me: Dispatch, pulling over for a sec. (Pulls overs and walks to student and kneels next to crying student)

Me: What’s wrong Emma?

Emma: It’s too dark in here!

Me: Okay. (Turns on interior lights and starts driving again)

Me: Better?

Emma: Yes

Students: Mr. Jeff, William is crying!

Me: Dispatch, pulling over … again. (Pulls over walks to and kneels next to sobbing student)

Me: What’s up William?

William: You’re driving ….through big puddles …and it’s too loud!

Me: Seriously? Okay, here’s what we’ll do. When I’m coming up to a big puddle, I’ll yell ‘PUDDLE’ and you put your fingers in your ear. Then look at me and I’ll give you a thumbs up when we are past the puddle. Okay buddy?

It was a long ride……

Jeff’s act of kindness is just one example of how important ESPs are for our students to receive the quality education they deserve and how classroom teachers and communities get the support they need. If you know of an ESP that deserves recognition for the amazing things they do please nominate them for the IEA ESP Star Award. Click the link below for more information. Nominate an ESP in your local for the ESP Star Award today.

Request for Funding applications are being accepted for the following conferences. 

·       2022 NEA Leadership Summit – due Dec. 17 – TBD

·       2022 NEA ESP Conference – due Dec. 17 – New Orleans, LA

The applications are also available on Members Only under EVENTS/Funding. Applications can either be mailed to the attention of Kathi Griffin, President of IEA, 100 E. Edwards St., Springfield, IL 62704 or emailed to Courtney Gillespie. Any questions regarding funding for the conferences can be directed to Courtney Gillespie.

Jan. 15, 2022 is the application deadline for IEA SCORE Grants. All IEA members are encouraged to apply! Funds are available for IEA members and their local associations to collaborate and create opportunities for community service or school projects. To learn more and apply online, visit ieanea.org/score. 

It’s that time of year where schedules are accelerated as the holidays approach. We have another ESP webinar happening soon. This presentation is open to all.

Self-care isn’t one size fits all. Many of us are struggling to balance life with the challenges of being good at our jobs and being a responsible caregiver to children and other family members, all while doing important union work to support our school communities.

If you are feeling depleted and exhausted by work and life stressors, join us on Thursday, December 9, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. EST for a webinar to learn how to take better care of you! During this webinar, we will cover different self-care strategies to help education support professionals and other educators overcome the chronic stress that they are currently feeling. Learn how to balance demands, how to make time for yourself, and how to practice mindfulness to avoid burnout and continue meeting the needs of your students.

Register today at nea.org/esppdwebinars.