IEA Education Support Professional Council

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.

As you begin this festive time of year the ESP Council wants to wish you a safe and healthy Thanksgiving Day and holiday season. If you are traveling… please be careful. If you are staying home, may your home be filled with laughter.

No matter what your Thanksgiving looks like, we wish you peace, joy, and above all love.

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

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

If you feel 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 yourself! 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, make time for yourself, and practice mindfulness to avoid burnout and continue meeting the needs of your students.

How IMRF Credits VAC Interest

VAC interest is credited differently from a traditional savings account:

• A traditional savings account credits interest on the current amount in the account.
• IMRF credits interest annually, at the end of the year based on the previous January 1 balance. That means:
  • You will not earn any interest the first year you begin making Voluntary Additional Contributions.
  • If you withdraw your contributions at any time during a year, you will not receive any interest on the contributions you withdraw. Contributions must stay in your account for you to receive interest on them. However, you would receive interest on any previously earned interest that remains in your account.
• The current rate of interest is 7.25%. This rate may change in the future. If it does, IMRF may not directly notify you.

Scan the QR code to meet November’s amazing ESP Star Award recipients. Do you have a member of your support staff who deserves recognition for all the amzing things they do? Nominate them to be next months ESP Star award winner. Log in to members only: https://ieanea.org/forms/esp-stars-nomination-form/

Okay….this is tough but amazing also!! Please join one of these amazing ESP advocacy opportunities.

ESP Learning Network webinars

• Advocacy | Thur., Nov. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. (CST): Using advocacy to address contemporary issues facing ESPs.
  • Hear a panel of UniServ from across the nation who will discuss how to advocate for education support professionals (ESPs) and address the issues affecting them in today’s school climate. What are the challenges ESPs face today, and what are the opportunities for ESPs tomorrow? How have pressing issues like COVID, staff shortages, and radicalized parents impacted the way we advocate? And in the future, how will demands for higher compensation and better professional development reshape the ESP world?

• ESP Leaders and Local President Empowerment Roundtable Thurs., Nov. 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Download flier with Zoom link.
  • Please join us for our 2nd roundtable of the 2021-2022 school year! This roundtable will be an open forum to hear from you on the issues/concerns ESPs are facing in your locals with ESP Council members and for the council to share updates on what they have been working on to advocate for ESPs! If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Arlene Criglar at Arlene.criglar@ieanea.org.