IEA Education Support Professional Council

Wow, this morning your ESP Council met for their first in-person meeting in over a year. Covid has forced us to learn, grow, and pivot and as a result we are able to offer a virtual option for our southern council members and guests who needed and wanted to attend. Mark your calendars… we have scheduled meetings across the state. For more information please contact Arlene Criglar at arlene.criglar@ieanea.org.

Upcoming ESP Meeting Dates, and Locations 

• 8/21/21 Naperville – 10:00-12:30 Fabulous meeting!
• 11/13/21 Lombard
• 2/26/22 Naperville
• 4/23/22 Carterville
• 6/11/22 Bloomington

ESP Roundtables

• September 11- Membership Engagement
• November 18th – ESP Discussion and Support

One Conference 2021 – REGISTER TODAY!! DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!

October 1-2, 2021
Virtual Conference

REGISTRATION

Conference Overview | Elective Descriptors | Elective Schedule

This year’s virtual conference will offer opportunities for professional development, informational sessions, and a keynote session featuring NEA ESP of the Year, Kimberly Scott-Hayden. We will also be recognizing IEA Retired Hauge Award winner, Gayla Dial, IEA ESP of the Year, Debra Ward-Mitchell, and IEA Higher Educator of the Year, Jim Grimes.

Elective sessions begin Friday, October 1 and will conclude with the keynote session on Saturday.

Registration is open to IEA members only. Please check elective descriptors for availability of Professional Development Hours (PD-Hr.)

I’ve been back in the building for 5 days setting up my library, attending meetings, and preparing for students to return tomorrow. I’m very excited, but I have to admit….I can’t believe how exhausted I am already!

I started back to school yesterday and students start back on Wednesday, August 18th so things are pretty crazy. I’m sure you all can relate. Make sure you stop and take a little time each day to see the beauty each day brings. Stop…Breathe…You’ve Got This!!

As ESP Council Chair for the Illinois Education Association, I am very proud to have the opportunity to advocate for education support professionals throughout Illinois. Thank you to IEA and all of the representatives who helped move HB12 past the finish line which allows more education support staff to qualify for FMLA benefits.

You won’t want to miss this conference!! This no cost, amazing conference is planned by ESPs for ESPs!! Register today!

IEA Higher Education, Education Support Professionals, and IEA Retired members, please join us for the 2021 One Virtual Conference.

This year’s virtual conference will offer opportunities for professional development, informational sessions, and a keynote session featuring NEA ESP of the Year, Kimberly Scott-Hayden. We will also be recognizing IEA Retired Hauge Award winner, Gayla Dial, IEA ESP of the Year, Debra Ward-Mitchell, and IEA Higher Educator of the Year, Jim Grimes.

Elective sessions begin Friday, October 1 and will conclude with the keynote session on Saturday.

Registration is open to IEA members only. Please check elective descriptors for availability of Professional Development Hours (PD-Hr.)

REGISTRATION

Conference Overview | Elective Descriptors | Elective Schedule

There’s a powerful academic impact, new research reveals, when students are voracious, voluntary readers….I could have told them that. LOL!

I think we all know that the more students read and are read to, the better academically they perform in a wide variety of subjects. Education Support Professionals have a unique opportunity to support and education the whole child. As ESPs whether we are the school bus driver, custodian or any ESP job category we can build that informal bond with students. Not one formed for a purpose of molding them to an academic standard or curriculum. Education support professionals have the unique opportunity to enhance every students education by building authentic relationships built on the needs of the whole child. When caring adults form healthy relationships with students, students are more apt to grow academically, emotionally, and with in the school community. Education Support Staff have a unique opportunity to have important encouraging conversations daily with students outside of the classroom that supports and builds school community. When students feel supported and have a connection within the education community they are far more likely to do better in school.

This next school year will begin very soon…and as you prepare to return to your schools, in your various job categories, I encourage you to have more REAL conversations with students. Be encouraging, listen, ask probing questions, but most of all let them know that no matter what, they are enough and that you care. #weloveESPs #rESPect #ESPsmakeadifference

Tackling the student loan crisis would benefit educators of all generations. Together we can build a higher education system that works for everyone: https://bit.ly/3l1gpoV

From pre-K to Ph.D., our right to learn, grow, and thrive should be based on how big we dream and how hard we work. However, for too long, the student debt system has been designed to profit off the backs of students and educators. Together we can make sure everybody who wants to learn and grow can do so—without a lifetime of student debt.

Apply for a chance to receive $100 to $1,000 to help your local recruit, retain and engage members! The Illinois Education Association is giving away MICROGRANTS to locals to hold events, socials, bowling nights, mixers, 5K-runs, professional development days—whatever you can dream up—that you think will help recruit new members, retain current members and engage all members. First-round applications will be accepted until Sept. 15 Final-round applications will be accepted until Dec. 15

Apply for a Microgrant