IEA Education Support Professional Council

NEA is pleased to announce a new initiative called the Safe and Just Schools Partnership Funding Program. This program will award funding to state and local NEA affiliates who work to implement projects and partnerships that address systemic inequities and unjust education practices that hinder healthy, safe, and just learning and working environments for students and educators in their schools, campuses and communities.  

The funding will range from $3,000 to $75,000 depending on the number of members, students, or community members associated with the application. We are launching an outreach effort to reach membership across the country about this opportunity starting later this week.  

We couldn’t be prouder of our Association for tackling racial inequities head-on by making this program a reality. We look forward to seeing the incredible and innovative work of our members. Please share the information about this important new resource far and wide with all your members and staff!  

More information: https://www.nea.org/resource-library/safe-and-just-schools-partnership-funding.

National ESP Day is on Wednesday of American Education Week and falls on November 18, 2020! Let’s honor ESPs by recognizing their contributions to school communities and advocating for the professional respect they deserve.

Celebrate the ESPs in your schools and communities using our resources for online engagement and advocacy.

●     View ESP Day Toolkit

●     Download Graphics

Shared from Facebook – I burst into tears when I saw this. All credit belongs to https://wtfamerica2017.com/ Collaboration of @briagoeller and @goodtrubble. For those reminding us that the shadow of the little girl is a representation of Ruby Bridges from Norman Rockwell’s famous painting “The Problem We Live With” and is the reason it hit me emotionally. I had originally thought the wonderful artist Kara Walker was the source, but that’s not the case. Her work can be found here: http://www.karawalkerstudio.com/ Thank you to everyone wanting to be sure credit is given to the artists and creators.

Cheryl Barnes-Neff

What are you doing to honor ESPs? Share your ideas below.

The IEA recommends our own Hugh Cunningham, co-president of the Triad Custodial and Maintenance Association, and Tracie Mitchell, an emergency communication specialist and the recording secretary for AFSCME Local 268. Hugh and Tracie will advocate for the retirement security of all IMRF participants.

You are eligible to vote in this trustee election if you were an active IMRF member during the month of September. A ballot and postage-paid return envelope were mailed at the end of October to all active ESPs.

Please fill out the ballot for two candidates, Hugh Cunningham and Tracie Mitchell. Ballots must be returned by Dec. 4.

Please download this poster and place it in your break room on the association board.

Discussion Topic: ESPs Bargaining in the New Normal

November 19th, 2020

6:30-8:00pm

Attention all Education Support Professionals (“ESP”):

You are invited to attend the IEA ESP Council’s November roundtable where the discussion will include the successes and challenges ESPs are currently facing. Special guest, Uniserv Director Jill Lee out of the IEA Minooka office will offer important insight and resources for ESPs as they prepare for bargaining in this turbulent time.   Participants can share their best practice and gather new ideas to enhance their job duties.

Please join us as we learn, discover, and advocate for ESP throughout Illinois. Your ESP Council is here to support you during this trying time and beyond. If you have any questions or would like more information, please comment below.

I hope you have a Spooktacular day!!!