Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is to see the best in people or situations. I choose to do hard things; I choose positivity.

IEA Education Support Professional Council
Education Support Professional Council consists of thirteen (13) members all of whom are ESP school employees and members of the Illinois Education Association. The ESP council's goal is to represent and support ESP's throughout Illinois.
Sometimes the hardest thing we can do is to see the best in people or situations. I choose to do hard things; I choose positivity.
I’m excited to be able to come to Springfield with so many amazing advocates to represent All members! Day two…bring it.
I am extremely honord to be asked to present at the Year-Round Organizing Campaign Convening. Tomorrow I will be presenting on the amazing things that are happening in Illinois and the RESPECT Campaign.
We hope you feel appreciated today and know that what you do matters! You are phenomenal, needed, and essential and you deserve RESPECT!! www.iearespect.org
Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
Please plan to join us!
ESPs truly are the backbone of every school community. They play a critical role in the lives of our students and our schools. They are some of the most valuable people in a building and their value is so often overlooked when districts/universities are looking at their budgets. Join us to learn how you can help build a movement of rESPect. It’s time we start treating them that way!
It is time to EDUCATE!
Meeting ID: 361 562 2707
Passcode: 647586
Please remember all those who work so hard to support our students, staff, and schools.
Welcome to the New ESP Council Website and Blog. Please come back regularly to see new and updated information.
The Illinois Education Association is partnering with the National Education Association to provide an IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA) based on the highly successful NEA Leaders for Tomorrow’s program (LFT). The ESP-ELA was develop to provide support and leadership training for IEA’s emerging ESP leaders. Many of IEA’s ESP leaders have attended the LFT program which has been instrumental in helping IEA’s ESP members acquire skills and the confidence needed to lead at the local level. Many program graduates have even stepped into state or national leadership positions. This strength and success has seeded a desire to expand its positive impact.
What is IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy (ESP-ELA)?
The ESP-ELA is a four-session training process held over a seven month period that is open to all dues paying IEA ESP members who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
Why an Emerging Leaders Academy?
IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy trains both current and future leaders in leadership attitudes, skills, and knowledge that will enhance their ability to be a visible, vocal advocates at the local, state, and national levels.
What will I learn and what kind of time commitment and resources does IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy require?
The program is broken into four modules which includes a “Boots on the Ground” organizing project.
MODULE 1: Leadership Development
Denver, Colorado
March 11- 17, 2019 (6 ½ days)
Training includes attendance at the NEA National Leadership Summit.
MODULE 2: Organizing and Mentoring ESP’s
Normal, Illinois
July 2019 (4 days)
IEA Summer Leadership Academy
MODULE 3: Boots on the Ground Organizing Project
Location TBD in Illinois
September 2019 (2-3 days)
MODULE 4: Politics and Governance
Oak Brook, Illinois
October 2019 (2 days)
One Conference
All participants are fully funded for the following expenses: Airfare, lodging in Denver, Colorado, at the Summer Leadership Academy and at the organizing project location. Breakfast and lunch, some dinners, substitute pay or salary reimbursement, and attendance to the NEA Leadership Summit are also fully funded.
Accepted candidates are expected to work with their Region chair and Local leaders to fund uncovered expenses such as lodging at the one conference (if needed), dinners and transportation to and from the airport.
What happens if I cannot attend all four sessions?
We understand that personal and professional emergencies can arise, however, it is expected that selected candidates will attend all sessions completely except in cases of an emergency. If an emergency arises, IEA-NEA ESP Emerging Leaders Academy participants commit to notifying the ESP-ELA program as soon as possible.
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