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.
(You will receive the Zoom link by email)
| RESPECT – Raising Education Support Professionals by Elevating Careers Together is a statewide effort by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on four areas: wages, health insurance, pensions, and retaining, recruiting, and job duties. |
The 2024 spring elections for NEA RA state, ESP, and aspiring educator delegates, and other state level positions opened today at 8 a.m. Nominations close at 4 p.m. on February 14th. The link to the online nomination form is on the elections page of the website. This information is also located on the home page as well. Also included with the online nomination form information is a link to the spring all-member governance mailer that includes the same nomination forms found online as well as the election notice for the region NEA RA delegate elections. Also included here is a link to the eligibility information for the retired, ESP, higher education and ethnic minority state level positions to be elected this spring.
Be safe if you plan to travel on this New Year’s Eve! I will be counting my blessings this New Year’s as I think of my family (both by blood and union siblings) and friends. So many great things are happening to support the goals of the rESPect Campaign; so much more work is left to do! I hope you will join us at our next IEA rESPect virtual meeting on Thursday, January 11th. Click for more information and to register for the upcoming rESPect meeting. Click link to register: https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592186/
What activity are looking forward to most to recharge during this holiday break?
Please take the time to rest and recharge! Education support professionals are so important in the education of our students and operation of our schools and universities. Self care is extremely for everyone to be at their best.
On Monday, Gina Lozano, chair of the rESPect Legislative Team, myself, Jill Scarcelli, chair of the rESPect Campaign, along with Derek Stevens, IEA Government Relations met with Illinois Senator Robert Peters, chair of the Labor Committee to advocate for our members and rESPect. Gina and myself spoke to educate and inform of who education support professionals (ESPs) are, what we do, and how we are essential for student success. We spoke specifically about UI: Unemployment Insurance and raising the minimum wage for education support professionals.
Senator Robert Peters was very receptive and spoke of his own personal story of being in special education as a young child and how education support professionals supported his education. He spoke honestly and said UI will be a huge challenge. There are several public labor committee hurdles that must be overcome before a vote could be taken. We knew this would be a marathon and not a sprint and we are committed to achieving this goal. Senator Peters also spoke regarding raising the minimum wage and gave us suggestions on how to better move this bill forward.
We truly appreciate Senator Robert Peters for taking the time to meet with us and give guidance as we advocate to support ALL of our members.
rESPect Steering meeting registration link
DECEMBER
https://www.mobilize.us/ieanea/event/592185/
Tonight I had the opportunity to present with amazing rESPect leaders about our #IEArESPect campaign on a national NEA webinar about the work of elevating #EducationSupportProfessionals, the essential work we do, and the changes we need for #rESPect.
We know that support staff are typically the first to arrive at school as they unlock doors and turn on lights. They are some of the first people to greet students when they arrive at school in the morning, who give students the academic support they need to become successful scholars, who carefully assist with their health, safety, and nutritional needs, and are the last people who see students safely home at the end of the day. The value of their work is priceless.
So it’s time we start treating them that way! rESPect is a statewide campaign by ESPs, with the support of IEA staff, to improve working conditions by focusing on four areas: Wages, Health Insurance, Pensions, and Retention, Recruitment, and Job Duties. Join us to learn how you can help bring the change we need.
What an honor to share this space with so many great union advocates! Thank you NEA President Becky Pringle for coming, listening, and collaborating with many of our rESPect leaders. We have big goals we want to achieve and together we will succeed!
Our students deserve the best quality education so they can reach their academic goals and achieve their dreams. Education support professionals are the key to their success. We support students, teachers, buildings, districts, and communities in which we live and work. Join rESPect today. https://ieanea.org/members/esp/respect/
IEA Education Support Professional Council 