ESP Issues
What If ?
Let's suppose just for a moment, what if there weren't any ESP
What would become of our schools and where would education be
If not for the dedication of each Education Support Professional
How could our schools ever survive or even function at all
For the bus driver wouldn't be there to pick up children along the way
The doors wouldn't be unlocked, the lights on, or the buildings heated each day
The aides wouldn't be there to help those children with a special need
Or the cooks wouldn't have a hot and tasty meal ready for all to feed
School security wouldn't be there to watch over the children with care
Each child's records wouldn't be the secretary's load to bear
The computers would crash without the technician to keep them up to date
And not for the maintenance personnel, one can only guess the school's fate
And there are many more that give so much, each in a different capacity
For to each ESP, education is far more than just another job or utility
Education is each child's future, the hope and prayers of our nation
For that future, each day, ESP give their work, love, and dedication
Dave Arnold
(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is a custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois. He can be contacted at darnoldjanitor@yahoo.com.)
Education Support Professionals Day, November 14, 2013
Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day focuses on the importance of these school employees, who take care of students every day, making sure they have the tools they need to succeed in school.
Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day was first celebrated in 1987, after NEA's Representative Assembly called for the creation of a way to honor the contributions of school support staff.
In 2003, Karen Mahurin, then president of NEA's National Council of Education Support Professional (NCESP) members, led a successful campaign at the NEA Representative Assembly to change the ESP formal name from 'Education Support Personnel' to 'Education Support Professionals.' "The name change to 'professional' acknowledges the major contribution ESPs make to children and public education every day," said Mahurin, a secretary with 22 years of experience. "We impact the lives of children every day in our own special and professional ways."
The name reflects a growing pride in the valuable role ESPs play throughout America's public schools. Today's support professionals provide invaluable services that enable students to learn in positive, supportive environments. ESPs are equal and essential partners in the education process.
Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day focuses on the importance of these school employees, who take care of students every day, making sure they have the tools they need to succeed in school.
Education Support Professionals (ESP) Day was first celebrated in 1987, after NEA's Representative Assembly called for the creation of a way to honor the contributions of school support staff.
In 2003, Karen Mahurin, then president of NEA's National Council of Education Support Professional (NCESP) members, led a successful campaign at the NEA Representative Assembly to change the ESP formal name from 'Education Support Personnel' to 'Education Support Professionals.' "The name change to 'professional' acknowledges the major contribution ESPs make to children and public education every day," said Mahurin, a secretary with 22 years of experience. "We impact the lives of children every day in our own special and professional ways."
The name reflects a growing pride in the valuable role ESPs play throughout America's public schools. Today's support professionals provide invaluable services that enable students to learn in positive, supportive environments. ESPs are equal and essential partners in the education process.
Education support professionals (ESPs) are a vital part of the school community. They are important members of the school team, working side-by-side with teachers in classrooms and assisting in every learning step that students take.
Who are our ESP members? They are:
- Bus drivers
- Food service workers
- Secretaries
- Paraprofessionals
- Custodians
- Health care workers
- Technical workers
- Clerks
- Maintenance and grounds workers
The ESP Issues Committee advocates for program assistance and training for local leaders and members.
ESP members join NEA-NH for:
- Assistance in negotiating better pay, working conditions and retirement
- Strong, effective representation in grievances to protect members' rights
- Protection against the privatization of school support personnel positions
- Improvement in retirement benefits
- Communications that address ESP issues
- Insurance protection, including $1 million liability coverage on the job automatically included with membership at no extra cost
- Member benefits and cost-saving opportunities that help stretch paychecks
- Support from association staff helping members and local associations to help themselves
- Statewide and regional conferences for ESP members that promote skill enhancement and offer professional development credits.
