Congratulations! ESP STAR Award goes to Donna Marchant
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Donna Marchant from District 99 Support Staff Association has won an ESP STAR award. She has served her association as a board member, executive board member and as a former president for several years. She does an excellent job in identifying and recruiting union-minded activists and leaders for the local. She recognizes members’ individual talents and encourages them to use those talents to better the organization.
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| Donna not only promotes public education in the community but makes the time to stand with other local ESP chapters in fighting for a decent wage or celebrating their successes.
Donna has been a strong leader for the association and a powerful advocate for her union. She has brought the importance of ESPs to the faces of the board of education and administration within her district. This has led to ESP celebrations being completely funded by the district or the teacher union, better contract language in the collective bargaining agreement and solid relationships with members.
Even after finishing her service on the governing board, Donna continues to volunteer her time and efforts in maintaining her support for the association.
The ESP Council created the ESP STAR program to allow local leaders to recognize and publicize the good work of their ESP members across the state.
Local association presidents, please click here to nominate members of your local association for an ESP STAR!
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Congratulations! New ESP Local in Lake Forest!
On March 9, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) issued an order of certification for IEA’s newest local, which represents all 117 ESPs in Lake Forest High School District 115. These workers began organizing in September and in February, filed a quick campaign supported by the signed authorizations of more than 70 percent of the staff. With this victory, IEA now represents all certified and non-certified staff in the district. If you know of a group of employees who want to form their own union, please connect them to IEA organizing at mike.lamb@ieanea.org.
Background information on organizing an IEA union can be found on the IEA website.
$11 million Volkswagen settlement for bus transportation – comments sought
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the $11 million dollars resulting from a national settlement with Volkswagen will result in a mitigation plan now available for review on the EPA’s website along with helpful background information and graphics.
Written input on the draft plan can be sent directly to the EPA and will be accepted through April 20.
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IEA ESP Council and Assembly meeting action and next meeting
Your state council met on Sat., March 3 in Naperville. ESP Assemblies held in Elgin, Palatine and Rockford joined the council meeting via video conference. Leaders Rosella Bartoli and Anita Jamnik from the Palatine D15 ESPA in Region 42 attended the Palatine assembly and shared how they encouraged members to remain united during their recent strike. EOPA President Charity Myers attended the Rockford assembly and explained how her union of office professionals gained strength through individual conversations which created the foundation for action together.
The next ESP Council meeting is scheduled for Sat., May 5 at 9 a.m. in Naperville. The ESP Assembly locations will be in Springfield and Naperville. If you are interested in hosting an ESP Assembly at an IEA office in your area, please contact Alex Wallace.
To stay connected to other ESPs in all job categories:
To read your council’s February 2018 report to the IEA Board of Directors, click here.
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Huntley mixer nets 30 new members
Huntley ESPA held a member engagement event to connect with fee payers in the local. At the event the local association explained the benefits of union membership and signed up 30 new members. The local association continues to engage in personal outreach in the buildings, as well as with individual fee payers. HESPA President Tammy Fabis organized the event in conjunction with NEA Member Benefits, Region 54 Chair Kelly Hanaman and IEA UniServ Director Nicole Rethamel. Click here to view photos.
Money for your collective bargaining: Evidence-Based Funding model workshops planned in Arlington Heights, Mt. Vernon, Joliet and Springfield
IEA is partnering with the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) and the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) to co-present four workshops in April on the new Evidence-Based Funding legislation. The legislation puts more money into school districts (where it’s needed) which can help make your negotiations more productive. Please forward the Save the Date postcard to your local presidents, encouraging them to invite their superintendents to join them for one of the workshops.
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- Stream the podcast while you’re online at the IEA website or on the Awesome IEA Podcast’s Soundcloud page.
- There’s an app for that! If you’d like to get the Awesome IEA Podcast the moment a new episode is live, subscribe!
- iPhones & iPads – Podcasts app – search for Awesome IEA Podcast, then tap subscribe.
- Android devices – Google Play Music app – search for Awesome IEA Podcast, then tap subscribe.
- There are many other apps to try out as well if you prefer: Overcast, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and more!
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Heard around the country:
Recruit new members with the NEA Early Enrollment program: Apr. 1 through Aug. 31
The early enrollment program is offered to support the spring and summer 2018 membership drives by providing “no-cost” access to coverage under the NEA Educator Employment Liability Program. This program is for employees who will be first-time members. Click here for more information.
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Make online connections with other school employees who do similar work – join edCommunities!
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| Be a part of the New NEA edCommunities on MYNEA360!
NEA’s edCommunities is where school employees can:
- CONNECT with virtual learning events to expand your professional development/job training opportunities!
- COLLABORATE with other school employees and education professionals!
Joining NEA edCommunities means sharing your commitment and dedication through an open exchange of strengths and resources with thousands of other education employees. Free and open to all, NEA edCommunities is driven by you to foster student success. |
Statewide spring elections
Here is your opportunity to have a voice in your statewide union and the decisions made by the union in regard to education support professionals!IEA spring election information and online voting instructions were mailed the end of March.
To visit the IEA election page, log in to Members Only on the IEA website. You will need your member ID and password information to get to the voting link. If you need assistance registering, contact IEA Connect at 1-844-IEA-1800 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Positions up for election:
- NEA-RA state, retired and student delegates
- ESP council
- Higher ed council
- Retired council
- Sectional representatives and alternates for ESP, higher ed and ethnic minority
- Council members-at-large (4)
- ESP south central sectional representative
- ESP south central sectional alternate
- (All IEA-NEA members in regions 1-14, 45, 47, 48 and 62 are eligible to participate in this election)
- ESP north central sectional alternate
- (All IEA-NEA members in regions 15-25, 37, 38, 40, 44, 49, 51, 53, 54, 60, 61, 63, 65 and 66 are eligible to participate in this election)
Online voting closes/ballots due April 25.
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ESP resources at your finger tips
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| The NEA ESP Quality Department provides ESP members with resources that assist them in elevating their careers. Specific resources include websites, articles and career information. For more information on specific job categories click here and then click on the section headings throughout the page. |
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Upcoming ESP gatherings
Share your story about ESP gatherings! When you attend an event involving ESPs or hear of such an event, please send the “Who, What, When, Where, Why” and a picture to Arlene Criglar for publication in the ESP insider.
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IEA Representative Assembly (RA) – Apr. 19-21
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Statewide ACEs training: Creating trauma-informed schools
April 24-26, National Louis University, Lisle. Register today!
Learn how to develop a school that helps students overcome adverse childhood experiences in order to succeed. Download the flier. For additional information, visit the IEA website.
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National Farm to
Cafeteria Conference
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Farm to cafeteria is a grassroots movement powered by people like you. Join us and 1,000 local food, community health and sustainable agriculture advocates at the 9th National Farm to Cafeteria conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, this April to continue building momentum and ensure long-term sustainability for local food efforts like farm to cafeteria.
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NEA, WEA and paraeducators from all across the country will attend the 2018 National Resource Center for Paraeducators (NRCP) Conference. This is an affordable, premier professional development experience featuring a variety of sessions that provide paraeducators with the opportunity to enhance their professional practice, foster effective teacher-paraeducator teams, and network with others from all over the country.
NEA Hispanic Leadership Conference
• April 27-29, San Diego
• Information
The 2018 NEA Hispanic Caucus Leadership Conference provides a platform for members to analyze, discuss, and action plan around key issues affecting members, and educational communities, both in and outside of the association.
IEA ESP Council meeting
• May 5, Naperville IEA office
NEA GLBT Caucus – LGBTQ+ Issues
• May 18-20, Las Vegas
• Registration
The NEA-GLBTC, in order to eliminate institutional discrimination and homophobia, monitors and participates in the development of NEA policies and activities, provides resources and fosters better communication among educators, students and communities.
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Highlights from the recent NEA ESP Conference
Approximately 40 IEA ESP members attended the NEA ESP Conference in Orlando, March 23-25. The conference is the premier professional development opportunity for education support professionals across the nation. The goal of the conference is to enhance the skills and knowledge of ESP members to positively impact student achievement, build community relations, organize members, advocate for educators, build stronger locals and help our members do their jobs better. More than 60 hands-on workshops were offered this year. |
Seated L to R: Robert Powell, Jill Scarcelli, Tina Pizzitola, Holly Fitzgerald and Natalie Copper. Standing L to R: Mary Ann Rivera, Pat Hendrix, Tami Maland, Delona Yucuis and Jenn Lattimore. To view more photos of the conference, click here.
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Benefits of IEA membership
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Resources for your success
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ESP in Action booklet: A must-have for all education support professionals!
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| The new ESP in Action booklet is filled with information on upcoming ESP events, volunteer opportunities, professional development, resources and much more! Don’t be without this handy, compact 10-page booklet. You can view it online or request a hard copy from the ESP program office by contacting Arlene Criglar.
Also available in Spanish: ESP en Acción
Don’t delay – request yours today!
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GOP leadership scaled new heights of hypocrisy by contemplating a balanced budget amendment, strongly opposed by NEA, on the pretext it is necessary to contain the exploding federal budget deficit. Largely due to the tax bill passed just a few months ago, the deficit will rise to $804 million in 2018 and pass the $1 trillion threshold in 2020, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Requiring the federal budget to balance every year would lead to more frequent, longer, and deeper recessions that destroy jobs and constrain long-term economic growth. Consider what it would mean if families had to balance their budgets every year: no mortgages, no student loans, and no dealer-financed cars. The call for a balanced budget amendment proves that those most in need – individuals and families – are being asked to finance a massive tax giveaway to the ultra-wealthy and corporate special interests.
The House Agriculture Committees is preparing to take up reauthorization of the farm bill that provides funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our 
nation’s largest anti-hunger program. Beneficiaries include one in five U.S. children. Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP faces threats of significant cuts in funding as well as unnecessary changes in certification and eligibility requirements that could reduce the number of students eligible for free meals in certain states. Additional work requirements for adults could also be imposed. Click on the take action button and tell Congress not to cut or change this vitally important program.
Education secretary Betsy DeVos may soon rescind U.S. Department of Education guidance that pushed school officials to ensure discipline policies don’t have a 
Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) for requesting the recently released GAO report, Discipline Disparities for Black Students, Boys, and Students with Disabilities
PASS IEA/NEA 
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