ESPs Honored During American Education Week

Information for this article was compiled from the National Education Association Web site. To learn more about Education Support Professionals and ESP Day, visit the NEA's Web site at  http://www.nea.org/home/1604.htm

Across America, nearly 3.5 million support professionals transport students to schools that are kept safe, clean and well-maintained; where school offices are operating efficiently and records are kept properly; where nutritious meals are served; where quality instructional assistance is provided; and where special programs – such as those for handicapped and disadvantaged students – are provided. Clearly, our public schools cannot operate without those people we collectively call Education Support Professionals, or ESPs.

Nationwide, there are about one-half million NEA members who are ESPs, and they are the fastest growing membership group within the NEA.

Education Support Professionals Day was first celebrated in 1987 after the NEA's Representative Assembly called for the creation of a way to honor contributions of school support staff. National Education Support Professionals Day is a time to strengthen support and respect for these colleagues.

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 formal name from "Education Support Personnel" to "Education Support Professionals." The new name reflects a growing pride in the valuable role education support professionals play throughout America's public schools.

Today's support professionals provide invaluable services that enable students to learn in positive, supportive environments. ESPs include: school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, paraeducators, school nurses, office assistants, technicians, custodians and security professionals.

Some facts about ESPs include:

• ESPs make up more than forty percent (40%) of the total K-12 education workforce.  
• On average, education support professionals have been employed in the field for 12 years. Thirty percent (30%) of ESPs have more than 15 years of experience.

• Eighty percent (80%) of NEA’s ESP members work full time.
• More than forty-two percent (42%) have an associate’s or more advanced degree, and that same percentage has special certificates.
• Seventy-eight percent (78%) of ESPs have responsibilities that include ensuring student and staff safety; for fifty-one percent (51%) of them, promoting school safety is a central duty of their jobs.

• Fifty-three percent (53%) of ESPs provide care to students with special needs.
• Twenty-four percent (24%) volunteer to teach or support art or musical activities. Twenty-four percent (24%) coach or support sports programs.
  

AEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award
The AEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of Education Support Professionals to their schools, communities, and their profession. The award is presented to a member of the AEA who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of ESP to public education.

Award: $250 Award and Plaque

Eligibility: All current Education Support Professional members of an AEA local affiliate who have been an AEA member for three years as of January 15 of the award year are eligible. Individuals must be nominated by their local association.

Deadline: All nominations must be received by AEA no later than close of business on January 25, 2010.

For nomination information, contact Prudence Martin at 501-375-4611, ext. 108, or
800-632-0624, ext. 108, or by e-mail ar-pmartin@nea.org

Guidelines
Nomination Form
Flyer

2010 National C.L.E.A.N. ™ (Custodial Leaders for Environmental Advocacy Nationwide) Awards application package is now available at www.neahin.org/cleanaward/. The deadline for application/nominations is December 7, 2009.
 
Purpose:     
The national C.L.E.A.N. ™ Award will recognize the contributions that custodians make to public health in their schools, communities, and their profession. The award will be presented to a school custodian that demonstrates outstanding leadership in the field of school cleanliness, and reflects the contributions that education support professionals (ESP) can make to public health. The award program is a joint initiative of the National Education Association (NEA), the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) and the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). 
 
Award:        
Up to five awards will be presented to one top recipient and four runners-up. The awards will recognize a single custodian or a team of custodians from one school.  
 
2009 Guideline Changes: 
· Applicants may self-nominate or they may be nominated by someone in their school, district, or state/local affiliate. 
· Only current NEA members are eligible to apply.
 
Award Package: 
 The National C.L.E.A.N. Award recipients will receive:
·All expense paid trip, including travel, lodging, meals, and salary reimbursement, to the NEA National ESP Conference to receive award
· Cash Award
· One year NEA and National Council of Education Support Professionals (NCESP) membership
· Products/Supplies for school 
· School celebration for the top-recipient on National C.L.E.A.N. Day, which may include a visit by representatives from NEA and SDA
Recognition in national, state, and local publications and magazines
 
Congratulations to the 2009 C.L.E.A.N. ™ Award winners! 
Visit http://www.neahin.org/cleanaward/winners.html to read how these custodians make a difference in their schools and communities with innovative cleaning concepts.

Organizing Training Held August 6 and 7 for ESP

Trainers presented skills needed to organize in a variety of situations for LRESP. Trainers from the National Education Association presented topics such as growth and strengthening ESP units. Carolyn Johnson from NEA Member Benefits presented information about new NEAMB for 2009-10.

Times may be tough right now, but NEA Member Benefits works hard to help you make ends meet.

Carolyn McClain Johnson, NEA Member Benefits consultant, gave an in-depth presentation about the many benefits, bargains, savings and helpful resources they offer to members during AEA's Summer Leaders Work Conference in July and local training for LRESP in August.

"We know that we have members who are downright struggling," Johnson said. "We believe we're on the cutting edge when it comes to how we interact with our membership, and how we provide for you and your needs." She also pointed out that the exceptional benefits provided by NEA Member Benefits can also be a tool to help recruit and retain members. "The bigger the membership, the greater your voice is as an association," she said.

The newly redesigned NEA Member Benefits Web site at www.neamb.com is organized into five "channels": Money, Everyday Living, Health and Wellness, Professional Resources, and Travel and Leisure. Each channel includes helpful articles, tools and resources, and also provides links to member benefits in each area.

But that's only the tip of the iceberg. A complete list of member benefits can be found at www.neamb.com/home/productsAndServices.htm. A few of those that Johnson discussed were:

• NEA Click & Save. This exclusive shopping service offers savings on brand name merchandise from hundreds of top retailers, online stores and local merchants. You must register to participate.
• NEA Vision and Prescription Savings Plan. NEA members can save from 5% to 50% off vision care and prescription drugs.
• Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Members may be eligible for customized loans, a home refinance program and online money management information.
• NEA Income Protection Plan. Available to NEA members who are actively employed in the field of education 15+ hours per week.
• Special discounts on Whirlpool appliances and K-Mart school supplies.

She also said that NEA Member Benefits has established a relationship with Teacher to Teacher-Arkansas a free online job search and recruitment service for ALL education professionals. This service gives NEA members access to job opportunities and resources nationwide.

"We think our service is above the bar," Johnson said. She emphasized that NEA Member Benefits exists to make sure every member's needs are met. "You're dedicated to your students, and you're dedicated to the association. Your dedication drives us to do our best as we develop those programs."