Education Support Professionals Honored For Their Work

WEAC President Mary Bell addresses education support professionals during the annual ESP Day banquet hosted by Southern Lakes United Educators.

Education support professionals were celebrated Wednesday (November 14, 2007) as the ?heart of their schools? during the National ESP Day banquet hosted by Southern Lakes United Educators (SLUE) in Lake Geneva .

The annual event shines light on the support professionals who keep Wisconsin 's great public schools running smoothly and who fill an important role for students and teachers.

?Without you, our schools could not function,? Jack Clement, SLUE president, told the crowd of about 100. He praised them for the work they do each day. ?Teachers and administrators could not do their jobs without you,? he added. ?Thank you all for doing what you do.?

WEAC President Mary Bell addressed the group, thanking them for the opportunity to be part of their celebration. Bell, a library media specialist, recounted her own daily experiences with education support professionals throughout her career. ?I know the connections they made with students and the differences they made in students' lives? that is the heart you provide,? she said.

Education support professionals were also reminded that they are a valuable resource as WEAC develops its goals and priorities for the future. ?You bring insight into how things could be better,? said Bell, who stressed that WEAC's future includes each and every member.

No other group is hit harder than education support professionals when it comes to the issues of health insurance, professional development and compensation, Bell said. ?Why is it out of the question to ask for a living wage? We need to celebrate how effective you are and the difference you make in the lives of students,? she said.

Education support professionals joined in celebration for ESP Day at the Southern Lakes United Educators annual banquet.

Debbie Martin, WEAC ESP Committee chair, reported about the work being undertaken by the group, including the goals of improving ESP attendance at Winter Academy, Summer Academy and the WEAC Convention. She noted that support staff professionals will see an increase in sessions at the events that directly apply to them, such as ESP negotiations and computer skills. Martin also said the committee is studying issues important to WEAC such as living wages, Wisconsin Retirement System, bargaining rights and health insurance. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the WEAC Board of Directors in the future.

Martin said all of the committee's work is designed to recognize education support professionals as a critical part of WEAC. She urged those in attendance to embrace that fact. ?Take a little time every day to remember that what you do benefits students,? she said.

2007-08 ESP Handbook (pdf)

Education Support Professional Homepage

Posted November 16, 2007