Education Support Professionals Day
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.
Find out more about ESPs, who comprise more than 40 percent of the total K-12 education workforce. Illinois custodian and NEA member Dave Arnold shares this poem about our ESP members.
Download ESP flyers from the AEW Online Toolkit to use for your AEW celebrations.
November 18, 2009
To celebrate Education Support Professionals Day, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel visited John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. The event honored education support professionals, who comprise 43 percent of the school workforce, as part of the 88th celebration of NEA's American Education Week. (See the video below.)
ESP Day
Radio Interviews
Article
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- Secretary of Education and NEA President celebrate Education Support Professionals Day - With a visit to John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Education Support Professionals Day
NEA Executive Committee Member Paula Monroe tells the story of ‘Education Support Professional of the Year’ Kathie Axtell.
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A Day Without Education Support Professionals (ESP)
See for yourself how important every education support professional is to the daily lives of our students and our schools. This poignant video illustrates the value of our work on so many levels. It was produced by Indiana member Mary Neylon.
