The NEA ESP Leadership Institute (ESPLI) is a powerful leadership development program grounded in NEA's mission and values and offered exclusively to NEA ESP members nationwide. The member-designed program aims to train ESPs to be effective and influential leaders in their schools, unions, and communities. Participants engage in various professional learning opportunities to help sharpen their leadership skills, excel in their careers, positively impact student success, and build community relationships.
The program requires in-person training, virtual meetings, and independent assignments. To graduate, participants must identify, implement, and present a capstone project that addresses a challenge in their worksite, union, or community. The project must reflect the participant’s growth as a leader, connect to local or state affiliate priorities, put into practice at least one skill or content area learned from the program, and demonstrate outcomes and impact through evidence. All Pre-K-12 to higher education NEA ESP members who meet the eligibility requirements may apply.
We are now accepting applications for the next cohort!
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be an active Pre-K-12 or higher ed ESP member of an NEA local affiliate for at least the last two years (as of October 16, 2025).
- Must be in good standing with your local affiliate, state affiliate, and the NEA.
- Must attest that you have no plans to leave your current position as an ESP and plan to remain an active NEA ESP member throughout the duration of the program.
- Must commit to participating fully in all in-person and virtual sessions, and completing all independent assignments, including implementing and presenting a capstone project.
- Must secure release time to attend all required in-person sessions in advance.
- Must commit to utilizing the skills and knowledge learned in the program to engage in association leadership and further local, state, and national association goals and priorities.
- Must submit the online application by midnight ET on June 25, 2025.
- Must submit the video introduction by midnight ET on June 30, 2025.
Note: A link to the online application form can be found in the Program Overview and Application Requirements (see below).
