Before dawn you are out on the road picking up children from all corners of the state; you keep the boilers and the air-conditioning systems running, make sure the lights are shining, and keep the classrooms clean and fit for education to take place; you keep things running smoothly in the office; and you provide those nutritious meals so necessary for learning readiness. Simply said, the school day could not run without you. Paraprofessionals, Secretarial & Administrative Services, Building & Grounds Maintenance, Transportation, Delivery & Mechanics, Food Services, Health & Student Services, Trades, Crafts, & Machine Operators, Technical Services, Security Services. ESP's include all "classified" school employees. An ESP Committee was established by the members of GAE in the Spring of 1997. Among the goals of the committee are to increase ESP membership and participation in GAE.
Important Survey
The Georgia Association of Educators fought to put in place a study committee to review the PSERS. The PSERS is the retirement system that covers many ESP, including transportation employees, food service, custodial/maintenance, and many of our skilled trades positions.
If you want an opportunity to share your experience and knowledge of the PSERS and what needs to occur to properly address please provide your name, mobile telephone number and email address so we may contact you when they convene.
To provide the needed information go to: https://questionpro.com/t/ABtk1ZsoDF
Upcoming Webinars
ESP Learning Network Webinar Series
*Check with your school/district and/or state department of education to see if they have already approved the use of micro-credentials for credit.
We are excited to announce that the Building Winning Teams: Effective Paraeducator-Teacher Teams micro-credentials are now available!
To ensure student success, it is critical that teachers and paraeducators understand their roles and responsibilities, work collaboratively, communicate effectively and respect one another in the process.
The micro-credentials allow paraeducator-teacher teams to demonstrate competency in areas related to the components of effective teams, roles and responsibilities, effective communication, problem-solving, and conflict management. The micro-credentials are designed to be completed by paraeducator-teacher teams (i.e., any configuration of paraeducators and teachers who work together regularly to support students). The majority of the work for each micro-credential requires the involvement of at least two team members, but all team members are not required to submit a micro-credential for review.
We encourage you to visit NEA’s Certification Bank page at https://nea.certificationbank.com/NEA/CandidatePortal/CategoryDetail.aspx?Stack=BWT and explore each of the micro-credentials to learn more.
Interested in receiving email related to ESP issues. Subscribe to GAE ESP Talk via the URL or QR code below. Stay informed and share the information you receive.
Related Links:
GAE-ESP Committee
ESP Safety
GAE Safe School Bus Act
ESP Grants
GRATITUDE:
On behalf of the Georgia Association of Educators we would like to take a moment to say Thank You for all you do for the children of Georgia.
We believe in empowering employees and giving voice to your issues and concerns. We all want to do our best to ensure Georgia’s children have the best opportunity in Public Education. Please share this message with other ESP in your system and invite them to become part of the family. Together we will make a difference!
REQUEST:
To provide support and organize around the most important issues affecting ESPs, we have developed a survey that can be found at https://gaeesp2020.questionpro.com. If you have not completed the survey, please take a moment to do so. We also ask that once you complete the survey, you share it with a colleague and encourage them to provide their input. Your participation will ensure that your voice is heard and that we can work together to organize on the issue most important to ESP.
PROTECTING EMPLOYEES AND CHILDREN
The Georgia Association of Educators is working aggressively to protect the lives of children and public school employees. We are conducting a survey on school reopening and your input is invaluable and would be greatly appreciated.
CELEBRATE AND SHARE ESP DAY ACTIVITIES
A little history of American Education Week and ESP Day.
American Education Week happens the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. Each day of the week has its own theme, during which we celebrate our public school community.
Festivities honor the team of people who work in our nation’s public schools, everyone from the bus driver and classroom teacher to the cafeteria worker and administrative staff, plus countless others.
Celebrate AEW on social media by sharing our official artwork or find more ideas in the sections below.
Education Support Professionals keep schools running and students safe, healthy and ready to learn.
Education Support Professionals Day was first celebrated in 1987 after NEA’s Representative Assembly, the Association’s decision-making body of nearly 8,000 member delegates, called on the organization to honor the contributions of all school support staff. National ESP Day is observed on Wednesday of American Education Week.
Seventy-five percent of education support professionals live in the communities where they work and on average, each has more than a decade of experience. ESPs are educated, well-trained, experienced and committed to students and their success. Of NEA’s almost 3 million members, almost a half million are education support professionals. Divided into nine career families, paraeducators are the largest group, with almost 250,000 members.
Education Support Professionals Day is a celebration in honor of ESPs who keep schools running and students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. ESPs not only work to serve students in public schools, they are dedicated to both their jobs and their communities.