Education Support Professionals

NEA ESP Conference

The 2020 NEA ESP Conference will be held March 20-22 in New Orleans, LA. Begin planning now. We look forward to seeing you there!

NEA ESP Leadership Institute

Learn more about the NEA ESPLI (formerly ESP Leaders For Tomorrow) program.

Paraeducator Institute (PI)

Created by paras for paras, PI aims to elevate the profession of paraeducators through policy, professional development, resources, and more.

ESP Whole Student Issues and Advocacy

Learn more about issues Education Support Professionals face in their careers and how you can become an ESP advocate.

ESP Resources and Tools

Elevate your career with our NEA ESP resources and tools. Find links to grants, publications, trainings and more.

ESP Professional Development

As important members of the school community, NEA believes professional development should be required for ESP throughout their careers.

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ESP & NEA TODAY

Jobs Threatened By Privatization, Educators and Their Allies Strike Back

Whether a district buys what private companies are selling may depend on community stakeholders understanding the value of every school employee, including ESPs.

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Profile in Persistence: Every Educator Deserves a Living Wage

Debbie Reyes, a Texas paraeducator, is fighting for a living wage for herself and fellow ESPs, and she won’t give up until they win the dignity and respect they deserve.

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ESP News & Highlights

The NEA ESP Leadership Institute (formerly known as ESP Leaders for Tomorrow) online application in now closed.

Visit the official NEA ESPLI page for more information!

PODCAST: Career Growth for ESPs
Nicki Belnap, an accountant at an Oregon community college and graduate of NEA’s “ESP Leaders for Tomorrow” program, discusses her unique career path and shares tips for ESP leadership and professional growth.

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PODCAST: The Teacher & Paraeducator Team
Courtney Dooley & Tameka Mays are a teacher and paraeducator team who've spent 2 years together in their math and science classroom in Newcastle, DE. They share their tips about the teacher/paraeducator relationship and how to get the most out of it while supporting students.

Listen now...

NEA ESP Professional Growth Continuum
The National Education Association is proud to unveil the new ESP Professional Growth Continuum (PGC), designed through participatory action research (PAR) and with the active involvement of ESP and other stakeholders. The goal of the PGC is to provide clear pathways for ESP professional growth through various professional learning opportunities and self-assessment. Download the full report...

ESP Animated Video
ESP are critical members of the education workforce and ensure student success from pre-school through college. They have a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion and play critical roles in the school community.

We are proud to release the new video animation, Education Support Professionals: Meeting the Needs of the Whole Student. Through the eyes of Sofi, a middle school student, see how Education Support Professionals (ESP) make a difference in the lives of their students, both in and out of the classroom.

Perfect Ingredients for the Ultimate Surprise
NEA in collaboration with Dude Be Nice Project honored ESPs for ESP Day at Rogers High School in Spokane, Washington, with a special recognition for the cafeteria staff who go above and beyond for their students. Watch the video...

ESP Professional Development Opportunities
NEA state and local associations across the nation offer professional development opportunities for their ESP members throughout the year. Click on your state in the drop down feature of the map below to find listings in your area!