U.S. Education Secretary Honors ESPs
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel rolled up their sleeves and donned chef hats to serve lunch to hundreds of students at John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria, VA, on Education Support Professionals Day, Nov. 18, 2009. more

Education support professionals include custodians, security professionals, cafeteria workers, paraeducators, office assistants and technicians. More than 75 percent of ESPs are charged with ensuring student and staff safety.  On average, they have more than a decade of experience and work more than 40 hours a week, yet earn less than $25,000 a year. In addition, a recent NEA survey of its ESP members shows:

• Eighty percent (80%) work full time;
• Seventy-two percent (72%) work in a school building;
• Forty-three percent (43%) work in a preschool, kindergarten or elementary school;
• Sixty percent (60%) live in a small town or rural area;
• Seventy-two percent (72%) are female; and
• The average age is 45 years old.

Ronnie Ray ESP Advocate of the Year Award
This award recognizes a TSTA educational support professional whose activities reflect the contributions of ESP to public education and show outstanding accomplishments in one or more of the following areas: innovations to support the day-to-day educational process; professional achievements in his/her classification; involvement in the promotion of public education in the community; involvement in local, state, or national association; and enhancement of ESPs' image in his/her association, work site, or community. Nominations are accepted from regions and/or local affiliates. 

For a nomination form and packet of information explaining the guidelines for the Award, please contact the Center for Executive and Governance by email (carolm@tsta.org) or by calling 800-323-5355, ext. 1510.  The deadline for submitting nominations is 4:45 p.m. on September 30.  Nominations are to be submitted to the TSTA ESP Award Committee, c/o President Rita Haecker, 316 West 12th Street, Austin, Texas 78701.  Nominees must be a TSTA Educational Support Professional member for three years as of January 15 whose activities reflect contributions to public education and show outstanding accomplishments. 

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