As an NEA (National Education Association) Director, I am tasked with carrying the concerns of our members to Capital Hill were I meet with members of Congress or their staff to discuss the NEA position on education issues. As an ESP (education support professional) on the board of directors, we meet during our time in Washington, DC to discuss members concerns within the support professional arena. The following is a report from the latest “superweek” in DC.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
A discussion of empowering ESP leaders was lead by Marti Alvarez (Michigan)
An update on ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) was led by Lynn Goss (Wisconsin)
Maury Koffman (NEA Executive Committee) briefed us on the New Educator Campaign
Debby Chandler (President – National Council of Education Support Professionals) NCESP *Wednesday, November 15 is National ESP Day *Para Educator Conference April 26-29 Seattle, Washington for more information contact Debby Chandler at dchandler@washingtonEA.org or visit nrcpara.org
Andy Coons and Melissa Case, NEA staff gave ESP updates from the national level on ESPQ and organizing. Information on ESP Mentoring, ESP Professional Growth Continuum and posters for each of the ESP career families were distributed. Other handouts included information on free NEA ESP Professional Development through webinars. For more information go to www.nea.org/esppdwebinars or www.nea.org/esppdrecordings
Please ask Congress for support of the RISE Award (recognizing exceptional school employees) SB 978 and HB2234.
The following is a report from the latest NEA Board of Director “superweek” in DC.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Briefing on lobby topics at NEA.
Break out sessions within individual states to discuss assignments and any other questions pertinent to our specific state. Topics to be discussed are :
Dream Act – NEA supports the Dream Act of 2017
Education Funding – NEA urges Congress to work in a bipartisan fashion to raise the budget caps to make room for key investments in our students.
Reauthorize Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – NEA asks that Congress support immediate reauthorization of CHIP’s.
Friday, October 6, 2017 and Saturday, October 7, 2017
Southeast Region Caucus
NEA Board of Directors Meeting
Reports from various committees and officers
Committee meetings
Representative Assembly Town Hall – discussion on ways to improve RA
Tele Town Hall on Janusn Supreme Court takes Janus vs. AFSCME – should public sector agency fee be declared unconstitutional Briefing and arguments completed in January or February 2018 – Decision by June 2018
For more information, please visit www.nea.org or sign up at www.mynea360.org