The opportunity: The National Education Association has opened applications for its prestigious ESP Leadership Institute, or ESPLI, offering education support professionals a chance to develop advanced leadership skills.
What is it?: ESPLI is a member-designed program that transforms ESPs into influential leaders who make lasting impacts in schools, their unions and communities.
What Idaho’s most recent graduate has to say: The program is very competitive: Only 30 ESPs from across the country are accepted. The last cohort included LiseAnn Mills, co-president of the Mountain Home Education Association, ESP-at-large member of the Idaho Education Association Board of Directors, and longtime ESP.
⭐ “Going through this program has boosted my self-confidence,” Mills said. “It has shown me that I do have things to say that people will listen to. It showed me that I could be a leader.”
Program and requirements: ESPLI combines in-person training sessions, virtual meetings and independent assignments over the course of 17 months, starting in October this year. To graduate, participants must complete a capstone project that addresses a real challenge in their worksite, union, or community.
Who can apply?: All ESP members who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. The next cohort applicants will be vetted through their state affiliate before receiving invitations.
What to know before applying: Mills said the application process can be daunting, but she encourages ESPs to go for it anyway. “Three days before the deadline for the video submission, I was like, ‘Do I really want to do this? Do I have the time to do it? Am I really going to get anything out of it?’”
⭐ Spoiler alert: She did. “I took that leap and did it, and the things that I’ve learned, the confidence that it’s built in me, and the friendships that I’ve made are the best thing I’ve done.”
⏳ Application key dates: June 25: Online applications due. June 30: Video introductions due.
