As part of the 94th annual American Education Week, today we recognize the many outstanding Education Support Professionals (ESPs) around Idaho. ESPs are an integral part of the public education system and provide valuable interaction with children on a daily basis. Bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodial staff and paraprofessionals are some of those who fall under the ESP classification. Unfortunately, the importance of ESPs is all too often overlook or underestimated.
So what exactly is an ESP? What do they do? Why are they so important? How do they work with in conjunction with classroom teachers? Are they professional educators?
For answers to these questions and much more insight on ESPs, listen to this podcast with Stacie Aspiazu-Johnson, who works as an ESP at Boise’s Hillside Junior High School and is the ESP-at-large on the IEA’s Board of Directors.
