ESPs and the IEA Summer Institute are like cookies and milk; they just go together. This year there was a great turnout for ESPs attending the Summer Institute in Moscow, Idaho, and we hope this trend will continue. With sessions that focused specifically on ESPs, such as “rESPect Inside and Out” and “ESP Rights”, it’s easy to see why this event was widely attended by ESPs.
One disappointment that was felt in the ESP community came when the pre-session ESP SPARKS needed to be cancelled. However, with more promoting and advance notice, this session will be offered again next year. This will create a great opportunity for ESPs to gather for two days of training, networking, team building, leadership training, and more–in a fun and casual environment. Be on the lookout for more information about Summer Institute ESP SPARKS 2016.
As summer comes to a close, and students start entering the school again, it’s time to start planning ESP events in your school/district. ESPs are too often left out of new staff orientations or welcome back parties/meetings. It is vital to your local association that ESPs are included or that a welcome back social specifically for ESPs is planned. These events can help people make connections and promote the association to ESPs, so speak with your building representative or local association president about the plans to incorporate ESPs in back to school functions.
November 18, 2015 is National ESP Day. This is a great time to start planning a fun, and informative event to acknowledge ESPs for of all their hard work and dedication to the field. It is also a great way to promote your local association.
If you would like help planning, or if you would like ESP brochures, flyers, and other ESP recruitment materials, please email me and I will gladly share what I have. Stacieaspiazu@gmail.com
Stacie Aspiazu, Chair-ESP Committee, ESP at Large-IEA Board of Directors
