With school back in session, students and teachers alike need supplies. You can help by donating classroom essentials, money to a school emergency fund or your time.
Districts that have made significant academic gains among struggling students typically provide them with extra instructional time each day to maximize teacher expertise in content instruction.
Education Support Professionals
Education support professionals keep schools running and students safe, healthy and ready to learn. They include paraeducators, secretaries, custodial staff, food service workers, bus drivers and other school employees vital to student and teacher success. They’re the backbone of our preK-12 public education system.
They help teachers with instruction, assist students with disabilities and perform myriad administrative duties. They also serve on district-wide and individual community school steering committees, bodies that do the work of establishing structures for two-way communication and involvement between schools and the people and communities they serve.
MSEA is fighting for ESP members across the state to have decent wages and good working conditions, a voice in decisions that affect them and their families, and protection against layoffs and privatization. They’re the reason kids get extra help when they need it, the bell rings on time and buses arrive to take them to class. It’s hard to imagine our schools without them.
Job Duties
Education support professionals play a key role in keeping schools running smoothly. They perform a variety of duties in areas including clerical services, custodial and maintenance services, food service, health and student services, transportation and skilled trades.
Education supports also work with students to create educational plans and assist instructors in classroom observations, providing feedback to improve teaching techniques. They are the backbone of our school system and deserve respect for their tireless efforts to help children learn and thrive.
Whether they’re picking up kids for early morning bus rides, providing the comforts of home in school counseling centers, or bandaging a scraped knee, ESPs do it all for our nation’s youth. MEA is fighting to ensure they get the respect and pay they deserve – plus money-saving benefits like medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement savings options and more. Learn how you can help support ESPs in your community by joining MEA today.
Education Support Job Description
An education support professional is a school employee that performs a variety of tasks to help students and teachers in the classroom. Colleges, universities and schools of all types hire education support professionals for full-time work during school hours. They receive several weeks off for holidays and report to the principal or dean of students.
A teacher’s aide works under the supervision of a certified teacher or instructor to give extra attention and instruction to individual students. Greets students and parents in the morning, prepares resources and undertakes logistical and operational tasks such as cleaning and food preparation and storage. Enforces school and class rules to encourage positive behavior.
An occupational therapy assistant assists with daily living activities for an assigned student who has physical or medical disabilities. May assist with bathing, dressing and toileting; change soiled clothes, sanitary napkins, colostomy bags or tube feedings; administer medication; teach hygiene; and monitor and interact with students to promote positive self-image.
Education Support Employment
Education support staff are employed in a variety of positions at schools, colleges and universities. The charity Education Support champions good mental health and wellbeing for teachers, lecturers and all education support staff. It provides telephone counselling, financial assistance and fact sheets of information useful to staff. Its roots date back to 1877 when it began as a benevolent fund for teachers. It merged with sister charities Teacher Support Network, Recourse and Worklife Support Partnership in 2015 to become Education Support.
There is little on the job training for education support workers, who typically come to their roles with previous experience. New employees may be given a grace period, lasting no more than two weeks, to observe classrooms and other school staff before beginning their daily tasks. School staff are entitled to a number of weeks off throughout the year for school and federal holidays. They are paid twice a month. They are employed at-will and can request professional leave with prior approval from their immediate supervisor.