ESP Professional Development
ESP Professional Development

• NEA - ESP - Action Guide for Professional Development
  ESP Home | Professional Development |  ESP Issues   |  ESP Jobs  
  NEA Resources for ESP   |  NCESP Contents Introduction - Professional Development For All Educators:
  • Major Historical and Policy Events
  • Professional Development is Union Work
  • Skills for all ESP A Call to Action An Organizer's Checklist Professional Development byJob Class:
  • Paraeducators
  • Clerical Services Professionals
  • Custodial and Maintenance Professionals
  • Food Service Professionals
  • Transportation Services Professionals
  • Health and Student Services Professionals
  • Skilled Trades and Crafts Professionals
  • Technical Services Professionals
  • Security Services Professionals ESP Certification at the State Level Local Association Success Stories Taking Charge: Action Tools to Assist You With Your Effort

  The ESProfessionals:
  An Action Guide to Help in Your Professional Development

  

  Wisconsin: Taking Learning on the Road

  ESP members in Wisconsin are proving that geography is no barrier for support staff to learn, grow and advance in their professions.

  Paraeducators Judy Emerson, Louann Pechacek and Brenda Olson recently spearheaded an effort to make sure their colleagues in Amery, a rural community in northwest Wisconsin, had access to quality professional development opportunities.

  Today, paraeducators interested in earning an ESP Certificate -- or just in keeping up with the latest in their profession -- can do so without having to drive dozens of miles for classes. The classes now come to them.

  At the trio's suggestion, the Amery School District created a committee of paraeducators to address inservice needs. The committee, which includes both Judy and Louann, then developed courses that fit into the statewide certification program and also arranged for trainings.

  In some cases, instructors have been brought into the community from institutions such as the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, area Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, or Wisconsin Education Association (WEA). In other cases, Amery's staff conducts approved courses.

  "These special people found a way to make it convenient for themselves and other support staff to take classes on an ongoing basis to help them continuously become better at what they do," says WEA's Professional Development Academy Director Debra Berndt, who oversees the ESP Certificate Program. "They serve as a model for others in similar situations throughout the state."

  "The classes have been fun and the entire program has brought those of us interested in learning more information closer together," adds Louann.

  Most important, says the trio, is the ultimate goal: improving the skills that help educators help children succeed.

  "I have seen the paraeducators take ownership of this important training program," says Cheryl Wesle, Special Education Director for Amery. "The program has definitely benefited the district, the paraeducators, and the children of this community."

  To next section: "A look at Michigan's certification program"

• NEA - ESP - Action Guide for Professional Development
  ESP Home | Professional Development |  ESP Issues   |  ESP Jobs  
  NEA Resources for ESP   |  NCESP Contents Introduction - Professional Development For All Educators:
  • Major Historical and Policy Events
  • Professional Development is Union Work
  • Skills for all ESP A Call to Action An Organizer's Checklist Professional Development byJob Class:
  • Paraeducators
  • Clerical Services Professionals
  • Custodial and Maintenance Professionals
  • Food Service Professionals
  • Transportation Services Professionals
  • Health and Student Services Professionals
  • Skilled Trades and Crafts Professionals
  • Technical Services Professionals
  • Security Services Professionals ESP Certification at the State Level Local Association Success Stories Taking Charge: Action Tools to Assist You With Your Effort

  The ESProfessionals:
  An Action Guide to Help in Your Professional Development

  

  Taking Charge: Action Tools to Assist with Your Efforts

  These Action tools are designed to be used in your local association professional development work. They are in PDF format (requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader), and can be printed out and reproduced on standard-size paper.

  • Tool #1: Where are we now?
  • Tool #2: Sample professional needs survey
  • Tool #3: Will this work?
  • Tool #4: Association and other resources
  • Tool #5: Sample activity planner
  • Tool #6: Sample communications plan
  • Tool #7: Characteristics of adult learners
  • Tool #8: Model language and sample contracts
  • Tool #9: Final checklist: the basics

   

   

  The End

• NEA - ESP - Action Guide for Professional Development
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