The Essential Role of Educational Support Professionals In The School District

Welcome to the Jersey Educator Podcast, a show created by NJEA members … for NJEA members. Whether you are a teacher, an education support professional, or a New Jersey Student Education Association member, this show will serve as a platform to help YOU bring out the best in your students . . . each and every day in your schools. The shows are hosted by Jeff Bradbury of TeacherCast.net (@TeacherCast) and Jim Boice, a field representative with NJEA (@boiceinthehood). For more information, please visit njea.org/podcast and email us at [email protected] Our GuestHeather Sorge lives in Holland Township, NJ with her husband Ed and has three wonderful children. She has been a paraprofessional at Holland Township School for over eight years where she works with children in Wilson Reading, phonics, and as an in-class support aide for K-8. In addition to being highly involved with her local and county associations, Heather has been advocating for ESPs by providing training for locals through NJEA on how ESPs can become more proactive and involved.  Heather was also featured in the November issue of the NJEA Review for her article, “7 Questions Every New ESP Should Ask.”  You can find this article here on njea.org/earlycareermembers.What is an Education Support ProfessionalAn ESP is an Education Support Professional. We are your highly trained, dedicated support staff working alongside teachers and behind the scenes at school to make sure that every child has a safe, happy, and successful day. As NJEA ESPs, we represent your school’s custodians, secretaries, food service workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, security officers, transportation aides, skilled trade professionals, nurses, and mechanics (you may have others, too). Every school district’s needs are different. Some schools have many types of ESPs. Unfortunately, some school districts have very few genres of ESP’s left due to privatization. Here is a great NEA video that sums up our value!Upcoming NJEA EventsApril Twitter Chat June 6 #NJEAChat.PD event: tour and explore at the American Labor Museum (May 21)5/14/16 – Edcamp Philly5/25/16 Garden State Summit8/2/16 – NJAET Summer TechSplash in Allentown NJFind more events at The Education CalendarSocial Media MinuteUse the hashtag #NJED When tweeting and your tweets will be picked up by educators from across the stateTech TipsGoogle Geo MapsSubscribe to Our Podcast on iTunesWe are proud to be listed in the iTunes Directory.