Education Support Professionals (ESP)
Educating Michigan’s students requires a team effort by everyone involved in public education, including the thousands of education support professional who are represented by MEA. School support staff – including paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and other transportation workers, food service employees, maintenance, skilled trades, and more – are an essential part of making public education work. Aside from their locals, MEA’s ESP members are represented by the ESP Caucus Board, which works to ensure the needs of school support staff are met by their union.
MI ESP Bill of Rights
From paraprofessionals and bus drivers to custodians, secretaries and more, Michigan’s Education Support Professionals (ESPs) play a critical role in our local public schools.
No matter the role, hardworking school support staff contribute to student success — and they deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they have earned.
That’s why Michigan’s Education Support Professionals are calling on elected officials, employers, school boards and other decision-makers to critical reforms outlined in the ESP Bill of Rights. Learn more here!
ESP News
School custodian, leader views Bill of Rights as mission: ‘We need to help working people’
ESP Caucus Chair and Dowagiac custodian Roy Freeman was honored with the MEA’s Paul Blewett Friend of Education Award at the MEA Representative Assembly with fellow ESP leader Jennifer Shelito making the award presentation. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In the early 1980s, when Roy Freeman first became a school custodian following a post-high school stint in the U.S.…
Senior leader wins Brunner Award
Percy Brown By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Over a 45-year career as a paraeducator in Ann Arbor Public Schools and a union leader in Michigan, MEA member Percy Brown has traveled the country teaching others in his role how to build strength and respect for school support staff and the important work they do. An early advocate of union…
Support staff Bill of Rights unveiled
A new statewide Bill of Rights campaign aimed at improving the wages, benefits and working conditions of school support staff was rolled out recently at the annual MEA conference for Education Support Professionals (ESP). Modeled after similar campaigns launched in other states, including Maryland, Illinois and Massachusetts, the Michigan ESP Bill of Rights calls for six broad reforms to recognize…
In para-to-teacher project, classroom aides level up
Justin Harper earned a degree and certification through a partnership between Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw ISD. By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor In June of 2021, MEA member Justin Harper and two co-founders formally launched a free program for youth in the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor area, focusing on sports as a tool for teaching kids about health and nutrition along…
MEA conference honors respected leader, unveils support staff Bill of Rights
A banner outlining the elements of the new Michigan ESP Bill of Rights, which aims to recognize and value the crucial role that school support staff play in ensuring a quality education for every student. A new statewide Bill of Rights campaign aimed at improving the wages, benefits and working conditions of school support staff was rolled out on Friday…
MEA RA approves school violence task force
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Erinn Parker, Stephenson Education Association President A new MEA task force will examine ways to address increasing violence against educators in the workplace and advocate for policies, legislation and resources to ensure classroom safety for school employees and students alike in Michigan. Formation of the task force was approved on Saturday by the MEA…
Pontiac unions join forces in crisis
By Brenda Ortega MEA Voice Editor Candice Ridley and Fred McFadden, presidents of the Pontiac Educationand Paraprofessionals associations, are collaborating to build strength. Teacher Candice Ridley first noticed the organizing talents of paraeducator Fred McFadden several years ago while taking part in collective action during a staff convocation to start a new school year in the Pontiac School District where…
Behavior? There’s a coach for that
MEA member Lindsey Wilson holds a position in Lowell Area Schools that rarely existed in Michigan school districts just five years ago. Wilson is a behavior coach, assigned to address needs of students exhibiting the most challenging classroom behaviors. She doesn’t work directly with children most of the time. Like an instructional coach, she brings an expert perspective to help…
Four exceptional educators honored with MEA Human Rights & Excellence Awards
At MEA’s Winter Conference in February, four 2025 MEA Awards for Human Rights and Excellence were presented to exemplary MEA members. Instructional Excellence Award: Nicki Strach Nicki Strach A 10-year paraeducator in Reed City and vice president of her local union, Nicki Strach has worked to implement innovative literacy programs while making sure every one—regardless of behavioral or academic challenges—feels…
Aides, custodians join Petoskey union
Ron Furgeson enjoys a lunchtime chat with third‑grader Emma. Working as a custodian in Petoskey schools has been a rewarding career for 28 years — thanks to union pay and benefits, he says. When Ron Furgeson first joined Petoskey Schools as a custodian nearly 30 years ago, he subbed on nights for nearly a year before a longtime employee retired…
Resources
FAQ about MEA’s ESP certification program
Leon A. Brunner Award nomination form
Guidelines for the Michigan Paraprofessional Portfolio Assessment
Instructional Paraprofessional ESP Certificate Program Guidance & Application
Michigan Paraprofessionals and NCLB
General ESP Certificate Program Guidance & Application
How to become a “Qualified” Paraprofessional under ESEA
ASK ME: Why Education Support Professionals Matter (video)
A Day without Education Support Professionals (video)