MEA member Carol Urban grew up in a military family and married her high school sweetheart who served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, so she knows the special bond that connects spouses and families of active-duty service members.

When her husband retired from the Air Force in 2021, she missed the tightly knit community surrounding her wherever she moved.

“The bond is so, so strong among military families because we’re all in the same boat, all on the same team, all fighting the same mission.”

A special education paraeducator in Utica Community Schools, she’s found that feeling again being joined in union with a network of school employees whose supportive work makes public education possible.

“We all help provide education to students,” she said.

Her motivation for becoming a captain in the ESP Bill of Rights campaign came into focus at MEA’s Statewide ESP Conference in June. Attending for the first time, she met professionals of every kind — food service workers, custodians, office secretaries, paras, bus drivers.

“I was looking around and seeing this perspective that when all of the school employees have all of the things that are included in this Bill of Rights, it’s our kids that benefit.”

Working as a paraeducator after years as a stay-at-home mom is a special calling for Urban, she says. Each of her three children had a specific learning challenge that required different parenting.

“I love working with kids who feel like there’s something wrong with them and showing them how amazing and wonderful and perfect they are.”

She points out her privilege in being able to stay despite low pay, because her husband has military retirement benefits and a stable professional job. “One-hundred percent, I couldn’t do this if I had to support anything on my salary.”

In addition to low pay, Urban worries about lack of training for ESPs. For example, paraeducators often get assigned to work in programs for children with emotional impairment or non-verbal autistic students with little or no targeted professional development.

In Utica, the paraeducators union recently ratified a contract that includes time and attention for paras to get professional development they need so everyone is safe and successful. “I’m excited to have opportunities to learn and grow together with my colleagues,” she said.

Respecting support staff means everyone wins, she added. “When staff feel happier and more competent, the learning environment improves for kids and employees want to stay.”

Related overview: The Michigan ESP Bill of Rights: an engine for advocacy

Learn more about the six elements of the Michigan Bill of Rights campaign through the stories of our featured captains: