Key Takeaways
- ESP of the Year Jen Bramson shared with tele-townhall listeners that in her travels around the country, she learned the top issues facing ESPs are low compensation and an increase in violence against them from students.
- NEA Vice President Princess Moss explained how a national and state-led ESP Bill of Rights addresses concerns of ESPs, calling on more investment in the career families and driving policy, professional learning, and advocacy agendas.
- In a poll of tele-townhall participants, 44% said they hold more than one job, and 64% said low compensation is their top concern.
It’s American Education Week, and a highlight of the annual celebration is Education Support Professional (ESP) Day, which NEA marked with a tele-townhall featuring a conversation between NEA Vice President Princess Moss and NEA ESP of the Year Jen Bramson, an early childhood paraeducator from Utah.
“You give me hope,” NEA Vice President Princess Moss told nearly 10,000 ESPs from around the country who attended the interactive townhall November 20. “Especially at this critical time, when we are facing major threats to the future of public education. Our nation’s political landscape is always changing, but what will never change is the power we have as a union to advocate for our students, communities, and fellow educators.”
Moss said it is fitting that ESP Day falls during the season of gratitude, and she is grateful for the role ESPs play in enriching the lives of students and the entire school community.
“We know the work ahead cannot be done without the voices and expertise of ESPs like you,” she said.
ESPs: Who We Are & What We Do
Bramson told the attendees that, as a fellow education support professional, she knows how challenging yet gratifying the work of ESPs can be.
“What we do is unique to our role on the education team. We have this remarkable ability to reach students not only inside the classroom, but in the hallways, in the lunchroom, on the bus, and beyond,” she said.
Unfortunately, the contributions ESPs make to student success is sometimes overlooked.
“We must lift the voices of ESPs and include ESPs in every conversation related to students and our professions,” Bramson explained. “And as ESPs, we must share our stories and speak up in any way and in any space that we can, from the school board to the White House.”
She thanked all of the 2025 ESP of the Year state nominees who have been leading in their communities across the country.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that NEA has given us to be recognized on a national level through the NEA ESP of the Year Award, and I’m excited to continue using this platform to raise awareness of who we are and what we do.”
Top Concerns of ESPs
As ESP of the Year, Bramson has traveled across the country listening to ESPs and asked about the major issues they face.
There are many critically important issues, but the two she’s heard most about are compensation and the violence many ESPs experience at the hands of students.
“Compensation has always been the biggest issue, but the physical harm ESPs are experiencing in school settings seems to be increasing at an alarming rate,” she shared. “One of the threats to promoting, protecting, and strengthening public schools is the rate at which schools are losing educators, including ESPs. Many of us fear for our safety. We deserve a living wage, contract hours to qualify for good benefits, safe working conditions, access to quality professional learning opportunities, and so much more. We deserve respect!”
NEA Advocates for ESP Bill of Rights
NEA has introduced a national, member-led campaign to better understand the wants and needs of ESPs, which will drive policy, professional learning, and advocacy agendas.
“Through the NEA ESP Bill of Rights, we are calling on education leaders and policymakers to invest in education support professionals. We are asking everyone, from teachers to parents and community members, to respect ESPs and their professional expertise and recognize their vital contributions to student learning and well-being.
There are currently nine states engaged in strategic Bill of Rights and Respect campaigns, including Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Kansas, Washington, and Vermont.
“I am so proud of the great work they are doing to drive essential wins for ESPs,” Moss said. “We are starting to see the impact of these campaigns at bargaining tables, in their District policies, and in their statehouse.”
Q&A with Audience
The participants also had an opportunity to join the conversation by asking questions of Moss and Bramson, a few of which are summarized below.
How can I start a Bill of Rights in my own state?
Moss: Start by talking with ESPs in your state and with your state leaders to garner support. State affiliates can then reach out to NEA for assistance in building a campaign. You can learn more at nea.org/espbillofrights.
My district doesn’t offer many professional learning opportunities for ESPs. Where can we find opportunities to get the skills we need to better support our students and advance in our careers?
Moss: NEA offers many professional learning opportunities to our members, including the ESP Conference, which is happening March 21-23 in Louisville, Kentucky.
We also have monthly webinars, online courses, and more. At the local level, you can advocate for professional learning opportunities through contract negotiations, collaborating with district leaders, and targeting school boards and the community.
In many places, our students and educators feel unsafe. How can we protect our most vulnerable students and educators?
Moss: Protecting our public schools includes protecting marginalized communities. Every student and every educator, no matter where they live, what they look like, how they identify, or who they love deserves safe and supportive schools and communities where they can thrive. Racial and social justice issues are ESP issues, and we will continue to leverage the full weight and power of the largest union in this country to advocate for the rights and freedoms of our members and students.
How do we work with those who do not share the same views as us?
Bramson: It is hard, but our work often requires building relationships with people outside of our bubbles. Over the last several years, many of us have felt more comfortable in our bubbles politically and ideologically. Polarization has felt more amplified and intense. Despite this, I practice finding shared values and common ground with people very different than myself. I am actually presenting a webinar on this topic in December.
ESPS: We See You
Moss closed out the townhall by thanking Bramson and the participants for engaging in the conversation, and for showing up for their students, their communities and each other.
“We will continue to work together – alongside teachers, specialized instructional support personnel, education leaders, and community members – to advocate for the rights and respect that every education support professional deserves, Moss said. “We see you, we celebrate you, and we are grateful to be in partnership with you.”
