Letter to the Editor: Support Staff Vital to Education

On Wednesday November 16, 2011, National Education Support Professionals Day will be observed in schools throughout the nation.

This time will be used to acknowledge our public schools’ Educational Support Staff (ESP’s) and their contributions made to public education. The daily interactions between children, parents, and Educational Support Professionals are vital to the ongoing success of our schools. ESP’s today do more than monitor lunch/recess, copy papers and supervise children while entering and exiting the school each day.

They also serve as: secretaries, who not only serve as the first point of contact in each school for students and parents, but perform many unseen duties that help keep our schools running smoothly; teaching assistants, who deliver the interventional support for schools needing to meet AYP and provide safety and security while monitoring behavior for children while they are in school; technology support, which gives the school district access to the vital technological tools that benefit student classroom instruction and give parents the ability to communicate with teachers and get a virtual picture of what is happening in their child’s classroom; nursing staff, who take care of children’s daily medical needs and, for some, management of complex medical issues.

Each one of these professionals at any given time during the day has asked the question, how can I help you?  Parents and community members, if you have an opportunity to offer your gratitude for these hardworking professionals, it would be welcomed and appreciated greatly. It is an honor and a privilege to make a difference in the lives of children supporting their educational success. Please know there are many professionals working hard behind the scenes to ensure that their dreams become reality. Thank you. 

Shelly (aka Donna) Lee, Communications, Oswego Education Support Professional Association