Education Support Professionals

Click the photo above to get the nomination form.

ESPs are represented on the OEA Board and the ESP Committee

Education Support Professionals are represented on the OEA Board of Directors by two directors. If they are not elected as a zone director, the OEA President will appoint ESPs to those positions. Current ESPs on the board are:

Kathy Hale

ESP Delegate At-Large

Vacant Position

Charges for the OEA ESP Committee

  1. Recommend strategies to increase ESP membership by gathering trend data on current ESP membership. Create a strategic plan specific to ESP needs including a target membership goal.
  2. Review and make recommendations to increase the integration of education support concerns into Association policies and recommend workshops of interest to ESP members for inclusion in Association trainings.
  3. Provide input to staff regarding potential content for the Organizing Conference.
  4. Plan for increased awareness about the OEA ESP Award. Review nominations and recommend to the Board of Directors a recipient for the OEA ESP award.
  5. Promote the importance of and encourage ESP participation in all levels of the Association, including governance, workshops, programs and activities.
  6. Monitor, research and report on the privatization of support professional positions in local Oklahoma districts.
  7. Recommend strategies to increase salaries and benefits for support professionals. Work in conjunction with the Collective Bargaining and Legislative Committees for this charge.
  8. Address where your committee can help create organizing strategies around ESP issues.
  9. Address how your committee is working to include New and Early Career members throughout your work.
  10. Compile a list of issues that are relative to job needs that have arisen due to the pandemic. List possible solutions to those issues and how the OEA can help address those issues.
  11. Work with the Legislative Committee to create a legislative strategy that will add Education Support Employees to the protected and paid employees list during a declared health emergency.

09-21

We are the...

  • School bus driver who greets your child with a warm “hello” and delivers him safely to school
  • Cafeteria worker who gives your daughter a warm, healthy meal
  • Paraeducator who provides your child with a little extra help in the classroom
  • Office assistant who makes sure your son’s records are up to date
  • Technician who wires the classroom computers
  • Custodian who works to keep schools clean
  • Security professional who helps keep students safe

 

We make up more than 40 percent of the total K-12 education workforce. We are a critically important part of the school community.

We bring years of experience to our jobs. On average, K-12 ESP members have nearly 11 years of experience in education support work.

We are dedicated to students and schools. Nearly 95 percent of K-12 ESPs surveyed in 1997 said they planned to stay in education.

We have strong ties to the community. Nearly 80 percent of us…

  • volunteer time to community organizations or activities
  • live in the school districts where we work

Oklahoma ESP and Oklahoma School Law

The following Oklahoma School Law articles have information that pertains directly to Education Support Professionals. If you have any questions on how these laws affect you or your local Association please contact your OEA Advocate.

ARTICLE I: PERSONNEL

ARTICLE I: SCHOOL BUSES

ARTICLE II: VEHICLES

ARTICLE II: CROSSING GUARDS – TRAFFIC CONTROL

ARTICLE III: SCHOOL EMPLOYEES NEGOTIATIONS ACT

ARTICLE IV: STANDARDS FOR WORKPLACE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING ACT

ARTICLE V: STATE AND EDUCATION EMPLOYEES GROUP INSURANCE ACT

ARTICLE VI: TEACHERS – Support Employee Disciplinary and Due Process Rights

134. Support Employees – Disciplinary Action

135. School Support Employees/Conviction of Felony/Criminal Sexual Activity or Sexual Misconduct

136. Disciplinary Policy – Statement

137. Policy Prerequisite to Disciplinary Action

138. Support Employees – Notification Concerning Employment

139. Right to Hearing

140. Time for Hearing – Board’s Decision Final

ARTICLE VI: OKLAHOMA CAMPUS SECURITY ACT

ARTICLE IX: TRANSPORTATION

ARTICLE XVII: TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM

It's More Than a Job, It's a Career

The National Education Association has an extensive amount of support material and news on education support professionals. Visit the website for more information as well as lots of great resources.

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