Education Support Professionals (ESPs) from the Denver Metro area gathered in Edgewater on January 29 for the first ESP Town Hall organized by the ESP Council. The event included participation from community members and parents, with discussions centered on the specific challenges faced by ESPs in their work, organizing efforts, and contract negotiations.
A host at the event highlighted a common misconception about who contributes to students’ education: “if you ask the average person, ‘who educates your kid?’ They’ll most likely say, ‘a teacher.’ And they won’t think of the bus driver who gets them to school, the nutrition worker who feeds them, or the para in their classroom.” The town hall aimed to raise awareness about these roles by bringing together ESPs from various local organizations and engaging with community members.
The meeting also addressed steps toward improving conditions for ESPs. The ESP Council is backing a campaign for an ESP Bill of Rights in Colorado. This initiative seeks to safeguard and enhance positions held by support professionals within public schools across the state. The council indicated that this campaign will remain central to its activities and future town halls.
Those interested in learning more about the ESP Bill of Rights or joining the council are encouraged to contact Matthew Holloway, New Growth Organizer, at mholloway@coloradoea.org.
