Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 16, 2022

Wednesday of American Education Week

In 1987, the NEA Representative Assembly called for the creation of a special way to honor the contributions of school support staff. National Education Support Professional Day was first celebrated that year. Each year since then, ESP Day has been observed on the Wednesday of each American Education Week.

As the Rev. Jesse Jackson has said, "Children need all school workers. A person is not 'just' a janitor, not 'just' a custodian. Janitors can see children when [teachers] don't see them, and bus drivers recognize the children who are disruptive on the bus are likely to be disorderly in the classroom. They're partners in education. We need each other to make this work."

Honor education support professionals on National ESP Day. To help celebrate, MNEA offers a variety of lapel pins for sale in the image item store. “Thank you” notes are also a great way to show you appreciate all ESPs do to help public schools run smoothly.