Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 15, 2023

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.

HELP MNEA CELEBRATE

To help us celebrate ESP Day, share the images below on your social media. Accompany the image with a special message about why you think public education is important to all Americans or use one of the blurbs below. 

At-mention @MissouriNEA to tell us how your school celebrated American Education Week, using hashtag #AEW23. Share why you feel public education in America is important. 

  • Happy Education Support Professionals Day! 😍You are appreciated every day. Schools just would not function without the dedicated service of support staff like cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, and nurses. Wed., Nov. 15 is for celebrating you and you and you! 👏👏👏 #AEW23