ESP

December 2023 Letter from the President: The challenges facing public education are too great not to succeed

By Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire As we start the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for being a member of NEA-NH and for your dedication to improving the lives of New Hampshire’s children and their families. The craziness of the season creates demands on our time, so it is important to take just a minute to pause, relax, and reflect.  It seems we are constantly bombarded with bad news: an educator shortage; schools unable to hire and retain ESPs; public tax dollars intended for our public schools are diverted to subsidize private and […]

A headshot of Megan Tuttle

On National Recognition Day for ESPs, Thank You For All You Do!

Dear Educational Support Professionals (ESP), The NEA-NH ESP Issues Committee believes that our ESP members fill a variety of important roles in our public schools. Every one of them is critical to the success of each student who attends New Hampshire public schools; no position is more important than another. We believe that our schools are an integral part of making our communities strong. School employees share a common responsibility to provide for the learning environment, the health and mental well-being, and the physical safety of students. We know that ESP are vital to this mission. Take a moment to […]

Exeter “Para-ennial” Garden For a Stress Free End to the Week

The Exeter Paraprofessional Association has planted a perennial garden at the Park Street Playground in Exeter. “We’re calling it a ‘para-ennial’ garden,” said Paula Gailing . “We put a bee house in it because our school focuses on the 4-B’s: Be kind. Be safe. Be your best. Be respectful.” Exeter Paraprofessional Association members, pictured (from left to right) include Denise Dionne, Karen Henebry (garden designer), Margie Matlack (secretary), Sue Eno (VP),  Deb McLarnon, Paula Gailing (Co-President), and Martha Brouillette-Martel (project organizer). Whether you’re a veteran educator or newbie, this school year has been a voyage into uncharted waters. The “para-ennial” […]

NEA-NH ESP of the Year Shannon Fuller and Her Mission to Stand Up to Stigma

Shannon Fuller, recently named NEA-New Hampshire’s ESP of the Year, now finds herself in the running for National ESP of the Year. By all measures, Shannon has been an active leader who is truly making a difference in the lives of countless families. The best person to tell her story is Shannon. Tell us a bit about your day as an Education Support Professional? Like most educators, my daily work schedule has a wide variety of responsibilities. Before school starts, I greet and spend time with students as they gather by the school. They visit and play together in groups […]

NEA-NH Fall Instructional Conference Moves Online

Save the Date: Every Tuesday and Friday in October, 4-5:30pm, for your professional development needs. Let’s come together for a Covid-style, ONLINE, Fall instructional Conference unlike any other! Tell your friends to block those times. All courses will be directly related to member requests during this unique year. Invites to come via email very soon!

NEA-NH Releases Principles for Reopening

District plans that include any amount of in-person instruction need to follow these steps before beginning such instruction or allowing staff and students into a school building. July 22, 2020 – CONCORD, NH – Today, NEA-New Hampshire released our Principles for Reopening, a document that reflects the values of the organization regarding the safe reopening of our schools. In the middle of a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing in the United States, Governor Sununu and Commissioner Edelblut have put the priority on flexibility leaving thousands of students and staff to fend for themselves at the local level. The […]