National Education Support Professionals Day Date in the current year: November 20, 2024

When we hear the word “education”, the first profession that comes to mind is a teacher. In reality, each public school has a whole army of employees that make it comfortable for every student. Education support professionals include teacher’s aids, office workers, librarians, nurses, food services workers, janitors, custodians, technology specialists, maintenance workers, security guards, bus drivers, and other professionals who help create a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment.

In addition to doing their jobs that are essential for keeping schools running, ESPs can see children when educators don’t see them and share valuable information about students with their teachers. For example, a child who is disruptive on the school bus is likely to be disorderly in the classroom too, and the bus driver can warn teachers beforehand so that they are prepared to deal with a disruptive student.

Education support professionals were originally referred to as education support personnel, but the National Council of Education Support Professionals successfully campaigned to have the formal name of the profession changed in 2002. The new name highlighted the equal importance of teachers and ESPs in public education.

The celebration of National Education Support Professionals Day was initiated in 1987 by the Representative Assembly of the National Education Association (NEA), the US labor union that represents public school teachers, ESPs, faculty and staffers at higher education institutions, college students preparing to become teachers, and retired educators. Active ESPs make up the second largest category of the NEA’s members.

The main goal of National ESP Day is to honor the contributions of school support staff to public education. Although they are often considered less important than teachers, educators consider ESPs their equal and essential partners in public education. Education support professionals keep schools running smoothly, making it easier for teachers to do their work efficiently.

National ESP Day takes place on the Wednesday of American Education Week, which occurs during the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving. Therefore, it usually falls on the third Wednesday of November. On National ESP Day, express your gratitude to all the ESPs in your life and share your stories of positive interaction with them – we are sure you have a few! Send flowers, cards, homemade cookies, candies, gift certificates, or other small gifts to ESPs you know to celebrate their contributions.

Another way to join the celebration is to support a campaign advocating for better pay and working conditions for ESPs. And don’t forget to give a shout-out to ESPs on social media and spread the word about the holiday with the hashtags #NationalEducationSupportProfessionalsDay, #EducationSupportProfessionalsDay, and #NationalESPDay.