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National membership

As a WEA member, you are also part of the National Education Association. The NEA offers ESP resources, professional development opportunities and more:

Supporting ESPs in canceling student debt

Education must be affordable and accessible to all. Yet for too many of us, the higher education costs to become educators has meant years and even decades of student debt. This system is working for the student loan providers and banks, but not for us. It is time to cancel our student debt.

Recent changes mean more educators qualify for student loan forgiveness. Find out if you qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Also, download a fact sheet from NEA on navigating student deb. 

Office hours for paraeducators

In an effort to increase communication and strengthen collaboration between the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and Washington paraeducators, Liisa Preslan, from PESB's Paraeducator Workforce and Development, will host virtual office hours every Wednesday at 3 p.m. to hear directly from paraeducators in our state. Comments, ideas and questions on all things  paraprofessional-related, such as training for the Fundamental Course of Study, training for the General Paraeducator Certificate, eCert, clock hours and more, are welcome.

Final stops on PESB Paraeducator Road Tour

The PESB will hold its last two focus groups for paraeducators -- one on Jan. 5 in Vancouver and one on Jan. 9 in Tumwater -- to take insights, questions and ideas on all things  paraeprofessional-related.

The Paraeducator Certificate Program has now been active for five years. In that time you may have been able to experience, engage, and reflect on what is working and not working with the program. Share your thoughts and questions on topics like training for the Fundamental Course of Study, training for the General Paraeducator Certificate, eCert, clock hours and more.

Space is limited and registration is required. Both events are for paraeducators only.

Working for a living wage

Every worker deserves a living wage. A living wage means earning enough to pay for basic necessities: rent, food, utilities, childcare, healthcare and transportation. People who work full time should not have to live below the poverty line.

Several ESP units in Washington, with assistance from WEA and NEA, have initiated grassroots organizing efforts for living wages in their communities. 

Living wage tools and resources: