Washington County Educational Support Personnel, INC - WCESP

08/18/2026

Tuesday Reminder for ESPs❗️

As we get ready for the school year, please make sure your lunch and break schedules are clearly confirmed with your team.

That includes knowing:

What time your lunch and breaks are scheduled
Who will be covering you
That everyone involved understands the plan

Your lunch and breaks are important, and having a clear plan in place now can help prevent confusion once students return and the days get busy.

Ask the questions now. ❓
Get the plan confirmed. 👍🏼
Know your schedule. 🗓️

Taking care of our students starts with making sure we are taking care of our ESPs, too.❤️

08/17/2026

Today is the first day back for our ESP family! 💙

I hope your first day is filled with warm welcomes, familiar faces, laughter, and reconnecting with coworkers.

This week gives you time to get settled, get prepared, reconnect with your team, and remember just how important each of you is to the work that happens in our schools every day.

Before the students return and the busy days begin, take a moment to enjoy being back together and to feel proud of the role you play in making our schools work.

Wishing all of our Washington County ESPs a beautiful first day back and a wonderful start to the 2026–2027 school year! 💙

Welcome back, ESPs. We’re better together.

08/13/2026

One job should be enough!

07/17/2026

Paraprofessionals do this work because they have a passion for helping students succeed.

They care for students, guide them, teach them, advocate for them, and help them grow. For seven to ten hours a day, five days a week, paraprofessionals provide the stability, safety, encouragement, and strength that students need.

It is time for paraprofessionals to be recognized for the essential professionals they are—and to be fairly compensated for the important work they do.

Change can happen, but it takes all of us.

If you do not already support the Maryland ESP Bill of Rights, now is the time.

This is how it starts. This is how change is made.

https://marylandeducators.org/education-support-professional-bill-of-rights/

Paraprofessionals are foundational to special education services in New York City, yet there are at least 1,600 vacancies systemwide. With starting salaries at $32,600 a year, paraprofessionals cannot live in the city they serve. Today, the Council passed Intro 692, providing every eligible paraprofessional a $10,000 annual workforce stabilization payment while the city works toward a permanent contract that reflects the true value of this work.

As Chair of the Workforce Development Committee, I will continue fighting for wages that let us attract and retain educational talent. The students who depend on paraprofessionals every day—who help students academically and provide social emotional and behavioral support in the classroom—cannot afford for the city to keep losing qualified staff to jobs that pay a living wage. This vote is a step toward fixing that.

07/17/2026

Here is one way to be involved in the union. Fill out the survey so we can hear your voice. This is your union and you deserve to be heard.

07/04/2026

06/07/2026

SLC is a chance for members to build the skills we need to organize, advocate, and strengthen our association. Trainings include:
Organizing 1 & 2
Collective Bargaining 1 & 2
Association Representative
Foundations for Winning Campaigns
Whether you are interested in learning more about bargaining, becoming a stronger building representative, understanding grievances, organizing around workplace issues, or helping build member power, there is something at SLC for you.
The best part? Scholarships are available for members to attend for free.
Our association grows stronger when more members are informed, trained, and ready to take action together. I encourage WCESP members to look into attending, ask questions, and take advantage of this opportunity.
When we learn together, we build power together

05/11/2026

>> WCESP Appreciation Day!

Hello! Please use this form to put in your dinner choices! If you are buying an additional dinner there is a spot on the form for that. Please remember you must pay the $11.00 in cash the day you pick up. Event is from 3-6, but if you are working extended learning, check off that box and we will hav...

05/08/2026

🔥 WCESP Nomination Ballots Are Out 🔥

Check your work and personal email-Nomination ballots came out today for the positions of President, Treasurer, MSEA Delegate, and NEA Delegate.

This is an important opportunity for members to have a voice in who represents us and who helps carry our concerns forward.

Most people are familiar with the roles of President and Treasurer, but the MSEA Delegate and NEA Delegate positions are also very important.

❓ What does an MSEA Delegate do ❓
An MSEA Delegate represents our local union at the state level through the Maryland State Education Association. Delegates attend the MSEA Representative Assembly, where they vote on issues, policies, priorities, and decisions that affect education employees across Maryland.
In simple terms:

MSEA Delegates help make sure ESP voices are heard beyond Washington County.

❓ What does an NEA Delegate do ❓
An NEA Delegate represents members at the national level through the National Education Association. NEA Delegates attend the NEA Representative Assembly, where education employees from across the country come together to debate, vote, and help shape the direction of the national union.
In simple terms:

NEA Delegates help bring our local concerns to the national conversation.

💥 Why nominations matter 💥
Nominating someone is the first step in making sure members have choices when it is time to vote. If you know someone who listens, communicates, shows up, asks questions, and is willing to advocate for ESPs, consider writing their name on the nomination ballot.

You can also nominate yourself.

Our union is only as strong as the participation of its members. Please take a few minutes to complete your nomination ballot and make your voice heard.

✨ Your voice matters. Your nomination matters. Our representation matters. ✨