Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1349911
"It is imperative that we share with the legislature and the Wyoming public about what public education and educators do for students and how we help all students succeed," says music teacher and WEA member, Amy Simpson. Amy agreed to be interviewed and to help coordinate submitting photos and video from her classroom to be showcased as part of the Ignite Wyoming campaign. She encourages her colleagues an d fellow Association members to do the same. "I know it feels like a big ask when we are all so busy, especially this year," said Amy, "but, the future of education funding is at risk. We have to make sure that the public is being consistently reminded of the important role that education plays in the lives of our students, and in our communities, and society as a whole," she said. "We have to remind Wyo ming citizens why high-quality education is enshrined in our Constitution as an unwavering, non-negotiable value for Wyoming citizens. Please consider contributing to this campaign; it's one step in the right direction toward urging Wyoming to hold our elected officials accountable for protecting our students." For Em Wilson, the pathway to a career as a paraeducator began with volunteering. She volunteered in the library and office at Greybull Elementary and Middle Schools for two years before accepting a library paraeducator position in 1996. According to Wilson, Education Support Professionals are people, like herself, who are "genuinely interested in the well-being of students and staff," and she says, "be ing extremely flexible makes life easier for all involved!" In addition to being awarded WEA ESP of the Year, Wilson also won Northwest Region ESP of the Year. Greybull High School Librarian Lynn Forcella nominated her for the Northwest Region ESP award. "I appreciate my assistant in the library and the critical role our ESPs play in the world of education," says Lynn. "They are so crucial to the success of our endeavors and yet sometimes so behind the scenes that their contributions are rarely lauded." Wilson recognizes the important impact she has on students in her role as an ESP, "ESPs are so important to students' overall learning experience in so many ways," she says, "they have a different relationship with students than classroom teachers do. The first and last adults that a lot of students see every school day are ESPs, so ESPs can set the tone of that day: Every ESP is important to someone in their school system every day." "Em keeps our library world turning," Forcella told WEA News. "From creating displays to assisting students in finding the perfect fit for reading, she is constantly, quietly, exceeding every expectation. Thank you, Em—and all ESPs—for what you do, sincerely: THANK YOU!" ESP of the YEAR Submit videos and photos at ignitewy.org/video-upload Ignite Wyoming works to raise awareness and appreciation for the good work that goes on in Wyoming public schools. HELP IGNITE SUPPORT FOR WYOMING EDUCATION Em Wilson 29