Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/48993
Building Respect Through Knowledge Lt. Gov. Matt Denn keynotes annual ESP Conference Matt Denn is making sure he knows what all school employees do Tech in Wilmington. He has worked the front desk at Seaford Middle School with a school secretary, "the face of the school." But his most terrifying day, he says with a smile, was when he worked a cafeteria line! M Since he began campaigning four years ago, his focus has been on kids. "I come to political office with no expertise about education, no expectations as to what really is happening in our schools today. So to find out, I'm trying to see what you do," he tells the 105 partici- pants at DSEA's annual ESP Conference, held in October at the Dover Downs Conference Center. With six-year old twin boys, he wants to make Delaware a better place for kids. "Advocating for kids is still my focus," he tells the group, outlining what that means for his work: 1.Keeping kids healthy, including banning the use of dry cleaning chemicals in drinking water, which is believed to cause some cancers, including leukemia. 2.Requiring developmental screenings for children ages 1-3, including screenings for speech, fine motor skills and behavior. 3.Engaging parents in the life of the school: In partnership with DSEA, Lt. Gov. Denn has sponsored conferences which bring parent organizations and schools together to share what is working for them. Also with DSEA, he has instituted Academic Achievement Awards which allow for the entire school community to decide how to spend their award. In addition to visiting schools – he's been to about 80 schools in all three counties – he also mentors a www.dsea.org att Denn has spent a day in a boiler room with a custodian at Hodgson Vo- Lt. Gov. Matt Denn accepts an ESP t-shirt from DSEA Vice President Mike Hoffmann. A true ally of DSEA and its members, Lt. Gov. Denn's mission is to help Delaware's kids. student at Etta J. Wilson E.S. in Newark, at a desk in the hallway. "I have seen what you do, how much you matter in the lives of so many students. I see now that the whole school needs to work well in order to be successful. Thank you." This annual conference for DSEA's Educational Support Professional (ESP) members – para- professionals, custodians, bus driv- ers, aides, food service workers and secretaries – also featured morning and afternoon workshops. They included the popular session from our representative at NEA Member Benefits, Kimberly Lindsey, about how to save money with member- only discounts and services; ESP – Who are we?; Know Your Rights and Contract; the Role of ESP in School Improvement; Cultural Competence; Bullying Prevention; and FISH! Conference Chair and DSEA Vice President Mike Hoffmann encourages everyone to "… get out there and take charge of your work. Learn, grow and stay involved so that what we do has the positive impact on students that we know it can have." Mark the date for the next ESP Conference: September 15, 2012. Josette Threatts, a para in Caesar Rodney, attends the "Know Your Rights" session. Amy Johnson (right), a paraprofessional member of Indian River E.A., makes a payroll deduction donation to DSEA's and NEA's PAC. Soliciting PAC contributions (right) is DSEA Treasurer Karen Crouse (far right), a financial secretary at Lake Forest High School. She signed up 18 new PAC donors who all received a free DSEA logo ESP t-shirt. DSEA President Frederika Jenner (center) listens to questions about ESP members' role in school improvement. Julie Harrington, a UniServ Intern from Appoquinimink, helps lead the session on Contracts. Colleen Henry, a paraprofessional in Christina, comes to this conference "…. to boost myself." She participates in the ESP: Who are we? session which explores the ways that ESP members can become more empowered in their local as well as in DSEA and NEA, our nation- al affiliate. Nov/Dec 2011 DSEA ACTION! 11