Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/955848
20 ADVOCATE | SPRING 2018 ESProfessional 8 Education Budget 13 AEA Endorses David Garcia 29 AEA Governance NEA Officer Celebrates ESP Day in Arizona N o school day starts without an Education Support Professional (ESP) opening a gate, turning on the lights, driving the students to school, and so much more. This past November NEA Treasurer and Secretary Princess Moss and 2017 ESP of the Year Saul Ramos came to Arizona to celebrate ESP Day with AEA and Phoenix Union High School District Classified Employees Association (PUHSD CEA). We rolled out the red carpet for our support staff with a catered breakfast at the Phoenix Union School District Support Facilities on November 17-18, 2017. "Today we celebrate Education Support Professionals," said AEA President Joe Thomas. "You all represent every improvement we've ever made to schools." "Without you, schools wouldn't run," said Moss. "For most of our students, you are some of the first people they see." Next, we celebrated at Carl Hayden High School with a luncheon to say thank you to our wonderful Education Support Professionals! "We could not educate our young men and women without our ESPs," said PUHSD Superintendent Chad Geston. "Thank you for all that you do for our kids." "The students here learn because of what you do before they go into the classroom and after," said PUHSDCEA VP Vanessa Jimenez. C apping American Education Week, AEA hosted a leadership conference aimed at Education Support Professionals (ESP). NEA Treasurer and Secretary Princess Moss was the keynote speaker: "ESPs, you are the pillars of the community." ESP from across the state attended the two-day conference at AEA headquarters in Phoenix to enhance their skills and knowledge to positively impact student achievement and advocate for members. AEA ESP Conference n