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University of Massachusetts Amherst
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USA Well-Represented at MTA ESP Conference

A mix of higher-ed and K-12 ESPs attending a course titled “Understanding Generational Differences in the Workplace” L-R: Linda Dixson, Longmeadow Education Association; John Folliard, USA; Michelle McBride, USA; Marissa Vaillancourt, Sutton Education Support Association (SESA), Kyle Chambers (USA)
The USA representatives at the conference
L-R: Tim Pyne, Casey Krone, Deborah Place, Sheila Gilmour, Chris Weeks, Camille Godbout-Chouinard, John Folliard, Michelle McBride, Kyle Chambers. Not pictured: Mary Malinowski
USA President Mary Malinowski and Special Projects Coordinator Michelle McBride take a break to pose at the photo booth.
USA Health and Safety Coordinator Casey Krone facilitates a course
USA Communications Committee members Deborah Place and Kyle Chambers posing excitedly with a most anticipated prize: union literature.

By Kyle Chambers, University Staff Association (USA) Communications Committee

Odds are, as a member of the University Staff Association, you’ve had the awkward conversation with an acquaintance where you casually bring up that you work at UMass Amherst.

“Oh? Are you a professor/teacher/instructor/faculty member?“
“No...”

And then follows the explanation of what you do, why you do it, and how you fit into the overall system that keeps the University running, and this is the case within the K-12 school systems as well. On the national level, there is a term used to advocate for inclusion within these systems: the Education Support Professional, or ESP. Traditionally, ESP’s are regarded as the unsung backbone workers of education, and encompasses a multitude of essential roles including clerical staff, transportation and trade workers, and paraprofessionals.

Every year, the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and the MTA ESP committee hosts a weekend conference aimed at both celebrating and uplifting ESPs.  The Wellsworth Hotel in Southbridge was host to this year’s event on April 5 and 6th, where ESPs from state universities and public schools gather to celebrate the accomplishments they’ve made over the year and develop new skills to share with their colleagues in their workplaces.

The event is described by MTA as being “Designed for MTA Education Support Professionals, this conference offers professional development, networking and fun. It’s a great experience – a chance for ESPs to have the space to explore their roles in public education, their workplaces and their unions. Held annually in April, this conference is tailored for both Higher Ed and PreK-12 ESPs and their allies.”

The ESP Conference is planned in part by the MTA ESP Committee, and is comprised of rank-and-file MTA ESPs who work to elevate and empower ESPs in our union. USA Communications Chair Camille Godbout-Chouinard works to represent USA and other higher ed ESPs on the committee.

This year’s event featured an opening plenary featuring UMass Boston faculty member and author Nick Juravich as he explored the impact of paraprofessional educators in the classroom and community in his book “Para Power, How Paraprofessional Labor Changed Education.”

Like most other MTA conferences, the ESP Conference is open to any interested dues-paying USA member looking to find out how they can take a more hands-on role in fighting for a fair contract and supporting their coworkers.  The Summer Conference is the next big event, taking place right here at UMass Amherst. Keep your eyes on your inbox for more info leading up to the event. If you have any questions or ideas for the ESP committee, please email committee member Camille Godbout-Chouinard at cgodboutchou@umass.edu.