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**NOTE: Conference is open to active ESP members of Vermont-NEA.
Education Support Professionals are a valuable part of every child's school experience. ESP roles in schools include bus drivers, custodians, food service professionals, paraeducators, and clerical workers. This year’s conference will focus on building knowledge and skills that allow us to advocate for ourselves and our students.
Our day will begin at 8 am, as we view the film “Just Getting By” by Bess O’Brien of Kingdom County Productions.
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Just Getting By—a new documentary film by Bess O’Brien is a sweeping, and yet intimate look at the lives of Vermonters who are struggling with food and housing insecurity.
Vermont has the second highest rate of homeless people in the United States, right after California. One third of Vermonters struggle to put food on the table. These are big issues for a small state. Just Getting By focuses on these issues in the lives of everyday people.
The film tells the stories of working families, folks who are homeless and are accessing food shelves and soup kitchens, people who are living in the temporary hotel/motel program, New Americans grappling with the cost of living in America, Native people creating innovative farming practices and folks on the ground providing services to their fellow Vermonters in need.
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ESPs are in a unique position to support students from the moment they get on the school bus each morning. Many of our students experience the family stress we will explore in this film. ESPs advocate for students in multiple ways and work with other staff to create conditions that allow students to build skills that help them build resilience.
At lunch we will be joined by VTNEA’s ESP of the Year 2025, Linda Corliss, from Slate Valley Education Association. Linda’s leadership in her local association and school district will inspire all in the power ESPs have in making lives better for our fellow union members and our students.
The general schedule of the day is:
7:15-8:00 - Registration and Breakfast (You are welcome to eat breakfast during the film)
8:00 am - 10:00 “Just Getting By” video and remarks by Bess O’Brien
10:15 am - 12:00 pm - Session I
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch with Speakers
1:15 pm - 3:00 pm - Session II
Click on the "Agenda" link at the top of the registration website for breakout session details. You will select sessions as you complete the registration process. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Discounted overnight rooms will be available at the resort for the night of March 27th. Details on how to book a room in our block will be provided on the confirmation page after you complete registration, and also in confirmation emails.
We are looking forward to this year's conference and are proud to be able to offer this as part of our ongoing professional learning opportunities with Vermont-NEA.
