Apply for the NEA ESP Leadership Institute

Online Application Requirements

Applications that do not conform to the following deadlines and format specifications will not be considered.

• Applications must be completed through the online application form.
• Applications must be submitted by midnight EDT on Friday, August 11, 2023.
• Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Before starting the application, you may want to think about the following questions beforehand.

Note: For all open-ended questions below there is a 4,000 character word limit. 

• What is your 10-Digit NEA Membership ID Number? (Can be found on the address label of your NEA Today magazine or by calling your State Affiliate.)
• What is your UniServ Director's name, email address, and phone number? This is your staff representative from your state affiliate. They may have the title Organizational Specialist, Labor Relations Specialist, Field Rep, or something else in your state. If unsure, please check with your Local President or State Association.
• What is your Local President's name, email address, and phone number?
• How many years have you been a member of your Local?
• How many ESPs are currently members of your Local?
• How many certified members (i.e., teachers, specialized instructional support personnel) (if any) are currently in your Local?
• How many potential members are in your Local, including ESPs and certified members?
• How many years has your Local been organized/affiliated with NEA?
• What roles, responsibilities and/or positions do you CURRENTLY HOLD in your LOCAL Association? How long have you held each role/position?
• What roles, responsibilities and/or positions have you HELD IN THE PAST in your LOCAL Association? How long did you hold each role/position?
• What roles, responsibilities, and/or positions do you CURRENTLY HOLD in your STATE Association? How long have you held each role/position?
• What roles, responsibilities, and/or positions have you HELD IN THE PAST in your STATE Association? How long did you hold each role/position?
• What roles, responsibilities, and/or positions do you CURRENTLY HOLD in the NATIONAL Association (NEA)? How long have you held each role/position?
• What roles, responsibilities, and/or positions have you HELD IN THE PAST in the NATIONAL Association (NEA)? How long did you hold each role/position?
• Why did you get involved in your Association?
• What Local, State, and/or National Association training have you participated in?
• What are your Association leadership aspirations, and how will they help grow and strengthen your Association (Local, State and/or National, please be specific)? Please do not name a position or title to which you wish to be appointed or elected.
• How do you envision ESPLI strengthening your leadership skills?
• Identify two leadership skills you want to enhance through ESPLI and describe why.
• What strengths and positive qualities do you bring to ESPLI (brag on yourself!)?

Personal Video Introductions

• Applicants must also submit a short personal video introduction (6 minutes max) by midnight EDT on August 14, 2023.
• Applicants must answer the following three questions in their videos:
  • Who are three leaders that you admire and why?
  • Where do you see yourself in your Association and your career in 3-5 years?
  • What do you like to do in your free time/what are your hobbies?
• Videos must be high enough quality for the selection committee to see and hear the applicant. It does not need to be "flashy" or professionally done. It can be recorded on your mobile phone, iPad, computer, Zoom, or however you choose. The selection committee is looking for substance, not polish.
• Failure to submit a video by midnight EDT on August 14, 2023, will disqualify applicants from being considered.
• Applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to submit the video after the online application is received.