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Education Support Professionals

Education Support Professionals (ESPs) are the behind-the-scenes heroes of the public education system.

There are more than 3 million education support staff in our nation’s school systems. And there is a place in our union for every single one of them. 

We’re honored to include as valued members of MAE Mississippi bus drivers, cafeteria workers, nurses, custodians, and security guards who keep everything running smoothly in our schools. We do everything we can to support them throughout their careers. 

Benefits and Salaries

We strive to increase benefits and make salaries more competitive for education support staffs. We work with our friends in elected and appointed positions to ensure that members have the resources needed to provide a high quality education to our children. Click here to read about some of our accomplishments throughout the years.

Advocacy and Protection 

MAE plays an active role in fighting for the best possible conditions for all Mississippi students and members. You benefit from our legislative influence and constant, professional involvement on state and local levels, as well as our advocacy.

We also provide expert legal representation and a $1 million personal liability policy that protects members against the unlikely and unfortunate possibilities of lawsuits.

The cornerstone of the MAE’s member representation system is the UniServ (Unified Services) program — a statewide staffing network that provides professional consultants to serve members in each of our geographic locations. UniServ Directors offer on-site services including grievance representation, school and teacher advocacy, political action and communications assistance. UniServ Directors represent members at school district meetings and before boards of education. They also provide valuable guidance on professional development issues.

Government 

The right to vote, and to persuade others to vote in accordance with common principles and values, is a fundamental tenet of American democracy. The MAE/NEA Government Relations program helps the Association, local affiliates, and individual members become active in the political arena.

By recruiting pro-public education candidates, recommending and helping pro-public education candidates to win elections, and lobbying public officials, we influence the decisions made by elected and appointed officials and help our students realize a better tomorrow. By becoming politically active, we help shape our own futures as well. Our salaries and health insurance benefits, retirement, working conditions, and our students’ learning conditions are determined by people who are either elected or appointed to public office. <LINK TO MAE FUND> Learn more about how we elect pro-public education candidates here. 

Janell Thomas
It brings me joy to see the smiles on both kids' and parents' faces, knowing that I’m contributing to their well-being by providing meals and support when they need it most.
Quote by: Janell Thomas, Second Grade Paraprofessional
ESP Bill of Rights

Advocating for Education Support Professionals: The ESP Bill of Rights

The Education Support Professionals (ESP) Bill of Rights is a campaign dedicated to recognizing the vital roles that ESPs play in our public schools. From bus drivers and custodians to cafeteria workers and paraeducators, these dedicated individuals ensure students are safe, fed, and supported. Despite their essential contributions, many ESPs earn less than $25,000 a year and often juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. This campaign calls for fair compensation, respect for their expertise, and acknowledgment of their crucial impact on student success and well-being.
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Advocating strong public schools for every student and every public school employee

Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE) represents thousands of Mississippians—educators, students, activists, workers, parents, neighbors, friends—who believe in opportunity for all students and in the power of public education to transform lives and create a more just and inclusive society.