Built on Faith

The Foundation of National ESP Day Rests on a History of Loyal Service

By Dave Arnold

My daughter was having problems with her car and couldn't afford a mechanic. So, she called her dad on the telephone. She described to me the blue-gray smoke emanating from her aging muffler and foul odor invading the interior. I told her that I would come over on the weekend for a look-see.

She'd actually lost sleep worrying about that car. When she learned that I was going to inspect it, she called her mother and told her that she was able to sleep easy again. My daughter said something about having faith in her old man.

Well, I'd worked on that car before. I'd performed minor miracles on that old-but-cherished heap. I wasn't sure I could do it again. But I would try. Couldn't disappoint my little girl.

Things Unseen

Fortunately, my daughter's faith was not in vain. I cured her car's ailments, for now. The experience reminded me how often we depend on others for help. It's important to have faith in others. It's also important for others to have faith in you.

Faith is often defined as, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." As Education Support Professionals (ESP) go about their duties, I'm certain that few of us ever consider the number of individuals who have faith in us.

Each of us was hired to perform a certain task or duty. Those who hired us and those who we serve depend on us. They also hope we'll handle all those "things unseen" that prop up when kids are involved.

Earned Reputation

When ESPs consistently achieve their goals it is almost certain that administrators, teachers, parents, and students will over the long haul develop faith in us. To some extent they already have. This week (13th-19th) marks American Education Week (AEW). The Wednesday (16th) of AEW is Education Support Professionals Day. It was first celebrated in 1987 after NEA delegates at that summer's Representative Assembly voted it into existence.

Why? Faith. NEA leaders believed in us and wanted to acknowledge our loyal service -- past, present, and future. While this day is celebrated differently in schools across the country, the one constant is that America depends on ESPs in the continuing safety and education of their children. Always have, always will.

The school day starts and ends with bus drivers. It includes custodians and maintenance personnel who help keep a healthy school environment. Security personnel do their part to provide a safe campus. This group of ESPs will risk their own lives to protect students and staff.  

In the middle of each day, as our two-legged speedster's fuel tank gets close to empty, the school's cooks prepare a nutritious and energizing meal. For many students, lunch is the highlight of the school day.

Bless You All

ESPs have a multitude of parents, students, and staff who depend on us to perform our jobs to the best of our ability. Each of us was hired by someone who expressed faith in our skills, knowledge and character.

Some of these folks even voted for a national day of recognition in our honor. I say to them, thanks for believing in us. I say to my ESP brothers and sisters, bless you for all that you do!

More Dave's columns.

(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is head custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois. He can be contacted at dparnold@csuol.com.)

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NEA or its affiliates.