The Garland Educational Support Staff Association (GESSA) was organized to help our support staff in September 1974. When it began, it had a membership of 34 support service employees. Now, membership is increasing every year.

Our purpose

GESSA works to improve the standards of its members through study and professional growth, promoting fellowship, increasing interest in school and community relationships and in providing efficient service to our schools.

Our organization awards scholarships to graduating seniors at each of the high schools. If funds allow, active support staff employees interested in furthering their education are also chosen to receive a scholarship. Membership is open to any support staff employed in our district. Dues are set by the Executive Committee.

GESSA Mission

Our mission is to help our paraprofessionals and support staff enhance the district in a way that:

• communicates effectively to and for the organization
• promotes a positive atmosphere within the membership
• enlists principal/administrative support through newsletters, building representatives and services provided to members
• enhances training to include relevant programs and mentoring opportunities
• and provides opportunities for service to others

Through doing this, GESSA helps to create improved student learning through:

• a better work environment for our staff
• a stronger support system for members
• and camaraderie in the organization

GESSA 2026-27 meeting calendar

GESSA General Meetings will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. 

TPEP Program

TESA Professional Enrichment Program (TPEP) is a professional development program designed for educational support personnel.

Program Structure TPEP is a three-phase program designed to build technical and job-specific skills for educational support personnel. Sessions are held by local school districts, colleges and educational service centers. Certificates of attendance are presented at the end of each TPEP session. Though classes are designed to build on each other, participants may take the classes in any order and progress toward Certified Educational Organization Professional (CEOP) certification.

GISD compensates full-time paraprofessionals who attain their CEOP certification with a stipend of $600 a year (paid monthly), beginning the first check of the next contract year, and for each following year they meet recertification requirements.

TPEP Class Dates

• August 23, 2025 – Basic Communication
• October 11, 2025 – Managing Change
• March 7, 2026 – Personality Profile
• April 25, 2026 – Stress Mana
• April 25, 2026 – Assertiveness Training

The TPEP program is sponsored by the Texas Educational Support Staff Association, Inc. (TESA). The program was developed in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, Texas Public Community/Junior College Association, University of Texas, and other professional educational associations. The original program was funded through an ECIA, Chapter 2, Section 577 grant.

For more information, go to the TESA website and click on “T-PEP Program”, or contact the current GESSA TPEP representative.

• Texas Educational Support Staff Association (TESA) website
• National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP) website

Note: The TESA Central Office cannot maintain TPEP records for nonmembers. 

Officers and committees