The Mesquite Educational Paraprofessional Association (MEPA) was organized during the 1965-66 school year with 29 total members. Two years later, in the spring of 1968, the association hosted a very successful District X TSTA Section Meeting with secretaries from the Dallas-Fort Worth area attending. The 1974 Section Meeting was also hosted by the association and in 1978, MEPA was host to a Texas Educational Support Staff Association (TESA) area workshop.

 

In 1970, when teacher aides were added to the Mesquite Foundation Program, several aides were added to the membership and the organization continued to grow. In 1974, the first ten members were presented their Professional Standards (PSP) certificates at the annual National Association of Educational Secretaries Conference in Houston.

Leadership training is a constant focus of the association. MEPA members are encouraged to attend area workshops, summer and fall conferences hosted by state and national associations, and district staff development courses.

Participation in Staff Training for Effective Management (STEM) certification continues to soar as more paraprofessionals learn the importance of being life long learners. Providing STEM classes for the membership continues to be a priority as several of our members attend TESA's STEM Consultant Training held in Austin each year. The number of members obtaining their Certified Educational Office Personnel (CEOP) certification continues to grow.

Also soaring each year is the number of members completing the Certified Educational Office Employee (CEOE) certification offered through the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP).

 

Our organization continues to grow from our original 29 members in 1965 to approximately 525 members in 2007. This proves that "Together We Make a Difference".