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ESP of the Year Award

The annual award recognizes the contributions that Education Support Professionals make toward their schools, communities, and professions.
graphic of hands tossing up a trophy into the sky

The NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year Award, presented by NEA and NEA Member Benefits, honors a member who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and whose achievements reflect the vital role ESPs play in public education.

The NEA ESP of the Year serves as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, promoting the value of ESP members at local, state, and national events. While the award showcases one outstanding ESP each year, it also recognizes and honors the contributions that all ESPs make towards ensuring great public schools for every student.

2025 NEA ESP of the Year Nominees

Andrea Qanadilo Shepard

Alabama

Andrea Qanadilo Shepard, Admissions Office Assistant
Fanta Lee-Sankoh

Alaska

Fanta Lee-Sankoh, Prevention Intervention Specialist 
Debbie Stiltner

Arizona

Debbie Stiltner, Administrative Assistant
Satarria Williams

Arkansas

Satarria Williams, Administrative Assistant
Steven Acosta

California

Steven Acosta, School Technology Technician
Veronica Martinez

Colorado

Veronica Martinez, Office Support II
Cassie Queen

Delaware

Cassie Queen, Paraprofessional
Alesia Gladden

Federal

Alesia Gladden, Special Educational Aide
Marjorie Murillo

Florida

Marjorie Murillo, Community Liaison Specialist
LiseAnn Mills

Idaho

LiseAnn Mills, Behavioral Paraeducator
Amy Evans

Illinois

Amy Evans, Title I Intervention Reading Assistant
Marci Goulette

Iowa

Marci Goulette, Preschool Classroom Paraprofessional
Patsy Murphy

Kansas

Patsy Murphy, Paraeducator
Marcie Vox

Kentucky

Marcie Vox, School Bus Driver
Jen Cooper

Maine

Jen Cooper, Ed Tech/Behavioral Health Professional
Meghan M. Anderson

Maryland

Meghan M. Anderson, Paraeducator
Karen Torres

Massachusetts

Karen Torres, Instructional Asst./Registered Behavior Tech
Laura L. Shattuck

Michigan

Laura L. Shattuck, Custodian
Derrick A. Woodall, Sr.

Mississippi

Derrick A. Woodall, Sr., IT Systems Specialist
Sarah Smythe

Missouri

Sarah Smythe, Maintenance Electrician
Britten Postma

Montana

Britten Postma, Laboratory Animal Tech/Pharm-Research Tech
Mark Richards

New Jersey

Mark Richards, Maintenance Employee
Abril Perea

New Mexico

Abril Perea, Educational Asst./Library Technician
James Chaney

New York

James Chaney, Teaching Assistant
Beryl Torrence

North Carolina

Beryl Torrence, Asst. Director of Transportation Operations
Laurie Mahrer

North Dakota

Laurie Mahrer, Speech/Language Pathology Assistant
Cheryl Williams

Ohio

Cheryl Williams, Administrative Secretary
Jackie Phillips

Oklahoma

Jackie Phillips, Physical Security
Patti Lawrence

Oregon

Patti Lawrence, Field Coordinator-Router/Bus Driver/Bus Aide
Becky Marszalek

Pennsylvania

Becky Marszalek, Instructional Paraprofessional
Christine Alves

Rhode Island

Christine Alves, Administrative Assistant for Special Services
Donna J. Randells

South Carolina

Donna J. Randells, Secretary
Jordan Fuqua

Tennessee

Jordan Fuqua, General Assistant
Novella McGinnis

Texas

Novella McGinnis, Attendance ADA Secretary & PEIMS Person
Andy Markus

Utah

Andy Markus, Assistant Facilities Manager
Linda G. Corliss

Vermont

Linda G. Corliss, Instructional Assistant
Alyce Holmes Pope

Virginia

Alyce Holmes Pope, Family Services Specialist
Aimee Bishop

Washington

Aimee Bishop, Secretary/Registrar/Transition Specialist/Case Manager
KoBao Kong

Wisconsin

KoBao Kong, Career Center Coordinator

Meet the 2024 NEA ESP of the Year

Jen Bramson is an early childhood paraeducator in Park City, UT, and a fierce leader at the Utah School Employees Association. She is dedicated to fighting inequities for her students and improving the lives of ESPs everywhere. In this role, she will serve as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events. 

Photo of Jen Bramson, a woman with silver hair and a teal dress smiling and standing at a podium

Meet the 2024 NEA ESP of the Year Finalists!

Esp of the year finalists
  • Carmel Quinn
    Paraeducator, Vermont
  • Carol Peek
    Campus Supervisor, California
  • Erica Nungaray
    Registrar, Nevada
  • Jen Bramson
    Lead Preschool Teacher, Utah
  • Nashasta Craig-Pollard
    Payroll Clerk and Bus Driver, Alabama

Read their stories

2024 NEA ESP of the Year Awards Ceremony

NEA recognized the ESP of the Year nominees at a special award ceremony on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the NEA ESP National Conference in Las Vegas. Watch the recording of the ceremony!

NEA ESP of the Year Speaker Request Form

The NEA ESP of the Year welcomes invitations to speak at in-person and virtual state and local events. To request the ESP of the Year (ESPOTY) to participate in an event, please:
  • Complete the form below, and
  • Ask the State Affiliate President to submit a formal request to the NEA President by email. Once approved by the NEA President, staff will work with the NEA ESPOTY to determine availability. 

Event Details

Session Content

Audience Information

Please share the names and titles, if possible, of any notable NEA or ESP leaders expected to attend (e.g., Board members, committee chairs, executive committee members).

Logistical Information

Is the event in the same location as the speaker's hotel?
Who is responsible for securing the speaker's hotel reservation?
Will ground transportation be provided for the speaker?

Contact Information

Will the main contact be on-site at the event?
ESP of Year Jen Bramson accepts her award
“We are making changes every day. We are demanding what we need for our students, for public education, for education support professionals, and for teachers. We are showing up locally, nationally, and with our states.”
Quote by: Jen Bramson, 2024 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year
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Great public schools for every student

The National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization, is committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA's 3 million members work at every level of education—from pre-school to university graduate programs. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.