WASHINGTON—NEA has named Andy Markus, the head custodian at Draper Park Middle School, in Draper, Utah, the 2025 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.
Markus, an assistant facilities manager, has worked for the Canyons School District for 13 years as the assistant custodian at Midvale Elementary and the head custodian at Bella Vista Elementary, before taking over in the same role at Draper Park Middle School. As one of the first people that students see in the morning, he has the important responsibility of being an inviting face, welcoming students to an exciting day of learning. His work in ensuring that students show up to a building that invites growth and learning earned him the 2024 Utah ESP of the Year award.
“NEA and its three million members are proud to recognize Andy’s dedication to his students, his school and his union,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “He consistently goes above and beyond to be a welcoming presence to all who enter the building and school grounds He inspires each of the students to be better versions of themselves and to try new things. Andy’s ability to lift the spirits of any student having a hard day, or make a new student instantly feel at home, is an invaluable asset to the Draper community.”
The Education Support Professional of the Year award is designed to spotlight the work of ESPs across the country and honor one member who has demonstrated extraordinary achievements and dedication to public education. ESPs are the bus drivers who get our students to school safely. They are the custodians who keep our school buildings and grounds clean, the cafeteria workers who ensure our school communities are fed, the paraeducators who meet the needs of our most vulnerable students, and so much more.
"Congratulations to Andy," said Mike Evans, President of the Utah School Employees Association. "I’ve had the privilege of working with Andy for many years, and he’s consistently been an exceptional leader. He’s always the first to step up, no matter the time or place."
Markus will serve as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events.
“From cleaning up the grounds to mentoring students, my work goes beyond maintaining a building,” Markus said. “It’s about fostering a community where students and staff feel proud to be. The pride and care we put into our environment are reflected in the success of our students, and I’m grateful to be a part of that positive change.”
One of the biggest ways that Markus goes above and beyond is by being a lifeline for students. His after-school program allows students to let out steam, leading to better behavior in the classroom. He allows students to help him every Friday as an incentive to demonstrate good behavior throughout the week. He also partnered with his school’s counselor to start the “Andy Talk” program, where students would walk with him as he worked, giving them an opportunity to share their struggles with a trusted adult.
“Andy is much more than his job description,” says Erin Longacre, parent of Draper Park Middle School kids and a board member of the Parent Teacher Student Association. “He’s the ‘What do you need,’ when you’re looking for help. He’s the ‘hello,’ when you need a smile. He’s the person that gets it done!”
As president of the Canyons Educational Support Professionals Association and a board member of the USEA, Markus has taken an active role in advocating for his fellow ESPs, from monthly meetings with district administration officials to taking time off work to lobby representatives at the state capitol. He wasn’t just fighting for those in his district, however. He fights for the rights of ESPs across Utah. “Last year when the Nebo School District was being dealt a poor hand by their district by losing their negotiation rights, Andy was the first person to sign up to go knock on doors with the field staff over that area,” says Britt Wolf, an administrative assistant at Hillcrest High School.
Markus was one of five finalists that included Illinois' Amy Evans, intervention reading assistant; North Carolina's Beryl Torrence, director of operations-transportation; Pennsylvania's Becky Marszalek, paraprofessional; and Virginia's Alyce Holmes Pope, family services specialist.
For more information on the NEA ESP of the Year Award program, including a complete list of the 2025 NEA ESP of the Year nominees and more information on the five finalists, visit www.nea.org/ESPOTY.
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ESPs are categorized into nine career families: paraeducators; clerical services; custodial services; skilled trades; technical services; security services; transportation services; food services; and health and student services. Learn more at www.nea.org/esp.
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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at nea.org.
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