Utah’s Jennifer Bramson recognized as 2024 NEA ESP of the Year

NEA has named Jennifer Bramson, a lead preschool teacher at McPolin Elementary School, in Park City, Utah, the 2024 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. 

Jennifer Bramson, a paraeducator, has worked for the Park City School District since 2013. Bramson works with preschool students at McPolin Elementary School, a Title 1 school with a diverse student population, a dual language program of Spanish and English, and strong community involvement. She assists English learners in meeting academic standards and gathers data to develop Individualized Education Plans for students requiring them before starting kindergarten. Bramson also teaches communication, listening, and problem-solving skills to her preschool students.

“Jen has a heart of gold. She loves what she does, whether it's educating her preschool kids, working within her local association, or for the USEA,” said Utah School Employees Association (USEA) President Mike Evans. “Jen is a joy to work with and has a great passion for what she does. As president of USEA, I cannot think of a better person to represent all education support professionals. It is truly an honor to know Jen, to be her friend, and to have her on this journey as part of the USEA leadership team. Congratulations!”  

"NEA and its three million members are proud to recognize Jen’s dedication to her students, her school and her union,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “She goes above and beyond to foster the learning of children with diverse needs, and she takes the initiative to continually pursue new and innovative approaches that help all students learn at their highest abilities. Jen embodies the core values of educational support professionals and their indispensable contribution to our school communities through her dedicated union efforts. In her work with our youngest learners, she inspires joy in learning, meeting their curiosity and ensuring they are prepared for elementary school. Jen sees the potential in every child.”

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. 

Bramson will serve as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events. 

“I try to camouflage learning by making lessons active, engaging, and fun,” Bramson explains. “My class is made up of children who haven’t had the same opportunities, and they enter preschool on an uneven playing field. I scaffold lessons to the individual children's needs.” 

Bramson struggled with ADHD and dyslexia as a student and knew from an early age she wanted to help students recognize their strengths and help them learn how to learn. She truly connects with kids who are displaying undesirable behaviors and develops plans to get them through it. 

“Jen’s talents really shine when she encounters a student with learning, social/emotional, health or difficulties at home,” says fellow preschool educator Laura Holbrook-Jorgensen. “She approaches these challenges with fresh thinking and is always open to ‘trying something new’ for the benefit of her students.”

As a board member of the USEA, representing ESPs across the state, she is developing a pilot program to bring seven rural district associations together to form a coalition. “We understand that rural districts have different needs and, using surveys, we are finding out what those needs are to customize support,” Bramson says. “Improving the lives of my fellow ESPs is my ‘why!’”

For more information on the NEA ESP of the Year Award program, including a complete list of the 2024 NEA ESP of the Year nominees, 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.

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.