Contact: Brian Washington  (202) 822-7823

March 10, 2007

Education Support Professional Wins $10,000 Award

NEA President Applauds ESPs for Creating Nurturing School Environments

NASHVILLE—The winner of the 2007 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award is a passionate advocate for homeless children. Veronica Henderson of Baltimore received the NEA’s highest honor for education support professionals during the annual ESP conference in Nashville, Tenn. She will receive $10,000 as part of the award.

“I sincerely believe that since children do not ask to come into this world, it is our duty as responsible adults to help them become the best they can be,” said Henderson. “Very few children are homeless by choice, and that’s why I am particularly passionate about homeless children in shelters.”

Veronica Henderson plans to donate half of her award money to a homeless shelter. (Photo by NEA/Alan Poizner)

Henderson, an office worker with more than 27 years experience in the public schools of Baltimore County, Md., plans to donate half the money to a homeless shelter in her community.

Education support professionals account for about 40 percent of educators working in public schools and include school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, office assistants, school nurses, and other critical support positions. This year’s conference theme is “NEA ESP: Faces on the Frontline of Public Education.” The two-day conference provides education support professionals with training sessions and workshops that are designed to foster professional growth and development.

“Veronica Henderson is representative of ESPs across the nation who are working every day to help ensure that every child receives a quality education and attends a great public school,” said Reg Weaver, NEA president. “And, just like Veronica, our ESP members are making a positive difference outside their schools in the communities in which they live and work.”

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and a keynote speaker at the conference, said that education support professionals are an indispensable part of our nation’s school systems. “These dedicated individuals play an important role in the education of our children and they deserve respect, economic security and professional treatment,” Edwards said.

Henderson will be an ambassador for the 383,000 education support professionals among the 3.2 million members of NEA. During her time as ESP of the Year, she will travel throughout the country and speak to thousands of her peers. In July, Henderson will also address the delegates at NEA’s Representative Assembly in Philadelphia.

Gardner Rich and Co., Inc., the Chicago brokerage firm founded by Chris Gardner, annually contributes the funds for the ESP of the Year Award. Gardner, who is the author of The Pursuit of Happyness and whose life was recently depicted in the film of the same title, serves on the board of The NEA Foundation.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2  million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators
and students preparing to become teachers.