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.
2026 NEA ESP of the Year Award
Join us in celebrating the 2026 NEA ESP of the Year nominees! The top five NEA ESP of the Year finalists will be announced in February, and the top recipient will be revealed at the 2026 NEA ESP National Conference in March 2026.
The NEA ESP of the Year will receive a $10,000 personal cash prize courtesy of NEA Member Benefits and will be funded by NEA to attend the following NEA ESP National Conference.
2026 NEA ESP of the Year Nominees
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
2025 NEA ESP of the Year
Learn about the 2025 NEA ESP of the Year top recipient, finalists, and nominees!
Andy Markus, Assistant Facilities Manager (head custodian) at Draper Park Middle School, in Draper, Utah, is the 2025 NEA Education Support Professional of the Year! He knows that the pride and care we put into our school environments reflects in the success of our students, and his work goes beyond maintaining a building—he’s fostering a community where students and staff feel proud to be. Part of creating that environment includes getting to know the students, whether that’s in the hallways between classes, or at the afterschool mentoring program he launched.
Meet the Top 5 2025 Finalists
Congratulations to the top 5 finalists for 2025 NEA ESP of the Year: Amy Evans (IL), Beryl Torrence (NC), Becky Marszalek (PA), Andy Markus (UT), and Alyce Holmes Pope (VA)!
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.
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