ESP of the Year Award

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
The nomination window for the 2026 NEA ESP of the Year Award will open in June.

2025 NEA ESP of the Year

Andy Markus ESP of the Year — Andy Markus 2025 NEA ESP of the Year.

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.

Learn more

Meet the Top 5 Finalists

graphic that says congratulations to 2025 NEA ESP of the Year 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)!

Learn more about the finalists here

Past NEA ESP of the Year Award Recipients

Since the award’s inception in 1992, 33 ESPs from 20 states have received this prestigious national award. Below is a list of former award recipients.

2024 Jen Bramson, Utah

2023 Pamella Johnson, Washington

2022 Debra Ward-Mitchell, Illinois

2021 Kimberly Scott-Hayden, New Jersey

2020 Andrea Beeman, Ohio

2019 Matthew Powell, Kentucky

2018 Sherry Shaw, Alaska

2017 Saul Ramos, Massachusetts

2016 Doreen McGuire-Grigg, California

2015 Janet Eberhardt, California

2014 Paula Monroe, California

2013 Donna Schulze, Maryland

2012 Judy Near, Colorado

2011 Jameel Williams, North Carolina

2010 Helen Cottongim, Kentucky

2009 Kathie Axtell, Washington

2008 Laura Vernon, Wisconsin

2007 Veronica Henderson, Maryland

2006 Nancy Toombs, Kentucky

2005 Kathleen Lange, Illinois

2004 Allyson “Sunny” Story, Iowa

2003 Martin F. Meyer, Idaho

2002 Joann Falk, Colorado

2001 Irma Valdespino, New Mexico

2000 Richard Malizia, New Jersey

1999 Gail Rasmussen, Oregon

1998 Carter Foshee, Oklahoma

1997 Karen Mahurin, Alaska

1996 Evelyn Foster, North Carolina

1995 Iona Hollway, Louisiana

1994 Eddie Middleton, Louisiana

1993 Doris Dortch, Alabama

1992 Peggy Bertollo, Delaware

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

Name of Event

Affiliate Name

Event Dates

Speaker Date

Speaker Start Time

Time Zone

Approximate Format

Event Theme (if applicable)

Is the event in-person, virtual, or hybrid?

If the event is in-person, but the ESPOTY is unable to participate in-person, would you like them to participate virtually or provide pre-recorded remarks?

Session Content

Who will introduce the speaker (if known)?

What would you like the speaker to discuss?

Desired Outcome

Audience Information

Who is the audience?

Number of attendees expected?

Notable Attendees

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

Event Venue

Event Venue Address (please include street address, city, zip)

Is the event in the same location as the speaker's hotel?

Yes

Please provide contracted hotel information below or recommended hotels in the area.

Who is responsible for securing the speaker's hotel reservation?

NEA

Affiliate

Closest Airport

Will ground transportation be provided for the speaker?

Yes

By whom?

Contact Information

Main Contact Name

Main Contact Title

Main Contact Email

Main Contact Cell Phone

Will the main contact be on-site at the event?

Yes

Please provide name, cell and email of the onsite contact.

ESP of the Year Award

2025 NEA ESP of the Year

Meet the Top 5 Finalists

Past NEA ESP of the Year Award Recipients

NEA ESP of the Year Speaker Request Form

Event Details

Session Content

Audience Information

Logistical Information

Contact Information

Suggested Further Reading

Great public schools for every student

Suggested Results

ESP of the Year Award

2025 NEA ESP of the Year

Meet the Top 5 Finalists

2025 NEA ESP of the Year Nominees

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Delaware

Federal

Florida

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

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

Past NEA ESP of the Year Award Recipients

NEA ESP of the Year Speaker Request Form

Event Details

Session Content

Audience Information

Logistical Information

Contact Information

Suggested Further Reading

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