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.
2024 NEA ESP of the Year Award
NEA will present the 2024 ESP of the Year (ESPOTY) Award in the spring as part of the 2024 NEA ESP National Conference on Saturday, March 23, 6:30-9:00 p.m. PT.
Join us in honoring the accomplishments of NEA’s 2024 ESP of the Year nominees and be a part of history as the 2024 NEA ESP of the Year is announced! Livestreaming will begin Saturday at 7:20 p.m. PT (8:20 p.m. MT; 9:20 CT; 10:20 ET).
View the Livestream on Saturday 3/23
The nomination period for the 2025 ESP of the Year Award will open in June 2024.
Meet the 2024 NEA ESP of the Year Finalists!
- Carmel Quinn
Paraeducator, Vermont - Carol Peek
Campus Supervisor, California - Erica Nungaray
Registrar, Nevada - Jen Bramson
Lead Preschool Teacher, Utah - Nashasta Craig-Pollard
Payroll Clerk and Bus Driver, Alabama
2024 NEA ESP of the Year Nominees
Alaska
Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
New Jersey
New Mexico
Nevada
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Meet the 2023 NEA ESP of the Year
On March 25 at the 2023 NEA ESP National Conference, Pamella Johnson, an academic and behavioral interventionist from Washington State, was named the NEA ESP of the Year. In this role, she will serve as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events.
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