For the 2026 NEA ESP of the Year, Student Safety is Wide-Reaching

As a campus supervisor at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington, Stanley “Ric” Calhoun is intentional about making sure all students feel safe, seen, and supported, both emotionally and physically.  

Now Calhoun is being honored for that work. He was named the 2026 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. The award was announced at the 2026 NEA ESP National Conference in Anaheim, California on Saturday, March 28. Calhoun will now serve as an ambassador for ESPs across the country, speaking about the work and importance of ESPs at local, state, and national events.  

“NEA has chosen to honor Ric because of his extraordinary commitment to and compassionate care for his students,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Ric goes above and beyond to create a positive learning environment for all students, and he takes the initiative to continually pursue new approaches that help all students learn at their highest abilities and feel safe and welcome in their communities. Ric embodies the core values of education support professionals and their indispensable contribution to our schools. We are proud to give him this recognition and are grateful for all his work in his community.”   

With his security role, Calhoun recognizes he may initially make students nervous. But also believes that, because he is so visible around campus, he has the opportunity to remind students that they matter to him, that he cares and is genuinely happy to see them.  

“I think of my role as relationship building,” he says. “My daily interactions go beyond supervision -- I greet students by name and build trust through consistency. This visibility has created a culture where students feel comfortable approaching me with concerns, knowing they’ll be heard and respected.”  

For Calhoun, a simple wave hello or goodbye goes a long way to creating a sense of safety.  

"We forget we matter to one another. The simplest thing we can do is acknowledge when we come into each other's spaces,” he explains. “The kids know I care and am happy to see them and they wave back, which I need some days, too. What we put out there matters."  

An Advocate for Inclusion 

One of Calhoun’s most impactful initiatives at Inglemoor was launching a racial justice video project, where students of color and other marginalized groups shared their lived experiences in the Northshore School District.  

“These videos opened a direct dialogue between students and staff, fostering empathy and awareness around race, religion, sexual orientation, and ability,” Calhoun says.“It prompted colleagues to examine their own practices and engage more thoughtfully with marginalized students. It helped staff better understand how their actions affect student well-being and created space for healing and growth.”  

As a football coach and strong advocate for inclusion, Calhoun led efforts to expand Unified Sports under the Special Olympics umbrella.  

“We brought together students with and without disabilities, fostering friendships and breaking down stigma,” he says. “This work has significantly improved social-emotional well-being, allowing students with disabilities to participate fully in school life.”.  

His goal is clear: to create a safe and welcoming environment not just to respond to incidents, but to prevent them by building relationships. Students now stand up for one another, he says, and bullying has decreased. They know they can trust Calhoun and other staff who engage with them positively, which extends to student families. 

“I’ve always believed that supporting students means supporting their families and the broader community, and my work extends beyond the school day and beyond the school walls, rooted in a commitment to connection, compassion, and service,” he says. 

Recognizing that some students face food insecurity during breaks, he organized weekly snack deliveries to local neighborhoods. Staff donated funds, and Calhounpersonally delivered a mix of healthy and fun snacks not just to high school students, but to their siblings and families.  

“The program builds trust and familiarity, especially for younger siblings who would later attend Inglemoor, and helped staff better understand the realities many families face,” he says.  

Equity-Focused Leadership 

Calhoun’s union activism has been driven by a deep commitment to elevating the role of Education Support Professionals (ESPs) across Washington. As Vice President for ESPs in the Northshore Education Association (NSEA), and Chair of the WEA ESP Bill of Rights Subcommittee, he’s worked to strengthen the professional stature, stability, and effectiveness of ESPs through organizing, advocacy, and equity-focused leadership.  

“One of my most impactful contributions is leading the development of the ESP Bill of Rights, a statewide campaign that outlines the essential conditions ESPs need to thrive, professional pay, access to training, job security, and respect,” he says. “This initiative has helped shift the narrative around ESPs, positioning us not just as support staff, but as essential professionals whose work directly impacts student success. It has also informed bargaining strategies and legislative advocacy aimed at improving wages, benefits, and working conditions.”  

Locally, he has helped organize one of the highest union membership and WEA-PAC contribution rates in his district. He also serves on multiple bargaining, labor-management, and equity teams.  

Calhoun says equity is central to his union engagement. He helped establish affinity groups for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ members and successfully bargained for regular meetings with his district’s Racial & Educational Justice Department, improving representation, fostering inclusive workplaces, and strengthening the support systems available to ESPs.  

“As a multiracial man, I bring an intersectional lens to every role I hold. I advocate not only for racial justice, but also for individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ staff, and others whose voices are often overlooked,” he says. “My activism is grounded in the belief that every ESP deserves to be seen, respected, and supported and that our collective strength lies in our ability to organize, uplift, and lead.” 

Whether through direct mentorship, union activism, or equity initiatives, he works to create a professional culture where ESPs and other staff feel valued, empowered, and equipped to succeed.  

“At the end of the day, my job as Vice President for ESPs, Northshore Education Association (NSEA) is about showing up, listening, and taking action whether that’s helping a colleague navigate a tough situation, pushing for better working conditions, or building a stronger, more inclusive union.” 

Calhoun is a professional relationship builder, says Kim Leatherman, a fellow ESP colleague and friend.  

“Ric has known and seen the impact on students who are not culturally represented by their educators. As the demographics of educators at his school has become more diverse, Ric has built a close network of BIPOC educators at his school. This is a double win, creating a sense of belonging and connection for students and staff.”  

A Gentle Soul with Fighter Instinct 

Calhoun is widely known and well liked in the ESP community and beyond, but his gentle nature belies his tough fight for equity and justice, she says. 

“Do not let Ric Calhoun’s kind, calm Teddy bear, disposition fool you. When it comes to his family, his students, his colleagues and his sense of what is right and just, Ric is a fierce advocate who takes every opportunity to be of service,” says Leatherman, a paraeducator in Calhoun’s district. “Ric may have joined the union after I did, but his dedication and involvement, at many levels in our education associations, has made him my union big brother. He has helped and encouraged me, and countless others, to get involved and stay engaged in the work of supporting public education.” 

 Always Look Forward with Hope 

 Calhoun's daughter recently passed away after a two-year battle with brain cancer. As he prepares to use his platform as ESP of the Year to confront the tough fight our public schools face, he says he is inspired by his daughter, who maintained hope throughout her battle.

 "My daughter always looked forward. She wanted to be a teacher like my wife," he says. His wife, Cheryl, is a teacher at Inglemoor.  

"Towards the end, my daughter lost her eyesight. Still, she would always reach for her glasses to wear even though she didn't need them, saying, 'I can’t see but I have hope,'" he explains. "That will always stick with me. Have hope, because you never know." 

Calhoun recognizes things are rough right now, especially in public education, but he maintains hope.

"I know that our schools and our union are more than equipped to push through all of the ugliness together," he says. "We'll do what we always do. We’ll keep showing up for our kids and they will show up for us. No matter what, we'll always bring our glasses."