Eight other ESPs recognized as ESP of the Year finalists, semifinalists
Besides Brown, four other education support professionals s from across the state were honored as Education Minnesota 2023-24 ESP of the Year finalists. For the first time, Education Minnesota also recognized four ESPs as semifinalists.
This year’s ESP of the Year program had a record number of 63 nominations and nine candidate submissions. Nominations for the next year’s award recognition will open this spring.
All current Education Minnesota ESPs who have been members for three years as of Aug. 31 of the award year are eligible. Individuals can be nominated by anyone associated with Minnesota schools.
While ESP job categories often vary from district to district, some examples can include paraprofessional/education assistant, secretarial/clerical, custodial, food service, maintenance and trades, transportation, grounds keeping, security, technology services, health services and others.
The winner receives a $1,200 honorarium and their choice of a Chromebook, iPad or other tablet, plus an expense-paid trip to the NEA Education Support Professional National Conference.
Education Minnesota has honored ESPs with this statewide award since 2007.
The 2023-24 ESP of the Year finalists were:
Laura Denney, a special education intensive education support professional at Elton Hills Elementary in Rochester.
Shawn Perez, a resource room paraprofessional at Watertown-Mayer High School in Watertown-Mayer.
Amanda Phenix, a special education support professional at Waconia Middle School in Waconia.
Dante Pirtle, an education assistant at Henry High School in Minneapolis.
2023-24 ESP of the Year semifinalists were:
Aria Campbell, a school success program assistant at Transition Plus in Minneapolis.
Angela Duske, a special education paraprofessional at Watertown-Mayer Elementary School in Watertown-Mayer.
Kelli Hanson, a paraprofessional at Baxter Elementary in Brainerd. Jason Norden, an education assistant at Edison High School in Minneapolis.
