Ten other ESPs recognized as finalists, semifinalists for ESP of the Year
Education Minnesota also recognized four other ESPs from across Minnesota as finalists for ESP of the Year. Additionally, there were six other nominees recognized as semifinalists.
There were 63 nominations this year. Of those 63, 11 chose to submit portfolios that included essay responses and recommendation letters.
To be eligible, nominees must be active members of Education Minnesota and must be a member for at least three years as of Aug. 31 of the award year. Individuals can be nominated by anyone associated with Minnesota public schools. Nominations for the 2025-26 ESP of the Year will open next summer.
Education support professional job categories can vary from district to district but typically include publicschool employees that are not considered full-time active classroom teachers. This can include, but is not limited to, paraprofessionals, educational assistants, secretarial/clerical roles, custodial, food service, maintenance, trades, transportation, grounds keeping, security, technology services and other roles.
The recipient of the ESP of the Year award is recognized at a reception at Education Minnesota headquarters. Additionally, there is a celebration at their school on ESP Day during American Education Week.
This year’s semifinalists were:
From left: Ethan Fabel, Education Minnesota Secretary-Treasurer Rodney Rowe, Latricia Adams, Sarah Wabbe, Education Minnesota Vice President Monica Byron, President Denise Specht.
Not pictured: Kim Ambers, Nicole Corniea and Miki Nahmensen.
- Kim Ambers, a special education educational assistant in Minneapolis Public School District.
- Latricia Adams, a special education educational assistant in Saint Paul Public Schools.
- Nicole Corniea, a licensed practical nurse in Farmington Area Public Schools.
- Ethan Fabel, a child care worker in Watertown-Mayer Public School District.
- Miki Nahmensen, a special education paraprofessional in Waconia Public Schools.
- Sarah Wabbe, a preschool education support professional in Waconia Public Schools.
2024 ESP of the Year finalists
From left: 2024-25 ESP of the Year Mark Bauch, Education Minnesota Vice President Monica Byron, Kristy Ersfeld, Jennifer Hoover, Sarah Rice, Marianne Sannito, Education Minnesota President Denise Specht and
Secretary-Treasurer Rodney Rowe.
Kristy Ersfeld: building nurse in Farmington Area Public Schools
In nomination materials submitted for the award, Ersfeld describes her work with one of her favorite sayings: “students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy.” As a building nurse, she is responsible for the health and safety of 600 students, including many
students who don’t always have access to medical care outside of school. She works closely with school counselors to determine and address when visits to the health office are more social/emotional or educational in nature.
“Kristy goes above and beyond to help others and steps up when many would redirect,” said third grade teacher Steven Marich in nomination materials, “To teachers, office staff, and students, she is invaluable.”
Jennifer Hoover: media center paraprofessional in Watertown-Mayer Public School District
As a media center paraprofessional, Hoover’s goal is to “get to know each student and learn what their interests are, [then] use those interests to help them develop a love of reading,” she said in materials submitted for the award. Hoover has worked to create a media center that is interactive and showcases the books and materials that students are interested in. She invites the students to take pictures of themselves reading books, which she displays in the media center for students to see themselves and their friends. “Students love seeing these photos of fellow classmates building, drawing or baking cookies from directions found in library books,” said fourth grade teacher Tami Kuntz in nomination materials.
“Mrs. Hoover has worked hard to structure library time in a student-centered fashion,” Kuntz said. “She has maintained high expectations…and has an obvious desire to help students reach their full potential.”
Sarah Rice: special education paraeducator in Farmington Area Public Schools
Rice said in nomination materials that she works hard to build relationships with all her learners and takes pride in finding ways to differentiate instruction so it works for the students in her care: “whether that looks like going on a walk while we read assignments out loud or curating the focus of a task to something I know they are interested in, it’s a joy to watch students make progress and be full participants in the classroom.”
In nomination materials for the award, Rice’s coworker described her connection with and passion for students. “Sarah has an unparalleled ability to build strong, trusting relationships with our learners, ensuring that each learner feels supported and valued,” said Joe Sage, principal at Boeckman Middle School. “Her compassion, dedication and insight into the needs of our students allow her to create an environment where every student can succeed.”
Marianne Sannito: DCD education support professional in Waconia Public Schools
In nomination materials, Sannito’s colleagues praised the way she connects with students and creates an environment of trust. “When working one-on-one with students, she co-regulates…creating a learning environment that allows children to push through their limitations. She pours care, love and patience into every child every day,” said Dr. Khuzana DeVaan, principal
of Southview Elementary School.
In addition to her work as a DCD education support professional, Sannito is very active in her local and in her community. When her area lost their boys’ swim co-op club, she organized the community to create a boys’ swim team and swim club in her school district. Eight years later, the swim team and swim club have over 100 participants.
