Oregon launches Education Support Professional of the year program

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Department of Education, in partnership with the Oregon State Lottery, announced a new program Thursday recognizing the outstanding contributions of Oregon’s Education Support Professionals.

The Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2964 in May of 2019, which directed the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon State Lottery to collaborate in designing and implementing this program to honor an education support professional serving students in any grade from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

ESPs work together with teachers and administrators in Oregon public schools to perform a variety of jobs promoting quality education, fostering positive learning environments, offering nutritious meals, providing reliable transportation, maintaining safe and clean schools for all students and much more.

“Day in and day out, online or in-person, Oregon students benefit enormously from the support and commitment of education support professionals,” said Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “From direct support for students to helping teachers prepare materials for lessons, ESP’s fill countless, critical roles that ensure our education systems reach every student.”

Nominations for the 2021 Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year are open now through January 3, 2021. The winner will be surprised with a special announcement in April 2021. Educators nominated for Education Support Professional of the Year must be currently employed by an Oregon public K-12 school or school district and meet the definition of an ESP in Oregon.

Thanks to the Oregon Department of Education’s partnership with the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year will receive a gift award of $5,000. They will also receive a plaque and banner to commemorate this significant achievement.

“Student success relies on good teachers, and also on the team of professionals supporting them and their students,” noted Lottery Director Barry Pack. “Expanding the recognition program to include these vital individuals just makes sense, and Lottery is proud to support it.”

Eligible nominees will be evaluated through a Blue Ribbon Panel facilitated by ODE. Nominees should embody the following core values of:

• Accountability: The ESP owns and takes responsibility for student outcomes and success within their scope of influence.
• Equity: The ESP creates and fosters an environment where every student has access and opportunity to thrive.
• Excellence: The ESP collaboratively manages the resources they are entrusted with to achieve the best possible outcomes for every student.
• Integrity: The ESP is honest and transparent regardless of the situation they are facing.

Additional information can be found on the Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year webpage. Nominate an outstanding ESP today!