Educators nominated for Education Support Professional (ESP) 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.

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.

“The well-being and success of students in Oregon is dependent on a wide variety of unsung heroes whose tireless contributions go above and beyond in their care and support of students and teachers every day,” said Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill. “This kind of heart and dedication has a deep and lasting impact in our educational system and should not be overlooked. Education Support Professionals across the state deserve to be recognized for both the broad scope and significance of their work. This award is just one way to demonstrate our appreciation for all they do.”

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

In May of 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2964 which directed the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon State Lottery to collaborate in creating a program to honor an education support professional serving students in any grade from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. ESP’s 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.