NTHF congratulates Utah’s Andy Markus on his selection as the 2025 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.
Andy Markus is the Assistant Facilities Manager (head custodian) at Draper Park Middle School in Utah’s Canyons School District and the 2025 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. From cleaning up the grounds to mentoring students through an after-school program he launched, his work goes beyond maintaining a building—it’s about fostering a community that students and staff feel proud to be part of.
Raised by educators and union members, Andy was immersed in the world of advocacy from a young age, walking neighborhoods with his dad to hand out campaign flyers and standing at intersections with signs. As president of the Canyons Education Support Professionals Association, he helped negotiate major wins for ESPs over five years, including, a 28.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), step raises, and stipends for employees at the top of their current pay scale. He also helped increase night shift differentials by $0.50 and graveyard shifts by $1.00, improved ESP leave policies, and negotiated a paid professional development day for all ESPs in his district on a non-student day.
Recently, he joined fellow union members at the state capitol to fight against an anti-union bill. He continues to fight against the bill, which was signed into law, by helping to push for a referendum that could repeal it.
Whether at the bargaining table or the state house, Andy continues to advocate for the needs of ESPs and the students they serve. As NEA ESP of the Year and a staunch advocate for public education, he works to ensure ESPs receive the respect and acknowledgment they rightfully deserve.
In his free time, Andy enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his wife Jill, who is also an ESP, his sons Max and Taylor, and his dogs Trixie and Pacheco.
“I try to camouflage learning by making lessons active, engaging, and fun,” Bramson explains. “My class is made up of children who haven’t had the same opportunities, and they enter preschool on an uneven playing field. I scaffold lessons to the individual children’s needs.”
Former Recipients
Since the award’s inception in 1992, 34 ESPs from 21 states have received this prestigious national award. Below is a list of former award recipients.
2024 Jennifer Bramson, Utah
2023 Pamella Johnson, Washington
2022 Debra Ward-Mitchell, Illinois
2021 Kimberly Scott-Hayden, New Jersey
2020 Andrea Beeman, Ohio
2019 Matthew Powell, Kentucky
2018 Sherry Shaw, Alaska
2017 Saul Ramos, Massachusetts
2016 Doreen McGuire-Grigg, California
2015 Janet Eberhardt, California
2014 Paula Monroe, California
2013 Donna Schulze, Maryland
2012 Judy Near, Colorado
2011 Jameel Williams, North Carolina
2010 Helen Cottongim, Kentucky
2009 Kathie Axtell, Washington
2008 Laura Vernon, Wisconsin
2007 Veronica Henderson, Maryland
2006 Nancy Toombs, Kentucky
2005 Kathleen Lange, Illinois
2004 Allyson “Sunny” Story, Iowa
2003 Martin F. Meyer, Idaho
2002 Joann Falk, Colorado
2001 Irma Valdespino, New Mexico
2000 Richard Malizia, New Jersey
1999 Gail Rasmussen, Oregon
1998 Carter Foshee, Oklahoma
1997 Karen Mahurin, Alaska
1996 Evelyn Foster, North Carolina
1995 Iona Hollway, Louisiana
1994 Eddie Middleton, Louisiana
1993 Doris Dortch, Alabama
1992 Peggy Bertollo, Delaware