NTHF congratulates Utah’s Jennifer Bramson on her selection as the 2024 NEA Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.
Jennifer Bramson, a paraeducator, has worked for the Park City School District since 2013. Jen works with preschool students at McPolin Elementary School, a Title 1 school with a diverse student population, a dual language program of Spanish and English, and strong community involvement.
As a student, Jen struggled with ADHD and dyslexia and knew early on that she wanted to help students recognize their strengths and learn how to learn. She takes great pride in helping English learners and students with disabilities or behavioral challenges overcome their challenges and succeed just as she did.
“Jen has a heart of gold. She loves what she does, whether it’s educating her preschool kids, working within her local association, or for the USEA,” said Utah School Employees Association (USEA) President Mike Evans. “Jen is a joy to work with and has a great passion for what she does.”
“NEA and its three million members are proud to recognize Jen’s dedication to her students, her school and her union,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “She goes above and beyond to foster the learning of children with diverse needs, and she takes the initiative to continually pursue new and innovative approaches that help all students learn at their highest abilities. Jen embodies the core values of educational support professionals and their indispensable contribution to our school communities through her dedicated union efforts. In her work with our youngest learners, she inspires joy in learning, meeting their curiosity and ensuring they are prepared for elementary school. Jen sees the potential in every child.”
“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, 33 ESPs from 20 states have received this prestigious national award. Below is a list of former award recipients.
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