2024 Education Support Professionals: Year in Review

NDU & You

Schools across North Dakota and throughout the United States are kept running by the diligent efforts of hard-working individuals known as Education Support Professionals. Women and men working in a wide array of career categories, including paraeducators, food service, health, security, transportation, custodial and maintenance, technology and communications, play vital roles in keeping students safe, healthy and excited about learning.

By: North Dakota United

Published: December 12, 2024

024 was an especially busy year for our ESP Advisory Committee (ESPAC). Here are a few highlights from this past year:

Two members of ESPAC – Julie Hetland, of Fargo, and Barb DuBord, of Kindred – attended the NEA ESP National Conference in March, which was held in Las Vegas.
The annual NDU ESP of the Year award had a record number of nominations in 2024, and for the first time in the program’s history, three finalists were named ahead of the announcement of the overall winner. Dustin Brunner, a paraprofessional at Central Middle School in Devils Lake; Julie Eiler, lead paraeducator at Fargo North High School; and Laurie Mahrer, a speech language pathology assistant at Custer Elementary in Mandan were all celebrated at ceremonies held in their respective schools during the spring. Mahrer was selected by our ESPAC as 2024 ESP of the Year, and she received her award with a rousing speech during the NDU ESP Conference in April, which was held in conjunction with Delegate Assembly in Bismarck.
Our 2024 NDU ESP Conference also provided our members with a range of professional development sessions on topics including: Mitigating Secondary Traumatic Stress, True Colors Personality Test, Introduction to Restorative Practices, Behavioral Management, and a special ESP Roundtable.
ESP Professional Development book studies were launched this year, starting with pilot programs in Bismarck and Fargo during the spring, and a second round in both cities this fall. The program’s objective is to engage ESPs in relevant coursework with the goal of developing and enhancing skills that will help to strengthen their professional abilities in the important roles they fill.