Katherine Monteiro, a mentor to Education Support Professionals in leadership development and a member of the Weymouth Educators’ Association, is the 2025 MTA ESP of the Year. A registered behavioral technician, Monteiro was a key advocate for her union siblings in the most recent contract round, serving as negotiating chair of the ESP unit and encouraging 20 to 25 ESPs to attend each session as silent representatives. She is a mentor in the ESP Leadership Mentoring Program, which provides one-on-one support to emerging union leaders.
Monteiro joined the Weymouth local nine years ago, when she started a position with the elementary schools as an RBT.
One of her colleagues, Lisa Wiklund, said in a nomination letter: “Katie is always speaking out in support of better policies to help our students, including making sure that the educators working with them have the appropriate training to be the best supports they can.”
Katie is always speaking out in support of better policies to help our students, including making sure that the educators working with them have the appropriate training to be the best supports they can.
The announcement on March 8 took Monteiro by surprise. She looked startled when she saw the crowd at MTA headquarters in Quincy, and said later she was appreciative of the honor.
“I’m completely honored and humbled,” she said. “This is so incredible. I never expected this.”
Learn more at massteacher.org/espoftheyear.
