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Honoring Education Support Professionals

Each year, the MTA ESP Committee honors an exceptional MTA member with the ESP of the Year Award.
Katherine Monteiro, Weymouth Educators' Association, and 2025 MTA ESP of the Year
2025 MTA ESP of the Year Katherine Monteiro is a registered behavioral technician who works with autistic students in Weymouth elementary schools and is secretary of the Weymouth Educators' Association.

Education Support Professionals have a variety of roles in our schools, colleges and universities. ESPs are maintenance, transportation and food service workers. They are custodians, paraprofessionals, classroom aides, secretaries, clerks and assistants. They are trades and craftspeople, technical and health services staff. They keep our students healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged so that they will be ready to learn.

Here is a list of MTA ESPs of the Year:

  • 2025 Katherine Monteiro, Weymouth Educators' Association
  • 2024 Karen Torres, Andover Education Association
  • 2023 Paula Higgins, Malden Education Association
  • 2022 Naomi Akan, Canton Teachers Association
  • 2021 Susan Soares, Arlington Education Association
  • 2020 Sonia Fortin, Sudbury Education Association
  • 2019 Joan Cederholm, Weymouth Educators' Association
  • 2018 Kathleen Meltsakos, Andover Education Association
  • 2017 Nancy Burke, Haverhill Education Association
  • 2016 Saúl Ramos, Educational Association of Worcester
  • 2015 Michelle Elwell, Rockport Educational Support Staff Association
  • 2014 Lois Powers, Classified Staff Union, UMass Boston
  • 2013 Diane Barnum, Framingham Teachers Association
  • 2012 Lorraine Niccoli, Brockton Paraprofessional Association
  • 2011 Jean Fay, Amherst-Pelham Education Association
  • 2010 Anita Thompson, Classified Staff Union, UMass Boston
  • 2009 Cindy Eldredge, Nauset Education Association
  • 2008 Cheryl Harper, Gateway Education Association
  • 2007 Regina Wong, Weston Aides and Paraprofessionals Association
  • 2006 Diane Keating, Northampton Association of School Employees
  • 2005 Janet Andrews, Winchester Education Association
  • 2004 Eileen Norton, Malden Education Association
  • 2003 Theresa Monahan, Franklin Education Association

 

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