Member Achievement

Washington West Member ESP of Year

Donna Constant, who helped organize support staff in her district four years ago and who strives to get the best out of her colleagues and students, was named Vermont-NEA Education Support Professional of the Year.

Constant, a paraeducator at Crossett Brook Middle School, was nominated for her tireless association advocacy, her tireless ability to learn how to work one-on-one to help students achieve more than they thought possible, and her dedication to her community.

Constant, a Washington West Education Association member with more than a dozen years of experience, is a member of the Vermont-NEA Board of Directors, a local negotiator and a building rep. In her letter congratulating Constant, Vermont-NEA President Martha Allen said, “You have worked hard to increase the awareness of the important role that ESPs play in the Washington West schools to teachers, administrators and the larger community.”

As Vermont-NEA ESP of the year, Constant will receive $1,000 and will automatically be Vermont’s entrant in NEA’s ESP of the year competition. She will attend the national ESP conference in Las Vegas in the spring, and she will be recognized at Vermont-NEA’s RA in March.

Darcey Fletcher, a paraeducator who is long-time member of the Lamoille Union EA, was selected as this year’s runner-up. She was nominated for the award because “she is extremely effective with students in general and special needs students in particular.”

Allen congratulated both on their achievement.

• Christopher Blackburn, a U-32 High School Association member who teaches English.
• Theresa Giffin, a Montpelier EA member who works with early childhood education.
• Jeneane Lunn, a U-32 High School Association member who teaches art.
• Jennifer Nye, a Washington Central EA member who teaches in the Berlin School District.
• Stephen Owens, a Washington Central EA member who teaches music.
• John Pandolfo, a U-32 High School Association member who teaches math.
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