The NJEA statewide winner will receive: • a specially designed "NJEA ESP of the Year" ring; • a three night/four day trip to Orlando courtesy of Radio Disney Philadelphia 640AM; • an engraved mantel clock, and will be NJEA's nominee for the NEA ESP of the year!
NJEA will present the "Educational Support Professional of the Year" Award to an NJEA member whose activities reflect the contributions ofeducational support professionals to public education.
The purpose ofthe award is to recognize an individual who shows outstandingaccomplishments in one or more of the following areas:Involvement and activities in the association and how he or she has enhanced the image of education support professionals; Innovations to support the day-to-day education process; Work responsibilities and professional achievements in his/her classification or field; Involvement in promoting public education in the community; Enhancement of education support professionals’ image in the association, work site, and/or community.
Criteria Individuals must have been an NJEA member for three years as ofJanuary 15 of the award year. Individuals must be nominated by theircounty association through the county association’s adopted procedures.
Nomination Procedure
Each county can submit one nominee through its ESP award system. A county award system is one developed by a county association thatgathers nominations through local affiliates and selects onecounty-wide award recipient. Criteria for the county award is designedby the individual county and should not conflict with the state andnational award’s criteria and purpose. Selection of the awardLocal associations are encouraged to select a nominee and submit his/her name to their county association by Friday, September 19, 2008.
Locals must complete the local association nomination form and provide a nomination letter to their county association. Also provide one letter of support and any other supporting documents that may assist in the evaluation of the nominee. Nominees will not be considered if they are sent from their local associationand not through their county association as per the NJEA Delegate Assembly selection process.
Only one nominee per county is accepted. The county association will select one name, complete the county nomination form, and submit it to: NJEA ESP Committee PO Box 1211 Trenton, New Jersey 08607-1211 The information may also be sent by fax to (609) 599-1766.
Deadline Nominations from county associations must be received at NJEA no later than by Friday, October 17, 2008. Nocounty nominations will be accepted after the close of business on thisdate.
Following the NJEA award selection and recommendation to the NJEApresident, the application will be submitted to NEA.
Application Process
Each nomination will be checked to ensure that it meets eligibilityrequirements. The NJEA ESP Committee will serve as the selectioncommittee. The selection committee will not know any applicant’spersonal identity, local or county, and will review applicantsaccording to the criteria and purpose listed. The committee willforward the selected application and recommendation to the NJEApresident and/or executive committee.
Presentation of Award The NJEA Educational Support Professional of the Year Award will bepresented during the awards dinner at the annual NJEA ESP Conference.
