As PSEA’s 2018 Education Support Professional of the Year, Denise Kennedy sees herself no differently than her fellow educators around the state.
“I don’t work alone; none of us do,’’ said Kennedy, an elementary school secretary for the past 22 years in Upper Darby School District, Delaware County. “I give it my all every day because I know all around there are other educators and support professionals giving their best, too. And together we are doing the important work of shaping young lives.’’
She calls ESPs “the glue that holds our schools together’’ by playing critical behinds-the-scenes roles every day.
Kennedy, who is also active in her ESP local and in PSEA, was honored at the PSEA House of Delegates in Philadelphia in December.
“Denise is a tireless advocate for the public education profession,’’ said PSEA Vice President Korri Brown. “Not only does she understand the important role ESPs play in our schools every day, she uses that opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students.’’
Education support professionals include bus drivers, food service workers, clerical and secretarial staff, maintenance staff, paraeducators, and IT professionals, among others.
