Rochester, MN — Monica Eggert, one of Rochester Public Schools' (RPS) special education support staff, was awarded the 2025-2026 Education Support Professional of the Year by Education Minnesota at a ceremony on Saturday, November 1. Eggert, along with a second RPS ESP, Jennifer Meyer, were among five finalists from across Minnesota.
"Congratulations to Monica on this great achievement!” said RPS Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel. “We are incredibly proud to have not one but two paraprofessionals/ESPs from our district nominated as finalists. It's a testament to the work that they're doing, providing extraordinary levels of support and experiences for the students that they work with.”
Education Support Professionals are known as “paraprofessionals” at Rochester Public Schools. In her 13th year, Monica currently works at RPS' Alternative Learning Center as a special education paraprofessional.
According to Education Minnesota's website, this statewide honor has been awarded since 2007. Current ESPs who have met the following criteria can be nominated by anyone associated with Minnesota schools:
Have been members of Education Minnesota for at least three years as of Aug. 31.
Plan to work as an ESP for the following school year.
Be willing to speak at the Education Minnesota Representative Convention and other speaking engagements, as needed.
Be willing to submit a portfolio to the National Education Association for the national ESP of the Year award.
As the winner, Monica will receive a $1,200 honorarium and her choice of a Chromebook, iPad, or other tablet, plus an expense-paid trip to the NEA Education Support Professional National Conference in the spring.
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