Ann Krampitz named 2011 Educational Support Professional of the Year
Ann Krampitz, a special education paraprofessional at Willow Creek Intermediate School in Owatonna, has been selected as 2012 Education Minnesota Educational Support Professional of the Year.
Krampitz excels as a leader with students, other paraprofessionals and in making community connections that benefit students and learning in Owatonna, the ESP of the Year selection panel said.
As ESP of the Year, Krampitz represents Education Minnesota’s 8,000 ESP members, the fastest-growing category of the union’s membership. She will be Minnesota’s candidate for the 2012 National Education Association ESP of the Year.
Her work focuses on supporting students with emotional and behavioral challenges that can impede learning. In addition to ensuring her own professional development with training, Krampitz has trained others in the Owatonna schools in crisis prevention with students. Her extensive community activities include organizing an annual fall event for special education students and their families, backed by donations that Krampitz solicits.
This year, she has extended her service to students with a homework support program available before and after school.
“Ann is the type of person others look up to. She continues to demonstrate strong leadership skills,” teacher Betsy Segler wrote in recommendation of Krampitz. “The other paras in the building benefit from Ann’s experience and insight and she is often seen giving them support and guidance. Her strong leadership skills are evident with the young people she works with as well.”
Krampitz is president of her local union, Educational Assistants and School-Related Personnel-Owatonna Education Association. She also serves on the statewide ESP Council of Local Presidents and in other union leadership roles.
Sue Snyder, ESP member-at large on the Education Minnesota Governing Board, told the selection panel that Krampitz has developed as a union leader through a range of activities that all point toward making connections to and with others relevant to improving education. “Ann lets members know the importance of the union and how the support and backing of 70,000 members can really help on key issues,” Snyder wrote.
Snyder said her colleague enhances the image of ESPs. “Ann is a good role model and leader in her position,” Snyder said. “She shares her successes with the students, which promotes the importance of her work. Ann’s current goal is to increase awareness of ESPs by sharing the successes and writing about the good work being done by ESPs in her district.”
“Ann is an exemplary ESP,” Snyder said.
In addition to serving as local president and lead negotiator, Krampitz has increased political action among members and reached out for professional development opportunities through Summer Seminar, the Certified Negotiators Program and in member rights advocacy. Krampitz also has trained nationally at the National Education Association’s Women’s Leadership Conference at the American Federation of Teachers Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel Conference.
Education Minnesota’s ESP of the Year is chosen based on excellence in professional practice, community involvement and union leadership. Krampitz is the fourth official Education Minnesota ESP of the Year.
December 09, 2011