Washington County Public Schools is excited to announce our 2022 ESP of the Year Finalists...

These Educational Support Personnel (ESP) finalists were nominated by colleagues, parents, co-workers, students, and community members. They represent administrative support, student support, transportation, food and nutrition services, and maintenance and operations. They all make a valuable contribution to our schools, and it is an honor to recognize them!

OUR FIVE 2022 ESP OF THE YEAR FINALISTS ARE:

Tara Eby

REPRESENTING FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES

Tara Eby has been with WCPS for 11 years and currently serves as the Regional Kitchen Assistant Manager at Clear Spring Middle. She plays a major role in making sure students at schools have healthy meals.

Linda Whittington

REPRESENTING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Linda Whittington has dedicated 33 years of her professional career to WCPS as a school secretary. She is a friendly face you may recognize from North and South High, Smithsburg Elementary, Jonathan Hager Elementary, and now at Paramount Elementary.

Chris Babbie

REPRESENTING TRANSPORTATION

Chris Babbie, a Fleet Service Technician, has a long-standing career with WCPS as he is now in his 34th year of service. He supports students by ensuring our bus fleet is properly maintained, and he also steps up to fill in on routes when he’s needed.

Diane Longnecker

REPRESENTING MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS

Diane Longnecker is the Custodial Engineer at Boonsboro Middle School. She has a big hand in seeing that school operations run smoothly and safely, and she’s always willing to lend a hand to students and other staff. She has been with WCPS for two decades.

Aaron Kelly

REPRESENTING STUDENT SUPPORT

Aaron Kelly is a special education paraprofessional at South Hagerstown High School. In his five years with WCPS, he has made a significant impact with the students he works with in the Connections program.

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR FINALISTS!

We wish all of them the very best as they move forward in the process to select the 2022 ESP of the Year . . .

SAVE THE DATE: Third Annual ESP of the Year Award Ceremony – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, at 5PM!

WHERE TO WATCH: tune in to Antietam Cable channel 99 or the WCPS Facebook page!

ESP of the Year is conducted in partnership with the Education Foundation of WCPS