Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
J U M P I N G I N and getting things done is nothing new for Doreen McGuire-Grigg. In 2006, when CTA changed its bylaws to include education support professionals as full members, she quickly joined the committee that helped write new bylaws for every ESP affiliate in the state. She served for years on CTA's State Council, and in 2011 was elected to the NEA Board of Directors. An advocate for students and champion for ESPs and all educators, McGuire-Grigg was named the 2016 National Edu- cation Association ESP of the Year at the NEA ESP Conference in Orlando, Florida, in March. "She cares deeply for her community, her students, and th e entire L akepor t Unified S chool D i strict," says CTA P r e s i d e n t E r i c H e i n s , w h o nominated McGuire-Grigg for the award. "She leads by exam- ple, and CTA is a more unified and inclusive organization as a result of her work." I n a c c e p t i n g t h e h o n o r, McGuire-Grigg, who is presi- dent of the Lakeport Unified Classified Employees Associ- ation (LUCE A) and works at Terrace Middle School in Lake- port, credited her colleagues. " I t h i n k o f m y s c h o o l ' s of f ice staf f, our bus drivers, groundskeepers, paraeducators and food service professionals, a n d a m s o pro u d th a t th e y have supported me and pushed me forward." NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcí a pre sent ed McGuire- Grigg with a trophy, a bouquet of roses and a $10,000 check. T h e a n n u a l aw a rd i s N E A's highest for an ESP. More than 2.8 million school support staff work in the nation's public school systems, with more than 75 percent working at the K-12 level. McGuire-Grigg will now serve as an ambassador for ESPs around the country, speaking at conferences and events. Her message? "It's about how ESP members are involved and engaged in educating the whole student — the five tenets: healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged," she says. As a special education paraeducator for 28 years, McGuire- Grigg has been working with these tenets every day, and speaks fondly of "my kids." They 're all special to her. She recalls one student with autism she worked with for five years, who passed away in September. Another current student "functions at a higher level, and he's having a rough time," she says. "Right before Christmas, he told me, 'My mom might get out of prison when I graduate from high school.' " McGuire-Grigg grew up in Lake County, one of the poor- est counties in the state, where her father was a teacher and administrator with LUSD for more than 35 years. Married, with a son and three grandchildren, she is known as a fierce defender of human rights, always ready to rally support for those less fortunate or touched by tragic events. While McGuire-Grigg is excited about her ESP of the Year duties, she is looking forward to a time when she can get back in the classroom with her kids. She's also thinking of future roles. "It may be time for me to move on and run for school board or the county school board," she muses. "They need somebody who understands what's happening in schools." ey won't be able to find a more qualified candidate. Con- gratulations, Doreen! The Trailblazer Doreen McGuire- Grigg named NEA's ESP of the Year 48 cta.org Celebrate Our ESPs! May 17 is California ESP Day, when we recognize the vital contributions of education support professionals. See cta.org/esp for ideas on how to honor ESPs at your school. #CaliforniaESPDay