The Dorchester Educators Education Support Professional of the Year award recognizes the contribution of Education Support Professionals to their schools, communities, and profession. The award is presented to the member of Dorchester Educators who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of ESP to public education. This award is presented by Dorchester Educators.

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2026-2027
Shay Lewis-Sisco

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2025-2026
​Karen Hopkins

Karen Hopkins is the Dorchester Educators' Educational Support Professional of the year. Ms. Karen is a Dorchester County Native and has led a life rich of experiences and service. She has a nurturing spirit that allows her to inspire and support those that she loves. Ms. Karen is an Army Veteran that demonstrates courage and commitment to her county. She has not only served our country but also DCPS for twenty-one years as an Educational Support Professional; in her years of service she has worked with students who receive services and is is the attendance secretary of Maple Elementary. Thank you Ms. Karen for your years of service and the positive light you bring to not only those around you but to your community. 

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2024-2025
Khail Johnson

Khail Johnson is the DE Educational Support Professional of the year. Khail is a home grown Viking from the class of 2018 who has been working at Choptank Elementary as a Student Support Monitor. As a Student Support Monitor he supports his school community with behavior interventions and circulates the building where ever he is needed. Khail is an active community member as he is the co-founder and program director for ALL4LOVE inc. where he nurtures community relationships with families, community partners, and the youth of DCPS. Khail says to “Embrace authenticity, Cultivate relationships, Stay flexible & adaptable, Seek continuous growth, Prioritize self care, Stay positive & resilient, and above all remember the profound impact you have the potential to make in the lives of others.” Thank you Khail for your generous impact on the community and the lives of the students that you impact.

​Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2022-2023
Catherine Cole-Morrissette

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Catherine- Cole Morrissette is Dorchester Educator's Educational Support Professional for the school year 2022-2023. Cat has been working for Dorchester County Public Schools for 9 years, and before coming to DCPS she was an associate producer / Assignment coordinator for Delmarva Life at WBOC. Cat says that "I had two small children in the school system, and my husband is already a teacher here. I thought having the same schedule as my family would be a bonus." Cat is currently a media specialist at Maple Elementary where she calls herself the fun aunt who shares the love of reading with her students. " I love the opportunity to witness their curiosity and growth. The students here at Maple bring diverse experiences and perspectives that makes every interaction unique and rewarding. Supporting their learning journey and helping them overcome challenges is incredibly fulfilling." Thank you, Cat for all the love, support, and sharing your love of reading and family. 

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2020-2021
Jen Walter

Jen Walter is the DE Education Support Professional of the Year. Jen is an Eagle who is especially at home in the Nest. A 1995 graduate of North Dorchester High School, Ms. Walter is now a Special Education Instructional Assistant at the school, assisting students in general education classrooms, modifying assignments for students, and supporting both the special education and general education teachers. Originally joining Dorchester County Public Schools because the schedule fit in with her family, Ms. Walter says, “Now it feels like home. I love coming to work every day to see the staff and students. I want to see the students become productive members of society when they leave the Nest.” The best thing about her job? “Working with students and seeing their eyes light up because they have made the connection.” Once an Eagle, always an Eagle, and we are so glad to have Ms. Walter back in Nest, supporting even more young Eagles!

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2019-2020
Joe Spencer

     Joe Spencer is a Grounds Foreman and has been employed with DCPS for 9 years. His duties vary from applying pesticides on our properties, to repairing and programming of irrigation systems, and inspection and repair of playground equipment; all while providing oversight of three employees in maintaining grounds.  He can also be found in our schools troubleshooting and fixing bell systems and digital clock systems.  He states, “the employees of an organization represent that organization in everything they do”. He believes he is an honest, hard-working and fair-minded person, and that his reputation in the community reflects positively on DCPS. As a member of DE, he has served on the Negotiating Team for 3 years, and has recruited co-workers to become members.  He usually has a copy of the agreement with him at all times so that he can be a resource for his co-workers. He is described as always being driven to excel at any given task. If he sees something that needs to be done, he wants to jump in and start working on the project immediately.  He is a great problem solver.  His friendly attitude and demeanor are always part of his interactions with people.

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2018-2019
Jennifer Nagel

     Dorchester Educators is proud to announce Jennifer Nagel as the 2018-2019 DE Education Support Professional of the Year. Jennifer is a Prekindergarten Instructional Assistant at Hurlock Elementary. As a member of Dorchester Educators, Jennifer regularly attends meetings, supports on-going initiatives, and encourages others to join the organization. As a leader in her school community, she promotes the enhancement of the ESP image by being a role model for other staff. She assists with school activities, cheers her students on both in and out of the classroom, builds professional and community relationships, and goes above and beyond to ensure her students are successful.

Dorchester Educators’
ESP of the Year 2017-2018
Victoria Harris

      Every kindergarten class needs a bit of magic and at Sandy Hill Elementary School Victoria Harris provides just that. As a Sandy Hill Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, Ms. Harris is known for her “magical hugs”. They calm first-day-of-kindergarten fears, soothe ouchies, appease hurt feelings, pacify the I-miss-my-mommy moments, and cool angry feelings. But that is not all. Ms. Harris assists with small group instruction, helps with transitions, keeps students on task if the teacher has to redirect her attention for a moment, fills-in for teachers if needed, and leads intervention lessons. And after the paid part of her day is over, Ms. Harris is still going strong, helping with the school’s Running Club and the Young Ladies Club which she started to help girls learn basic courtesies and manners, offer opportunities for community involvement activities, and introduce them to crafting and various opportunities they may not have at home. Now in her 11th year with DCPS, Ms. Harris says it is her hope that “the things I do and say plant seeds that will someday have a positive impact in someone’s life”. And when you do your job with such love and tinged with magic as Ms. Harris does, how can it not?


Dorchester Educators’
​ESP of the Year 2016 - 2017
Dwayne Lovett
​Mr. Lovett is a 9-year employee of Dorchester County Public Schools, and a member of Dorchester Educators for 8 years. When he began his career as an Educational Specialist for DCPS he noticed a need for positive role models among the young men of North Dorchester High School. He started the Gentlemen’s Club in 2010 as an organization that taught young men to respect one another, professionals in their community, and themselves. The program also focuses on manners, self-respect, and loyalty to their education, community, culture, and their families. Mr. Lovett stands as a role model for these young men, teaching them that they can live their lives fully, change their destiny, and achieve their dreams.

​In the community, Mr. Lovett devotes himself to numerous community organizations; as well as a devoted active member of his church. He believes that his greatest accomplishment is evidenced by his calling and career working with youth for the past 32 years, striving to make a difference in any way he possibly can. He takes pride in “being a part of the change for the good of our children, our community, and our future.” His love for students and impacting the youth of the community is evidenced by his statement: “when my alarm goes off at 5 am every morning, they are what motivates me to put my feet on the floor and arrive to work with a smile. In the morning as I greet our students off the bus and they provide me with good morning greetings right back, it puts a smile on my face, some pep in my step and fills my heart with drive to work hard this day. As I walk the halls of North High every day, interacting with the students, I strive to be that mentor they need.”

We are honored to have Mr. Lovett represent Dorchester Educators and Dorchester County ESP!