Being honored in this space, by this organization, is incredibly meaningful to me. NJEA represents the strength, solidarity and commitment of public education in New Jersey.
I accept this award with gratitude, but also with humility, because I know I am standing here on behalf of so many educational support professionals whose work deserves to be celebrated. ESPs show up every day with care, patience, flexibility and heart. We do work that is essential to our schools and to our students, even when it happens quietly and without a spotlight.
I have spent nearly 30 years serving the students and families of Camden and one thing I know for sure is that this work is about relationships.
It is about making students feel safe and families feel welcome. It is about helping children believe they can do hard things. And it is about being the kind of presence a child can count on, day after day.
At Riletta Twyne Cream Early Childhood Center, I serve as a floating paraprofessional, working with students from preschool through third grade. That role calls for flexibility every single day. That is the reality of this work. Often, it is the small moments that matter most. For me, some of those moments begin first thing in the morning.
I believe the way a child enters school can shape their entire day. Sometimes all it takes is a simple, “Good morning, my friend.”
Sometimes it is encouraging a child who walks in upset and helping them find their footing again. It means turning a tough separation into a moment of joy. And suddenly, that child stands a little taller, smiles a little brighter and walks in feeling proud.
That may sound like a small thing, but in early childhood education, small things are big things.
That is what ESPs understand. We understand that helping a child regulate their emotions is helping them learn. We understand that consistency builds trust. We understand that kindness is not separate from the job. It is the job.
ESPs are problem-solvers, encouragers, listeners, helpers and advocates. We fill in the gaps, we adjust on the spot and we keep going because our students need us to.
I want to use this moment not only to say thank you, but also to recognize my fellow ESPs. To every paraprofessional, secretary, bus driver, custodian, food service worker, security staff member, maintenance worker and support professional: this honor belongs to you, too.
Your work matters. Your presence matters. The difference you make in students’ lives matters.
You may not always hear it. You may not always be recognized for it. But please know that what you do is real, powerful, and deeply important.
And thank you to NJEA for uplifting educational support professionals and making sure our voices and our stories are seen and heard.
We may not always be the loudest voices in the room, but we are often the steady hands and caring hearts that help keep our schools moving forward.
This is a version of remarks Feliciano delivered to the NJEA D.A.