Key Takeaways
- Exeter Coop Paraprofessional Association co-president Sue Eno was recently recognized with NEA-NH's 2026 Jo Campbell Award and the 2026 NH ESP of the Year Award.
- For more than twenty years, Sue has worked as an Education Support Personnel (ESP) – first as a recess aid, then a special education paraprofessional, and now as an interventionist working with Kindergarten, first, and second graders.
- ESPs in K-12 education make, on average, $35,296 per year in New Hampshire, however, more than 50% of all full-time K-12 ESPs earn less than $35,000 annually.
There are lots of giggles and laughter when students are working with Sue Eno, an interventionist at the Main Street School in Exeter.
“I try to bring some enjoyment into my lessons. They learn better when they have fun,” Sue believes.
For more than twenty years, Sue has worked as an Education Support Personnel (ESP) – first as a recess aid, then a special education paraprofessional, and now as an interventionist working with Kindergarten, first, and second graders. In all those roles, her core mission was to support students who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The love and joy she pours into her school and her students is evident. In addition to her school duties, Sue teaches after-school enrichment, assists the PTO with their annual fun run, participates in second-grade plays, and has even been known to dress up as the school mascot for the annual book fair.
Quote bySue Eno, 2026 NH ESP of the Year
“She is an all-around wonderful human being who prioritizes others,” NEA-New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle read from the nomination paperwork when she presented Sue with the 2026 Jo Campbell Award at NEA-NH’s Annual Delegate Assembly.
In addition to the Jo Campbell Award, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of an ESP, Sue Eno was also named the 2026 New Hampshire ESP of the Year Award from the NH Excellence in Education Awards (EDies).
Sue sometimes wonders if she’s making a difference, but these recent recognitions have helped her see that, “The role I play is important. People listen to what I’m doing, and appreciate what I’m doing, and I do make a difference in my students’ lives and my coworkers’ lives.”
When her students wonder if the work they’re doing at school matters, Sue has them make bar graphs so they can visualize their progress: “I love watching data on my students creeping up. I just love watching their progress and celebrating the small wins.”
Sue’s work as an ESP is a second career for her. After attending college for Spanish, she was working as a Spanish-language translator for a law firm, but she wasn’t going home happy. She took a break and worked in a multi-age classroom. She knew immediately that’s what she wanted to do.
Her favorite part of the work she does now is connecting with students, many of whom she gets to have for several years in Exeter. As an interventionist, she does a lot of one-on-one and small group work with students, which allows her to get to know them very well, including how to adjust work for them to succeed and what they’re capable of. She also has the privilege of interaction with all of the educators who are tasked with supporting students, including classroom teachers, speech and language, occupational therapy, and special education.
“We’re all on the same team,” Sue emphasized. “We all have the same goal at the end of the day–for our students to learn and be successful and have a good day!”
While Sue feels seen and valued in her building, she wishes people outside the school better understood the role of paraprofessionals.
“We’re the ones that are out at recess, bus duties, helping kids when they’re having a problem or stuck on a skill. It’s something that’s overlooked,” Sue said, adding, “ESPs deserve the same respect as a classroom teacher.”
Sue also wishes ESPs didn’t have to work two or three jobs to make ends meet. This is the first summer in more than fifteen years that Sue won’t be working. She recognizes that’s rarer than it should be, and thinks that school staff should be able to work one full-time job and live in the town they work in.
While ESPs in K-12 education make, on average, $35,296 per year in New Hampshire, more than 50% of all full-time K-12 ESPs earn less than $35,000 annually, according to the 2026 NEA Rankings & Estimates report. The living wage in New Hampshire for a single adult working full time with no children is $53,604 according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
In addition to financial stressors, having to supplement your income as an ESP with after school and summer jobs means there is less time to commit to your professional development, which ultimately benefits students. As an example, Sue highlighted the LETRS course, which she took through the New Hampshire Department of Education. This 18-week online program offers deep knowledge of literacy instruction for the youngest learners, but it can be difficult for ESPs to find the time to access.”
“If you want to do something outside of school to get more education to help your students and make yourself more marketable, it’s really challenging if you have to work multiple jobs,” Sue said.
Across New Hampshire and nationwide, members are working to secure respect, fair pay, and safe working conditions for ESPs because we know one job should be enough.
Fighting for fair contracts is work Sue does now, in her role as Co-President of the Exeter Cooperative Paraprofessionals Association. She says these dedicated professionals need a good contract and to be supported by their union so they can support their union.
“We all look out for each other,” Sue says. “There’s someone I can turn to if I have a problem.”
2026 NH Excellence in Education Awards
NH EDies
