Danville Public Schools (DPS) annually recognizes Educational Support Personnel (ESP) in school buildings and departments, as their work is instrumental in the education of students. The ESP of the Year initiative honors the outstanding work of those employees in their specific role, which can range from custodian to cafeteria worker to accountant.
The division’s ESPs of the Year for 2026 are as follows:
• Andra McCullough, Instructional Paraprofessional, Grove Park Preschool
• Tammy Younger, Instructional Paraprofessional, Northside Preschool
• Joylette Fitzgerald, Instructional Paraprofessional, Arnett Hills Elementary School
• Asia Toomer, Instructional Paraprofessional, E.A. Gibson Elementary School
• Traci Fitzgerald, Head Custodian, Forest Hills Elementary School
• Jo Anne Neighbors, Administrative Support Specialist, Park Avenue Elementary School
• Charles Strange, Instructional Paraprofessional, Schoolfield Elementary School
• Trista Grey, Administrative Support Specialist, Woodberry Hills Elementary School
• Jamonica Palmer, Security Specialist, O.T. Bonner Middle School
• Patricia Gunn, Administrative Support Specialist, Westwood Middle School
• Brittney DeJournette, Administrative Support Specialist, Galileo Magnet High School
• Kenneth Jennings, Head Custodian, George Washington High School
• Shannon Poole, Administrative Support Specialist, Activ8 STEM Academy
• Warren Fowler, Student Support Specialist, R.I.S.E. Academy
• Karen Wallace, Administrative Support Specialist, W.W. Moore Educational Program
• Eva Perry, Administrative Assistant, Adult Education
• Lolita Martin, Human Resources Analyst, Department of Human Resources
• Vincent Dillard, HVAC Technician, Department of Environmental Services
• Julianne Settle, Lead Executive Administrative Assistant, Department of Operations
• Dawnelle Mayo, Administrative Assistant, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Rhonda Pluta, Language Development Specialist, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• Nicole Toomer, Executive Administrative Assistant, Department of Finance
• Jerome Wilson, Bus Driver, Department of Transportation
• Carlos Valderrama, Data Applications Administrator, Department of Information Technology
• Patrick Stowe, Multimedia Communications Specialist, Superintendent’s Cabinet