Ivory Smith: the 2023 Education Support Professional of the Year

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – In Worcester County, one individual has been awarded for his exceptional contributions to the education system.

He tells 47 ABC what it takes to receive this recognition: “Make sure that the school is clean, the kids are healthy. all of the germs are away because they’re elementary school kids and they like to put everything in their hands. And just try to give the kids good guidance, even though they’re young kids, some may slip you just got to try to talk to them and make sure they’re on the right path,” said recipient Ivory Smith.

Smith worked 14 years in the school system and currently, he is the Chief Custodian at Ocean City Elementary School. The Maryland State Education Association says he’s been awarded for his efforts that go beyond maintaining a clean school. “He amplifies what leadership looks like. He also leads on a state level, on the MSEA board, he’s leading on a national level as an NEA member of the board of directors at large, and he’s also local in his community, said MSEA Vice President, Theresa Dudley.

Smith says ESPs are the backbone to education, but regardless of your position, you have a duty to support the kids of the future. “Be active in your school, be active in your community. The kids are our future, just remember the kids are our future, make sure they go down the right path, and make sure you go down the right path with them,” Smith emphasized.

Dudley says MSEA has also put together an ESP bill of rights where they look at salary, working conditions, and benefits for ESPs across the state. Smith also has received a key to Ocean City.