5 finalists announced for WCPS's 2022 Educational Support Personnel employee of the year

Julie E. Greene, The Herald-Mail
·2 min read

Washington County Public Schools announced Tuesday the five finalists for 2022 Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

The winner will be announced Feb. 24 during a 5 p.m. ceremony that can be watched on the school system's Facebook page or on Antietam Broadband's channel 99, according to a news release.

The finalists are:

Tara Eby, an 11-year employee who is the regional kitchen assistant manager at Clear Spring Middle School. Eby "plays a major role in making sure students at schools have healthy meals."

Tara Eby, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.
Tara Eby, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

Linda Whittington, who has been a school secretary in the school system for 33 years. She works at Paramount Elementary school. She also has worked at North Hagerstown High, South Hagerstown High, Smithsburg Elementary, and Jonathan Hager Elementary.

Linda Whittington, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.
Linda Whittington, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

Chris Babbie, a 34-year employee who is a fleet service technician. He helps ensure the bus fleet is properly maintained and fills in as a bus driver when needed.

Chris Babbie, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.
Chris Babbie, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

Diane Longnecker, an employee for two decades, is custodial engineer at Boonsboro Middle School. She has a "big hand in seeing that school operations run smoothly and safely," and always is willing to help students and staff.

Diane Longnecker, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.
Diane Longnecker, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

Aaron Kelly, a five-year employee who is a special education instructional assistant at South High. He's made a "significant impact with the students he works with in the Connections program."

Aaron Kelly, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.
Aaron Kelly, a 2022 finalist for Washington County Public Schools Educational Support Personnel employee of the year.

The finalists were nominated by colleagues, parents, co-workers, students and community members, according to a school system news release.

They represent administrative support, student support, transportation, food and nutrition services, and maintenance and operations.

This will be the third annual ESP of the Year Award.

Last year's winner: Deborah Plume named the support personnel winner for 2021

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This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County Public Schools announces finalists for ESP of year