Walsh Wins Big Hopatcong Schools Award

Karen Walsh was named the Hopatcong school district's Educational Support Professional of the Year. And she didn't even know she was nominated.

Walsh said she was shocked when her name was announced at a dinner for the Sussex County Education Association in November. The 57-year-old Tulsa Trail ESP takes over for Stacy Yanko, who was also given the county award in 2010.

"It means a lot," Walsh said of the award. "ESPs are kind of the unrecognized population of the schools. They help the teachers. They assist all they can. To get an award like this, I think it was really a great thing."

Walsh has spent 12 years in Hopatcong schools, 11 at Tulsa Trail. She said she entered the profession after years as a secretary on the advice of former principal Joseph Memoli.

"It's so much more rewarding working in a classroom with these kids than working in an office," she said. "You have no idea. I find it so rewarding, helping these kids who need help."

Walsh received a notepad engraved with her name, a gift card, breakfast and flowers along with the recognition, which Principal Dr. Joanne Mullane said was well deserved.

"She's an advocate and representative of all of the ESPs in the district," Mullane said. "She definitely has demonstrated leadership skills in that area and is the executive representative of the support staff."

Mullane added that Walsh often attends professional development workshops and leadership conferences and praised the rest of the district's ESPs.

"[ESPs] are part of the heart of the school," Mullane said. "They're working with the children in the classrooms on a daily bias. They're instrumental to the school."

Walsh, a 26-year Hopatcong resident, was born in Brooklyn and spent her childhood in Staten Island. It's the first time she's won the award.

Other school ESP of the Year winners were 's Connie Smith, 's Michelle Smircich, the 's Judy Tobin and the 's Marilyn Volpe.

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