Meet Middlesex County ESP of the Year Susan Waldron
Susan Waldron does not do things by half-measures. Instead, she goes into every situation with her whole heart to help those around her. She throws herself as passionately into her work as a paraprofessional working with special needs students in North Brunswick, just as she did as a longtime music teacher.
“I taught piano and voice for 20 years until I couldn’t do it anymore,” Waldron says. “But I love working with students and seeing that breakthrough moment when you see a student achieve something they’ve been struggling with.”
Waldron was drawn to a career in education for many reasons, including the need for benefits for her family. In addition, her mother and brother had both worked with special needs populations, and she grew up comfortable with people.
Waldron started off as a cafeteria worker for three years before transitioning to working as a paraprofessional, initially with the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. The commission changed names several times. It’s now known as the Middlesex County Educational Services Association.
Despite strong motivation to work with special needs students, Waldron initially.
“I went home from the interview crying because I didn’t want to do it,” Waldron recalls. “I cried after work the first day. We were doing wheelchair lifts, toileting and much more. It was emotionally and physically taxing. But within the first year, it clicked for me.”
After several good observations and positive feedback from the principal, Waldron felt like she was making a connection to the students. She eagerly pursued all available training to help her become even more confident and comfortable in her role.
“Having other people tell me that I was doing a good job meant a lot to me,” Waldron says. “When one of my students moved from my class, I started to cry because I didn’t want them to move!”
Waldron got involved in her local association, holding a variety of positions, including co-president.
“I was the webmaster, the Legislative Action Team chair, and co-president,” Waldron recalls. “I am now the second vice-president for Middlesex County and sat on the NJEA Delegate Assembly. I also got very active in ESPAN, the Educational Support Professionals Advocacy Network. I now run their Facebook page.”
Waldron also represents Middlesex County on the NJEA Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee.
Waldron has been working as a paraprofessional since 2005, but in the last few years she moved to North Brunswick Township Public Schools. She is now piloting an ESP mentor program in the district.
“Throughout my career, my colleagues have asked me, ‘What can we do to show how much we appreciate you?’” Waldron remembers. “I always said, nominate me for county ESP of the year. That never happened. But this past year, the president of the North Brunswick Township Education Association (NBTEA) called me up and said, ‘I’m nominating you for this award.’ I haven’t been in this district that long, but they already recognize and appreciate what I contribute.”
Waldron has enjoyed the celebrations for the county ESPs of the year. Her entire family—15 people in all, including her 91-year-old mother—attended the Middlesex County ESP dinner. Family traveled from Florida to hear Waldron’s praises sung. Her friends called it “Happy Susan Day.”
“My oldest brother was listening to Lois Yukna, the Middlesex County President, and Beth Passner, the NBTEA president, talk about me and he got to hear my speech,” Waldron says. “He had an a-ha moment and he really understood what I do. He started crying. That was the best thing, to have my family and friends hear what I do for my students and colleagues. And I get to wear a fancy gold nameplate that reads: Middlesex County ESP of the Year!”
Waldron is energized and engaged by the recognition, but she continues to provide the same whole-hearted support to her students and colleagues.
“Sometimes our ESPs are not comfortable asking questions in their local associations because they’ve gotten pushback or some other negative experience,” Waldron says. “They can come to me and get a starting point and start to build some confidence. Sometimes people don’t know how much power they have, so I like to help them step into their power.”
“I truly believe this is a calling,” Waldron says. “It took me a while to find it, but I found it.”