Laurie Mahrer Named ESP of the Year

Mahrer received this year’s recognition at NDU’s annual Delegate Assembly on April 20, 2024. “Thank you,” she said upon receiving the award from ND United President Nick Archuleta. “As speech language pathology assistants, we’re the wanderers. I have worked with more than ten speech language pathologists over the last 26 years, and I appreciate all of them. They have allowed me to grow. And even though I don’t know where I’m going to be year after year, the kids are all the same. They want us to see them and hear them and to be there for them.”

One of her nominating colleagues anonymously said of her, "Laurie consistently goes above and beyond to support the students she works with. She has such a kind and gentle soul, and students and staff are drawn to her. She is nothing short of amazing. The education system needs more educators like Laurie."

Laurie says she’s honored to receive the award, but she also used Saturday’s Delegate Assembly and a separate ceremony held at Custer Elementary on Feb. 5, 2024 (which can be found in an NDU-produced video story here) to highlight the consistently outstanding work done by her colleagues: ESPs from around the school, including fellow SLPAs, custodial staff, and nutrition staff, among others.

In closing, she compared students to lumps of clay on a potter’s wheel, who educators and ESPs work together to help mold: “We are taking care of the most precious natural resources this state has to offer. It’s our children. What legacy will we leave them? Who do you want behind that potter’s wheel?”

Each year, the NDU ESP of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding ESP member of our state association. ESP job categories include: paraprofessional, education assistants, secretarial or clerical, custodial, food services, maintenance and trades, transportation, grounds-keeping, security, technology services, health services and more.