Daniel “Jokie” Ryan approaches his work and his union with the same intentionality — reflecting a deep understanding of both student needs and how collective action can create real change for the broader school community. It’s part of why the Access SFUSD Paraeducator and United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) member was named the 2026 Paula J. Monroe CTA Education Support Professional of the Year.

“I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would receive such an honorable recognition,” says Ryan, a 23-year paraeducator.

In his work with students with disabilities aged 18–22, Ryan leads with creativity, leadership and innovation, supporting students as they develop the independence, life skills and confidence they need to enter adulthood. Ryan says he most enjoys putting his lifetime of study and experience into action to guide and support his students.

Integrating technology to improve access, communication and student engagement, Ryan is committed to professional growth and systemic improvement as he fights to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities, according to UESF Vice President for Paraeducators Teanna Tillery. She says Ryan is an advocate for paraeducators and ESPs at the local, state and national levels — attending the NEA ESP Leadership Institute last year and serving on California’s SB 1288 Artificial Intelligence Workgroup, contributing an ESP perspective to conversations about emerging technologies in education. Ryan is also an active member of the SF Unified Paraeducator Leadership Team.

“Through these roles, he consistently advocates for ESPs, public education and equitable working conditions,” Tillery said. “Daniel actively encourages colleagues to engage in union work by demonstrating how leadership development and collective action create real change.” Ryan says paraeducators and all ESPs are so much more than a job description.

“We are highly skilled professionals, and we want to remain in our roles and receive appropriate professional development and compensation,” he says. “I want to end the culture of silence around what we do and our skills, and have our education and training acknowledged, so those responsible for our budgets can make informed decisions about fair wages and benefits.”

Earlier this year, Ryan and UESF members went on strike for five days to win the resources all San Francisco students deserve — an experience he called “empowering, exhausting and absolutely necessary.”

“As workers, we must be able to survive to do our jobs. As educators, we must
have the security to stay in our profession, gain knowledge and experience, and
regularly adapt to a changing world,” says Ryan. “We want our students prepared for what’s on the other side of the school door the day they graduate. We cannot accomplish this goal amid high turnover or the constant stress of worrying about our ability to pay for basic needs like rent.

“I actually cried tears of joy that we won, that our students and community won — we did it!”

Ryan’s Paraeducator Pro Tips

• “Take a good look at what you do, communicate and collaborate to get a clear picture of your value to students, education and society.”
• “While developing into a teaching role is an option, those who remain paraeducators or other classified staff throughout their careers are essential. Find ways to redevelop your role in line with your values and the needs of your school and students.”
• “Support one another, whether as lifelong paraeducators or those who become teachers. Empathize with one another — those with whom you work and for whom you work.”
• “Many hands make light life. It isn’t just about work, but the quality of human experiences we can compose and maintain.”