EAST PROVIDENCE — Christine Alves, an administrative assistant at East Providence High School working closely within the Special Education department, was recently chosen as the State Education Support Professional of the Year for 2025 by National Education Association Rhode Island.

According to the NEARI, "the award recognizes ESPs who have made outstanding contributions to public education. The award includes representation at the national NEA ESP of the Year honor and an annual ESP Dinner."

The criteria for the award is: impact on students, impact on families and the community, union engagement and activism and impact on colleagues.

Alves was celebrated during a brief ceremony at the Tuesday, Sept. 3, City Council meeting. She was nominated for the award by Cynthia Browning, President of the East Providence Educational  Secretaries Association.

In introducing a proclamation noting Alves' accolade, sponsor and Ward 1 Council member Frank Rego read into the record the words of EPHS Principal Bill Black. Black was in attendance at the September 3 meeting along with Superintendent of East Providence Schools Dr. Sandra Forand as well as members of Alves' family.

Black's letter included the following, "I am thrilled Christine Alves has been awarded the NEA ESP of the Year Award for Rhode Island. Christine's role as an Administrative Assistant, particularly within our Special Education Department, has been pivotal in supporting our most vulnerable students and their families.

"Her ability to create a welcoming environment while holding students accountable is a true asset to EPHS. Christine's dedication to building strong relationships with families, her collaborative spirit, and her commitment to Townie Pride have made a lasting impact on the entire East Providence High School Community. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions."

Rego's remarks also included the following, "Christine is known for her friendly, welcoming demeanor that puts students at ease while holding them accountable...Christine's collaborative spirit, commitment to excellence impact her colleagues and the overall school environment."

Alves has worked in the East Providence School District since 2016. Among her achievements is helping initiate the district's “Socktober” clothing drive, which has collected thousands of pairs of socks to donate to those less fortunate. She is also heavily involved the district-wide school supply drive and in the high school's "Prom Dress Express," which provides students access to clothing for the annual special occasion.

"Ms. Alves is a constant in the high school offering an ear to listen to any and all students as well as having a snack drawer full and ready for any student who may need a little something to eat," Browning wrote in her recommendation letter, adding, "She is a true 'Townie' who exemplifies pride in her position at the high school, in her own three children, the countless extra children she loves and cares for during her school day and beyond, as well as the entire East Providence community."

Alves, whose daughter Jalyn, an EPHS alum, is a Kindergarten teacher in the district, will next represent the state in the national Education Support Professional of the Year event to be held in Louisville, Ky., in March of next year.

"Thank you. This truly is an honor. I don't do things for recognition. I do things because it's what I love to do. I love the students. I love forming relationships. I make sure my family does the same thing," Alves said upon receiving the proclamation. "Thank you to Cindy for nominating me. Thank you to the City of East Providence for supporting me in whatever I do...Everybody always stands behind what I do. I'm just a vessel. It's really East Providence that gets me through."