Thank You, Elementary Education Support Professionals!

🥳We're continuing our celebration of Education Support Professionals Week! Staff members submitted these photos and words of gratitude. Today, we're sharing elementary submissions; we'll share middle and high school words of thanks tomorrow and Friday. Thank you, ISD Education Support Professionals! ✨
 

🐻Briarwood🐻
"Briarwood Paraprofessionals are the heart of our school, providing essential support to students and teachers every single day. All of our 23 Paras show dedication, patience, and compassion. They are critical in creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all. Whether they are working one-on-one with students, leading small groups, assisting with classroom management, supervising lunch, recess, drop off and pick up, or offering a helping hand wherever needed, their impact is immeasurable. From Pre-School to 5th Grade, we deeply appreciate their hard work, flexibility, and the meaningful relationships they build with our students. Our school simply wouldn’t be the same without them. Thank you, Paraprofessionals, for your unwavering commitment — you are truly valued, and we are so grateful for you!" shared Principal Tia Kleinkopf and Assistant Principal Julia Dorn.

🐾Cascade Ridge 🐾
“We are so thankful for our paraprofessionals at Cascade Ridge Elementary! They go above and beyond to support student success and well-being at our school. They are considerate, collaborative and work to make Cascade Ridge run smoothly. We wouldn’t be the same community without their tremendous support and effort. Thank you Cascade Ridge Paras- we LOVE you!” said Dean of Students Michelle Moon.

🐺Cedar Trails 🐺
Registrar Dolores D’Alo said, “I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for our incredible classified staff here at Cedar Trails. Our diligent custodians (Dave, Ken and Erik) keep our school clean, safe, and beautiful, our dedicated paraeducators support our students with such care, the fantastic kitchen staff (Holly and Lisa) who can accommodate any student's special needs, and finally my amazing office co-workers (Kathy, Ann and Nurse Cassie) who ensure everything runs smoothly – you are a pleasure to work with. A big shout out to our terrific BASC staff! Under the direction of Meghan Womack and Katia Yermak, they make daycare for our students so much fun! Their room is so colorful and inviting, brimming with games and toys, even students who are not in the BASC program ask how they can attend! To my fellow registrars: It is so nice to be able to lean on, and learn from each other during this crazy transition to Qmlativ. Thanks for your thoughtful insights, tips and tricks while we’re in this learning process together. Your hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes make a significant difference every day, and I am truly grateful for each of them.”

🦦Creekside 🦦
“At Creekside, we are so fortunate to have an incredible team of paras who support our students and staff every single day. They show up with kindness, patience, and a willingness to help wherever they are needed. Whether they are assisting in classrooms, providing one-on-one support, or keeping our hallways and playgrounds safe, their dedication does not go unnoticed. Even when the weather turns cold, they are out there — encouraging safe play, helping students problem-solve, and making sure everyone feels included. Their flexibility and teamwork make a difference in so many ways, and Creekside wouldn’t be the same without them. Thank you for all that you do to support our students and staff. Your hard work and dedication make a lasting impact every day!” wrote Principal Amy Allison and Assistant Principal Patti Skurski.

🦅Discovery 🦅
Teacher Isabella Perkin said “We are incredibly grateful for our TK Paraprofessional, Ms. Gisela! Her hard work and dedication help our students learn and grow beyond measure. Ms. Gisela brings so much joy and laughter into our classroom; she makes each day better by being in it. She shows up each day for every student with open arms. We are truly lucky to have her as part of our team!”


🐆Endeavour 🐆
“We cannot do what we do every day without our incredible paraprofessionals—they are the heart of our school! The dedication, support, and hard work help make every day smoother for students and staff alike. I can always count on each of them to jump in when needed, help in classrooms, support on the playground and in the lunch room, and offer one-on-one support to any of our Jaguar students! To say their impact is immeasurable, is an understatement. Here’s to our AMAZING paras!” Principal Megan Funes said.

“I couldn’t do my job without our support staff! Literally. Every single support professional at Endeavour works above and beyond to support our students and make it the amazing place that it is!” second grade teacher Holly Cleveland said.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Endeavour Support Staff! Our school could not run without you all and we appreciate all your hard work!” said music teacher Caleb Paul and librarian Leah Skosky.


🐻Grand Ridge Elementary School 🐻
Principal Jill Ravenscraft shouted out her classified team, including:
• Mr. Doug and the Grand Ridge Waste Watchers keeping our school GREEN!
• Best Paras in the Land can be found on the Grand Ridge playground! Thanks to ALL paras for the work you do to support ALL of our students, day in and day out!
• Thank you to the Kitchen Staff for all of the meals you provide for our students. It is what fuels their brains so they can continue to be the best learners they can be! (In the photo: Sometimes the situation calls for silliness, Ravenscraft said).


🦁Newcastle 🦁
"As the new Dean of Students at Newcastle, I have been welcomed with open arms by our amazing Paraeducator team! They are kind, knowledgeable, flexible, and ready to jump in and help the team. I see their passion and care for our students, and I am excited to work with them each and every day. I am so fortunate to work with them and proud to call Newcastle my new school home thanks to their hard work and dedication. Thank you, Newcastle Paras, for all you do!!! 🎉🎉🎉" wrote Claire Trowbridge, Dean of Students.


🐎Sunny Hills 🐎
“Our Sunny Hills classified are the heart and strength of our school community. Through their unwavering dedication, kindness, and support, they shape the future by fostering a safe, nurturing environment where every Mustang feels valued and empowered. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom — building relationships, inspiring growth, and ensuring every student is seen, heard, and supported. We are beyond grateful for their tireless efforts in helping our Mustangs soar!” Principal Brandy Falk and Assistant Principal Cami Przybylski said.


🐟Sunset 🐟
“Sicily Graham is a remarkable office personnel at Sunset. She is an incredible asset to our team. Sicily demonstrates a willingness to help wherever needed, and goes above and beyond in everything that she does. She is well-deserving of acknowledgement for her wonderful contributions. Thank you, Sicily! With gratitude and appreciation, I recognize the outstanding work you do every day and the exceptional support you bring to our school!” Assistant Principal Christine Vo said.

“It is with heartfelt appreciation that I recognize our amazing Sunset classified staff: office personnel (Sicily Graham, Nicole Colombo), custodial ( Mike Costello, Sean Kim, Aaron Leigh), tech support ( Christy Stephens), health professionals ( Martha Wedeking, Jenny Treadway, Yasmin Abdel Moneim Mohamed), food service (Milka Joya, Melanie Troutman), and paraprofessionals (Alex Garner, Ashley Cayce, Ivy Qiang, Deepa Balasubramian, Nithiya Balasubramian, Eli Winfrey, Erin O’Connor, Fereshteh Rahmani, Jennifer Bullock, Jennifer Newell, Karen Montgomery, Lisa Nakamoto, Lynne Marquis, Randi Hirsch, Sandhya Durgampudi, Sophia Valvis, Ritu Chandra, Tayrn Davis, Traci Burke, Najmussher Hussain, Makenzi Wright, Anindita Majumdar, Poornima Yogeshachar, and Noah Holst) for their unwavering hard work and commitment to our school community. Thank you, Sunset classified staff! This is your time to shine!” Vo wrote.

“I would like to take a moment to appreciate Bridget Anderson and all the bus drivers at Sunset for their extraordinary dedication and efficiency! Bridget and our Sunset bus drivers have a heart for our community as seen through their friendly greetings and smiles for students and staff every day. Thank you, Bridget and Sunset bus drivers! You brighten our community with your positivity and your contributions make a meaningful impact to our school!” she continued.

Teacher Angelina Edwins said “Sunset is so lucky to have the most amazing classified staff ever! They are truly the backbone of our school and we could not run without them. From our office staff, to Ms. Christy our tech specialist to our custodians and our paras and everyone in between. You all truly mean so much to Sunset and we are so very lucky to have you there!!”