Lynn C. Woolsey: “We often recognize teachers for their hard work, for their dedication to our children. In fact, we need to do more of…”

“We often recognize teachers for their hard work, for their dedication to our children. In fact, we need to do more of this. Teachers are very important to ensuring that our children are learning. However, there has been far too little recognition for the school support personnel, those who help schools run smoothly, the classified school employees. Teachers can't teach without support of classified school employees. This includes instructional assistants, clerical staffs, school bus drivers, food services employees, maintenance, security and others who ensure a safe and healthy school day every day for our children. Imagine a school day without this support: without bus drivers, how would our children get to school? Without janitors, who will ensure their classrooms, cafeteria and bathrooms are clean? Without food service personnel, who will serve their food, who will order their food? Without a school nurse, where will children go if they are not feeling well or they are needing medication? Without maintenance personnel, what would happen if something broke or if the school is too hot or too cold? Without office and clerical staff, who will ensure that the proper person picks up a child?”