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Two of her co-workers put their heads together and decided to give Mrs. Dawn Smith what she really deserved - acknowledgement and recognition for her consistent professionalism and cheerfulness in carrying out her duties as a Paraprofessional at Roaring Spring Elementary School! Nominated by Elementary Teachers, Mrs. Diane Stinedurf and Mrs. Susan Zangrilli, Mrs. Smith was quite shocked to receive the news that she was being named the 2008 Support Staff of the Year by the Foundation. Others who hear the news are not so surprised. Principal Betsy Baker was ecstatic when told about the award commenting, “This is a well-deserved honor for someone who works so diligently day after day, who always has a smile on her face, and who gets very little recognition.” Indeed, the thing that one notices most when talking with Mrs. Smith is her very sincere smile, which is infectious. Mrs. Stinedurf notes that “Talking to Dawn is always a good way to start the day!”
Mrs. Smith began her employment in 1999 in the Pre-K Program known as SCOPE. When that program ended, Mrs. Smith was asked to continue her employment as a member of the district’s support staff. There is very little that Mrs. Smith does not do at Roaring Spring Elementary. From supervising Kindergarten students during Morning Activity Period, to teaching computer classes and keeping the school’s web site up to date, to copying and laminating for the teachers, she can do just about anything, and is often called upon to do so by her co-workers. Mrs. Smith is very involved in extra-curricular activities and helps the fifth grade classes with their end of the year activities. She prepares special slide shows to help students remember their time at RSE, and she works with the teachers to prepare for the fifth grade tea. She serves on many committees and helps with the yearbook. As if that weren’t enough, when the day is over, she heads to the middle school, where she has assisted with the After School Program for the last 2 1/2 years.
We asked Mrs. Smith what she enjoys most about her position, and she said, “I love the variety of work I do, but most of all, I love the people. I enjoy helping the children and teachers on a daily basis, and I strive to help students and staff achieve their goals by lending a helping hand or by finding some way to help a student learn. The satisfaction I receive from knowing that I touch their lives, so that they, in turn, can touch someone else’s life, is a great reward. I feel that God brought me to this job and that I am doing what I was meant to do by helping children and making an impact on their lives. Maybe some day they will be a doctor, a teacher, or just a great friend and parent. I enjoy seeing former students and catching up with their lives. “
Mrs. Smith noted that she thinks it is important for all to remember that everyone is a teacher in some way, because children look to adults for guidance in the way they should act. She urged all staff to keep up the good work because “we all have an impact on the lives of those around us.“
A lifelong resident of the community, and a 1986 graduate of Central High School, Mrs. Smith resides in Roaring Spring with her husband, Lyle, and son, Wesley, a 9th Grader at Central High School. She is the daughter of Gloria and Ted Miller of Roaring Spring and Tom and Karen Dixon of Claysburg. In her spare time, Mrs. Smith enjoys spending time with her son and his friends and attending their numerous sporting events.
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