Michelle Klares, Title I Assistant at Patuxent Elementary School, looked stunned as she approached the podium on Thursday, April 24, 2008. Jack Smith, Superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools, had just announced that she was the 2008 Educational Support Staff Person of the Year.

As Klares accepted her award, the audience was treated to her infectious smile.

“Listening to all of your descriptions of the nominees, I don’t feel very worthy,� Klares told the audience. “When I work in one building all day, I’m not aware of what everyone else is doing every day. It was great to hear what all of you do. We all work for the kids every day.�

During her introduction of Klares, Dawn Stiffler, Vice Principal of Patuxent Elementary School, described some of the things that make Klares stand out. In addition to her work helping students master reading skills, Klares is a volunteer member on a number of school committees including the School Leadership Team, the Student Services Team, and the Green School Team. “She is passionate about her job and takes it to the next level,� said Stiffler.

The 24 Calvert public schools and the central office each choose one support staff member to represent it in this annual recognition. A support staff member is an employee who is not required to have a teaching degree and who is not part of the administrative and supervisory staff. This year’s 25 nominees hold jobs such as instructional assistant, head custodian, computer lab assistant, special education assistant, media assistant, safety advocate, and secretary.

“You are the best of the best,� Jack Smith told the nominees for this award. “We simply could not operate our schools without you.�