The first people you usually see when entering a school or district building are administrative office staff. They’re front and center, and they’re also making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes.
For Administrative Professionals Day, asked principals and staff to share their gratitude for the office managers, support secretaries and other integral members of our offices whose work impacts every student, teacher and family in our district.
“Our Browne Bear administrative staff truly embody the heart and soul of our school. Their uplifting and positive energy creates a welcoming environment for everyone. They work tirelessly, not only tackling the heavy load of the health room but also building meaningful relationships with students. Their dedication and commitment ensure our school runs smoothly every single day. The way they go above and beyond to support both students and staff is unparalleled. We are incredibly lucky to have such a unique and exceptional team. Their hard work and kindness make a world of difference in our building!” – Alyssa Crabtree (Principal) and Carissa Gran (Principal Assistant), Browne Elementary School
“Ms. P, Mrs. Myers, and Ms. Joy are truly the heartbeat of our school. They are often the first smiles you see when you walk through our doors and the steady hands behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. But they are so much more than that. They are the comforting shoulder to cry on after a tough day, the “doctor” with just the right Band-Aid and a soothing word, the listening ear when someone just needs to talk, and the friendly face that makes our building feel like home. We are endlessly grateful for their compassion, their dedication, and the joy they bring to our school each and every day.” – Alyson Chamberlin, Principal Assistant, Lincoln Heights Elementary School
“As Maria Montessori wisely said, ‘We see the figure of the child who stands before us with his arms held open, beckoning humanity to follow.’ The Montessori office staff embody this philosophy daily, creating an environment where peace and community flourish, and for that, we are profoundly grateful. Thank you for being the heartbeat of Spokane Montessori — steady, strong, and occasionally fueled by chocolate.” – Rhonda Turnipseed, Principal, Spokane Public Montessori
Administrative Professionals Appreciation Slideshow by Spokane Schools
“Katy Sayles, Office Manager at Chase, is an amazing asset to our school. Our building runs efficiently with how she is able to handle all the daily surprises along with the day-to-day happenings. Students, staff, and community members are always greeted with a smile and she always makes everyone feel welcome and belonged. Hoorah to Katy!” – Claire Beagle, Support Secretary, Chase Middle School
“Odyssey can’t do without their amazing Administrative Professional team of Debbie Donohue, Bambi Garza, and Marion Conley. Their teamwork is outstanding in serving students, staff, families, and the community alike. Also, they have mad skills when it comes to dress up days!” – Kimberly Stretch, Principal, Odyssey at Libby and Tessera
"Janice keeps our office running smoothly and shows kindness and care to our entire team!" – Gina Naccarato-Keele, Director of Special Programs
“My fellow administrative professionals are persistent, and you can use all the thesaurus.com words to describe them—constant, continual, endless, enduring, incessant, insistent, perpetual, relentless, repeated, resolute, steadfast, steady, stubborn, tenacious, unrelenting, and unremitting.
They make a difference in our school by being the glue that holds everyone and everything together. We have a newer admin team who needs our support for everything from everyday tasks up to major school events. They make a difference in our students’ lives by providing stable, consistent, caring, educational and personal guidance without any judgement to any student who asks for help.” – Tracy Isakson, Business Office Secretary, Shaw Middle School