School Service
Personnel Employee of the Year Named
CHARLESTON,
W.Va. –
Debra Martin, a school secretary in Putnam County, has been named the 2012 West
Virginia Board of Education School Service Personnel Employee of the Year.
Martin
is the only full-time secretary at Buffalo High School and serves as the
receptionist, financial secretary and administrative assistant. In her
nomination, Principal Richard Grim described Martin as an exemplary employee
who is exceptionally well organized and enthusiastic.
“Mrs.
Martin has the respect of the staff and students and works to continually
improve the culture of the school,” Grim said.
Martin
continues her education by participating in technology training programs
provided in the county and completing courses at the Kanawha Valley Community
and Technical College. Her colleagues say she is a tireless volunteer for
school activities, heads numerous community service projects, and serves as the
youth director at Cross Creek Community Church.
The
West Virginia Board of Education established the annual awards program to
recognize outstanding school service personnel employees. Each year the program
honors one person, chosen from aides, bus drivers, cooks, custodians,
maintenance workers, office workers and other school service personnel, for his
or her contribution to the school and community.
“School
service personnel are an important part of any school family,” said state Board
of Education President Wade Linger. “We are proud to honor them for their many
contributions that help our students in many ways every day.”
The
recognition program is designed to work similarly to the state’s Teacher of the
Year program, which honors classroom teachers who inspire students of all
backgrounds and abilities to learn, have the respect and admiration of
students, parents and colleagues and play an active and useful role in the
community as well as in the school.
Martin
was chosen to receive the award from county school service personnel employees
of the year. Richard Bussard, Jr., chief mechanic in the Jefferson County
Schools Transportation Department, was selected as the runner-up.