Whenever there’s a boo-boo, a concerned parent calling, or a teacher that just needs a friend to talk to, Donna Burton is always there.
Over the last three years, the Lakeville Elementary secretary has been, as teacher Jill Stuk put it, ‘multi-tasking with a smile.?
That’s why she was recently named the Oxford district nominee for the Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award for 2007.
The award is given out by the Oakland County School Board Association in an effort to acknowledge those individuals in school districts who make a valuable contribution, but who are seldom recognized.
Burton was chosen from an outstanding field of candidates representing secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and technology specialists in the Oxford district.
Teachers, parents and even students at Lakeville wrote pages and pages of kind words on the nomination form as to why Burton should be chosen for the distinguished award.
‘Our office, and indeed our entire school, reflects Donna’s personality,? Stuk wrote. ‘It is bright, cheery and relaxed, child and parent-friendly, yet obviously efficient and well-run.?
Stuk also wrote on the nomination form as to how much Burton cares for the students and staff as if she were their mother.
Lakeville principal Sharon Karpinski wrote that Burton being nominated shouldn’t only be because of her hard working secretarial skills.
‘Donna is one of those rare people that you love and adore so much that you want her approval,? she wrote. ‘She brings out the best in people, just by giving the best in herself.?
Although she said it was an honor ad surprise to be nominated, Burton said she feels she’s already been rewarded by having a great job and loving what she does.
‘There are so many people in this district, let alone in this school, that surround me and make my life easier because they work so hard,? she said. ‘We have a really good thing going here.?
Before becoming the secretary at Lakeville, Burton was a part-time secretary at Clear Lake Elementary, and before that, a paraprofessional for nine years.
But with all of the places she’s worked in the district, Burton was quick to say ‘there’s no place like Lakeville.?
The winner of the Betty Campion Award will be announced May 1.