‘Mrs. Logan goes above and beyond for students.?’Mrs. Logan is very helpful to us.?
‘Val is a hard worker with a reputation of being really great at what she does.?
These are only some of the comments made by students and staff at Leonard Elementary when they nominated Valarie Logan, a paraprofessional at the school, for the Betty Campion Distinguished Support Staff award for 2008.
‘It’s a little embarassing,? a humble Logan said. ‘I was overwhelmed with all the things that people said.?
Logan, who’s been a parapro in the Oxford School District for nine years, was recently named the district’s nominee for the award, which 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.
She was chosen from an outstanding field of candidates representing secretaries, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and technology specialists in Oxford to represent the district.
After a four-year stint as an instructional parapro at Lakeville Elementary, Logan moved to the Leonard school four years ago, where she now works with the fourth grade special education students.
But Logan doesn’t just spend time in the classroom, she supervises the lunchroom, has recess duty, works in the main office occasionally, oversees the Math Blast program, helps create a theme for ‘March is Reading Month,? co-founded the Oxford Junior Wildcats Youth Football and Cheerleading program and supports the Oxford Youth Wrestling Program, just to name a few.
‘Her work ethic is exceptional and her contributions to Leonard Elementary and the Oxford community are immeasurable,? said Leonard Elementary Principal Joyce Brasington. ‘She makes a difference wherever she goes.?
Although she gets ‘warm and fuzzy? inside when she reads the nomination forms, Logan said her primary goal as a parapro isn’t to wallow in compliments.
‘It’s my job,? she said. ‘I do it to see the success in the kids and to see their faces light up when the light bulb goes off and they get something. I just really like what I do.?
The winner of the Betty Campion award will be announced by the Oakland County School Boards Association on March 19. If she wins, Logan will receive a plaque and a check for $250 at special dinner on June 18.