Sheila Robertson was surprised when Leonard Elementary Principal Joyce Brasington walked into the fifth grade classroom she was in.
Students clapped as Brasington handed Robertson a certificate for being the Oxford school district’s finalist for Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award.
The award was created to recognize the many contributions the support staff makes to the learning community.
Robertson’s been nominated for the Betty Campion award three times before.
She heard she was one of the nominess in March and was surprised to find out she won for the district in April. ‘It’s unbelievable,? she said about winning. ‘There are so many people that deserve the award.?
She was supposed to receive the award at a ceremony during the school board meeting on April 27, but was unable to attend.
Brasington told her it wasn’t right to put the award in her mailbox and decided to give it her while she was with the students.
As a paraprofessional at the school, helping third, fourth and fifth grade students with math and reading support is just one of the ways she helps, but she admitted she couldn’t do it without the kids.
After the celebration died down, Robertson told the students she didn’t do all of the work and they helped out with it.
‘When they work hard, it makes me look good,? she said. ‘You can only ask them to do what they can.?
When it was time to nominate members of the staff for the award, the students, the teachers, and staff wrote letters on why Robertson should win the award.
‘I was overwhelmed they choose me,? she said.
Robertson had an opportunity to look at the letters and felt touched as she went through them.
Students wrote about the impact Robertson has had on them by showing she cares and how she has helped them improve their studies through Leonard’s Read Naturally Program and the homework club she coordinates.
The administrative staff and teachers wrote about her devotion to the students and the school along with all of the different ways she extends herself to the school, the kids and her community.
‘Sheila strengthens and improves the learning environment for our children every day,? wrote Brasington.
‘Sheila epitomizes our caring and nurturing environment and focus on student achievement. Not only is she a resource for students, she is instrumental in establishing and maintaining the culture at Leonard Elementary for our staff, parents and families.?
Before Robertson began working at Leonard as a paraprofessional in August 1998, she was a Leonard parent. She volunteered her time at the school by being a room mom, office helper, teacher assistant, PTO officer and make-up testing coordinator.
‘It’s easy to work hard when you have great kids, teachers, and administration and everyone works hard with you,? Roberston said. ‘I am very proud to work at Leonard.?
She also lends herself in the community by driving senior citizens around for doctor appointments or errands.
She has raised three puppies for Leader Dogs for the Blind and has shared her experience with the classes about the work the organization does.
She brought the Leader dogs into the school so the children could read to them.