Honoring Staff Who Keep Schools Running, Welcoming and Safe 

 

Every day across Highline Public Schools, education support professionals help students feel welcomed, supported and ready to learn. These often-unsung heroes greet families, prepare meals, drive buses, keep schools clean and safe, support learning, maintain technology, translate for families and work behind the scenes to make sure schools run smoothly.  

 

Education Support Professionals Week, March 9-13, is an opportunity to recognize the important roles these staff members play in the lives of students and families. Their work has a direct impact on students and helps bring Highline’s goals and promise to life. They help create welcoming schools and remove barriers for students.  

 

Paraeducators like Mariejazmine Manaois at McMicken Heights Elementary School build strong, trusting relationships with students and ensure every learner has access and support.  Staff like Melissa Erkenswick, office assistant at Seahurst Elementary School, help schools feel calm, safe and welcoming from the moment students and families walk through the door. And staff like Kelsey Gomez, attendance specialist at Puget Sound Skills Center, go above and beyond by looking out for students’ needs, whether that means helping a student navigate a personal challenge or making sure they find the right bus home safely. 

 

These staff members represent just a few of the many education support professionals making a difference across Highline. Education support professionals help students, families and staff feel cared for each day. Their contributions are an important part of how Highline lives out its promise to know every student by name, strength and need, so they graduate prepared for the future they choose.  

 

Highline Public Schools invites students, families, staff and community members to join in thanking education support professionals this week for the many ways they support our students, families and staff.  

 

Melissa, Office Assistant, Seahurst Elementary 

“Melissa is the kind of person who makes a school feel calm, welcoming, and cared for the moment you walk through the doors. She does far more than manage the front office; she creates a sense of safety, organization, and kindness that students, families, and staff rely on every single day.”- Sarah, Highline Community Member 

Vicki, Office Manager, Shorewood Elementary

“Vicki consistently shows genuine warmth and friendliness to everyone she interacts with — students, staff, parents, and volunteers. She makes people feel welcome, valued, and comfortable, which helps build trust and creates a positive, inclusive school environment.” - Amy, Shorewood Parent 

Kevin, Paraeducator, Highline High School

“He is the reason our inclusion efforts have been so successful at Highline High School, especially for students who academically struggle more with their disability.” - Macy Whitacre, Special Education Teacher 

Kelsey, Attendance, PSSC

“Kelsey consistently goes above and beyond her attendance responsibilities by always looking out for students’ needs—whether that means helping a student navigate a personal challenge or making sure they find the correct bus to get home safely.”   

Spencer, Paraeducator, Shorewood Elementary

“Students naturally gravitate toward him because they feel safe, understood, and valued in his presence.”

Melissa, Paraeducator, Highline High School 

“Students felt comfortable with her immediately because her personality is warm and welcoming. When she left a bit early, I overheard one of our ELL students say, ‘I really like that teacher. She seems kind."- Amanda, Sandate,Teacher

Natalie, Bookkeeper, Raisbeck Aviation High School 

“She is someone who spreads joy through out the day and works hard to do the best job possible.” -Stephanie Nelson, Teacher

Rann, Paraeducator, Mountview Elementary 

“Students often eagerly peer out the classroom window, as they can’t wait to get picked up by Mrs. San during the reading block. I’ve also heard multiple middle school students say Mrs. San is the reason they understand and feel confident using English when they transition up to Cascade.” - Kristina Nicchi, Dual Language Coordinator

Carmel, Paraeducator, Bow Lake Elementary

“Carmel is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever worked with. The care, patience, and consistency she brings to her work has had a real and lasting impact on my students and their futures.” - Liana Garvett, Special Education Teacher