What motivates you?
I am motivated by the love I have for the students. I want to do the best I can to equip, empower, and set them up for success.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
My job is primarily working directly with students. Maintaining a connection and trusting relationship with students is more of a challenge while they try and learn remotely. I’m so grateful to have most of our students back in the classroom.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I think one thing people don’t understand is how connected EAs can become with the students. We get to know what they enjoy, what makes them tick, and what motivates them.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love the people I work with. It is such a blessing to witness the kindness and servitude that VCSC employees, from administrators to food service staff to custodians, pour out to students each and everyday. We are a team of people dedicated to the next generation.

What motivates you?
Being able to help others and being able to do my job effectively is what motivates me. Whether it be a student, parent, teacher or one of our administrators I want to be able to help whenever something is brought to me. I thrive on being knowledgeable as to what is going on at Woodrow Wilson daily and being able to get my job done effectively and in a timely manner each day. I don’t like to leave things undone for the next day.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
The biggest change I have endured this school year because of Covid would have to be with recording student attendance. With all of the different schedules we have had this school year such as A/B cohorts, Remote Learning days, Hybrid students, Virtual students, four day in person learning, student quarantines, it is very important to have accurate student attendance everyday. I have to manage different attendance templates based on each situation and make sure that each template is up to date if there have been any changes with a student. With Wilson being a large middle school with over 800 students there is a lot of attendance entries being done each day. The attendance office is buzzing with phone calls early every morning.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I don’t think people understand all the different tasks that are associated with my job. Most people think that the registrar’s job is just to keep records and data entry. While those things are a big part of my job some of the things I also take care of are student attendance, posting and printing all report cards and progress reports. I also assist our Assistant Principal with scheduling and our schools course master schedule each year. I run various reports throughout the year whether it be for our mentors that come in from the Hamilton Center, for our end of the year awards banquets or rosters during testing. I also take care of all of the enrollments and withdrawals for the school and transferring of records.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
There are a lot of great students, parents and staff members in the VCSC that I feel very fortunate to have come in contact with because of my job. I have had the opportunity to make friendships with many of my colleagues while working for the Vigo County School Corporation. Woodrow Wilson holds a very special place with me as it is where I met my husband Jack, who is the dean there. Both of my daughters attended Wilson for middle school and had great experiences while they were there. I am very thankful to be able to report to work each day at such a wonderful place!

What motivates you?
My kids! They keep things interesting and exciting and they push me to be better every day. One of the reasons I chose to go back to school to get my masters is because I wanted my kids to see that it was possible and I wanted them to know that I wouldn’t ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself! More specifically for our students of color.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
A large part of my job is to build connections with students and to make sure that their needs are being met. When COVID first hit, it was very difficult to make sure that all of my kids had everything they needed because I wasn’t able to see them everyday. Being in person now has helped with that but I have to make sure I am being very intentional when interacting with my kids because they can be here today and quarantined tomorrow.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I am a School Social Worker, the only one in the corporation. People often associate social workers with child welfare. What they fail to realize is that school social workers play several different roles. We advocate, broker, educate, case manage, facilitate and organize. There isn’t a day that goes by where each of these roles aren’t utilized.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I absolutely LOVE working at Sarah Scott Middle School. I bleed black and orange. There is a certain loyalty that we all have to each other and our school that can’t be matched, we are truly a family. I love going to school everyday because it doesn’t feel like work. I get to help make the learning experience fun for all of our kids.

What motivates you?
Helping others motivates me.  I love to help. If I see a need, I will try my best to get it taken care of; whether it be taking care of the Kelly subs, making sure classes have adequate coverage, getting lunch duty covered, helping students with Chromebook issues, and talking with parents when they call in with questions or concerns, I am always there. 

How has your job changed due to COVID?
When we first started remote learning, I helped many parents navigate the Chromebook so they could help their student at home.  I have a knack for solving Chromebook issues which has allowed me to be more involved with students because I am now able to help them with things like navigating Canvas, submitting assignments and so on.  

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
Most people aren’t aware of how many hats I wear every day. There are so many facets to my job that require me to perform a wide variety of different tasks from answering the phone, balancing accounts, to helping our school community. There are days where I am pulled in many different directions, and it might get hectic, but the job always gets done. 

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
VCSC feels like a big family. I have made so many contacts that have become friends due to our daily interactions. As for Otter Creek, it feels like home. I have three children who all attended OC and I have been an employee here for the past six years. I look forward to going to work every day. The admin team is the best, and our teachers are outstanding. The environment in our school is always so positive and welcoming that it makes working here a pleasure.

What motivates you?
What motivates me is all of our kids at Little Braves. They make my job so much fun. Each day is a new adventure. I can have a ton of things to get done but seeing the kids smiling faces or having them tell me the stories of their day just warms my heart! I love to see the excitement and joy in their eyes.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
We have been very fortunate to have stayed open 5 days a week all school year. Masking and meals have been big changes and our kids have done amazing! This year lunches are eaten in the classrooms instead of the commons area due to social distancing.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
Being the Daycare Supervisor at Little Braves I wear a lot of different hats. On top of my everyday office duties you can see me passing out meals, feeding a baby, or even rocking a little one to sleep.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
Little Braves hold a special place in my heart. I started out with the A.L.L. Nursery in 2007 and VCSC picked up our program in 2018. Little Braves has grown from 2 classrooms to 7.  Our kids range from ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. It has been awesome to see the program grow!

What motivates you?
Being in a learning environment with our students and staff is what motivates me. I love seeing students learn new things everyday.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
I’ve worked for VCSC about thirty years and this is my twenty sixth year at WVMS. Due to COVID, it has been quite different with the changing routines and schedules. I’ve worked on hybrid learning, online learning, in the employee day care, on A/B schedules and now back to full in person learning. This year has been more stressful and challenging than past years.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
People don’t understand that my job can change on a daily basis. I might be substitute teaching in a classroom, assisting students, or helping teachers in some other way. I might be doing lunch detentions or outside lunch duty, or I could be in the Resource Room reading tests to students or working on special education progress reports.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love working with people on the west side because this is my community. We have great students, educators, and administrators. As we say “We Bleed Green.”

What motivates you?
I have always been a motivated person, especially when helping others. Here at West Vigo High School, one cannot help but be motivated. The staff, students, and educational environment is an automatic motivator. When students routinely approach me and want to “discuss life issues” it is not only a daily reminder that our jobs are important and that we have the ability to make a student’s life
better, it too serves as a constant motivator and warms your heart.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
In general, COVID has caused us to wear masks, thus reducing the smiles we see in each other. I think smiles are important to all of us. As school protection officers, we have the responsibility to meet and greet each and every visitor to our school and with COVID, we obviously have less visitors and less personal interaction.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
Some people may not fully understand the duties of a school protection officer and may think we are just security. However, I take it upon myself to assist the staff with any task or assistance they may need and I work hard to establish a good rapport with the students. I feel establishing a trustworthy relationship with all students and staff, supports a better educational and work environment and ultimately provides the students with another conversational resource. I also believe the knowledge
and skills obtained thru my ISP career, as well as emergency medical knowledge gained thru previous ambulance service work experience enhances my abilities to help in any capacity.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
The Vigo County School Corporation has allowed me to establish a post-career opportunity that I truly love and they have done this with the utmost respect and professionalism. As for the school I am assigned, West Vigo High School, I truly cannot say enough about the staff and students. The staff has went above and beyond to make me feel welcome and part of the family. They are definitely some of the absolute best people I have ever worked alongside. I often tell family, friends, and acquaintances that West Vigo High School is a “hidden gem” and a provides a culture that not only nurtures the students, but the staff as well. The “Viking Mentality” is very palpable and it is a true joy to be a part of it. Without a doubt, it is both an honor and a privilege to work with the West Vigo HS family and the Vigo County School Corporation.

What motivates you?
What motivates me is I want to alway be busy doing something. Whether I am asked to sew buttons on the ROTC jackets, taking a student down to the boutique, putting labels on envelopes, or just putting papers in alphabetical order for other departments.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
COVID changed my job when I helped in the daycare with elementary age students. I learned how to log students in for Google Meets, I brought in my sewing machine and fabric for the students to make pillows. Doing arts and crafts was so fun.  Going from high school students to a younger age was quite a change. No students in the school meant that there were no students going to be in AEP.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
My job is being the AEP (alternative education placement ) instructor. Most think I just sit and watch students all day and  don’t do very much. I also do a lot of other jobs while in AEP. I have even graded to assist teachers. I also help in the health office when needed. I am the representative of all the EA’s in Vigo County.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love my job with VCSC. I started many years ago when my daughter was in kindergarten, and now she has a daughter who is a freshman at Terre Haute North. I moved out of the area and took an EA position in Boone County for a while when my father’s health was failing.  I came back to Terre Haute in 2009 and I was hired and have been at Terre Haute South since.  Being off in the summer gives me the opportunity to take part in the many organizations that I belong to.

What motivates you?
Seeing the difference I make even to just one student motivates me keep doing what I do. I love working with kids. When I connect with even one who is struggling for whatever reason and see a smile come to their face, it melts my heart. Then to see that light bulb light as they discover that they can do it is so rewarding. It makes them feel so proud of themselves and I am also proud of them and tell them so.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
COVID has changed the way I determine the mood the kids are in when they arrive at school. The masks cover much of their face making it more difficult to read. I have to listen and watch for an indication of the kind of day we may have. Some students are so soft spoken that with social distancing it is often harder to communicate when trying to assist them with lessons. It has also been harder to get them motivated with all of the online work. They liked the projects and other things that could be done to go along with the text.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I don’t think people realize that my job is not just a “teaching assistant.” I do so many things in my position. I am the health designee, have stood in for the teachers, and been the relief so the secretary can go to lunch to name a few. Let me know what or where you need me and I will do what I can to the best of my ability. All of this while being there for the students.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
I love working for VCSC. The Vigo County School Corporation has the best people working for them. All are so caring of other staff and all of the students no matter their circumstances. I began with VCSC back in the 90’s in Terre Haute South’s cafeteria. After about 7 years, I thought I’d try something different. I missed the kids and the atmosphere of the school system, so I returned as an Educational Assistant with special needs in the elementary schools.  I loved working with the younger children, but after about 13 years and getting older I needed a change from special ed. I transferred to Booker T Washington when they had an opening for an E.A and I love it. Working with young adults is a slightly different rewarding, but rewarding all the same. Staff and teaching style has gone through a change in the 4 years that I have been here, but everyone has been great and all care so much for the wellbeing of all the students. I couldn’t ask for a better place to work.

What motivates you?
Seeing the kids’ smiling faces each day and knowing that I am filling up their bellies. This may be the only meal they get from the school. Getting to know the kids and understanding what their life is like and wanting to do as much for them as I can.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Asking each child what they want instead of them picking things on their own.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
We do a lot of paperwork for ordering and receiving, and we have to adapt if something doesn’t come in. We do a lot of inventory.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
We are like family here, we have a great principal who cares for all of us and has our backs. It’s the people you work with and how they treat you that makes all the difference.