'Some of the best examples of the hard work that our employees are doing on a daily basis': MSBSD honors Education Support Professionals during school board meeting

During the Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) School Board meeting on Wednesday, the board took time to recognize the valuable work of the Education Support Professionals

“We have a great opportunity to recognize some of our fantastic education support professionals,” said MSBSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani before handing the reins over to Katie Gardener, the associate superintendent of Human Resources.

“This is one of my absolute favorite presentations all year,” Gardner said of the annual event, which had been delayed from last month due to weather conditions.

“I am really pleased to highlight some of the incredible employees of the Mat-Su Borough School District. We’ve all heard the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, in a school system it takes a cadre and a team of individuals who do a variety of tasks. Some are working directly with students; some are making sure students are fed; that our buildings are clean and safe, and that the lights are on. So this group of individuals represents some of the best examples of the hard work that our employees are doing on a daily basis.”

The support professionals were nominated by colleagues, supervisors, or peers who were then recognized by the MSBSD School Board for their exceptional service.

Among the awardees were Elena Velikaya, a Special Education Assistant currently working with the preschool program at Shaw Elementary, who has helped newly arrived Ukranian students who do not speak English, ensuring appropriate communication between staff and families; Colony High School Administrative Secretary Bonnie Friesen, “the backbone of CHS;” Special Education Assistant Michelle Greco at Wasilla High School, who “supports some of our most at-risk students. She is a tireless advocate for young people and her care and concern for them is top notch.”

Special Education Assistant Dianna Lenfestey, who has been with the Mat-Su Day School for 6 years and is the “go-to” to help acclimate other professionals to our procedures and methods. She is GREAT with students….firm and fair; Sandra Noyce, a steadfast and consistent support for the Intensive Resource Program while she works as a Special Education Assistant at Pioneer Peak.

Audrey Edwards, who works as part of the Nutrition Services, and “treats every child she serves with the utmost courtesy and respect,” while being tapped to train new kitchen leads; Michael Pelter, an HVAC and boiler tech with the Facilities Department, who not only is one of the first to answer the calls for much-needed snow plowing in the early morning hours, but “continually problem-solving for the betterment of MSBSD;” and Mark Johnson, a floater custodian with the Facilities Department, described as “a person of high personal integrity and personal initiative.”

During the Wednesday meeting, each of the Educational Support Professionals was awarded a certificate, along with the gratitude and appreciation from the MSBSD staff and school board.