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Perspective | Celebrating, thanking, and supporting our public school employees

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Jeff McDaris greets Stanley Owens at the start of the 2022 school year. Mebane Rash/EdNC

“Good morning!”

Students beginning their first day of school will hear these important words early in the morning. But the first time they hear it that morning may not be at the front door of the school or entering a classroom. Many students will hear it first from a different member of the school district staff.

Bus drivers. Cafeteria workers. Custodians. School nurses. School resources officers. Counselors. The front office of each and every school.

It is said it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes an entire school staff to protect, lift, and educate the village.

Nominations are open for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award 

Students enter the school doors with many emotions. Most will walk in with nervous excitement. Many will enter eager to begin. We often cannot know how many are mustering tremendous courage just to be there.

All will walk in for a new start, and my hope is that whether it be in the car rider line, the entrances of the school, the bus drop-off, or the classroom door all will be greeted with a smile and a warm hello, and especially a happy “Good Morning!”

Educating children is the hardest job in America. And just as every job has a story, students in our schools come with many stories behind those bright eyes.

When you walk into a school this fall, there are many team members joining wonderful teachers and administrators working for a great, and safe, learning experience for students. All are members on the most important team in each county. They are all educators in different form. They serve to help and protect children and to work with our parent partners.

Students need a safe place to learn. They need the food and care they will receive. They need the learning opportunities that will be provided. And they need the smiles and friendliness they will encounter. They are our future and our state’s most precious resource.

They deserve the talent of the people who have the hardest job in America — our public school employees. It’s a big team that is needed now more than ever.

Please nominate the school employees making a difference in your district for the RISE Award.

And please thank and support them throughout the school year.