Oxford School principals honored nominees for the Betty Campion Award at the March 25 Oxford Board of Education meeting.
According to the Oakland Schools Education Foundation website, ‘The Betty Campion Distinguished Support Service Award was established in 1990 to recognize the many contributions support persons make to the learning community in Oakland County.?
The award is named in honor of former Oakland Schools Board member Betty Campion. Mrs. Campion served on the Oakland Schools Board of Education from 1978 to 1992. Prior to serving on the Oakland Schools Board, Mrs. Campion served 10 years on the Board of Education for the Walled Lake Consolidated School District and 21 years as a PTA member.?
First up for the Betty Campion is Charleen Murphy, para-educator at Oxford Middle School.
‘When I came to Oxford Middle School in September (to take over as principal)there was a room that was up and running that wasn’t there when I was there as an assistant principal (during 2007-2011) and that’s The Learning Center,? explained Dacia Beazley. ‘Our students, who need some accommodations, come down to The Learning center and Mrs. Murphy runs the entire center.?
One of the things Beazley said she didn’t know when she took over at the middle school was that Murphy had few resources and little support, but took the program and ‘ran with it.?
‘She created a room that is warm and inviting, our students are well cared for,? Beazley added. ‘One thing that I realized about our middle school students is they are very well versed in their own disability and their accommodation and they’re able to speak to that? Char has taken the program and just done amazing things with it. We are very happy that Oxford Middle School recognizes Char as our Betty Campion nominee.?
Paraprofessional Kim McIsaac got the nomination from Oxford High School. High school Principal Todd Dunckley described her as a ‘person who goes beyond the duties and expectations of her position.
‘She is a devoted community member and the first to support students and staff when they need help. From donating clothes to a family in need or a finding a job for a student lacking direction, she is always centered on helping people,? Dunckley said, reading from the comments made in one of the nomination letters. ‘Because of her long service to Oxford as a Parapro she has been in classrooms for many of our students since they were in elementary school, so she knows their journey from child to young adult, so she can speak to them about the triumphs and challenges.?
‘When a student is crying in the hall, they most often end up in Mrs. McIsaac’s office for comfort, advice and a piece of chocolate from her special treat basket,? Dunckley added. ‘This is the human being and long-time Oxford resident we’re so proud to honor.?
Daniel Axford Principal Chad Boyd said Noon Aide Peggy Richards isthe nominee from DA.
‘We have a great noon-aide team here and Peggy just takes the lead with that team. It’s something I don’t even have to think about,? Boyd said. ‘She really takes care of the students at lunch and lunch recess, among other duties each day. If somebody is absent for the day they always find a way to have it covered.?
When Clear Lake Principal Brad Bigeglow sent out the recognition form to his staff, he immediately got three or four responses wanting to recognize Connie Burke, who serves as a noon-aide and crossing guard for Clear Lake.
‘Over the course of the past month she has been spending her entire day at Clear Lake with the kids because she absolutely loves being with them,? Bigelow said. ‘In between crossing guard, noon aide and then crossing guard again at the end of the day she assists in the classrooms. She works with our reading specialist, helping with that program. She just absolutely loves helping in any way possible.?
Lakeville Principal Kristy Gibson-Marshall announced Tutorial Assistant Diane Semak as their nominee for Betty Campion. Gibson-Marshall explained that Semak works with readers and writers as an interventionist.
‘She’s this person that when she sits down with a child and finds their trigger point, she can get them to read and get them to write. She does an amazing job, going above and beyond,? Gibson-Marshall added. ‘She’s a pretty amazing and spectacular, patient, kind and caring person.?
Oxford Elementary did not have a nominee for Betty Campion this year, according to Principal Jeff Brown.
‘Almost all my parapros are brand new and the ones who weren’t had already gotten it,? Brown explained. ‘So I did a big assembly for all of my parapro staff this year, only because I didn’t have a logical person to nominate.?