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Olympia School District honors 'Moe' as 2025 Classified School Employee of the Year
Summary
The Olympia School District recognized 'Moe,' a longtime paraeducator and family liaison, as the district’s Classified School Employee of the Year at the Jan. 9 board meeting. School leaders described Moe’s work supporting students and families and creating a community resource center.
The Olympia School District on Jan. 9 presented its Classified School Employee of the Year award to Moe, a longtime district paraeducator and family liaison who principals and board members said has built strong relationships with students and families across elementary and secondary campuses.
Superintendent Murphy introduced the recognition, saying the district surprised Moe at a schoolwide assembly before winter break and planned a formal acknowledgement at the board’s January meeting. Scott Niemann, the district’s executive director of human resources, explained that the program begins with local nominations and can lead to regional and state recognition through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Lincoln Elementary Principal Marcela Abadi and Garfield Elementary Principal Bridal Chertok presented Moe’s award and noted the honoree’s years of service as a paraeducator at both elementary and secondary levels and his later work as a family liaison. The principals said Moe helped create a community resource center at Garfield that provides clothing, household supplies and a food pantry at no charge to families, and that a recent fundraising drive will place a washer and dryer in that space.
Moe accepted the award at the meeting with family present; the transcript records his remarks thanking colleagues and community volunteers and describing the pantry and furniture-delivery efforts that he leads for families in crisis. “This award is a reflection of everybody that’s in this room,” Moe said, according to the transcript. He described coordinating volunteers who delivered beds and household goods directly to empty homes for families in need.
Principals and board members said Moe’s work has improved attendance, student wellbeing and family engagement. The district will arrange a photo with Moe, his family and board members following the ceremony.
Ending: The board then recessed briefly before beginning its regularly scheduled meeting; the recognition was presented at the meeting’s start as part of the district’s Jan. 9 agenda.
