Going the extra mile

NEA Today, Nov 1999

Virginia support staffer Gregory Gilliam has been cited by his NEA state affiliate for his commitment and "proven results" in working with innercity students and parents.

Gilliam, a parent resource coordinator at Richmond's Whitcomb School, heads the city's Hands Without Guns program. He's also initiated GED programs and training for parents.

On top of all that, this Virginia activist has created programs that use AmeriCorps and local university students for tutoring and written several successful grant applications.

Small wonder that Gilliam chairs the Richmond Education Association's community involvement initiative.

Once a year, that unsung hero, the school office staffer, gets recognized at the Secretaries Tribute of the Garden Grove (California) Education Association/CTA.

GGEA leaders ask Association reps at each site to nominate a valued secretary or clerk for this tribute, and then draw the name of one of the nominees to receive special honors on behalf of everyone in attendance.

This year, the roses went to Pat deCourcy, a secretary at Jordan Intermediate. For somebody picked at random, you could hardly do better than deCourcy.

"Pat is a highly dedicated employee who's admired and respected by all her colleagues at Jordan," noted the GGEA newsletter after the ceremonies. "She is never too busy to stop and lend a helping hand. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to knowing about the dates, times, and places of all district events. The faculty and staff at Jordan feel blessed to have her at their school and appreciate the time she spends helping them succeed at their jobs."

Ask Washington State ESP Tom Kamerzell what he does and he'll tell you he's an educator in charge of a $5 million facility.

As a head custodian in the rural Washington town of Colfax, Kamerzell is the combined "construction, electrical, and building crew" at Jennings Elementary/Middle School,

When he's not cleaning, fixing, oryes-freeing a student from a locker, this NEA member is dispensing sound advice to students.

"I do what I can to help students feel good about themselves and let them know someone is interested in them," says Kamerzell. "Someone who works with kids in this age group needs to know the phrase, `Don't sweat the small stuff.'"

Colleagues of Kamerzell, the Washington Education Association's 1999 ESP of the Year, will tell you this fixer's work with students remains his central contribution.

"He plays a very key role in creating an environment of respect for persons and property in the school," says special education teacher Christine Carney. "Tom is willing to supervise detention students for custodial work and is known for being clear, direct, and fair. He accomplishes minor miracles with his no-nonsense approach seasoned with humor."

These people skills put Tom Kamerzell in pretty good stead with his community, too. This NEA member has served on school levy committees and the local city council, and now sits on the Colfax Planning Commission.