By Jet Burnham | [email protected]

Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes was thrilled to give educational support personnel the opportunity to realize how much they're valued by the community.

The JEF board selected eleven outstanding ESPs from Jordan District to receive $1,000 and to be recognized at a Jordan District board of education meeting.

"The ESPs are our backbone of our schools—those in the front office, the lunch ladies, they're the bus drivers and everyone else who make the schools run,” Haynes said. “Without the ESP employees, education would fail. They have a perspective that nobody else does. They can identify students who have needs and help support those needs through their effort; they're really miracle workers.”

 Kristine Burge is an administrative assistant at Mountain Creek Middle School. She was an integral part of preparing the school to open, setting up the building with furniture, decor and supplies.

Colleagues call her a human Wikipedia.

“Kristine is remarkably organized and has an uncanny memory for just about everything that goes with the school. She was an amazing resource.”

She constantly finds ways to improve the school experience for the students, parents and teachers. For example, she set up a hot chocolate bar for teachers on Wednesdays during the winter months.

Cari Minnesota is an administrative assistant for the Office of the Administrators of Schools.

“Cari has incredible patience, knowledge, compassion and understanding and is an asset to her department and the entire Jordan School District,” a colleague said.

Her responsibilities range from coordinating school fees, to maintaining the district website and managing the drivers education program.

“She is a driving force in getting state grants to help with projects such as upgrading a car fleet or building awnings to better protect and secure driver education vehicles,” a colleague said.

Maricarmen Garcia is an Administrative Assistant who coordinates the 23 members of the Student Services department for Jordan School District.

“Carmen knows every single person and makes them each feel an important part of the team,” a colleague said.

She also provides translation services and a positive energy to the department.

“As Student Services continues to grow, so does her common skill set and abilities,” a colleague said.

Mayor Dawn Ramsey introduced the winners to the Board.

“We all know that our schools would not be the amazing places they are without these folks, without our education support professionals and all they do to keep schools going strong,” she said.

 

2022 Outstanding ESPs

Kristine Burge, Administrative Assistant - Mountain Creek Middle School

Maricarmen Garcia, Administrative Assistant Student Services - Jordan School District

Gabi Clayton, Education Support Professional - Special Education River's Edge School

Jerri Sume, Administrative Assistant - Copper Canyon Elementary School

Amanda Hamblin, Administrative Assistant Special Education - Jordan School District

Marilyn Smith, Administrative Assistant - Office of the Administrators of Schools

Kimberly Mortensen, Administrative Assistant - Oakcrest Elementary School

Korbi Brey, SMAC Teacher - Kauri Sue Hamilton School

Cari Minnesota, Administrative Assistant - Office of the Administrators of Schools

Kim Stafford, Kitchen Manager - Heartland Elementary School

Kim Hawkins, Registrar - Sunset Ridge Middle School