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Teacher assistant honored

Sixteen years after beginning as a volunteer, Sheila Byrd, 42, stands out among more than 7,500 support staffers.

By FRANKIE HOWLEY
Published February 1, 2006

Sheila Byrd has always loved children. So when the time came for her five kids to attend school, it was no surprise that she wanted to become a parent volunteer at Mildred Helms Elementary.

Now, 16 years later, she has been chosen as the school district's Support Employee of the Year.

Byrd was overwhelmed Jan. 25 when her name was announced at the Support Employee of the Year breakfast at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center.

"I was surprised that I was chosen over all the other candidates," Byrd said. "It's an honor."

Now a teacher assistant, Byrd says the highlight of the day was during her drive home from the breakfast when she called her class with the news.

"The kids were hooting and hollering," she said. "They were applauding and yelling . . . "Come back to us!' "

Byrd, 42, was chosen from more than 7,500 part- and full-time support services staff members. Screened by two sets of judges, the highest-scoring employees were named semifinalists, finalists and category winners.

Byrd became a staff member of Mildred Helms Elementary in October 2000. Since then she has inspired the faculty with her creativity and dedication.

"She is a teacher assistant that wants to better herself. She takes classes, attends curriculum workshops and learns teaching strategies," said Joyce Spencer, principal of Mildred Helms Elementary. "She steps out of the box. She's a risk-taker."

Byrd teaches small groups of kids in behavior management skills and assisting the teacher. She also helps with the school's day care and helps kids get to their parents' cars safely.

"She lifts a huge weight off the teachers," Spencer said. "She's just awesome and deserved this so much."

Byrd hopes her efforts will continue to let her connect with students and make a difference in their lives.

"I do what I love to do," she said. "I like challenges, solving problems and being part of a solution."

Byrd received a $200 Savings Bond from Achieva Credit Union, the Support Employee of the Year program sponsor, and a plaque. She received another $200 Savings Bond and an engraved clock for being a winner in the Direct Involvement with Students category.

Dottie Bott, a data prep clerk at James B. Sanderlin Elementary, won the Indirect Involvement with Students category. She helps with operational processes, turning raw data into usable information and has volunteered to help with the school's crisis team.

Marilyn Lipp, a principal's secretary IV at St. Petersburg High School, won the Limited Involvement with Students category. She corresponds with media, parents, students, faculty members, and support staffers and coordinates other projects that benefit the school.

Other finalists included Sally Carlson, Clearview Avenue Elementary, and Cheryl Guldenschuh, St. Petersburg High, for Direct Involvement; Loren Johnson, Pinellas Park Middle, and Gail Ryan, Fuguitt Elementary, for Indirect Involvement; and Sharon Jensen, Professional Development, and Lill McKendry, Personnel/Compensation for Limited Involvement.

The semifinalists acknowledged were:

Tom Duttry, Morgan Fitzgerald Middle; Bobbie Gould, North Shore Elementary; RaShanda Mobley, Northwest Elementary; Eileen Paporello, Ponce de Leon Elementary; Lou Ann Jourdan, Palm Harbor Elementary; Ross Kipp, Palm Harbor Elementary; Beverly Makovec, Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education Center; Eileen McNally, Clearview Avenue Elementary; Carl Calhoun, Lealman Intermediate; Katherine Kemp, Bauder Elementary; Geraldine Langevin, Safe and Drug-Free Schools; and Kathy Rosenberger, Southside Fundamental.

[Last modified February 1, 2006, 01:03:19]