“I thought that [Dr. Barbara] gave me flowers for winning for the school. I had no idea, until third period, that I won districts. Even though everybody from the county was there. I didn’t know,” Murray says.
The first level of the program is a nomination process, where employees are voted in by their peers.
After that, the top 3 for a school are voted on once again, and the employee with the most votes becomes the school’s employee of the year and progresses to the district level. The county’s superintendent is in charge of the final nomination to the state level, with the decision split between 68 nominees in the Santa Rosa School District.
“Mrs. Murray is an incredible support to our students and staff,” says Principal Sarah Barker. “She is an encourager who challenges students to exceed their potential for success. GBHS is very proud that Mrs. Murray represents our school and we wish her the best of luck as she continues to represent Santa Rosa County at the state level.”
Murray works as a paraprofessional. Her job has her take on multiple roles around the school, including assisting students during their Learning Strategies classes in 2nd and 3rd period, facilitating morning tutoring, and covering classes for teachers attending IEP meetings. She communicates with the teachers she works with so they can be a team for her students.
And, to Murray, it’s all about the students.
“I come to school every day. I work for the kids, because their parents are out working so hard. So, put the stress on me,” says Murray. “I’m not only a support staff for Mrs. Barnes, my other coworkers: I’m support for these babies too. Because somebody has to love them. Someone has to motivate them.”
Even outside of her job’s normal hours, when Murray is home, the kids are still her focus. She teaches herself what her students are meant to be learning next in their classes so she can guide them in real time, making sure she is prepared for what the next day will bring.
“Mrs. Murray is one of our hardest working and most dedicated staff members at GBHS. She goes out of her way daily to ensure students are equipped with what they need to be successful in and out of the classroom,” says assistant principal Sarah Smith. “Mrs. Murray is the glue that holds our ESE department together, and we are so grateful to have her at GBHS serving our students every day!”
She continues this effort throughout the summer. Murray works virtually for her students for the school’s 20-week-long summer school. Although it normally runs from 8:30 AM to 12:30 in the afternoon, she chooses to stay up late for the students whose work keeps them from participating during the set time.
“I have to work with them, I can’t let them down,” she says. “And it’s just…I have to do it. No one is making me do it; I choose to be there for them.”