This is the week we celebrate Classified School Employees, but it’s important to understand that it takes a “Whole Team Approach” to educating our scholars.  Classified Employees are the “backbone” of a school/district, but with our administrators, teachers, parents, community members, and stakeholders, our scholars can thrive exponentially.  Working together has been and always will be the key to the success of our scholars.

Personally, I have a hard time separating Certificated and Classified staff in our educational system.  The reason it’s so difficult for me is that one cannot succeed without the other.  My first school district job was as a classified employee in the Perris Union High School District as a Campus Supervisor.  My role was to keep the campus of Perris Valley Middle School safe. Although it was my role, it was the role of every adult on that campus to keep our scholars safe.

Yes, Classified Employees are the backbone, but it takes all employees working together to help our scholars succeed.  Great teachers combined with great support staff allow students to excel. Schools are complex organizations that need to be managed with the utmost precision. Classified Employees along with the entire team do just that.

Our adults are one of our greatest resources for our scholars.  Adults help guide our scholars to success. As I close today’s message, it’s important to understand that teachers are the “heartbeat” of educational systems, but Classified Employees are the “Backbone” of our schools.

On this third day of Classified Employee Week, let’s all be mindful of the sacrifice, dedication, and love that each employee brings to the team.  I’m grateful to be serving you as your board member in FUSD.  Keep up the great work and enjoy the praise you get during this week as we celebrate the awesome work you each do!