By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
JACKSON – A nurse who works in a middle school in the Jackson School District has been named the district’s Educational Services Professional of the Year.
The Board of Education honored educational services professionals from each of the district’s schools during a Feb. 21 meeting.
The following educational service professionals were recognized: Diane Koehler (guidance counselor, Jackson Liberty High School), Irene Menafra (nurse, Jackson Memorial High School), Richard Mauro (paraprofessional, Goetz Middle School), Lisa Wahington (nurse, McAuliffe Middle School), Lori Beth Daniels (literacy interventionist, Crawford-Rodriguez), Lorraine Dioguardi (learning disabilities teacher consultant, Elms), Sherry Mucia (paraprofessional, Holman), Regina Davis (paraprofessional, Johnson), Cheryl Kobran (social worker, Rosenauer) and Theresa Sherman (paraprofessional, Switlik).
Board President Barbara Fiero then announced that Washington had been selected at the Educational Services Professional of the Year. She said Washington was being honored for going above and beyond her duty as a nurse.
Washington “is the definition of someone who must be different things on many different days. By day, she treats the sick and injured, helps manage equipment and medications for students with life-threatening conditions, and maintains the health and safety records of hundreds of students and student-athletes,” Fiero said.
“As if these practical aspects were not enough, Ms. Washington goes above and beyond to make sure students and staff members are informed about key health issues and information,” the board president added. “She is unfailingly patient, often answers questions over and over until an issue is understood, and does it all with a calm, pleasant and helpful demeanor.”
Washington said she was grateful to have been recognized.
“My first reaction was one of disbelief. I was completely shocked to learn I was the recipient. I am beyond appreciative and grateful,” she said. “This is my 16th year as a Jackson school nurse. It is very ironic because I was hired in 2001 as a one-year substitute and here I am 16 years later.”
Prior to coming to Jackson, Washington worked as a school nurse for two years in Glen Ridge.
