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South Valley Riverton Journal

Local Volunteer Recognized for Efforts at School

Nov 06, 2015 11:48AM ● By Aimee L Cook

By Aimee L. Cook

 South Valley - It is often said, it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said for educating a child. It takes great teachers, a dedicated administration and some willing volunteers. 

Mom and dedicated volunteer, Stephanie Johnson from Elk Meadows Elementary School, was recently recognized for her contributions to the school. Fifth-grade teacher Sandy King nominated her for the “Bammy Award,” a national award given by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International to people who collaborate and contribute in an effort to educate children. Johnson was one of the top five. 

 “On any day of the week, at any hour, she can be found helping teachers and students. She is highly involved in the PTA and is a true advocate for children, teachers, and education. As her son’s teacher this year, I’ve appreciated her consistent help and time each week in my classroom after helping another teacher in a sibling’s classroom. Stephanie is skilled, dependable and enthusiastic about working with kids. She organizes parents for many events and is a community leader and representative. She gave parents a voice in front of the school board and other district leaders when school boundary changes were proposed. Stephanie is a forward, thinker doing everything in her power to provide the best education for children,” King said about Johnson.

Schools depend on the help of volunteers for many things. From organizing Box Tops, to chaperoning, the volunteers fill in the gaps where needed.

“Elk Meadows Elementary has a plethora of volunteers that help support our school on a daily basis,” Elk Meadows Elementary principal Aaron Ichimura said. “In all classrooms parent volunteers are evident and you see them working with teachers, and it is obvious they enjoy what they are doing to support our great teachers. Many of our activities cannot happen without the support of parent volunteers. We have a great PTA that helps enlist parents for volunteer help; they are all a part of the culture of what makes our school work.”

Johnson, who has three children at Elk Meadows Elementary, was thrilled to be recognized by the school and the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International for her efforts, although she was rather shy talking about it. 

“I don’t volunteer to get recognized, I do it to help the teachers and for my children to know how important school is,” Johnson said. “If they see me at school they realize it’s important.”