Superintendent Deborah A. Gist surprised five staff members at their schools and worksites to congratulate each for being named a finalist for the Tulsa Public Schools 2019 Support Employee of the Year.

"These team members exemplify excellence, going above and beyond in service of the teachers, children, and families in Tulsa," said Gist. "We have many dedicated staff members working 'behind the scenes' to make awesome happen every day, and these five finalists are some of the very best!"

One of the finalists is Dolores Huerta parent involvement facilitator, Paola Belcher Gutierrez!

Gutierrez is the parent involvement facilitator at Dolores Huerta Elementary School and has been at the school since 2015. Paola helps the Huerta community stay informed with visual displays, fliers, messages, events, and individual parent contact. She builds lasting relationships by regularly having lunch with families and students and works to improve her engagement efforts by attending as many professional development opportunities as she can. Because Paola is bilingual, she is also able to meet the needs of the 194 Spanish-speaking families who are part of the school.

The five finalists were selected by a committee including 2018 Support Employee of the Year Anna Stone. The district's 2019 Support Employee of the Year will be announced in spring 2019.