Don Warrick, 2012 Shoreline Support Person of the Year

From left, Syre Principal David Tadlock, Superintendent Sue Walker, Support Person of the Year Don Warrick and his wife, Beth, and Executive Director of Schools Brian Schultz.

Don Warrick, paraeducator and student supervisor at Syre Elementary School, has been selected as the 2012 Shoreline School District Support Person of the Year.

Don will be honored at a reception at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5 in the Shoreline Center lobby, prior to the School Board meeting that evening. The community is invited. He will receive a $250 grant from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation. The District will celebrate Support Staff Appreciation Week March 5 to 9.

Don has worked at Syre since 2004 and has worked in many roles there, including student supervisor on the playground and at recess, resource room paraeducator, high impact paraeducator, and all-day kindergarten paraeducator.

“Don is dedicated to the students of Syre Elementary, providing academic, social and emotional support. His words and actions make a positive difference in the lives of children and our community. Don’s passion is to serve our community and prepare young adults to make our world into a better place,” his nomination read in part.

His is often the first face Syre students see coming off the bus each morning.

“Partly because of Don’s presence and greeting, children enjoy arriving at school each day and ready to learn,” the nomination said. “As a resource room and general classroom paraeducator, Don is uniquely talented in supporting student learning. He works with many ages effectively and utilizes his skills to help struggling students make progress.”

In recent years, Don has led or participated in numerous school committees. As Site Council facilitator, Don has provided guidance for meaningful dialogue about Syre programs.

Don received the Golden Acorn Award from the Syre PTA two years ago. He and his wife Beth were also Golden Acorn recipients when they were Lake Forest Park Elementary parents.

In the community, Don has volunteered for 30 years with the Dale Turner Family YMCA, previously serving as Board chair and currently as co-chair of the program committee. He is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Shoreline, where he leads a men’s group and volunteers with its free meals program.

Prior to joining Shoreline Schools, Don spent 35 years working for Qwest Communications in various business and finance positions. He is a graduate of Shoreline High School, holds bachelors and masters degrees from Washington State University, and served in the Washington National Guard.

The Shoreline Schools Support Person of the Year award has been made annually since 1997 to honor outstanding classified staff members. The recipient is selected by a committee of parents, staff and administrators from nominations submitted from across the District.