FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2023
McKinley Elementary School's Helen Brown Awarded
SLUSD Classified Employee of the Year
SAN LEANDRO, CA - San Leandro Unified is pleased to announce Ms. Helen Brown as SLUSD’s classified employee of the year. Ms. Brown has been a beloved McKinley Elementary School team member for over 30 years, currently serving as a para-educator. Throughout her tenure, she has built countless positive relationships with generations of McKinley families, who deeply trust and respect her gracious wisdom.
Comments from her peers that led to this well-deserved award include:
Mrs. Brown is amazing, kind, patient, dependable & an incredible person with a heart of gold. She will go above and beyond for all students and staff. She can 100% be counted on for anything. She is loved and trusted by all the McKinley students and staff.
She has given decades of service to our school, doing everything under the sun for McKinley families, staff, and students. She has the biggest heart and the most knowledgeable head for students in need. They tell her their problems, their pride, their joys. As a teacher, I go to her when I need an ear, advice, and information about students’ families or siblings to make connections and get insights into behavioral issues. As a playground supervisor, she sees it all, knows every student, and lends a hand wherever needed. When I brought Bancroft Orchestra students on a field trip, the McKinley alums flocked to Mrs. Brown for hugs and conversation. They felt they’d come home.
Helen is an interventionist, reading coach, pull-out resource teacher, picture day, medical (vision & hearing) testing, and book fair class coordinator. She’s there for emergencies and solidly there every day for regular duties. She regulates three sessions every lunch, holding students to safe and respectful behavior. Her own children attended McKinley, and she first became involved as a volunteer in her daughter’s kindergarten class many years ago. Mrs. Brown is a living legend. We’d be lost without her at McKinley.
I'm convinced our school would fall apart if not for Mrs. Brown! Helen has taken the time to get to know all the students at our school personally. She remembers details about each student and their lives and is caring and empathetic towards them. She also can be stern when needed. In addition to being an amazing lunch supervisor, Helen works with students as a para. She goes above and beyond, communicating with teachers about the progress of the students she works with. As a teacher, I have always found Helen to be a wealth of knowledge. On many occasions, she has given me wise advice. Her consistency at our school over the years has made her irreplaceable.
Please join all of San Leandro Unified in congratulating Ms. Brown on her achievement and the following exceptional classified staff chosen by their schools for consideration as the district launches its annual celebration of SLUSD Classified School Employees’ Week.
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