Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

11/29/05

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School Board Recognizes Pat Thompson

On Monday, November 28, the Auburn School Board of Directors recognized Pat Thompson, office assistant at Evergreen Heights Elementary School, for her caring service to elementary school students. In 1982, Ms. Thompson started with the Auburn School District as a substitute para-educator. She became a para-educator at the Alternative Junior High. “I loved working with those students,” said Ms. Thompson her next position was as office assistant at Evergreen Heights Elementary where she has worked for 23 years and calls “home” because of the students and staff. “The staff is the greatest. Many of them are also like family and have been there being great supportive friends,” said Ms. Thompson. “I enjoy watching the students grow up and return to visit with their families. I have been unofficially "adopted" by some of my former students, and have been invited to first communions, birthday parties, graduations, and even weddings. They are all "my kids"- I care about each of them.” Ms. Thompson also works part-time as a certified nursing assistant, CNA, at Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) in Kent. She works with newborn infants that are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and brings them through their withdrawals. “I have been there for 14 years, and again, love "my babies". I guess that I was meant to spend my life with children of all ages,” said Ms. Thompson. In her spare time, she loves decorating, "exploring," gardening, going to a good movie, collecting Longaberger baskets, spending time with her grandchildren and traveling. Her future plans include traveling to Maui and staying for two to three months to allow her to become part of the community. Anne Gayman, Evergreen Heights Elementary School principal, praises her, “Ms. Thompson works “behind the scenes” to take care of all are families. Her first priority is taking care of our needy children by making sure they have warm clothes, food to eat, and a warm, friendly smile each morning. Not only does Ms. Thompson take care of our families, she takes care of school personnel as well. This year she planned and organized a “Thank You” luncheon for the maintenance crew and bus drivers. She often thinks of those that are our unspoken heroes and creatively plans surprises to let them know we appreciate them and their service to children.”

For more information, contact Superintendent Linda Cowan at (253) 931-4914.