Paula Mueller, Assistant Network Administrator/Technician, has been named the 2022 School District of Washington and WINGS Support Staff Employee of the Year.
WINGS recognizes a support staff person from the School District of Washington each year. The recipient receives a check for $1,000 and a plaque.
Mueller works at the School District of Washington’s Technology and Learning Center. She helps staff with a number of technology functions related to computers, devices, email accounts, copiers, printers, phones, network systems and much more.
“It’s quite an honor and totally unexpected. Thank you to WINGS and everyone with our school district,” Mueller said. “I don’t find anything I do here to be special or out of the ordinary. I want everything to work properly for the people I work with in the District because they’re great people and ultimately, it helps our students. I always want to do what’s best for our students and our staff. It’s not just me. I work with a great group of people in the technology department. We work well together and make a great team.”
Support staff candidates must be a non-certified employee of the School District of Washington. Examples include, but are not limited to, paraprofessionals, technology staff, custodians, buildings and grounds, maintenance, administrative assistants, food service, and nurses.
Anyone had the opportunity to submit a nomination for the School District of Washington and WINGS Support Staff Employee of the Year.
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart and a committee reviewed the nominations and submitted a group of finalists to the WINGS Board, who picked the winner.
Mueller has been with the School District of Washington for 16 years. Her office is located at the Technology and Learning Center.
“Without Paula and her work behind the scenes, the day-to-day operations of each building would run less smoothly. No teacher, secretary, administrator, nurse, or user of a computer could perform their necessary tasks as efficiently without the work Paula does on a daily basis. She provides support, maintenance and repairs for over 3,000 devices, creates countless user IDs and email groups, sets up printers and copiers, provides phone support, and troubleshoots network issues,” Mueller’s nomination states. “Paula has a tremendous work ethic. She takes pride in her job, her department, and the district. She is a hard worker who is willing to stick with a problem or do what is needed to accomplish a task. She always maintains a positive attitude toward her job, which could seem overwhelming at times. Even when those around her are feeling stress, she remains calm, easing their anxieties with her capable and confident outlook.”
Paula and her husband, Randy, have seven children and 10 grand-children.
Paula Mueller
SDOW, WINGS Support Staff of Year
Paula Mueller, Assistant Network Administrator, was named the 2022 School District of Washington and WINGS Support Staff Employee of the Year. Pictured, from left, are SDOW Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Kephart, Paula Mueller, SDOW Network Administrator Dale Loesing and SDOW Director of Technology Rob Landers.