On Thursday, October 27, Carolyn Schwartzlow the award for received the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Support Staff Member of the Year. Jeff Eide, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, presented Schwartzlow with the award for her hard work and dedication to the school district and its families.

The presentation was made during a pep rally to cheer on the girls volleyball team as they headed into Sectional Competition.

Eide commented that to receive the Support Staff Member of the Year award, an individual must demonstrate contributions in one or more of the following areas: provides outstanding service that supports students, staff, parents or facilities; fosters cooperative relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community; understands and assists with the individual needs of their constituents; demonstrates a thorough knowledge of skills and expertise required to effectively perform their job duties.

Recipients are nominated by their school administrators.

In his letter nominating Schwartzlow, Monticello District Administrator Allen Brokopp noted her many roles with the school district including, "school nurse, athletic director, summer school coordinator, summer recreation director, and mental health team member. However, she also manages the district's wellness program, backpack program, service day, health fair, career fair, girls on the run, and leads the district's safety team. In addition, she teaches 4th and 5th grade human growth and development and healthy habits to the elementary regularly. Carolyn also coaches volleyball at the MS and HS levels when needed. Yet her favorite roles in our district are trusted friend to many and being a mom (Ian 18, and Derrek 15)."

"To manage the roles above, Carolyn has to be organized, tech savvy and most importantly, an amazing communicator. Furthermore, without being the most trusting, honest, genuine person you'll ever meet, it wouldn't be remotely possible. Carolyn has endless energy and love for our district. Her passion is evident when dealing with students, staff, parents, and community members and can be seen by the countless hours she spends in our district."

Brokopp continued, "Now, imagine managing these roles during a pandemic. We are very proud of the success our district shared during the past 30 months and how we managed education while keeping staff and students safe. As a superintendent responsible for making decisions there was no one I was more reliant on or trusting in. I and the school district of Monticello were and are so lucky to have her leadership and knowledge. We simply could not ask for a better person to represent Monticello in so many capacities."

Brokopp began his letter with a question, "Can a support staff member be the most valuable and indispensable staff member in an entire school district? In Monticello, it is undoubtedly so. Carolyn Schwartzlow (RN) is fourth generation in our school and has been part of the Monticello school district since she was 4-years-old. After her graduation from Monticello and UW-Madison, Carolyn returned home and has helped lead our district for the past 9 years."

Sue Moen

Jeff Eide, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, presented the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Support Staff Member of the Year to Carolyn Schwartzlow. Carolyn said she was honored by the award.

He ended the letter saying, "As you can see, we have love and admiration for Carolyn that far exceeds her daily duties. She has and will impact the lives of Monticello kids and community members just by being her. Carolyn is quite simply one of our district's greatest treasures and the epitome of a team player in a rural school district.

I highly encourage you to consider Nurse Carolyn for your support staff member of the year award. In our opinion, no one could be more deserving."

From the ovation Schwartzlow received on Thursday, it was obvious that everyone else there thought she deserved the honor too!