From staff reports
Mossy Oaks Elementary School’s nurse, Jodi Knorr, was named Tuesday, Sept. 26, as the Beaufort County School District’s 2022 “Support Staff of the Year.” Knorr’s selection was announced at a surprise visit to the school.
“I was very surprised,” Knorr said after the announcement. “I do my job like all of the other nurses and staff members in the district, so I feel very surprised and blessed. It makes me feel really good and like my hard work pays off because I really do like my job and I love these kids… I do my best every day to make sure everyone’s taken care of and safe and protected.”
Knorr was selected based on a support staff application consisting of essays describing one’s role within the district; how they contribute to student achievement; and how they inspire, motivate, challenge others, and encourage excellence.
Support staff constitutes various types of positions such as social workers, school nurses, bookkeepers, bus drivers, office managers, teacher assistants, school secretaries, and technology and data specialists.
Mossy Oaks’ Assistant Principal Whitney Harris said in a news release that Knorr is indispensable at their school.
“Nurse Knorr is an essential part of Mossy Oaks; she’s here for students, she’s here for staff. She’s here to help our kids when there’s a boo-boo,” Harris said. “She’s an essential part and we wouldn’t be what we are without her.”
Knorr shared that professional school nurses are present for more than handing out ice packs and band aids to students – they also teach staff and students about what to do in emergency situations, as well as provide students with a listening ear and undivided attention when needed.
School Support Staff of the Year
Battery Creek High School Quintin Moultrie, Media Assistant
Beaufort Elementary Shannon Switzer, Parent Liaison
Beaufort High School Christina Allen, School Nurse
Beaufort Middle School John Uhlman, Special Education Assistant
Beaufort-Jasper ACE Steve Bove, System Support Specialist
Bluffton Elementary Sharonne Allen, Social Worker
Bluffton High School Kathy Olson, Social Worker
Bluffton Middle School Debbie Cepollina, Administrative Assistant
Broad River Elementary Alicia Shaw, Kindergarten Assistant
Coosa Elementary Kimberly Fickes, School Nurse
H.E. McCracken Middle School Lisa Paquin-Groth, Office Manager
Hilton Head ECC Chris Ponsini, Kindergarten Assistant
Hilton Head Elementary Gayle Oslund, School Nurse
Hilton Head Island Creative Arts Judith Clouse, Office Manager
Hilton Head Island High DaisyDianne Morgan, Office Manager
Hilton Head Island Middle Stephanie Vanderpool, Office Manager
Joseph Shanklin Elementary Luann Jayne, Special Education Assistant
Lady’s Island Elementary Julie Riddle, Administrative Assistant
Lady’s Island Middle Tammy Smith, Bookkeeper
May River High School Melissa Halsey, Administrative Assistant
M.C. Riley Elementary Kevin Fulton, Behavior Management Specialist
Mossy Oaks Elementary Jodi Knorr, School Nurse
Okatie Elementary Kate Leighton, Behavior Management Specialist
Port Royal Elementary Holly Mehrer, School Nurse
Pritchardville Elementary Julie Houchin, Administrative Associate
Red Cedar Elementary Melody Wright, Kindergarten Assistant
Right Choices Onika Jaquese Wright, Behavior Management Specialist
River Ridge Academy Lindsay Catanzaro, Office Manager
Robert Smalls International Academy Raquel Hernandez Cardenas, Parent Liaison
St. Helena Elementary, ELC Rebekkah Mickel, School Nurse
Whale Branch Early College High School Sharika Green, Office Manager
Whale Branch Elementary, Davis ECC Shonda Royals, Office Manager
Whale Branch Middle Angela White, Social Worker
Adult Education Nykerria Aiken, Data/Laces Clerk
Transportation Kimiko Miller, Bus Driver
District Office Melissa Hibbs, Operations Specialist, Finance Department
Early Childhood Education Mayra Toro Baez, Parent Educator
