Pam Keilers Named Region 13 Education Star of the Month
La Grange High School Paraprofessional and Library Aide Pam Keilers got a special surprise last Friday.
Representatives from the Region 13 Education Service Center presented her with their Star of the Month Award. But they didn’t tell Keilers anything about it until they surprised her at work on Friday, April 4.
“We are here today because you are an awesome educator,” said Kerry Gain, Region 13 Deputy Executive Director of Academic Services. “We have a program at Region 13 where once a month we honor the best educators in the region, out of all 57 of our districts and 21 of our charters.”
La Grange High School Counselor Charlee Hernandez nominated her for the award.
“I’ve been with the district for three years, and if anyone needs help with anything, Pam is the person to go to,” Hernandez said.
Keilers, officially a paraprofessional and library aide, wears many more hats than that. She coordinates workers for the school’s athletic events. She writes grants for the district (including a recent one for major upgrades to the school’s welding program). Keilers also organizes standardized testing for the school – scheduling times and classrooms, and she helps with the school’s credit recovery program for students who slip behind in grades.
“She’s the ultimate teamplayer and we could not survive without her, always willing to go above and beyond,” said High School Principal John Pineda.
“She does this out of the kindness of her heart,” Hernandez said. “It’s no secret – paraprofessionals throughout all of America make way less, not even the minimum, in my opinion.”
The Star of the Month Award isn’t just a feather in Keilers’ hat. It comes with a $3,000 scholarship for continuing education through Abilene Christian University, which offers many online programs for teacher degrees and education certifications. The staff from Region 13 also showered her with other gifts such as Stanley and Yeti cups, gift cards and more.
“We give this to people who make a difference, who are doing the good work and fighting the good fight,” Gain said during the surprise presentation last Friday.
Keilers teared up as the Region 13 officials presented her with the award. She spoke about her time as an employee of the district for the past eight years, but even before that, she served on the bond committee, accreditation committee and others as a community member “I’m truly blessed to be here,” Keilers said.
“She’s in the kid business,” said La Grange Superintendent Andy McHazlett. “What a great example of someone who’s here for all of the right reasons. It’s very well-deserved.”