by Kate Evans
Widmyer Elementary aide Billie Jo Smith was given the First Year Service Personnel Award at the April 1 Morgan County School Board meeting. Smith is working on becoming an Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teacher.
Smith went to college at Potomac State University after high school and transferred to Shepherd University. Smith has an associate’s degree. She was a basketball coach for three years at Warm Springs Middle School when it first opened.
Smith is 50 years old and said she wanted to raise her kids before taking on other work options. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
Smith works in behavior support as an aide in the Rise Room at Widmyer Elementary. Sometimes kids just need a break or they may need a lot of support, she said.
Teachers call for support for kids. They sit down with the kids for around 10 minutes, sometimes for 1 on 1 time, then they take them back to their classes. Some may wonder what 10 minutes is going to do, but it can really make a difference, Smith said. Some just need someone to sit with them and listen to them.
“Whenever the need arises, we are here for the whole school,” Smith said.
Smith said she was very shocked and awed to receive the First Year Service Personnel of the Year award and that it means a lot.
Loves the kids
Smith enjoys and loves the kids at Widmyer. She didn’t realize how much she cared about kids and how much she loved being around kids. Smith noted that teachers really work hard.
The administrators at Widmyer Elementary “are amazing and have been super helpful.”
“They care a lot about staff,” Smith said. Smith said that Widmyer Elementary aide Christina Fleece has always been there for her as has first grade teacher Kathleen Fisher.
Smith said that she and her husband are big fans of West Virginia University sports. They like basketball and football. Smith also loves to shop.
Follow your dreams
Smith said her advice to others is to “follow your dreams.”
“Go for it! It doesn’t matter how old you are,” she said. Smith said her husband encouraged her to be a support aide.
Principal’s comments
Widmyer Elementary Principal Rhett Beckman said of Smith:
“Ms. Billie has been an incredible addition to the Widmyer family. She is able to quickly adjust to the needs of the day. When she sees a task that needs to be completed, she jumps right in to work on it. She has a ‘What can I do to help?’ attitude that carries over to those around her. Widmyer is very blessed to have Ms, Billie working with our students.”
