Elementary school glue gets her due

By Brendan Shriane

Some say it’s the secretary, not the principal, who actually runs a school, and while self-effacing Blaine elementary school secretary Linda Thompson might not fully agree, principal Deb Cummings does.

As school secretary, Thompson has worked to keep things going around the elementary school for the past 18 years. In addition to typing and filing, Thompson puts on Band-aids, administers first aid, helps write grants, greets visitors and comforts distraught children. “You do what needs to be done, take lunch money, help sick kids.”

“She’s always looking out for other people – she puts other people’s needs before her own, always,” Cummings said.

In recognition of Thompson’s hard work and dedication, Cummings nominated Thompson for the Award for Professional Excellence from Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education. “When I look at the criteria for the award – I think of her,” Cummings said.

“She’s someone who works her fingers to the bone. She’s the glue.”

Woodring has been giving out the awards, which are designed to honor those educators, support staff and citizens that have made positive contributions in their fields, since 1985. Woodring receives more than 100 nominations from all around the state in several different categories, including school board, principal and volunteers.

“It was pretty exciting,” Thompson said. “It’s an honor to be recognized.”

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