Quince Orchard Paraeducator Named Supporting Services Employee of the Year

In these last two years of the pandemic, Quince Orchard High School’s Lauren Carver has given students what they have needed—warmth and kindness. A paraeducator for five years, she listens to what students need and inspires everyone to do their best. She is this year’s Supporting Services Employee of the Year, an award given by SEIU Local 500.

As a paraeducator in the Quince Orchard High School English department, she works with students whose literacy and social-emotional needs have made them vulnerable. She works with them in small groups and individually, encouraging them to write. Students consistently master objectives with her support.

Passionate about also supporting the social and emotional well-being of students, Carver sponsored the school’s Mental Health Awareness Club and spearheaded the initiation and growth of a student-led mental health awareness club, Cougar Minds Matter. Her engaging demeanor, contagious enthusiasm and creativity were just what the club needed to grow in its inaugural year. She handed out awareness ribbons, updated bulletin boards and encouraged students to join them in activities, including yoga and mindfulness. She often spent hours helping students plan and implement activities. Students recognized that the club would not have been nearly as successful without her.

Carver is also a member of the Cougars Connect team working to roll out the Leader in Me social-emotional learning curriculum. As part of the Student Well-Being Team, she offers valuable insight on struggling students and provides innovative ideas for interventions.

Carver is a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and serves as the elected support representative (ESR) at Quince Orchard, working as a liaison between paraeducators and administration. She is also a founding member of the school’s Wellness Committee, which has planned a variety of wellness activities and programs, including yoga, Tea on Tuesdays and therapy dog visits.

Watch a video of Carver being surprised with the award news.