Jamie Benson, a social worker at Probstfield Elementary, is described by her peers as selfless, kind, funny, trustworthy, tenacious and dependable.
Superintendent Lunak recently visited Probstfield, where he surprised Jamie with the May Spud Spirit Award. “Jamie, as a social worker at Probstfield Elementary, you exhibit how much you care about your school and your community by going above and beyond your daily duties.
Your peers also say you help make students and families feel safe and welcome at Probstfield, whether it’s greeting students to start their day with a smile, helping students through big emotions or facilitating a family meeting.”
The most visible result of Jamie’s work is her organization of the school’s Caring Closet, which gives students across the district access to clothing, food, shoes and many other items that they may need. Creating such a valuable service for our schools and our community—and taking the time to reach out to community partners to keep it stocked—exemplifies how Moorhead Schools prioritizes the well-being and success of all students.
Jamie also coordinated an event involving the Great Plains Food Bank and the Caring Closet to help distribute bags of food and items from the Caring Closet to families in need—an event which helped food, clothing and other resources get into the hands of those that needed them.
Superintendent Lunak added, “You are a caring professional dedicated to helping others, Jamie, and your efforts every day help make Moorhead a great place for students to learn!”
The Spud Spirit Award is a recognition program that honors MAPS staff who live by the district mission to develop the maximum potential of every learner to thrive in a changing world and showcase our Spud Spirit statements:
- Students, staff, parents, families, and the Moorhead community
- Passionate, engaged, innovative, and growing in safe environments
- Unique, worthy, respectful, and relationship-based
- Diversity enriches our school and community
- Stewards of the public’s trust in effective and efficient operations
Spud Spirit Award nominations are made by staff, student families and community members in the Spring and Fall of each academic year.