Brunner Award
Meet 'Mrs. Margaret'
Durand paraprofessional receives highest honor for ESP
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Durand paraprofessional Margaret Hemenway—recipient of the Leon A. Brunner Award, MEA’s highest honor for ESP—oversees student Darius Lester as he writes a report. |
Colleagues shower Margaret Hemenway with accolades, calling her a “true educator,” who always keeps the needs of her students in the forefront at Durand Area Schools.
They also describe her as a strong union activist who supports her members and goes out of her way to help employees in this Shiawassee County district.
Hemenway, who in March received MEA’s prestigious Leon A. Brunner Award for outstanding commitment to ESP causes and concerns, loves helping students.
“I’ve been very fortunate to associate with good people in Durand,” said Hemenway, a classroom paraprofessional for 33 years who works at Wilbur Bills Elementary School.
School should be a good journey
With Title I teacher Susan Guyski, she works to raise the reading and math skills of kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Wilbur Bills.
“I think school should be a good journey for every student,” she said. “Students should enjoy school. I also think it’s important for us to listen to students. Whether it’s one minute or five minutes, we should always take time to listen to children.”
While Hemenway admits she was stunned to learn she was chosen to receive the Brunner Award, the news came as no shock for those who work with her in Durand.
“Margaret excels as a paraprofessional in the class and changes people’s lives for the better each and every day,” Guyski said. “It’s not unusual to see her on the phone sharing her expertise with other members or guiding new employees on decisions relating to their job.
“Employees seek her out because they value her judgment, wisdom and knowledge. Administrators value her opinion and trust her decision-making skills.”
Respected by staff and administrators
Durand Superintendent Jan Amsterburg echoes those sentiments about “Mrs. Margaret,” as students call her.
“Margaret is dependable, loyal and trustworthy and always has the best interests of her membership at heart. She always works hard for her students. She has the respect of the teaching staff and administration.”
Wilbur Bills Principal Mike Bublitz says Hemenway “continues to show what it means to be a true educator. At all times, she puts the needs and interests of the children before anything else.”
A pillar during financial crisis
Lisa Edwards, president of the Durand ESP Association, a group Hemenway co-founded some three decades ago, describes her colleague as “the most level-headed woman I have met in tense situations who has used her positive attitude to keep our union afloat.
"Our district has been through a difficult financial crisis the last couple of years, and Margaret has been a pillar.”
Hemenway says Durand support personnel have made sacrifices to help the district survive its budget dilemma. “I’m hoping it will get better, so we have the resources we need to help our students.”