Each year, since 1998, The Doors of Opportunity honors a VISD educator who exemplifies by deed, a true spirit and grit that goes beyond their job description, opening doors and maximizing a student’s potential. Recipients are nominated by their peers and the award winner is determined by input received from district staff, school families, and the community.
The Doors of Opportunity Award was created and endowed by Benita and Charlie Staadecker. Charlie served many years on the VISD school board. Award recipient receives $1,000 for their personal use and $1,000 for their field of work or department.
Vashon Schools Foundation is happy to announce that this year’s award recipient is school nurse, Sarah Day. Sarah started working for the school district in 2011 after spending many years working for Seattle King County Public Health working with the immigrant and refugee populations.
Sarah’s expertise, experience and guidance was especially crucial this school year as the district navigated the COVID pandemic. Here are some of the nomination comments that were received:
- “She is fierce in her protection of our safety. She is the reason our schools are open today and why we have had 0 transmission between staff and students.”
- “She lifted this district to heights unimaginable during the darkest days of the pandemic.”
- “She led her flock through the Covid gauntlet with honor and knowledge. “
- “She has been instrumental in shifting us from being a headline of vaccination avoiders according to the (Ny Times) to actually ahead of the curve in Washington State.”
- “Over the past year she has been the glue for all of us. She has been our voice of reason and she holds our community’s health like a big warm hug.”
- “She is our resident mask guru–she must have personally tried 50 different styles in order to find the perfect mask for our staff.”
- “For years she has created a health room for students to go to avoid being in class while they deal with physical symptoms of fear, anxiety, or depression.”
- “She is a wonder woman, and she has been a guardian angel for our island.”
Congrats Sarah! We are so grateful for all your work on behalf of our students.