America Deserves A Raise

This contest is looking for people who contribute in a meaningful way and make a difference in the overall work environment and lives of others, who demonstrate efforts above and beyond expectations. No one fits this description better than Sue.  She is a dedicated employee with a work ethic rarely seen these days.  She puts in 200%, every day. Sue is the Computer Coordinator for our middle school, and our school could not function without her.

Sue’s job title doesn’t tell you she updates and installs software on 500 computers, one by one, and she vacuums out each computer.  Other responsibilities include the inputting of data for 1200 students so they can take math, reading, and accelerated reader tests.  Sue receives between 50 and 100 emails per day, and encounters up to 75 computer problems on a daily basis.  Not even our staff realize how many responsibilities Sue has.  I have seen her create student labels, certificates, admission tickets, school programs, and anything else teachers have asked her to do.  She never says no to anyone’s request.  Because it is impossible to do her job in 40 hours, so she comes in early and stays late, even though she does not receive overtime pay.  Essentially, Sue works for 60 teachers, 1200 students and three administrators. The only reason she was not at work this past Mother’s Day is her family did not allow her to go. 

After 27 years, Sue’s paycheck doesn’t reflect how hard she works. Some people put forth effort based upon their salary.  If someone is getting paid minimum wage, they put in minimum wage effort.  Not Sue.  How many of us would not complain about our salary, and instead put our health in jeopardy to make sure everyone that relies on us is taken care of?  Sue does exactly that.  She most recently battled high blood pressure and has been taken to the emergency room a couple of times this year for fear of a stroke.  The majority of her stress is work-related as she doesn’t want to let anyone down. She recently stated she couldn’t wait for her husband to receive his first social security check, because that would give them a little extra money each month.  She stated, “we don’t have a lot of money, but we don’t do without.”  Her comment made me think of all the people in this world whose salary is greater than Sue’s, yet still complain about not having enough.

Sue has helped take care of four grandchildren.  She has lost one son-in-law in a car accident.  Yet in the four years I have worked with her, she accepts all of these things as a fact of life and truly does not complain.  One of the judging criteria for this essay is having the ability to inspire others.  Watching Sue work every day and seeing the pride she gets from not just showing up to work, but helping the 1300 people that rely on her, that is inspirational.