Staff Spotlight: A well-deserved shout-out to Smith Elementary secretary Misty Welch

by Don Porter

Misty Welch, secretary at Smith Elementary, prides herself on presenting a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Photo credit: SchoolPictures.com

This month Staff Spotlight is circling back to Smith Elementary to feature Misty Welch, school secretary.

Welch grew up with her mom, dad and two younger sisters in neighboring Chelsea on North Lake just a short distance from Unadilla. Their home included living quarters for her great-grandmother. According to Welch, this was a special time for her, and she describes her great-grandmother as “her person.” No doubt her person had a positive influence on the adult Misty was to become.

Welch met her husband while attending school in Chelsea. They’ve been together for about 16 years and have been married 11 of those years. She and her husband have two daughters and bought their first house in Stockbridge.

While attending Chelsea High School and graduating in 2008 she was able to take classes for early childhood education. It was during that experience that she learned how much she enjoyed working with children. But following high school, she attended Baker College where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Upon completion, she still knew she wanted to work with children, so she considered going back to school to get a teaching degree. While her daughter was in kindergarten at Smith, she saw the posting for the position of school secretary and decided to apply. She thought of this as “a perfect way to use my degree, work with children and be in the same building as my daughter.”

Welch has now been at Smith Elementary for four years and has a number of positive experiences since joining the team there.

“I truly love my job,” says Welch. “I don’t get just 25 students in a class; I get a school full! I get to help students every day with various needs—whether they’re sick, trying to get papers organized, or I just give a smile and wave as they walk by.”

Smith’s secretary prides herself on presenting a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

“I get to work in an environment full of fantastic co-workers who all have the same common goals of providing the best educational experience and atmosphere for students,” she said. “It is a joy to watch them come in the first day of school—no matter what grade—and then see the growth at the end of the year.”

When away from work, Welch enjoys being a wife and mother. Her other interests include cooking, camping, and watching her girls participate in sports.

Smith Elementary has weekly Shout Outs and recently one anonymous contributor had this to say about Welch:

“I want to shout from the roof top how amazing Misty is! Misty always jumps at an opportunity to help others. She takes care of every kiddo like they are her own. Misty is the heart of the office, and we are super lucky to have her with us.”

Smith Elementary principal, Brad Edwards, agrees, and he added his own thoughts about working with Welch.

“Misty Welch is the heart and the face of Smith Elementary School. She makes students, families and staff all feel welcome and taken care of, and that is what you want from a building secretary. She is definitely a do-it-all person. Nothing phases her. She’s always laid back, cool, calm, and collected.”

In my own 30 years as a school administrator in Stockbridge I had the privilege to work with well over a dozen secretaries. It is a demanding job, and they must wear a lot of hats. All of the individuals whom I worked with were terrific and cared about their school and their job. Misty Welch sure seems to fit that mold, and Stockbridge is fortunate to have her.

I found this poem about school secretaries, and after interviewing Misty Welch, it hit the mark.

Endless phone calls you will take.

Endless deadlines you will make.

Answering questions, all day long.

Making sure, nothing goes wrong.

Your organization is beyond compare.

Knowing exactly what to find and where.

Your smile reaches far and near,

And tells all they are welcome here.

Thank you, Secretary, for all you do.

We would be lost without you!

–Author Unknown

Don Porter is a former Stockbridge Schools deputy superintendent. He also served as assistant principal at the Jr./Sr. High School, and then principal at Smith Elementary, Katz Elementary, and Heritage School. He and his wife, Tammy, live in Stockbridge and enjoy fly fishing, golf, traveling, and working in the yard.