Lunch Aide at Ridgeview Middle School Named Supporting Services Employee of the Year

One individual can have an impact on an entire school community—and Feri Jahanmir is a good example. She is being recognized for that impact with this year’s SEIU 500 Champions for Children Supporting Services Employee of the Year award.

Jahanmir has been a lunch hour aide at Ridgeview Middle School for 11 years, supervising and connecting with 300 students during three daily lunch periods. In addition, as the school’s volunteer coordinator, Jahanmir has involved parents by inviting them to help during lunch period. She also works an additional four hours every day as a school volunteer—answering phones, greeting visitors, stepping in for the nurse, bringing students to the office and delivering forgotten projects.

“Feri goes one step beyond in the excellence of her efforts,” says Ridgeview Principal Carol LeVine. She attends every PTSA meeting, principal’s coffee and school event. She helps at school dances, plays and after-school activities. Contributing more than 1,200 volunteer hours to the school in 2008, Jahanmir is one reason Ridgeview has been recognized for the past three years with a Champions for Children award for volunteer hours contributed by the school community.

Jahanmir is one of the individuals who will be honored at the Champions for Children gala on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. The gala, sponsored by the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education, honors Montgomery County Public Schools teachers, administrators, and supporting services employees—along with parent and business volunteers, and other community partners.