Pioneer's Lech tapped for NAEOP president
Posted on May 6, 2010
Kathy Lech, office manager at Pioneer Middle School, will be installed as President of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals on July 9, 2010 in Kansas City, MO. Kathy has worked for the Steilacoom School District since 1982, except for a two-year period when she moved with her family to eastern Washington. While there she worked for the North Franklin School District for one year and then, after moving back to this area, worked for the Association of Washington School Principals.
Kathy is a strong believer in Professional Development for ALL staff members and attends as many conferences and workshops as she can. She encourages others to attend with her or on their own if she cannot attend. She was instrumental in forming the Steilacoom Association of Educational Office Professionals and was one of its first officers in 1987. That association still functions today, and Kathy serves as President and Professional Standards Program Chairman.
The group’s name was changed to the South Puget Sound Association of Educational Office Professionals in 2001 to incorporate educational office professionals in surrounding areas who do not have a local affiliate.
The SPSAEOP recently donated a basket of spa items to the state (WAEOP) conference for their annual scholarship raffle. Other officers of the SPSAEOP are Julie Nauman, Treasurer (Chloe Clark Elementary) and Dana Ballou, Secretary (Anderson Island Elementary). Dana, Julie and Kathy attended the Washington AEOP Conference in Renton, Washington April 23-24, 2010.
Kathy has been a member of the local, state and national associations since 1987. She has served in many appointed and elected offices in these associations and continues to also serve as the ASB advisor at Pioneer Middle School and as an assistant camp director for the Chinook Middle Level Leadership Camp which is sponsored by the Association of Washington School Principals.
Kathy has earned the Certified Educational Office professional designation (CEOE) through the National Professional Standards Program and is always willing to help others achieve this goal. This is the only national certification of educational office professionals and, while it does take time (and patience), the reward of walking across that stage at a state and/or national conference to receive certification is well worth it!
Kathy has been honored with the Washington State Excellence In Education Award, the Paula Thomas Distinguished Service Award, the Washington State Middle Level Advisor of the Year Award and the Washington State Educational Office Professional of the Year Award. She is committed to becoming the best she can be.
Kathy has been a presenter at many state and national conferences and is looking forward to her year as NAEOP President. She has had the opportunity to travel a bit this year - to Wyoming, California, Nevada, Oregon and Tennessee - and will be going to Washington D.C. and South Dakota in June. During these travels she has conducted workshops, given keynote addresses and installed officers. State and local affiliates of the NAEOP are already requesting her to be a presenter during her term as President. She is often sought out as a presenter at the National AEOP Conferences and will be presenting at the conference in Kansas City on M.A.G.I. C. – Making a Greater Individual Commitment, in addition to her other duties as NAEOP President Elect.
Kathy credits the Steilacoom School District for their support as she has made this journey. The principals and superintendents over the years have given her the opportunities to grow by challenging her in her daily tasks and always encouraging her to do and learn more. Of course, the parents and students who have been the center of her work life always provide the impetus to keep on keeping on.
Kathy invites everyone to come to Kansas City on July 9 to share in the installation of the 2010-2011 NAEOP Board of Directors. This board is comprised of members, both elected and appointed, from all across this great nation. This is an exciting time and a great opportunity for professional growth. You can still register for the conference – go to www.naeop.org and click on conference! Attending a national conference is life changing, she says.
If you have questions, please contact Kathy at Pioneer Middle School or by email at klech@steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
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