Mrs. Jeanice Andrade, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Teacher Assistant at Glendale Elementary School, is the 2011 School-Related Employee of the Year for the School District of Indian River County.  

Mrs. Andrade has been at Glendale for five years, and prior to that she lived in Venezuela.  “She has been a life line to Hispanic families since she joined the Glendale team,” said Principal, Mary Ellen Schneider, in a letter she wrote nominating Mrs. Andrade for School-Related Employee of the Year. “She deals with such a variety of situations with kindness, true caring, and a strong belief in the value of a good education,” she added.   

Mrs. Andrade works with students whose first language is not English. In addition to helping them learn to speak and understand English, she works with them in all the core curriculum areas. She also spends countless hours volunteering to translate for teachers and Hispanic families during orientations, kindergarten camp, home visits, and conferences. Mrs. Andrade is not only highly respected, appreciated, and admired by teachers and staff, but many families depend upon her assistance in matters that are not even specifically related to school.  Parents feel they have someone they can talk to that understands. She has assisted families by making sure they get help through donated school supplies, the Sneaker Exchange, Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving food baskets, and after school program scholarships. She has assisted families with referrals to health services, social services, food pantries, and classes to learn English. She is recognized as one of the kindest, most helpful, most positive staff members at Glendale Elementary, by colleagues, as well as parents and family members. According to one of her colleagues, “she is indeed, a vital link in our daily process of teaching”. Principal Schneider sums it up: “She does all these things in such a professional manner, while demonstrating her true concern for what’s best for children. Mrs. Andrade is simply the person we all aspire to be,” she said.  

Congratulations to Jeanice Andrade, School-Related Employee of the Year!