What does a parent do to be even more involved in their children’s lives? Volunteer at their school. This is what Laura Gay did when her daughter started sixth grade two years ago. Mrs. Gay started as a parent volunteer willing to help with whatever anyone needed and shortly graduated to student supervisor. Thanks to her efforts Mrs. Gay will be honored as a California State Lottery Hero in Education on “The Big Spin” show airing statewide May 5, 2007.
When Katherine Albiani Middle School opened up two years ago Laura Gay’s daughter was a sixth grader. Since Mrs. Gay was already at the school helping out everyday she thought maybe she could learn to help while making a difference in each student’s lives. She decided to try her hand at student supervision, to help keep order during the morning rush, lunch hours and in the afternoon when the students were leaving. A very challenging yet rewarding job, student supervisors have to walk a fine line between firmness and friendship. They have to enforce the rules while developing a relationship with students.
School principal, Ramona Nelson, says she is a natural, “The kids love her, the staff loves her and she gets students to do what is required of them without a complaint.” Others have tried to do her job and have not been so successful. Mrs. Gay knows that in order to get the students to follow the rules she must not be too strict or stern but on the other hand not be too lenient either. She has mastered how to do both, gaining respect from all the students.
Mrs. Gay arrives early every morning and doesn’t leave until after the last bus leaves in the afternoon. She does morning supervision, helps with tardy sweeps, and supervises the lunch quad and basketball courts. She even finds time to help the clerical staff. Laura Gay has found a way to keep order at Albiani Middle School. She is truly a Hero in Education.
The California State Lottery's "Heroes in Education" award has been presented monthly on The Big Spin show since 1999. The Lottery presents these awards, to recognize special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools and communities.
Public education in California receives at least 34 cents of every dollar players spend on Lottery products. The California Lottery contributed a $1.28 billion to public education in 2005-06 out of sales of $3.58 billion, the sixth year in a row the Lottery has provided more than $1 billion in supplemental funding for education. Retailers won too, earning over $252 million in compensation last year selling Lottery products. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $18 billion to California schools.