LVUSD employees paid high tribute

HONORED—School board member Cindy Iser, left, is on hand to applaud the best of the best in the Las Virgenes School District. Deborah Frank, right, an English teacher at Agoura High School, received the Certificated Employee of the Year Award. Jo Karnofsky (not pictured), an aide at Round Meadow Elementary School, earned the Classified Employee of the Year Award for her work with special education students. Two Las Virgenes Unified School District employees were paid the highest tribute at the school board meeting last month for their dedication to their students and school.

Deborah Frank, an English teacher at Agoura High School, was presented with the Certificated Employee of the Year award, and Jo Karnofsky earned the Classified Employee of the Year award.

Steve Hanke, assistant superintendent of personnel, introduced the award winners.

Agoura High School Principal Larry Misel told the full house of supporters who came out to celebrate the honor that he was “angry” that Frank didn’t move on to the state level competition for Teacher of the Year.

“On a daily basis I have to go get my Deborah fix,” Misel said. “She’s a spark of life that draws kids to the flame. Her energy in the classroom is amazing.”

“If you believe in (the students), they believe in themselves,” said board member Terilyn Finders to Frank. “You are a remarkable gift to the profession.

“Larry is the kind of principal who really supports all teachers even when they have wild, crazy ideas,” said Frank. “My job is so joyful; the time I spend with students is so enriched.

Karnofsky, a special education aide at Round Meadow Elementary School for nine years, also relishes the time she spends with children. She has been a classified employee with the district for 11 years.

“I wouldn’t choose to be working anywhere else,” Karnofsky said. “Seeing the children succeed at a task is my greatest joy.” She said that every small achievement is a milestone for children with disabilities. Karnofsky gave the example of a child who finally writes a sentence independently, “without any prompting.”

“Jo is a wonderful employee,” said Rose Dunn, principal at Round Meadow Elementary School. “She willingly goes above and beyond and is very knowledgeable in her work. Most importantly she loves the students. She gives them her all, and works with them so they can give their all. (Jo) is a cheerleader celebrating every bit of their progress. We are blessed to have her as a part of the Round Meadow staff.”

“I don’t do this on my own,” said Karnofsky. “There are so many people supporting me, and many people who do the same thing that I do.”

The special education program at Round Meadow serves 35 students, whose disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy, emotional disorders, children with specific learning disabilities and those who simply have trouble transitioning from one activity to another and are easily frustrated.

Hanke called Karnofsky an “instrumental assistant at Round Meadow. . .with a special ability to work with the most physically challenged students.”