Simpson awarded top employee honor

Jean Simpson For almost three decades Jean Simpson has poured her heart and soul into her work with atrisk students in the Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Simpson's devotion to students at Agoura High School earned her the honor of this year's school district Classified Employee of the Year.

"It's actually a thrill to be recognized because special education today is a very challenging job," said Simpson, a resident of Newbury Park.

Superintendent Donald Zimring said the district has a disproportionate number of "superstars" and Simpson was a "standout in a group of standouts."

Assistant Superintendent Dan Stepenosky recounted Simpson's work in the district, starting as an instructional aide in 1979 at Lupin Hill Elementary School in Calabasas.

She worked at Lindero Canyon Middle School for 17 years and at Buttercup Preschool for two years before accepting a position at Agoura High as a special education instructional aide.

At-risk students at the school cover a wide range: students with learning disabilities, behavioral or physical problems, or those dealing with difficult family issues that interfere with learning.

Ron Kaiser, principal at Lindero Canyon Middle School, said that during his first year as principal Simpson asked him if a parent could bring a pizza to class to say goodbye to a student who was leaving the district. After he said yes, Simpson told him she'd wanted to see if he would make the right decision; he did.

Sandi Pope, a fifth-grade teacher at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills and copresident of the Las Virgenes Employees Association, said Simpson was "an institution" at Agoura High School because of her ability to connect so well with students.

Agoura High School Principal Larry Misel called Simpson a "firm but loving person who cares yet demands the best from (students)."

Simpson's daughter, Donna Payne, captured the essence of her mother's work in a subsequent interview.

Payne called Simpson a "true child advocate" and told stories that illustrate why her mother is a special employee in the district.

Child abuse had forced one girl to leave school and move to another area, Payne said. Simpson stayed in touch with the girl and brought her food and clothing at her new home. Simpson eventually hosted a bridal shower for the young woman and even gave the mother of the bride a dress to wear to the wedding.

"The former student now has a great career and is happily married," Payne said.

Simpson went beyond her job description to help a homeless student, Payne said. She made arrangements with the district to place the boy in a motel while he was attending school, gave him money for food and clothing, and mentored him until he graduated from high school.

Simpson routinely gives her students her home phone number with instructions that they are welcome to call her any time if they have a problem.

She has joined students at Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings and has "even driven to Santa Barbara to pick up a student in distress," Payne said.

Simpson downplayed her pivotal role. "I don't do this alone. I work with a team of people who share this award with me," Simpson said at the meeting.

She explained that teachers, counselors, health clerks and administrators "are all rooting for these kids—we don't want them slipping through the cracks."

Simpson has some stories of her own to tell. One young man, she said, called her 17 years after he had graduated with a request for a letter of recommendation for a position as a special education instructional aide.

"I was just thrilled," Simpson said. "I knew him from sixth grade."

Simpson lived in Agoura Hills for 30 years but moved to Newbury Park six years ago.

Simpson's caring work style may win her recognition on the state level. She was recently nominated for Classified Employee of the Year for the state of California.