Spread kindness like confetti

Lynn Schneider says it’s fun to go to work every day, and with her around the Holyoke Elementary School building, it’s fun for other staff and students to go to work and school too.

“Every morning, the hallway at Holyoke Elementary is filled with smiles and good mornings. The positive, uplifting vibe is almost always led by Lynn Schneider,” said Allie Balog, one of Schneider’s peer nominators.

The Heart Award, one of three Emerald Awards, demonstrates that many are in the education profession to make a difference in the lives of others.

“Sometimes, it’s just the little things that can make a difference,” said Schneider.

The longtime school employee is known for going out of her way to bring sweet treats, decorate the hallways, give a word of encouragement and organize celebrations for staff — all while challenging students to be the best they can be in her reading intervention classroom.

“She constantly thinks about everyone else and never puts herself first. No matter the task at hand, Lynn does whatever it takes and does it with a happy heart and a huge smile on her face,” said Balog. “I am so blessed to work with someone that can always find the positive in every situation and never settles for mediocre.”

Nominator Marcia Dalton echoed those sentiments. “Lynn is that rare breed of educator — she not only is here for our students, but she is also an amazing staff member who truly makes a point to greet you in the hall every day and ask how you are doing.”

Sunshine Committee brightens everyone’s day

As head of the Sunshine Committee at the elementary school, Schneider is a vital part of boosting moral and creating a positive culture among staff members.

She said teachers don’t have a lot of time to connect with each other during a normal school day, so the eight or so people on the Sunshine Committee “give teachers a chance to enjoy just spending time together.”

In-school activities include treats in the teacher’s lounge, hallway decorations and secret Santa programs, and things outside of school range from dinners and painting parties to picnics and movies.

The committee also recognizes big life events — retirements, masters degrees, weddings, babies, birthdays and even hard times — with goodie bags, cards or parties.

“This gives me a chance to let people know I care about them,” said Schneider. It brightens her own day when she brightens someone else’s.

Both of her parents were teachers, and she said she came from a very caring and nurturing home. She admits she’s not the most outgoing person, but she’s a good listener and she’s good at using little things to show people she loves them.

“She truly does not have a mean bone in her body and is one of the most positive people I know,” said Dalton. “She always gives me a birthday card, and I’m pretty sure she does a lot of random acts of kindness around our school. She is kind and compassionate and always there when someone needs a word of encouragement or a helping hand.”

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