In every school, there is a steady rhythm that keeps the day moving forward. It is not found in a bell schedule or a lesson plan. It is found in the front office, behind the scenes, and in the countless interactions that make a school feel like a community.
On Administrative Professionals Day, we celebrate the individuals we often refer to as the heartbeat of our schools.
To honor their impact, we asked a simple question: What do you love most about your role?
Their responses say everything.
“What I love most about my role is the consistency and the variety that is in every day,” said Mallory Teglash, Administrative Assistant at Northville High School. “You never know what each day will bring, but the goal is always the same. To help however we can to make our school run smoothly.”
She continued, highlighting the unique position administrative assistants hold within a school community.
“I also love that I get to work with all the different groups that make up our school community,” she said. “From helping a teacher place a supply order to working with our parents who are always volunteering to support school activities to hearing about a student getting into college … as Admin Assistants, we get to be a part of it all!”
At Kingsford High School, Administrative Assistants Christy Verity and Julie Richtig captured the spirit of the role in just a few words: “It’s something different every day!”
At Jennison High School, Administrative Assistant Kristi LeQuia’s response centered on relationships and culture.
“What I love most about my job is the people. I’m surrounded by fun, caring, and supportive coworkers who make each day enjoyable,” she said. “I’m also grateful to work for a principal who is trustworthy, approachable, collaborative, and truly invested in our staff and students. As another school year quickly approaches, it’s the friendliness and support of this team that helps me get across the finish line. I’m thankful to be a Jenison Wildcat.”
And sometimes, the heart of the work is beautifully simple. Diana Price, Administrative Assistant at Woodhaven High School, shared, “Working with the kids!”
These reflections remind us that administrative assistants are more than support staff. They are connectors, problem-solvers, culture-builders, and trusted partners in every aspect of school life. They are often the first voice a parent hears, the steady presence a student relies on and the person who ensures that even in the busiest moments, everything continues to move forward.
They are, without question, the heartbeat of our schools.
Today, we celebrate them and say thank you for the countless ways they show up for their schools every single day.