Laura Garbutt loves her job as a Technical Operating Assistant at Berkshire Middle School. The staff at Berkshire has described her as amazingly skilled and helpful … and the Oakland Intermediate School District agrees.

Garbutt has been awarded the Betty Campion Award, given to the most valuable support person in all of Oakland County schools.

“I knew I was appreciated, but sometimes being nominated is even better than winning, just knowing that you’re that appreciated among the staff,” Garbutt said. “I don’t think I do anything different than anyone else — we all put our heart in to whatever we do.”

Garbutt was nominated by Berkshire Middle School Principal Jim Moll. Moll solicited recommendations from teachers and other staff and provided a lengthy statement speaking to Garbutt’s role and skills as a TOA.

“She sets the bar really high for support personnel in other schools and districts,” Moll said. “She’s really amazing. She works endlessly to help keep things going and moving. She’s great with the staff and students and technically she’s beyond measure. She’s well deserving of this award.”

Garbutt will receive this accolade, a plaque and a monetary award at an upcoming Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education meeting before the end of the school year.

“I’m just very honored by this award,” Garbutt said. “I love what I do. I love helping the staff and students. I thank my Berkshire family for appreciating me. They make my job worth doing.”