PARAPROFESSIONALS  •  SECRETARIES   •  FOOD SERVICE  •  CUSTODIANS  •  BUS DRIVERS  •  TECHNICIANS

About MSEA > Member Spotlights

Member Spotlights

TRACI WELSH
has been a Sign Language interpreter for the Willmar school district since 1997.

Traci Welsh lives in Willmar with her husband and two daughters; Olivia (10) and Avery (7).  She currently serves as Vice Steward and as a negotiation team member for the Willmar Paraprofessional unit.  She is also a familiar face at the MSEA August Rally, Fall Core Trainings and the annual Delegate Assembly in April.  So, between being active in the union and running her girls to and from their activities, she is constantly on the go!

Since sign language interpreting is a new profession, MSEA has helped the Willmar unit revamp their contract to address the recent changes in this field. They have added professional development days and re-adjusted their pay scales to reflect certification status for interpreters. As the profession grows, so will the needs of interpreters like Traci. She is confident with MSEA guiding her through these changes, her future needs will be met as well!

back to previous page

BERNIE BAUTCH
has worked as a cook for the Centennial school district since 1982.

Bernie was hired as a part-time cook in 1982; in 1988 she became a full-time cook and in 1991 she was promoted to Cook Manager. Her duties include supervising staff, ordering food, following menus and preparing and serving food. She must also know how to operate all of the kitchen equipment, maintain positive working relationships with students and staff and ensure the dietary guidelines set by the State Dept. of Health are followed.

Bernie holds a Level 3 Certification in the Nat’l School Nutrition Assn and a State of MN Food Manager Certificate. She is a member of both the MN School Nutrition Assn and a Star Club Member of the Nat’l School Nutrition Assn.

Bernie has held a number of leadership positions within MSEA including secretary, treasurer, vice president, co-president and is currently the chairperson of the Centennial unit. She feels MSEA has done a good job in representing the Centennial units, which isn’t always easy trying to satisfy three separate bargaining units! She enojys her job because she loves to cook, loves working with students, has a great staff working with her in the kitchen as well as the district - and last but not least... she LOVES having her summers off!

back to previous page

AMY WOODFORD
has worked as a long-term para substitute since 1997.

Amy first started working at the Cass Lake - Bena Elementary School as a long-term substitute in 1997. The following year she was hired on as a full-time paraprofessional for the 2nd grade and really loves working with her students. Amy’s duties include leading small groups in math, reading and writing. She is also responsible for daily math timings, weekly spelling tests, lunchroom and recess duties and also finds time to be a bus monitor!

For the past three years Amy has served as the Elementary School Chief Steward for her unit, which consists of 91 cooks, custodians, paras and secretaries. She has attended the last three Delegate Assemblies, including the 2004 Special Delegate Assembly, and hopes to continue representing her unit at future Assembly meetings.

back to previous page