Submitted by Denair Unified School District:
Some people view their jobs as work. Not Melissa Treadwell. She truly believes that being the campus supervisor at Denair High School for nearly 18 years is a calling, something she was born to do.
“My favorite thing about my job,” she said, “is creating relationships with young adults and helping students make good decisions along the way. I don’t consider it a job, more of a blessing to be part of Denair High.”
Treadwell’s influence is felt in every corner of the campus. Not only is she on the front line of navigating sometimes emotional interactions between teen-agers, she’s part of many activities outside the classroom. She’s the advisor to the PHAST (Protecting Health And Slamming Tobacco) Club, something she’s been honored for at the county level. She volunteers for craft fairs at the elementary school. She and her husband, Brad, often contribute their photography skills to sporting and other events, and recently began gathering and refurbishing gently used bicycles to give to students who need transportation to school.
This year, Treadwell also became the high school’s athletic director, adding another key role to an already overflowing portfolio of responsibilities.
So it’s no wonder that Treadwell was Denair Unified’s nominee for the Employees Making a Difference Award, presented each year by the Stanislaus County Office of Education to an outstanding classified (non-teaching) employee. Treadwell and 27 other nominees from around the county were honored at a special reception Wednesday at the Martin G. Petersen Event Center in downtown Modesto.
Five of the honorees were selected to represent Stanislaus County in the California Department of Education’s statewide recognition program. Though Treadwell wasn’t selected to advance, the appreciation for her many contributions runs deep across the Denair district.
“Melissa’s work performance is second to none,” Denair High Principal Kara Backman wrote in her nomination form. “She maintains high standards through a firm but fair approach. She maintains respectful and personal relationships with students regardless of their circumstances. She exemplifies grit and perseverance but above all, exudes a commitment to the students she serves.”
Backman also wrote that “Melissa holds herself to high levels of professionalism and only accepts that from those around her. She is extremely reliable and will always put our students first.”
Denair High senior Alyssa Bedari said that the attribute that makes Treadwell special is equality. “She treats all parties equally and gives all rewards/consequences equally.”
Denair Superintendent Terry Metzger said one of Treadwell’s best qualities is her “ability to find humor in the sometimes stressful situations we experience.”
“Melissa’s big heart and can-do approach make a big difference at Denair High School and in our entire district,” Metzger said. “She is a natural problem solver and goes out of her way to help others.” Treadwell is typically modest in the face of all the compliments, deflecting all attention back to the students. Asked her favorite memories of her time at Denair, Treadwell said: “The notes, the hugs and the ‘thank yous’ from students. If I can make a difference in a student’s life then I’ve done my job.”
