Three staff members from the MHS Transition Center were nominated for Lake County Educator of the Year.

Teacher Jennifer Adame, Instructional Assistant Samantha Voelker and Administrative Assistant Lulu Chapa were nominated by their colleagues and attended the event at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Wednesday evening.

Transition Coordinator Michelle Bank had high praise for the three nominees.

Adame, in her fifth year at the Transition Center, was nominated under the category Diverse Learner Teacher. She has a unique ability to differentiate the instruction for various students in her classroom, all of whom have different modes of communicating, Bank said.

“She really makes it interesting for students - they have fun in her classroom,” Bank said.

Voelker, in her second year at the Transition Center, is an instructional assistant but also helps with vocational support. She was nominated in the category of Student Support Personnel. Bank described her as the creative type who will often plan a celebration for staff members.

“She goes above and beyond in every aspect,” Bank said. “She’s a ball of energy, but her work with our participants is gentle and passionate.”

Chapa, who is often the first person people see when they enter the Transition Center, does much more than a typical administrative assistant. Nominated under the category of Educational Service Personnel, she handles all of the transportation needs, serves as a translator for parents, and fills in wherever she’s needed.

“She’s all over the place and is very positive and helpful in whatever she’s doing,” Bank said.

(L-R) MHS Principal Alexandria Rios Taylor, Ed.D., nominees Lula Chapa, Jennifer Adame and Samantha Voelker and Transition Center Coordinator Michelle Bank at the Lake County Educator of the Year program.