Hilda Lail was presented with the award on Sept. 30 by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal at the 2023 Educator Awards Ceremony in Olympia
Vancouver Public Schools’ Hilda Lail has been recognized as the 2023 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. Lail was presented with the award on Sept. 30 by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal at the 2023 Educator Awards Ceremony in Olympia.
“It’s beautiful to see how Hilda builds community,” said Jeff Snell, superintendent of Vancouver Publish Schools. “Her impact is felt through student enrichment and increased family confidence in our district as a trusted partner in the development of their children.”
With more than 10 years working in various roles at Vancouver Public Schools (VPS), Lail has worked as a paraeducator, Family Community Resource Coordinator, and for the past few years, has served as the District Spanish Family Advocate. Her contributions led to Lail being recognized by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction as Classified School Employee of the Year.
“This award is a great honor to me. It’s not just a recognition of my work and dedication, but a testament to the incredible team and support that have been with me throughout this journey,” stated Lail, who continued, “This is also a reminder that perseverance and passion can lead to extraordinary achievements. I am deeply honored and motivated to continue making a positive impact in my field.”
Lail also manages VPS en Español, a YouTube program that features important information for families in Spanish, and the VPS Family Advisory Group, one of five advisory structures at VPS. The family advisory is composed of a group of 25-30 people that represent and reflect the broader district demographics, ensuring a more equitable and diverse representation in strategic planning work, sharing feedback, and helping to review and prioritize input received from the community.
In addition to coordinating these groups and programs, Lail also coordinates programming that enhances access for multilingual families with numerous community partners and agencies.
During the nomination process for the award, Lail’s colleague shared that, “Hilda is a fierce family advocate with tremendous compassion and kindness. … Hilda embodies the values that exemplify inclusivity and diversity which make her an excellent representative of Vancouver Public Schools, our region, and the state of Washington.”
As part of her tenure, Lail will move forward to compete for the national Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) award, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Winners will be announced in Spring 2024.
To learn more about the Classified School Employee of the Year award, visit OSPI’s website.
For additional details or to request an interview, please contact Jessica Roberts, VPS Executive Director of Communications, at jessica.roberts@vansd.org.
Information provided by Vancouver Public Schools.
Also read:
- Letter: ‘As a lifetime resident of Clark County I am disturbed regarding what I witnessed’
Sally Snyder describes lewd conduct, threatening language, and safety concerns she says she witnessed at the Feb. 11 Clark County Council meeting. - Camas, Union senior stars ready for playoff push in their final high school basketball seasons
Ethan Harris and Brooklynn Haywood lead Camas and Union into the Class 4A bi-district playoffs with state tournament berths on the line. - Letter: ‘Are we being punked?’
Anna Miller questions the Clark County Council’s authority to pass a resolution on ICE and urges members to focus on core county responsibilities. - U.S. Ed Dept. investigates Puyallup wrestler’s sexual assault allegation by trans athlete
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Puyallup School District over its handling of a sexual assault allegation involving wrestler Kallie Keeler. - Letter: ‘People who have entered illegally must face the consequences of their actions’
Vancouver resident Debra Kalz argues the County Council should not pass immigration-related resolutions and says laws must be followed or changed through proper channels. - The Enspire Extravaganza: Advancing art and community engagement for a brighter future
Enspire Arts brings more than 150 local artists to the Joyce Garver Theater in Camas on Feb. 28, featuring student ambassadors and a world premiere by composer Nicole Buetti. - Opinion: IBR’s systematic disinformation campaign, its demise
Neighbors for a Better Crossing challenges IBR’s seismic claims and promotes a reuse-and-tunnel alternative they say would save billions at the I-5 crossing.
