Phone calls, attendance, assisting students and parents who enter in the front office of the school: that’s only a glimpse of the day in the life of front office secretary Jelyn Hunter. Where the constant sound of ringing phones and the business of school traffic echo through, she manages to bring calmness and kindness to the students and faculty of Homewood High School, recently winning her the HHS support staff of the year award.
To most students, she is the friendly face greeting them as they check into school or walk inside from lunch on the patio. To faculty, she is reliable and helpful, as she was chosen as the recipient for this award in March for her “dedication to keeping the school running smoothly, supporting students and staff, and making a positive impact every day,” according to the Homewood High Instagram.
Support staff at HHS consists of guidance counselors, school resource officers, nurses and social workers, or faculty members who work hard to foster connections with students and maintain positive interactions every day. Hunter is no exception to this characteristic.
Every teacher received an email with a list of all the support staff at HHS, and they voted on the faculty member who best represented Homewood.
Hunter attended college at Jefferson State University and came back to HHS to work as a summer aide in the office. She ended up loving it, and was offered a full-time position as the front desk secretary.
“It came very naturally to me, and I take pride in the work I do for the school, students and faculty,” she said.
Hunter’s day starts early with checking in on attendance in PowerSchool, making sure every class is accounted for. Substitute plans are made weeks in advance by Hunter, but if there are any issues with coverage for a class, she is the one to handle it. As the phones begin to pick up, Hunter balances calls to classes for students and conversations with parents, students and faculty.
This busy schedule continues throughout the morning. Some days are busier than others, and Hunter enjoys the lull moments by engaging with her office aides who assist with smaller tasks throughout the day and chatting with students who pass through the office.
It’s more than helping the school run efficiently that made Hunter win the award- its the small interactions with others in the school that show her true character.
When substitute plans fall through and another teacher voluntarily covers for a class, Hunter makes sure to write them a hand-written thank you note complete with a Reese’s cup. When athletic director Rick Bagluey dropped a box walking into the office, Hunter was the first one up, ready to assist with helping pick it up and making sure everything was okay.
When it was announced over the intercom that Hunter was the recipient of the award, she was shocked it was her, and at first doubted she had won the award.
“When it came over the announcements, my office aides started clapping, and I was like, ‘What in the world are they clapping for?’ she said. “I was in shock because to me, I’m just doing my job. So to know that to other students and faculty, it just means a lot to me, that they are watching me and think I am making a difference.”
Every moment of her day is a balance of multitasking and meaningful connections. She treats everyone with kindness and sincerity, showcasing her true passion for her crucial role at the school.
It is ultimately the relationships and connections with those in the school that Hunter admires most about her role at HHS.
“The ability to help people and make a difference throughout their day is what is most fulfilling to me,” Hunter said. “I love connecting with students, parents, faculty, companies and individuals that come to the building.”
Hunter’s presence transforms the front office into a place where people feel welcome, supported and valued: all core values of HHS.
Writer’s note: The next time you see Mrs. Hunter when passing through the office, make sure to give her a big thank you for all the important work she does to keep HHS up and running!
