Carrie Johnson, a paraeducator at Greywolf Elementary School, was named Olympic Educational Service District’s Regional Classified Employee of the Year for 2023-24 earlier this year.

Now she’s up for an even bigger honor.

Johnson joins seven others for Washington state’s 2024 Classified School Employee of the Year, who — along with Washington’s 2025 Teacher of the Year — will be announced by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Reykdal and staff with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction will celebrate the winners and candidates at a private ceremony slated for 10:30 a.m. in Olympic.

The announcement will also be streamed on OSPI’s YouTube page (youtube.com/live/a-IiAIxa7zQ) and on TVW.org.

Johnson works in Greywolf’s special education department as a resource paraeducator. She works with students with Individualized Education Plans to help them meet academic and behavioral goals, Greywolf principal Jennifer Lopez said.

“We are thrilled that Ms. Johnson has received state-wide recognition for her dedication to her profession and her students,” Lopez said.

“She is the last person to seek out accolades but the first person to do whatever it takes to help students be successful”

Lopez said Johnson looks for the best in her students and works on ways to help them grow from their strengths, and always lets them come back from difficult moments to do better.

“We are fortunate to have Ms. Johnson at Greywolf, helping build important foundations for the educational futures of our students,” Lopez said.

Other speakers include Blaire Penry, 2024 Washington State Teacher of the Year, and Hilda Lail, 2023 Classified School Employee of the Year.

The other finalists for the Classified Employee of the Year include: Erica Aparicio, Yakima Public Schools; Zach Claypool, Lexington Elementary School (Kelso School District); Kathi Dahlstrom, Wishkah Valley School District; Julie Herdt, Tukwila School District; Geancarla “Carla” Shanks Morales, Orcas Island Elementary School; Maria Valle, Quincy School District; and, Tammy Ward, Mary Walker School District.

The eight finalists for the Teacher of the Year are: Kristy Bishop, Moses Lake High School; Kim Broomer, Ruby Bridges Elementary (Northshore School District); Kelly Guilfoil, Lake Stevens High School; Rachel Lake, Ilwaco High School; Andrew Landowski, Black Hills High School (Tumwater School District); Lauren Thomas, Toppenish High School; Teena Vaderholm, Washtucna School District; and, Kristyne York, James Taylor High School (Belfair School District).