Bagley School Paraeducator Wins (REACH) Award at Ceremony in Washington, D.C
Tue, 05/06/2025 - 2:20pm
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Washington, D.C. – Candy Syverson, a Paraeducator for Bagley Schools and member of Minnesota School Employees Association, was honored in Washington D.C. as one of the 2025 Recognizing Excellence and Classified Heroes (REACH) Award winners. The REACH award is presented to five exceptional individuals from various regions of the country who exhibit outstanding and motivating deeds in their schools and communities. This annual award aims to acknowledge the excellent work displayed by classified school employees.
Candy has dedicated herself to being a leader in her local MSEA unit for many years. She can be approached by members with questions pertaining to the contract or concerns and is quick to help find an answer or a solution. She stands up for members and their rights and has been active in negotiating with her district for better benefits. Candy is persistent in talking to new employees about the importance of being a part of MSEA and is successful in getting new members to sign up. She represents her local unit by regularly attending MSEA events and trainings. She encourages other to get involved and keeps them informed about what is going on within MSEA and their local unit. Candy has offered support and encouragement to leaders in the neighboring districts. Her commitment to being a leader does not go unnoticed.
Candy's dedication to her community and her colleagues is exemplary. She has served in various roles in the local unit, such as co-chief steward, treasurer, building representative, and negotiation team member. As one coworker stated, “Candy is a hard working committed lady. She has earned a lot of respect from students because she is honest and fair. You always know what is expected of you with Candy, no funny business. As a union leader she has been diligent at keeping our unit strong. She is always making sure to reach out to new staff while making sure we are all being treated fairly, and receiving what is in our contract.”
The contributions of classified educational support employees are irreplaceable and essential to the success of our education system. They work tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the best possible education and support. From keeping our schools safe and clean to providing emotional and academic support, these dedicated individuals are the backbone of our education system. Their unwavering commitment to students and their communities is truly inspiring, let us continue to recognize the critical role they play in shaping the future of our nation.
The United Classified School Employees (UCSE) is a coalition of classified school employee unions from across the nation that work together to advocate on behalf of our members and the students they serve.