Making the grade

Patty Beaver became the first recipient of the Laguna Beach Unified School District’s “Spirit of LBUSD” award during a recent “welcome back” breakfast for district staff returning to work after the summer break.

Beaver, who is human resources coordinator for the district, got a standing ovation when the award was announced in a surprise ceremony.

“There is no question that Patty Beaver’s quality of service to the students and staff makes her the perfect recipient of this award,” said Supt. Robert Fraisse.

Fraisse, who joined the district last year, originated the idea of a Spirit of LBUSD award.

Beaver earned other accolades during the event.

“I am in the enviable position of working with Patty Beaver every single day,” said Nancy Hubbell, assistant superintendent of instructional services. “She interacts with every employee, anticipates and meets every need, and unsnarls every problem we bring to her. She does it all with such kindness and grace that she is the perfect first recipient of this award.”

Walt Hamera, president of the Laguna Beach Unified Faculty Assn., said Beaver “is a consummate mom” to the district’s 150 teachers.

“She is the first person we see when we are hired,” Hamera said. “She nurtures, consoles, congratulates and comforts us. She provides advice and information, support and even sustenance when we attend professional development workshops. We would be lost without her.”

Beaver joined the district in 1988 as secretary to the principal at Laguna Beach High School, after working for nearly 10 years for school systems outside Orange County. She soon became the administrative assistant of curriculum and instruction, and eight years later accepted her current position.

She was honored in 2005 with the Q4e Employee Excellence award.