Ms. Merritt received the Liberty support staff of the year award for not only her hard work in the resource room, but also for her compassion and sympathetic heart that makes any student feel welcome at Liberty.

“I was shocked when I heard I got support staff of the year,” Ms. Merritt said, who was selected in a vote of Liberty teachers and staff. “I’m really shy and they said my name and at first I didn’t believe it. But I’m really happy about the whole thing and glad that I can make a difference in some people’s lives.”

Everyone feels that she is deserving of this award, especially assistant principal Dr. Kiely.  

“Ms. Merritt has made resource her own, helped many students have successes, and provided a safe space for many,” Dr. Kiely said.  

This is Ms. Merritt’s first year working in the resource room, although she began working at Liberty in 2017 as the attendance secretary.

She first started her education pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing and switched to teaching after finding a passion for it.

Since switching to the resource is her job, it looks a little different now than it did as the attendance secretary. Her job isn’t easy and every day looks a little different.

Some of the typical things she does may include: reading a test to a student, helps students come up with ways to talk to their teachers about their grades or resource can be a quiet space for students to be. It can also serve as a place when students have a crisis at home and they can go there as a safe place.

There are many things Ms. Merritt does, but the best way to put it would be that she is a problem solver for all different students.

“I’ve been gifted the opportunity to connect with and mentor some of Liberty’s most extraordinary kids. My classroom has become an extension of my home where each student is valued, championed, believed in and challenged to grow,” she said.

Freshman Brianna Spies looks up to Ms. Merritt and loves having someone talk to too whenever she needs it at anytime of the day.

“I love Ms. Merritt and it’s a good place to go whenever I need it at school,” Spies said.

There are many supportive staff members here at Liberty, and it’s hard to find one that doesn’t deserve this award, but Ms. Merritt has made a big impact with students and proved that she is well deserving of such a great award.