Sue Carter, secretary, Dickinson Elementary/Explorer Community School
Kudos to Sue Carter, Lake Washington School District’s “Staff Star” for August 2011.
Susan “Sue” Carter is at the front door of the Dickinson Elementary, Explorer Community School and Dickinson Preschool community. As the office secretary for 11 years, Sue is the first face you encounter and the first voice that you hear on the phone when you call any of these schools.
Sue’s favorite part of her job is working with the staff at Dickinson/Explorer. She especially enjoys working 
with her partner in the office, office manager Marilyn Johnson. Sue says that the staff is all fun, loving and shares the common goal of putting students first. She also enjoys not knowing what will happen each day, seeing the kids and getting to know the parents and the staff.
The staff at Dickinson enjoys working with her as well. One co-worker commented, “Sue communicates unwavering acceptance, love, warm humor, and welcome toward each staff member, parent and child on a daily basis.”
Each school year, parents are acquainted with new teachers for their children. The office staff at Dickinson has remained constant for the past ten years. Sue is trusted to support and guide each individual who calls and each person who visits these three schools.
“Any school would be a better place if Sue Carter worked there. She is the ultimate secretary. I cannot think of anyone who does not love her. Sue greets each person with love and a huge smile. She even has a drawer filled with toys and goodies for young children who are visiting. Personally, I have been so very blessed to work alongside Sue. We have worked together for several years now and I could not do my job as well without her!” said Marilyn Johnson, office manager at Dickinson/Explorer.
Sue’s work is not limited to the parents or staff. She works every day with students and helps to support the district’s vision of “Every Student Future Ready” by teaching them courtesy, respect for others and general good manners during each encounter.
In addition to her 11 years in the school’s office, Sue also worked as a substitute Instructional Assistant (IA) at Dickinson / Explorer for ten years. Sue started out as a parent at the school in 1987, and volunteered in the classrooms and with the PTSA. At that point, Sue said, “I fell in love with my school.” When her youngest child started school in 1991, she became an IA substitute at the school. Sue became a permanent employee in the office in December 1999.
Dickinson Elementary is home to not only Kindergarten through grade six students at Dickinson but also to Explorer Community School, one of three elementary choice schools in the district (including 70 additional students in grades 1-6). It also houses one of the district’s preschool programs.