Frasier named ESP of Year

Reprinted with permission from the Black Hills Pioneer
A Spearfish Middle School staff member was recently named the S.D. Education Association/ National Education Association Education Support Professional of the Year.
Carmen Frasier, an education support professional (ESP), received the accolades earlier this month. She has been an ESP in the sixth-grade resource room for 21 years.
“Carmen is very deserving of the SDEA/NEA ESP of the Year award,” said Kirk Easton, superintendent of the Spearfish School District. “She is very dedicated to the students she serves and is willing to take on additional responsibilities when asked.”
One of those additional responsibilities came when the district shuttered its buildings in March when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across the country.
“Carmen Frasier began working tirelessly to help the students in our entire district to obtain free meals. She organized the distribution of meals for all students and families,” Becky Sukstorf, a sixth-grade teacher wrote in a nomination letter. “She lobbied for not only school age children to receive meals, but any household family members under the age of 18 to receive meals. She stood in rain, snow, blazing heat and wind to ensure the children of our community were fed. When special circumstances arrived, Carmen personally delivered meals to families when she finished her work day.”
“The pandemic and distance learning was definitely a challenge for both students and teachers,” Frasier said. “Being able to stay in touch with students through Google classroom and Zoom meetings kept them engaged with their ability to continue learning.”
She also serves as a co-advisor for the Spearfish Middle School Student Council.
“Her love of education and the students she helps is evident in every aspect of her work,” Sukstorf added. “One of her greatest assets is her ability to help all students and make her special education students never feel inferior.”
Frasier is the daughter of Kenny and Sue Kainz and the daughter-in-law of Carol Frasier, all of Custer.