Caroline County Public Schools Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) Melissa Prettyman has been named Maryland PPW of the Year. The award was announced at the recent Maryland Association of Pupil Personnel (MAPP) conference in Ocean City. Also at the conference, Caroline PPW Gary Hughes was elected association president for a two-year term.
Ms. Prettyman was celebrated for this accomplishment the June Board of Education meeting. In introducing her, Supervisor of Student Services and Equity Nicole Fisher stated that no finer person could have been given this award. “We definitely recognize all that she does for our students and families,” she said, “and are happy to see her appreciated in the state.”
Dr. Simmons noted that Ms. Prettyman is a part of a dynamic team of three PPWs in Caroline. “Melissa and her co-workers absolutely put in everything to support our students and families.”
Pupil Personnel Workers (PPWs) serve as facilitators between families and schools. Working collaboratively, PPWs help identify, address, and alleviate issues impacting a student’s education, especially those related to attendance, residency verification, custody, and personal hardship. Part school counselor, part social worker, PPWs get to know families across the county and connect them to the resources they need to help their children be successful in school.
MAPP was created in 1947 to provide opportunities for Pupil Personnel Workers (PPWs) to grow professionally, develop skills, and network with colleagues in order to share best practices in the field of student services. MAPP works in conjunction with the Maryland State Department of Education to address issues such as certification requirements, and professional standards for Pupil Personnel Workers and keep members informed of legislation impacting our work with students and their families.