LEMON SPRINGS, NC - At Greenwood Elementary, the front office is more than just a place to check in. It is a place where everyone feels seen, heard, and cared for. That is at the heart of the experience for the school’s long-time Administrative Assistant and Receptionist, Ellen Silverman.
“Ellen loves doing what she does because she believes in people,” shared Principal Alan Caywood. “She believes in giving people the support that they deserve. When people come to her with frustrations, she never holds it against them. She tries to understand and see what she can do to help them. She really is the heartbeat of this place”
That belief in people shines through in every interaction. Whether it is a student needing encouragement or a parent with a concern, Ellen makes time for everyone. “Every single student that comes into this office is treated with love, warmth, and care,” Caywood explained. “There is never a moment that Ellen is too busy for someone.”
Her journey in education began as a fifth grade tutor, where she quickly discovered her passion for helping others and staying organized, while learning to be flexible. “You just have to take whatever hits your desk and do your best with it,” she said. “I’ve just worked with some really smart, really great people.”
Over the years, Greenwood has been more than a workplace, it has been a source of support during life’s challenges. “I really do enjoy my job and it helped me keep sane through a lot of really bad spots in my life,” Ellen shared. “After a year as a part-time tutor, the principal that hired me, Vicki Haislip, asked me to transition into this role as someone retired. It was only part-time, a job share.”
Soon, Silverman was faced with challenges in her personal life and she did not know whether she would be able to make ends meet. “When my life erupted and I needed benefits, the Principal at the time, Aimee Petrarca, I asked . . . No, I begged her could I have more hours,” Ellen remembered. “She was so kind. She immediately worked it out. So my life worked out.”
“It really is the family,” she said. “It is the people I work with. The children that come here. That is what makes this a positive place to work.” For Silverman, it is clear that it is the relationships that matter most.
“That sense of care is exactly what she strives to pass on to everyone that walks through the doors. “I hope people walk out feeling that their concerns and needs are heard,” she said. “I want them to feel welcome, like they are a top priority. Because they are.”
From warm smiles to heartfelt encouragement, Ellen Silverman makes Greenwood Elementary a brighter place – one person at a time.