McKinley Elementary School Positive Behavior Technician Denise Adelman has been named the 2025 Fargo Public Schools Support Staff of the Year. Fargo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi made the surprise announcement today at McKinley during an all-school assembly.
Adelman is described as playing an essential role at McKinley in fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment for both students and staff. Her nominators say that her presence is so calming that she can help both students and adults regulate their emotions just by being in the room. Her warmth, whether through a smile, or a hug, creates a safe and welcoming environment.
Adelman shows her dedication to the Fargo Public Schools motto of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” by believing in every student’s potential no matter the obstacles in their way. Her colleagues say she is tireless in helping her students develop their social and emotional skills and fill their “self-regulation toolboxes.” She is described as having a growth-mindset, always looking for new resources and strategies to help students overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
Her colleagues say she uses her collaboration skills to team with fellow staff to provide the best possible path to success for the students at McKinley. She partners with classroom teachers to create and update student plans to provide the best outcomes, and with McKinley’s school counselor to address any issues that arise throughout a given day. This collaboration fosters a sense of teamwork, trust, and consistency, creating a more supportive environment for students.
Adelman has worked at McKinley since 2004, first as a lunchroom supervisor from 2004-08, as a special education paraeducator from 2008-17, and as a positive behavior technician since 2017. She worked outside of education prior to starting at McKinley.
Adelman follows Sarrah Gustafson, administrative assistant at Jefferson Elementary School, as the Support Staff of the Year honoree. The Fargo Public Schools Support Staff of the Year award has been presented within the District since 2014. The honor is an award regularly bestowed as part of the District’s annual Staff Recognition Program. The District also annually recognizes a Teacher of the Year and an Administrator of the Year.
