Pat Baltmanis was nominated by her principal, Kelly Jensenius.
Ms. Baltmanis has worked at Lake Center Elementary for the majority of her career. She knows every student and parent that walks in the door. This includes parents and students from years past. When students and parents enter the office they are greeted by their name and are treated with respect.
"Pat has made a positive impact in so many students' lives you can't even begin to count the number." Jensenius said. "She knows the role in the front office makes or breaks the entire culture of our building and models professionalism and respect on a daily basis to ALL who enter it."
"When you walk into LCE you know you are at home!. It is with a heavy heart that Pat will be retiring after this school year. We are all going to miss her presence greatly, but also know that what she has taught us will live on in our building forever!" Jensenius said. "We are all better parents, students and educators because of Pat! She is truly a LifeChanger!"
Pat will be missed! It has been a joy working with her over the past 8 years, with all 3 of my kiddos. Good luck and happy retirement!
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my memories of childhood are rife with jingles, sitcoms and theme songs. So, as I have sat tapping my pencil, wondering how to capture all Pat Baltmanis has meant to me and Lake Center, a familiar tune rose from the recesses of my mind. It was from a show I hardly watched at the time but whose theme song bore deep into my soul..."Making your way in the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came..." That summed it up for me.
Just as that theme song set a tone for a generation in the 80s, Pat has set the tone for Lake Center over her many years of service. She loves students and staff which shows in how she interacts with them. She cares about the details- of software programs, for conferences, after school events, a myriad of paperwork details and of students' lives- past, present and future (those who will register for kindergarten). Pat knows so many answers to what I may need, and if she doesn't know, she follows up in a timely way and always gets back to me. She does so much that will extend and carry on long after she has left. Most importantly, she is trustworthy. I trust her the way I used to trust my dad when I was a kid, and he was driving our boat. I noticed the huge waves around the boat, the speed at which we were going, and the huge body of water surrounding me. But, I trusted him to navigate the vessel, lead us to our destination and take care of us if something went wrong. Pat operates at work as that same kind of leader. She is competent, knows the landscape and how to navigate through a multitude of tasks. She is fully capable to run the office, point us in the right direction and lead us where we need to go on a daily basis. I will miss her after she retires, but she leaves behind a legacy. A few thousand students and many staff have benefited from her work, knowingly and unknowingly. I want to say thanks to Pat for being trustworthy, competent, caring and the best multitasker I have known. Cheers to you as you move on from Lake Center!
Ms. Baltmanis is a true gem. You are immediately greeted with a warm and friendly smile when you walk into the front office. She is absolutely wonderful with the kids and we are so very grateful for all of her help and hard work over the years. She will certainly be missed and we wish her a wonderful retirement!
Ms. Baltmanis is a lifesaver. When my daughter first started attending Lake Center Elementary both her and I were unsure of pretty much everything. Being my oldest child I had no idea what I was doing. Ms. Baltmanis was always there to answer questions, offer reassurance and be a smiling face to hand my daughter off to. She is a wonderful and steady presence at the school and we are thankful for her.
Pat is a joy to engage with! She is so kind with the students, teachers and parents. Personally, she has made a positive impact through her helpful and friendly nature. She will be missed!!!
This year I've had the privilege of seeing Pat Baltmanis almost every day of school as I come in to tend to some special needs of one of my children. She is always ready to unlock the door and greet us with a smile. She consistently engages my preschool daughter in conversation and patiently answers many "why?" questions. Having 2 students at Lake Center this year, both with food allergies and one with lots of extra help needed, I feel confident that Pat is one of the many adults who has things under control and makes sure everything is safe and comfortable for all the students. While she is definitely a competent and skilled office professional, she goes above and beyond in her care and concern and RELATIONSHIPS with the students and their families. We will surely miss seeing her and visiting with her when she retires. She has been a life changer at Lake Center Elementary!
Pat has been such a help to me at Lake Center over the past several years. She is the go-to person for everything here and she always has the answers. She is extremely friendly, funny and witty and always goes the extra mile to help out no matter how busy she is. She knows how to make everyone who enters the office feel welcome. We have been so lucky to have her at our school! She will be greatly missed when she retires.
As a teacher in the building, Pat is always helpful when I need anything. She knows where everything is and when it is happening. She is a wonderful co-worker and a great friend!
As a parent to 2 students, Pat goes above and beyond to find ways to connect with my kids. With both of them having special medical needs as well, she makes their visits to the office fun in addition to helping with the medical needs.
Overall, Pat is a wonderful addition to our school and will be greatly missed next year!
Pat is always willing to help. No matter what type of question or problem I have, Pat always takes care of it with a smile. She is the person staff, parents and students know they can go to with anything. We are so lucky to have her in the front office!
Pat is always there for our kids! Expert splinter-taker-outer! (Per Evan Cooper). You will be missed!
This Woman is always such a joy! My children look forward to saying hello to her. Her smile really lights the room and her memory is truly impectable. As a mom its nice to know your child is well taken care of at school and knowing the teachers and staff are so loving brings my heart and mind so much peace. I am so Thankful for Mrs. Baltmanis and the staff at Lake center elementary.
Pat is a tireless, giving person. She is one of the first to arrive at school in the morning and one of the last to leave at the end of the day. She has been an amazing support to me as a teacher. I depend on her for calendar, school protocol, a student name (she knows them all!), fixing the copy machine and a myriad of other things. It is true that she has all the answers or can find the answer in a split second. She is compassionate toward the children and they all love her. Our Lake Center Elementary Family will miss her very much. Pat will make The National Life Group proud to choose her as the recipient of their Lifechanger of the Year award. I highly recommend her!
My kids attended LCE in the late 1990- early 2000’s and Pat was always so helpful and friendly! I’ve run into Pat every now and then since and she always remembers to ask how my two kids are doing. She is a valuable asset to the entire Lake Center Family, young and old! Congratulations!!
Pat is always multitasking. The kids just love her!! She will be missed greatly. She is always working and stays positive. She has all the answers. We are blessed to have had her as long as we've had.
From student questions to parent demands, paperwork to bandaids, Pat Baltmanis handles it all with grace and complete compentence. Whether the student follows the rules or breaks the mold, Pat is there with the right attitude to help each student "where they are" in the moment and without missing a beat. Having one of each type child, I have seen Pat on both ends. Even when a firm tone is needed, she is caring and encouraging. For parents who were new to the world of 504s and IEPs, she has helped guide us through the deluge of paperwork. She anticipates a need and presents a solution before the question is asked. I don't know what we would have done without her.
Pat has had a positive impact on the lives of countless children and their parents as the engine of Lake Center Elementary. There are few people who's first concern when asked about retirement is "missing the kids". She deserves this award as a true Life Changer.
Pat was one of the first people I met when I came to work at Lake Center Elementary. And she kind of took me under her wing whenever I would come ask one of the thousands questions daily. She is an amazing member of not only the school community but her own community as well.
Pat is always so welcoming and patient. I remember when my son (now in 6th grade) started school...I had no clue what I was doing. Even though she was busy with a bunch of other things, she took the time to tell me what all I needed to have for my son to start school. And she’s been teaching me ever since! I really appreciate Pat’s warm, calm demeanor & I know if I have any questions, she’ll have answers. We will all miss her greatly when she retires - but her legacy will live on in our hearts.
Thank you Pat for everything you do for parents and our children.
"I'm not sure....Ask Pat." That's all you need to know about the impact that Pat Baltmanis has on Lake Center. Her rich knowledge of all that is happening is invaluable to the everyday heartbeat of the school. Her love for the students, her commitment to the excellence and her loyalty to the staff will indeed leave a legacy hard to match. As a parent, I have been blessed to know her and had the opportunity to work with her! We'll miss Pat greatly.
As a parent, I always feel welcome at Lake Center and Pat plays a huge role in creating that atmosphere. She is the first face you see and is always there with a smile on her face. Pat knows all of my children by name, even my 3 year old who only comes once a week for speech. She will be sorely missed!
Pat is such a fabulous co-worker and friend here at Lake Center. I have gotten to work with her for 13 years, and during that time both of my own children have attended this school. I have seen her love for every student shown in such powerful ways. Pat is dedicated to making each and every day run smoothly for the staff, which directly impacts our ability to work with our students. Because of her level of respect and commitment, we are all better people. The feeling of family here is due to the foundation of kindness that she has built. Pat deserves to win this award; she IS a LifeChanger to all of us and we will all truly miss her when she retires.
When I met Mrs. Baltmanis in 2002, I quickly learned she was the lady in the office you go to. Over the years, I have observed her daily dedication with a cool head, sense of humor and love for our school. These times included a few moments of pure leadership under fire in which she shined. Meeting the needs of so many students and their families. In which, at moments were beyond extra hugs, her stretched time and intuitive nature, but no doubt of which only she will ever fully know what it took to accomplish their needs. On a professional level with so many years under her belt, she's also learned to adapt in our changing times, including the many tasks as outlined by the wonderful comments in this nomination. Our 3 kids are very thankful to have had this time with her. She has been a blessing to many. Congrats Pat, no one deserves this more than you... forever part of our Lake Center family makes you a winner to me!
Pat has made me feel at home in my children's school since the first day I walked in the door. She always greets me with a funny tidbit about one of my children, or a reminder for something she knows I will not want to forget in the hectic life of a working mom. I feel blessed to have known Pat and feel fortunate to consider her a friend.
Mrs. Baltmanis is the lifeblood to our school. If you ever want to know who, what, where, or when, just ask Pat. She has seen many changes during her tenure here and she always weathers them with children's best interests at heart. She will be greatly missed!
Being new to the building this year, Mrs. Baltmanis has been instrumental in my success! Her patience, knowledge, willingness to assist, and her patience (did I already mention this?!) is shining each day. It is obvious to parents, students, and of course the staff she does not view this as a job, but a love. The countless hugs and reassuring words given to our students are what puts smiles back on many of our kiddos faces. Her humor and ability to take the many demands throughout each day in stride are just the beginning of the long list of reasons as to why she deserves this honor. Upon her retirement at the conclusion of this year, I am positive the outpouring from past students, family members, and staff members will be in abundant. Lifechanger is a word to define Mrs. Pat Baltmanis.
Pat is one of those amazing people who know what to say or do in any situation. She genuinely cares for every member of our Lake Center family. She is a true advocate for children and has positively impacted thousands of lives. She remains calm in every situation and thus has the ability to problem solve under any circumstance. Her ability to get to know every family, student, and staff member is truly amazing. When you walk through the doors at Lake Center Elementary, you are welcomed by a true hero of public education. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Pat.
Thank you for always having an answer!
Ms. Baltmanis has been an absolute pleasure to deal with. My son comes from a different school district, but he's always been a part of Portage in Ms. Baltmanis's eyes. No matter what issue I've ever faced, Ms. Baltmanis has dealt with it with a smile, professionalism and grace. Her presence will be sadly missed. The person that is chosen to take her place will have some VERY large shoes to fill. She is certainly an awesome lady that is totally deserving of the LifeChanger award. She is wished nothing but the best of luck in her future retirement!
Pat is AMAZING! I can go to her for any question I have, and she always has the answer! She has been very helpful to me in getting acclimated to the building this year. Pat is always ready to help with a smile. As a parent, I have always appreciated Pat's friendly demeanor in the office. She knows each student and their parents. She will be greatly missed!
Pat is a lifesaver! She can run our school with her eyes shut. I have had the pleasure of working with her for the past fifteen years as well as be a parent in her building for the past six years. She takes excellent care of all our children and students. We are going to miss her dearly when she retires; she has BIG shoes to fill! Thank you for your love all these years, Pat!
My family moved from Brazil to Portage six months ago. We have two girls that was afraid and didn't know nothing about English and US culture. Mrs. Baltmanis helped us a lot giving all the orientations that we need about how to organize their documents, immunization, sign in on school bus service and clarifying a lot of different questions that I asked her. She has been always patient and efficient to help my family. It was very nice for us have met her!
Pat will be missed! It has been a joy working with her over the past 8 years, with all 3 of my kiddos. Good luck and happy retirement!
If you were to ask Pat what is most important in her life, I believe she would say, "KIDS!" Pat is always willing to stop what she is doing during her busy secretarial day to help a child. She wipes tears, she walks hand-in-hand down the hall with reluctant students, she reassures those that do not believe in themselves, she encourages those that are faced with challenge, and she delights in those sharing their successes with her. Pat is always cheering on the students of LCE, in and out of school. Pat is always willing to put KIDS FIRST! Pat is an advocate for every child that enters our school, and is always cognizant of making decisions that are in the best interest of each child. Besides attending to all of her LCE flock, Pat has always demonstrated efficiency and effectiveness in her secretarial work. Our school would not operate the same without Pat's intuitive insights, knowledge, and wisdom as she interacts with and supports students, families, administration, and staff. She is a true asset to our school community and has impacted so many lives in the years she has diligently worked as our secretary. We are going to miss her dearly, but also wish her the best as she enters a new chapter of life. I'm sure she will find ways to continuing putting children first, including her own grandchildren!
Pat is SO FANTASTIC. We came to the school when our kids were in 2nd and 3rd grade. A new school can be scary. She was the first person we met and was so welcoming and friendly. The kids loved her and so did we. She certainly set the tone for the rest of the school experience and made us feel right at home.
She helped me through a lot of rough Times and through the good ones too, she helped me through school and the boring days, and she always brightened my day and she deserves this award.
I am so very thankful that my children got to spend their years at Lake center and a big part what makes the school so great is Mrs. Baltmanis. She has such a way with all the kids, but I am especially grateful for the positive impact she had on my son. He had a hard time with elementary school but Mrs. Baltmanis made it a personal mission to work with him and encourage him on a daily basis. She helped him get through those tough years. And every time we return to the school my son seeks her out for a quick reunion and of course a hug!
Mrs. Baltmanis is one of the sweetest women I have ever met. She is always looking out for the kiddos. She is AMAZING at what she does and will truly be missed. I wish her all the best! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Pat Baltmanis is much more than someone who fulfills a list of secretarial duties. She gets to know the families of our school deeply and can often guide the teaching staff in ways we need to support our students most effectively. She seems to always have a solution to any problem large or small that can assist a student and allow them to continue moving through their day. She has often been a part of positive behavior support plans, even offering incentives herself to students who connect with her and value her guidance as they practice appropriate behavior. She keeps our school running smoothly! Students never know all she does in order to remove barriers from their having a great day!
Ms. Baltmanis has played a significant role in helping my children and I feel welcome at Lake Center! She is helpful and efficient and greets my children and I with a smile. She is responsible for so many tasks at LCE and we are all so grateful for all she does. We will miss Pat, but are we are excited for her!
Pat Baltmanis has been amazing part of Lake Center Elementary for many years. She always has a smile and a friendly greeting. She takes care of our kids like they are her own. She will be GREATLY missed.
I have had 5 kids travel through Lake Center Elementary - all whom have had their tough days! I'm so thankful that when one of my kids, or any of the kids of LCE, go to the office because they don't feel well or are having a hard time, Pat is there to greet them and help them feel better. She will be missed beyond belief next year but I'm glad she's ready to take some time for herself! It is well deserved.
My older son who went to LCE 6 years ago Pat still remembers by name and asks how he's doing. I also see her at various kids sporting events that went to LCE. We are so lucky to have someone at LCE that truly cares about our kids.
Pat is awesome! Her job is not easy, yet she is friendly and kind. She goes the extra mile to keep us parents informed. And it's pretty impressive to know all of the students in this rather large school. She will be so missed!
Pat wears so many hats during her day at LCE. It's hard to say all of the things she does. She is a mother, nurse, secretary, comforter and more. Somehow she knows the names of every child and parent. She is a strength and comfort to out children, parents, and staff. Through the years, I have seen her take on so many tasks that were not in her job description, but were essential to a child's well being. I don't know how anyone will do all of the things that she has done over the years, or how that person will be the support she is to our school. Pat is an amazing person, and she will be sorely missed.
Pat greets the parents with a smile, is so helpful and supportive. Never misses a beat. My grandchildren respect and trust her, as do I. She will be a great loss to LCE and the parents/grandparents who have come to rely on her.
The McKenna family wishes her a long, healthy, relaxing retirement. She earned and deserves it. We will miss you. Thank you for being you.
Pat is AMAZING! She has been a great resource for me during my time on the PTO and as Yearbook Adviser. She knows all the answers to our questions; she is great with the kids; she goes above and beyond! I truly believe she runs the school. Lake Center has been fortunate to have such a dedicated person working on the front lines - the office - and we will never be able to find another Pat. She is irreplaceable. I am saddened by the news of her retirement and will miss seeing her in the office.
Walking into the office at LCE, you are immediately greeted by Pat Baltmanis. You instantly feel as though your child is under the care of someone who genuinely loves each and every child. Calling into the office is no different, Pat willingly helps with any and every situation to better your child's school experience. She gets to know you and your child, and when time allows, you can have a great conversation with her concerning; school, your individual needs, Detroit Tigers baseball, and upcoming events at LCE. Pat will be truly missed as the initial point of contact at LCE. Our kids will miss her tremendously. Thank you Pat for your care of all the children at LCE!!
I am always so impressed with how Ms. Baltmanis takes such pride and good care of the LCE students. She knows each and every one of them by name, usually their teacher and creates an atmosphere of respect in the office! I trust that my daughter is well taken care of at LCE and in part that is because of Pat.
Thanks for all you do every day!
It has been an honor working with Pat all of these years. There are so many components to her job and she is truly "on it" keeping everything running so smoothly. The students think that Mrs. Baltmanis knows just about anything and also that she is a nurse who can help them with their medical issues (we won't tell them). Pat personally helps me every day in many ways. I am proud to call her my coworker and friend.
Pat is AMAZING! She has been my go-to person since day one and I can always count on her to have answers to whatever question I may have. She helps make the office a welcoming space for staff and parents and we will miss her greatly!!
As both a employee and a former parent of Lake Center Elementary, I can say that Pat is the heart of our school. She gives a helping hand to parents, staff and students alike. Pat truly cares about all of us at Lake Center and her family here will miss her dearly when she retires this year. There will never be another one quite like her again!
