LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Linda Kerr was nominated by Norma Barber, her colleague.

Ms. Kerr came to work at Ukiah School after retiring from corporate roles. She had owned travel agencies, supervised employees in banking, and trained agents in remote situations for various job requirements. Ms. Kerr had done everything, and had the accolades to prove that she had done them all well.

"When she applied to be our school secretary, we told Linda that this could be a part-time gig and that she could largely set her own hours," said Barber. "It turned out that Ms. Kerr was not quite ready for that sort of partial retirement."

She comes to work early, stays late, and volunteers for any activity where it's needed. She also attends nearly every organized event or program and keeps everyone kindly and securely within the circle of her attention and love.

"Linda is the most trustworthy person I know," said Barber. "If Linda says she'll do something, I can depend on that happening."

Ms. Kerr is a very trustworthy person. She works hard to accomplish all the tasks she is responsible for completing, and they are always done well. She keeps her promises, always.

Ms. Kerr's focus is to help each of the people with whom she works.

"She once told me, when I voiced frustration that I didn't feel that I was ready for an important presentation, that she was there to help me," explains Barber. "I told her it was my problem and that she didn't need to worry about it. I will never forget, nor live up to, her quiet and comforting response: 'I see my job as to help you look good.'"

Ms. Kerr is very helpful to the school district as a whole. Her desire is to support the district in any way she can and to speak well of all of her colleagues when their names come up outside the workplace. Ms. Kerr believes that when one of her colleagues stands out positively, it reflects on the whole staff. She helps bring peace of mind to everyone with whom she comes in contact with her positive and uplifting view of the world. 

"This is not to say that Linda has a 'Pollyanna' attitude; she understands and acknowledges the negative influences that exist," said Barber. "However, she also understands that good work and a positive attitude can overcome negative influences. She focuses on positive, uplifting communications and actions that help the entire school population be better in every way."

"Ms. Kerr meets with all of our staff at the level and involvement where we are," said Barber. "She warmly welcomes beginning teacher assistants and helps them with paperwork, scheduling, and getting oriented to the building. They feel prepared and capable of completing tasks assigned to them."

The superintendent feels the same support and warm regard. The communication and information shared through the office is at a different level and complexity depending on the role and need because the superintendent needs different information from the teacher's assistant. Ms. Kerr understands that and always keeps her communications appropriate.

One of her responsibilities is to act as the secretary to the School Board of Directors, and those members can call the school and receive details appropriate to their role as they need.

"I am always in awe of Linda's abilities to differentiate - yet never make any person feel that theirs was not the most important bit of information she needed to disseminate that moment," said Barber. "We all walk away satisfied and informed appropriately. She has indeed changed the lives of students, staff, and parents at Ukiah, Oregon. We are blessed to have Linda in our daily lives."