Sarina Feng
Teacher aide and Classified Employee of the Year Jim Munger smiles in front of a wall of puzzles. The puzzles were completed by students in the Special Education program over the past decades.
You have probably seen Jim Munger in the B-building hallways, working the stadium lights at Friday night football games or assisting the custodial staff — always in colorful, knee-high socks and a wide smile. According to Principal Rob Coppo, Munger is — for lack of a better phrase — “omnipresent” on campus.
“Not only does he support our modified students in our Special Education program, but he has worked as a night custodian and events here on campus,” Coppo said. “He’s just everywhere with a huge smile on his face and always looking for some other way to serve the school.”
Munger was recognized by the school’s staff as the Classified Employee of the Year. The term “classified employees” come from the private sector rather than the world of education and do not require a teaching credential, while “credential employee” refers to staff, administrators and counselors who do hold a teaching credential. The school has been presenting this award before 2008, when Coppo joined the school.
“The purpose of the award is to recognize the hard work and dedication of the classified staff because I think sometimes they’re the unsung heroes of the school,” Coppo said.
Munger’s primary role on campus is a teacher’s aide, where he helps facilitate the learning and social process for some students. While he describes his career as a “work in progress throughout [his] life,” a love for helping others has always guided his journey.
Growing up in the Midwest, Munger followed the conventional path from high school to college. Afterward, he worked a variety of jobs across the country, from manufacturing to food service to elder care, before he found a calling to education in California.
“I’ve always enjoyed being able to show someone an easier way or a different way to do something, to complete a task,” Munger said. “This job was like a culmination of all my previous experiences, allowing me to really give my best at helping someone accomplish their goals.”
When Munger is not a teacher’s aide, he helps the custodial department after school and over the summer. He is also involved in athletic activities, such as logging information at track meets or updating the basketball scoreboard. Sometimes, he even accompanies students who require one-on-one aid to events like Winter Formal. In other words, Munger takes part in “a little bit of everything.”
“The opportunity is there and I like to learn,” Munger said. “I’m a lifelong learner and I love the opportunity to stay current with all the events that are going on, and just to be part of the Falcon community — being caught up with all the events, and being able to participate and contribute to what’s going on.”
Munger’s routine changes from day to day, but what stays constant is his positive attitude.
“Today was awesome,” Munger said. “Yesterday was awesome, and tomorrow’s going to be awesome. In our role as an instructional lead … we’re role models for just active participants in life, and any chance we get to role model … [or when] the student has the ability to contribute, or shows eagerness and enthusiasm to be part of the conversation, that’s what we live for.”