Heidi Sparkman (4.25.2019)

​     There are people who enter your life that impact it so profoundly that you don't know how you could live without them. On my very first day (in my very first 15 minutes) of being the principal at Stewart, the secretary quit. I was on the floor, crawling around trying to get my computer hooked up, when she told me with tears streaming down her face. I comforted her, told her I wanted what was best for her, but internally, I was panicking. 
      When Heidi started, I wondered how well we would click. She seemed a little shy, a little quiet but like she could get stuff done. Being brand new, we were in for this ride together. We had to bond quickly.
      To be honest, Heidi has become someone I rely on every day. She keeps me in check when I am feeling a little sassy. I can bounce ideas off of her and she isn't afraid to tell me when I am wrong. She makes me laugh at the times when I need it the most. She helps me with "special projects" that she secretly hates. She lets me in my office every time I lock myself out. She makes the office a fun, happy place.
       Heidi has become one of my best friends. Sometimes she is like my mom (she HATES when I say that). Sometimes she is my colleague. But every day, even when I am not the easiest to deal with, she is a true friend. Her family has become like my adopted family. She has made such a profound impact on my life in the most positive ways. The Stewart Family truly is lucky to have Heidi at our front desk!

      Heidi is amazing with our kids. She is loving, kind and warm when they are hurt or do not feel well. She celebrates their successes, birthdays and RESPECT tickets with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind! Heidi jokes around with them, listens to them, makes them smile when they visit and treats every child that walks through the door like they are her own.
      The thing about Heidi is... she gets it. That's a hard thing to explain, but she just understands. Heidi is awesome. She is the BEST at the morning announcements. In many ways, Heidi is the face of Stewart. She is the voice you hear when you call, the face you see when you enter and the one you interact with whether you are happy, sad or angry. She has at least 1,000 requests asked of her every day, and somehow she manages to be patient, kind, caring and motivated.