Barbara Clymer, the Bethlehem Area School District’s executive assistant to the superintendent of schools, was recently honored with the Gertrude E. Kopf Award of Recognition by the Pennsylvania Association of Education Office Professionals. Over the past 30 years she has been a clerk in the Human Resources office, was an administrative assistant to the associate superintendent and, for the past decade, has worked in the superintendent’s office.

Founded in 1981, with the first award given in 1983, the award is presented to honor a PAEOP member who has contributed outstanding service to education through the performance of their duties/responsibilities in an educational office.

Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy nominated Clymer for the award. He wrote, “I am pleased to recommend Barbara Clymer for the Gertrude E. Kopf Award of Recognition from the Pennsylvania Association of Educational Office Professionals,” in his nominating letter, he noted that Clymer was his executive assistant during his entire tenure of nine years.

Roy considers Clymer to be a shining example of an outstanding, talented and dedicated educational office professional; citing her people and technical skills and initiative. He praised Clymer’s pride in her work and in the work and reputation of the BASD, stating that she “leads the way in building a positive culture in our building.”