An act by the Excelsior Springs School District almost moved Pam Smith to tears, according to Mark Bullimore, district director of communications. That act was being named Classified Employee of the Month. Smith, who does paraprofessional work for Ray County-based Elkhorn Elementary School, was nominated for it by a teacher there and Elkhorn Principal Annette Shelton, Bullimore told district leaders during the Board of Education’s regular meeting Oct. 10 at the Support Services Center. “She was very thankful for the award,” he said. Bullimore read comments from those who had nominated Smith for the Excelsior Springs Hospital- sponsored honor. The teacher’s comments included the following: “Miss Pam wants to challenge the students in my room and help them at the same time. I believe that … (the) students’ growth is due in part to her dedication and to … their learning.” Smith “puts her whole self into working with students” and merits admiration for “her willingness to tackle…