Watching students grow from young children into high school graduates has given one Excelsior Springs School District (ESSD) employee a sense of fulfillment that goes far beyond her daily responsibilities.

Now in her 11th year with the district, Excelsior Springs High School (ESHS) Attendance Secretary Megan Deere has built meaningful connections with students, families and staff throughout her career. That dedication to building relationships and making others feel valued recently earned her recognition as an ESSD Impact Maker.

Originally from Liberty, Deere credits her life experiences with teaching her the importance of hard work, kindness and treating others with respect, values she strives to carry into her daily life.

Her career with the district began when her youngest daughter entered kindergarten and she took a position as a lunch assistant at Westview Elementary, which is now Cornerstone Elementary. She spent six years there and found the school schedule let her balance work wit…