The Montana Educational Support Person of the Year award goes to the secretary of Burlington Elementary School

Billings, Montana – The winner of the 2024 Montana Educational Support Person of the Year award is Burlington Elementary School, located right here in Billings, as was recently revealed.

The fortunate winner is Beth Verlanic, the school secretary. Her legal title may be secretary, but to everyone she works with, she is much more than that.

“She really is the glue that holds our school together,” said the school principal Leah Yasenak. “At Burlington, our mission is that we strive for excellence and I think that she is one of our greatest models.”

Yasenak took over as principal last year, and she claimed that having Verlanic at her side made adjusting to the new role simpler.

“Beth (Verlanic) has been a lifesaver,” Yasenak said.

Verlanic, who received the honor after receiving nominations from her son and husband, was extremely modest about it.

“I feel like I just do my job. I come to work, and I do my job. I don’t feel like I’m extraordinary and it’s so fun. I like my job so much that it’s kind of unfair to get an award for it,” Verlanic said while laughing. “I was just so honored.”

Verlanic will receive her award for Montana and learn who will win the National Educational Support Person of the Year during a national convention in Las Vegas in March.