Hopatcong Library Assistant Wins County's 2010 Educational Support Person Award

Stacy Yanko worked with mentally ill adults years ago. She also spent time in business.

Count Joseph Memoli as one of the many administrators glad Yanko, Sussex County's 2010 Education Support Person of the Year, found a home in Hopatcong's schools.

"Stacy's contribution has been immense," said Memoli, 's principal. "She has helped us. She's down here every day working with the students. She organizes the library. She has materials ready for the teachers. She helps students select books and she's involved in all the special projects in the school.

"She really contributes to make the school a special place."

Yanko, 42, earned Hopatcong's 2010 Educational Support Person of the Year award after last school year. The library assistant said she won the county's prize this fall, but lost out on the state contest to a Mercer County educational worker.

But Yanko was fine with that. As long as the Tulsa Trail and school libraries are functioning smoothly, she said she's happy.

"We've come a long way," Yanko said.

Yanko said she joined Hopatcong schools in 2006. Back then, the Tulsa Trail and Durban Avenue libraries weren't exactly in top shape. Books were out of order. The rooms lacked updated technology, like TVs and computers. Some chairs were falling apart.

Now the Tulsa Trail library has a SMART Board, TV, computer, a computer-filing system and even a plush blue sofa that doubles as "the reading corner."

And Yanko, who also credited the school's current and past librarians and assistants, had a lot to do with the remodeling.

"The best part is that the children enjoy being in here," she said. "They get their books, they go and they share. They enjoy that time."

"Reading is an important part of everybody's day.

Yanko said she keeps the district's budget in mind before suggesting additions to the library.

"If it's for the students, I'll get it," she said. "If it's what they need, I'll get it."