Staff Spotlight: Stephanie Green, Lake ESSC

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Stephanie Green.

Green is an administrative assistant at Lake Educational Support Services Center (ESSC) and has been working in GCSD9 for one year!

Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Enterprise High School in Redding, California — Class of 1998!  After high school, I graduated from Bryman College in San Francisco.

What does a typical day look like for you as the administrative assistant at Lake?
A typical day at Lake involves handling a variety of administrative tasks that help keep things running smoothly. Once I’m caught up on those duties, I enjoy working on projects that help make Lake a brighter and more welcoming place for both students and staff. I love decorating for holidays and creating a positive environment where everyone enjoys coming each day.

Right now, I’m especially excited about working on my very first yearbook! It has been so much fun capturing the memories from this school year, and I can’t wait to share it with the students.

What is your favorite part about working with the students and staff at Lake?
The students and staff are truly what make Lake such a special place to work. They have contributed so much to my happiness at work, and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive and fun community. A big thank-you shout-out to all of them!

What is your favorite memory while working at Lake?
One of my favorite memories at Lake was receiving a message from a former student inviting me to attend the Personal Choice Awards at the high school because she had been selected to receive one. Even though we had only known each other for just under a year, she was the first student at Lake that I really got to know well. She served as our Director of Student Communications, delivering the morning announcements each day.

I always appreciated her kindness and politeness every morning. While I’m incredibly proud to see how well she is thriving in high school, I truly miss seeing her sweet face every day and the days we would exchange compliments about each other’s outfits and style. She felt like an “office daughter” to me, and being invited to celebrate such a special achievement is a moment I will always remember.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is capturing photos of the students and staff during their activities. Whether it’s a school event, a positive behavior celebration, an art or science project, a history lesson, or even a game of basketball or dodgeball, it’s wonderful to see students participating, having fun, and supporting one another. Seeing those moments truly warms my heart.

Hobbies?
I love running—it’s great for my mind, body, and soul! I also enjoy reading, however with four teenagers at home and our hectic schedules it's become challenging to do so these days.

Favorite Food?
My current favorite food that makes me excited to have is the mushroom soup from Peel… but sushi is where it’s at for the whole family!

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net