Washington Names Dana Wilson Employee of the Year
The Washougal School District paraeducator received the honor for her decade of service to the state's students.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Administration
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The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has named Dana Wilson the 2026 State Classified School Employee of the Year. Wilson is a paraeducator in the Washougal School District who supports multilingual learners.
Why it matters
This award recognizes the essential role that classified school employees play in supporting student needs and building community partnerships. Wilson was selected for her dedicated work in helping students succeed through both her school role and local volunteer efforts.
Dana Wilson has served in public education for 10 years, beginning her career as a volunteer in 2016. She currently supports multilingual learners within the Washougal School District.
The players
Dana Wilson
She is a paraeducator in the Washougal School District who was honored as the 2026 State Classified School Employee of the Year.
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
This state agency oversees the public education system in Washington and administers the annual recognition for classified staff.
The details
Wilson collaborates with the district family resource coordinator and family liaison to provide for students' basic needs. Beyond her daily duties, she serves on the Washougal Schools Foundation board and volunteers with local booster clubs and the Unite Washougal Community Coalition.
Timeline
2026: Dana Wilson was named the state's top classified employee.
2016: Wilson started her career in public education as a volunteer.
Culture Shift
This award underscores a growing societal focus on valuing non-instructional school staff who are critical to operational success. It marks a departure from traditional teacher-centric recognition by highlighting the broader support network required for student achievement.
This recognition draws positive attention to the resources available within the Washougal School District. Families in the area may see increased awareness of the support roles that help bridge gaps between school and home life.
The takeaway
Recognizing support staff like paraeducators highlights the importance of inclusive teams in the educational environment. Families can support their local schools by engaging with district foundations and volunteer coalitions similar to those Wilson serves.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational initiatives on the Washington Administration page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Camas-Washougal Post-Record.
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