MIDDLEBURG – The hours are long and there is no pay. However, Heather Smith's work and dedication as a volunteer at Middleburg Elementary paid off this month when she was honored as Adult Volunteer of the Year at the Clay County School Board Meeting.

Now in her third year, she helps run the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support Store and decorates the hallways for special events to improve the learning experience.

“My son is in fourth grade there,” Smith said. “This is my third year as a volunteer here. OK, I absolutely love working with the kids, seeing their little smiling faces and helping the teachers.”

Smith works every day at the school. She’s already volunteered for more than 700 hours, which made her an easy selection by the Clay County District Schools.

“Not only has she won Volunteer of the Year here in Clay County, but she is one of the top finalists in the state of Florida,” said District Coordinator of Family and Community Engagement Karen McMillan.

The district also identified Keystone Heights High’s Michael Golden as the Student Volunteer of the Year and Ridgeview Elementary’s Ada Podolski as the Senior Volunteer of the Year.

Smith’s focus is the school store. It’s stocked with snacks, trinkets, books and games that students can purchase. Students who earn points for good behavior and academic achievement can also purchase items.

The PBIS program was started as an incentive to reduce or eliminate poor behaviors schoolwide by encouraging positive behaviors. Once a month, students can cash their points or roll them over to the next month.

Not only does Smith work for free, but she also didn’t expect acknowledgment, which is why the school board's award was unexpected.

“I really enjoy being here and making friendships and crafting,” she said. “It was nice to be recognized. I felt very loved, and I appreciated it. To have the school reach out and say everyone here appreciates everything that I do was special.”

Smith said she is unsure if she will continue at Middleburg Elementary when her son moves to Lake Asbury Junior High.

“I’ll probably volunteer there a lot,” she said. “But I will help here if they need me.”

Golden is an honor student at Keystone Heights, and he will graduate in the top 5 percent of his class. According to the school, the senior volunteers in the front and guidance offices, helping with clerical duties and showing new students to their classes. He is also involved with several extracurricular activities and the National Honor Society.

Podolski, or as the students at Ridgeview Elementary call her, Miss Ada, is at the school 30 hours a week, “building relationships and offering encouragement to students of all grades, with a significant focus on kindergarten, where she provides crucial support in early literacy and math through individual and small group work, and enriches learning with hands-on activities like science experiments and special projects,” the school said.

She likes to donate supplies and handmade yarn crafts. Podolski also works with students to help them improve their reading fluency and strengthen their writing skills.