ROCHELLE — Earning the Award of Excellence from the Illinois State Board of Education came as a surprise to Rochelle Middle School Bilingual/ESL paraprofessional Vanessa Belmonte.

Every year the ISBE presents awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to public and non-public elementary and secondary schools across the state. These include awards for excellence, meritorious service and special recognition.

For Belmonte, it’s all in a day’s work.

“I’m honestly just trying to help students and their families to the best of my abilities and I would rather not have the attention, but I have to say it is an honor to have been chosen for this award,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte is currently in her twelfth year at the middle school and works with the HUB Project as well as the Migrant Education Program since it has returned to Rochelle. She also tutors students after school.

Belmonte shared some of rewarding and challenging aspects she encounters in her duties.

“Just knowing that I’m making a difference, even if it is small that makes it all worth it,” Belmonte said. “Of course there are challenges — I work with middle schoolers! At this point of their lives they go through so many changes and they often go through mood swings, but I personally think that if you want anyone to respect you, you must first show respect.”

For Belmonte, the students she works with are like her own. She also acknowledged working to understand them as best as she can, which has led to building relationships that extend beyond the school year. Establishing trust and backing words with actions are also a high regard in Belmonte’s viewpoint.

“I get invited to attend high school graduations every year from my former students,” Belmonte said. “Gaining students’ trust is something very important in helping them. I consider it an honor to work with students because they teach me and help me to become a better person each and every day.”