Two Palmerton Area School District employees have been lauded for their work.

Megan Zurn, school nurse at S.S. Palmer Elementary, and Tracy Smith, attendance secretary at Palmerton Area High School, received the PASR Lauretta Woodson Recognition Awards during Tuesday's school board meeting.The awards were presented on behalf of the Carbon County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, by Jill C. DeLong, educational support chairwoman, and Gloria Bowman.One of the goals of PASR is the support of public education. The Lauretta Woodson Award is one of the ways the PASR recognizes a person who has exhibited outstanding work in the field of education.Each year, one teacher and one support member are selected from a school district in Carbon County. This year, PASR honored the Palmerton Area School District.The award is given in the name of Dr. Lauretta Woodson, an educator born and raised in Chester, Chester County. Woodson attended West ChesterState Teacher's College, where she earned a degree in secondary education in English, and she then went on to earn her master's degree from ColumbiaUniversity, as well as her doctorate from TempleUniversity.Woodson taught English at Eddystone School District and then became an instructor at Temple for more than 25 years. Over the years, she rose through the ranks of PASR and assumed many local and state positions in the organization. Upon her death, Woodson bequeathed money to be used in support of public education.She felt that it is especially important to recognize staff who consistently provide outstanding creativity, initiative and productivity relevant to the learning process of their students.This year's recipients were selected by the Palmerton Area School District's administrative staff.Zurn has been employed in the school district for 11 1/2 years. She has been the school nurse at S.S. Palmer Elementary since August 2004.In addition to her nursing duties, Zurn is also responsible for overseeing the health aides at Towamensing Elementary, as well as Parkside Education Center.Mary Brumbach, principal of S.S. Palmer and Parkside Education Center, said Zurn deserves the award."In this capacity, she keeps both of these health aides current and informed with health issues that impact our students," Brumbach said. "Mrs. Zurn is a tremendous asset to the school and the district. She is very knowledgeable and takes her job very seriously. In addition, she takes care of the students and staff with a calm, efficient demeanor and a smile on her face."Zurn said "it was a shock to get the award. I was very grateful to get it.""I'm very blessed to work with a great staff that really cares for the students; and we just have a wonderful student body at S.S. Palmer," Zurn said. "Both of them, together, make my job very enjoyable."Smith is the attendance secretary at the high school.Paula Husar, principal of Palmerton Area High School/Junior High, said Smith has earned the award."Her position is often a difficult one, as she needs to discuss sensitive issues with both students and parents on a regular basis," Husar said. "She is always very patient and understanding, and handles these situations in a very professional manner. Mrs. Smith is very knowledgeable with regard to the office practices, and uses good judgment in interpreting the district's policies and procedures. She is a most valued member and asset in the school community."Smith said she, too, was "very thankful" for the distinction."I certainly wasn't expecting it," Smith said. "I truly enjoy working at the high school, and I think the organization (PASR) does a fantastic job of honoring educators."Carbon PASR thanked the two recipients for providing the students of Palmerton Area School District with their outstanding service, as well as the Palmerton Area School Board, and Superintendent Scot Engler for allowing PASR the opportunity to present these awards.In recognition of this honor, the two recipients received a framed citation, medallion, monetary award and a lapel pin.