After working for the Walnut Valley Unified School District for nine years, front desk coordinator Carrie Yee has been a crucial staff member at Diamond Bar High School. From organizing substitutes to navigating day-to-day problems, she is the first person to contact whenever help is needed. The dedication she holds for her job truly deserves an honorable mention.
Ever since she joined the customer service industry, it’s been her passion to help other people, becoming a distinct reason to work at Diamond Bar High School. In addition to supporting others in times of need, Yee also gets to be a part of her children’s lives.
“I’m the person that everyone goes to. If they don’t know where to start, they start with me because I can either help them or I can help direct them to where they need to go,” Yee said.
Staying from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, her tasks require the utmost attention to every single person who comes through the door. Furthermore, Yee is one of the few people on campus who recognizes each staff member, from security officers to instructional aides and clerical staff. Her responsibilities are many, including staff payrolls and office management. Through her cheerful attitude and devoted character, she has created many close relationships with an abundance of staff.
“It’s a great opportunity to see how close-knit the staff members are. We have leadership in this district who look out for students and staff members. There’s no place that I’d rather be,” Yee said.
Despite her positive moments, Yee has faced many setbacks during her career. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, she was only a few months into her new position while dealing with constant technology issues, slacking students, and frequent time management struggles. Regardless of the ups and downs, Yee has never lost her composure or her smile, always willing to lend a hand to those in need.
“I find it hard sometimes when people talk about maintaining their work-life balance and being able to shut things off when it’s the end of the workday. For me, I feel better about knowing what I’m walking into. I don’t mind early calls or things that happen late,” Yee said.
In spite of the challenges, Yee manages to stay on top of tasks, using a variety of calendars and reminders to keep her priorities straight. Her hard work and commitment can be seen throughout the school, where students and staff alike can work with ease in a comfortable environment.
“Creating connections with people is just as important as any technical skills I can bring to the table. It’s who you care about and spend time with,” Yee said.