MADISON – During her career, June Lawniczak has determined that “school nursing is more than just Band-Aids and ice packs.” She is 2021 Staff Member of the Year at James Clemens High School.

“Just getting nominated makes me proud,” Lawniczak said. “I appreciate that my co-workers have noticed my hard work to make the clinic a comforting place for students.”

Lawniczak’s first job was Emergency Department nurse. She worked as a substitute school nurse for Athens City Schools for three years and then worked at Athens High School. “On a whim, I looked at other nursing positions online and saw that James Clemens was looking for a school nurse. I applied, and the rest is history,” she said.

“My husband was active-duty Army so we moved a lot. We finally settled down in Athens. I started working for Madison City Schools in September 2017 at James Clemens,” Lawniczak said.

As school nurse, Lawniczak daily administers prescribed medications, monitors students with diabetes and possible seizures, counsels students, distributes donated toiletries and checks for COVID-19. During the year, she confirms immunizations, enters health assessments for James Clemens’ 2,150 students and trains faculty for EpiPen and chronic conditions.

In addition, Lawniczak completes state-mandated surveys, coordinates school-wide flu vaccinations and handles freshmen’s scoliosis screenings.

A native of Enterprise, she attended Troy University for a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive mathematics. She later returned to Troy for a bachelor’s degree in nursing .

Her husband Jon is a U.S. Army test pilot on Redstone Arsenal. Their sons are Ethan, 13, and Taylor, 10; they attend Athens schools.

This summer, June will take the test for National Board Certified School Nurse. “Although this certification doesn’t increase my pay, I believe it’s a good demonstration of my commitment to be the best school nurse I can possibly be,” she said. After certification, June plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health nursing.

A true Jets fan, she sometimes dresses like a ‘human football’ at James Clemens’ football games. “I like to volunteer to work at games so I can get close to the field and support our team,” she said.

Her pastimes include reading, knitting and watching her son’s playing sports or in activities that make them happy. The Lawniczak family likes to travel and to attend Huntsville Havoc games.