When a student walks into the Unity Point office with a scraped knee, a stomach ache, or sometimes just needing someone to listen, they know exactly where to go. Mrs. Tammy Donoho, the school's secretary and unofficial "boo-boo fixer," has become the caring face that welcomes them with open arms.

Tammy's path to Unity Point began with a twist of fate five years ago. She had applied for the assistant to the superintendent position after spending her entire adult life in healthcare. When that position went to another candidate, Dr. Gross saw something special in Tammy's extensive healthcare background and convinced the school board to bring her on early as a secretary, knowing they would need someone with her unique skills when their current secretary retired.

Dr. Gross saw an immediate need for my expertise," Tammy recalls. She was eager to bring me on board due to my extensive experience with Medicaid, the healthcare system, and supporting students.

That healthcare expertise proved invaluable. In a district without a school nurse, Tammy stepped seamlessly into that role, drawing from her years of experience working with brain injuries, home health, mental health, and nursing home care. She recently added first responder certification to her credentials, further enhancing her ability to serve Unity Point's students.

Tammy's daily responsibilities extend far beyond the traditional secretary role. She administers daily medications, assesses whether a child's complaint is genuine or if they're simply having a tough day, and manages all state-required health reporting for dental exams, eye exams, and physical checkups. She also handles the complex task of determining student eligibility for free and reduced lunch programs, checking state databases for families receiving Medicaid or SNAP benefits and processing household income forms for everyone else who submits them.

"This time of year, I've got a stack of paperwork to be entered this tall," she says, gesturing to show the mountain of registration and lunch program documents that pile up each fall. Registration begins as early as March, with Tammy working alongside Laura, the superintendent's assistant, to process applications and ensure families have the proper documentation.

But it's the human connections that truly define Tammy's role at Unity Point. As a grandmother to soon-to-be 13 grandchildren, she brings a natural nurturing spirit to her work. Students know her as Mrs. Tammy, the person who will listen when they need to talk and who somehow knows exactly when ice and a peppermint will make everything better.

"Sometimes I have kids that come up that don't really need anything except for just love," Tammy explains. "They just need love, and they know that Mrs. Tammy is the person to give it to them."

Tammy's workday runs from 7:30 to 4:00, but she and her colleagues typically stay later, waiting for radio confirmation that all buses have returned safely and every child is home. This attention to detail reflects the district's commitment to knowing their students and families personally – something Tammy particularly values about Unity Point's approach to transportation with their own drivers rather than a contracted company.

"Our bus drivers know our kids, they know our families," she says. "They'll call in and say, 'Oh, I know Mom's car's not here,' and we'll give them a call to make sure they're not home alone."

For Tammy, Unity Point represents something she's searched for throughout her career. "This has been the job I've been looking for my whole life," she reflects. "I love it because everybody here, we all have relationships, and it's a sense of family.".

"I just want to be their safe place because some of these kids don't necessarily have a safe place," she says. "This is where they can come and talk and be themselves. If they don't have a good home life, then this can be their second home."

The diversity of Unity Point's student body, including many international students, adds another layer to Tammy's role. She recognizes the fear and uncertainty these children face and works to provide stability and comfort during their adjustment.

"I can't even imagine being in their shoes, and I just try to be here for them as much as I can," she says.

When asked about Unity Point's defining characteristics, Tammy doesn't hesitate: "We're all student-focused. It's all about the kids. That's why I come every day."

Even former students recognize something special about the care they received. High schoolers often return to visit, telling Mrs. Tammy, "There's nobody like you!"