Paraprofessional at Mars home wins Intermediate Unit award

GROVE CITY, Pa. — Patricia Knable, a paraprofessional in an emotional support program at the Mars (Pa.) Home for Youth, has been named recipient of the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV’s Spirit Award.

The award, presented by the Intermediate Unit’s Labor & Management Committee, was created to recognize a support staff individual who exemplifies excellence on the job, caring involvement and involvement in the community.

Knable is a 14-year employee of the Intermediate Unit, a quasi-state agency providing educational and consulting services to the 27 public school districts in Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties in western Pennsylvania.

“I have known Pat for several years. She is a very conscientious person and makes everyone around her feel special,” said Ginger Downing, a secretary at Mars Home for Youth, in a nominating letter supporting Knable for the honor. “She teaches self-esteem and kindness to all the students. Every day she gives 110 percent of herself to making the classroom a great place to be. She is such an asset to Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.”

Mars Home for Youth is a nonprofit agency that provides a comprehensive range of services to at-risk youth and families. The Intermediate Unit provides on-campus classrooms for the students who reside at the home.

Knable lives in Saxonburg with her husband, Gerry.