Unsung Heroes: Mrs. Krolczyk
Photo by Evan Rosenau.
Whether you have a Focus block, are an avid reader, or just enjoy being in the IMC, you are sure to have crossed paths with Mrs. Krolczyk at some point. She has worked in our HHS IMC for seven years, and she is a driving force behind our beautifully maintained library. She spends the majority of her day in the library, and her day-to-day tasks include taking attendance for students in Focus blocks, checking in and out books, and helping students and staff with any questions they may have. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mrs. Krolczyk personally over the past few years, and she truly is the most kind and joyful person! Her work goes above and beyond, and she never seeks praise or validation. I, along with many others, feel she is due for some celebration!
Some things to know about Mrs. Krolczyk: In her seven years at HHS, she has worked mainly in the IMC but also has worked as an afternoon/after school student supervisor! Prior to that, she worked in the cafeteria here while her children attended HHS. She also spent time working with the Hamilton Summer Opportunities, so she actually knows many students here from when they were little! Outside of school, she loves to read and listen to audiobooks. She has many excellent recommendations for young adult books if you ever are looking for your next favorite read. She also enjoys walking outside, knitting, and trying new recipes from the New York Times cooking section of the online paper. She is very family oriented, her son and daughter are both Hamilton graduates, and she likes to spend time with them and play board games. Another fun fact, she grew up in New York state!
Her kind demeanor and gentle personality make her an excellent pick for this month’s Unsung Hero, as reflected by the incredible amount of feedback from students and staff when I reached out asking for quotes. In the email I sent out to HHS staff and students, I also asked a few questions, as seen below.
If Mrs. Krolczyk was a color, what color do you think she would be and why?
Yellow - represents happiness and her sunny disposition!
A homey, earthy green that makes you feel comfortable :)
If she was a color, she'd definitely be purple!
PINK!!!! A vibrant shade of pink... bright, springy, happy!
Lavender! She is kind, gentle, and welcoming, which lavender represents perfectly!
If she were a color, I think she would be lavender because it is a calming color, but also one that brings happiness and joy like a good book can!
What is your favorite thing about Mrs. Krolczyk?
She is always willing to help me with all requests: how to use the copier or how to find a good book!
She's the iron horse of the IMC... she works with quiet resolve and methodical nature. She often goes unnoticed because she's always there, but isn't loud or obtrusive.
Her warm smile and kind heart!
I have never, ever seen her upset. She truly is the most joyful person!
Why do you think Mrs. Krolczyk is a fitting pick for the January Unsung Hero?
Oh gosh - for that whole year I was in the library she was so helpful in ensuring I knew processes and what to do on so many things. So grateful for her!
She does a fantastic job of creating a beautiful, creative atmosphere within the IMC with decorations, activities, quizzes, etc.
She is truly one of the most positive and supportive people. Her upbeat, smiley personality is such a gift to our building. She is always willing to help anyone and does it with a genuine smile and a “glass half full” mindset.
She is such a positive, wonderful person and someone who may be quiet in the background but has an incredible impact on our school community. I loved getting the chance to work with her in the library for a year and have so many great memories of our conversations. She truly cares about students and is always focused on supporting everyone around her.
How has Mrs. Krolczyk helped you recently?
If you need a smile, she's your gal!
Whenever I call, she's always there to help and always answers the phone!
She always has the answer to any book-related question!
Mrs. Krolczyk is so helpful when it comes to looking for books, textbooks, etc. in the IMC!
What is something you would like HHS students/staff to know about Mrs. Krolczyk?
She has been such a wonderful addition to HHS, and over the years she's helped transform the IMC into a welcoming environment and she does such creative and engaging displays.
She is an avid gardener and keeps a beautiful garden, she loves to be outside! Make sure you ask her about her plants/garden the next time you go into the IMC!
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Mrs. Krolczyk is amazing! She is always ready and willing to assist either myself or my students in the IMC. Her helpful nature makes her really easy for students to approach when they have questions about a book.
Mrs. Krolczyk is such a kind soul who has always been there to help me throughout my years here at Hamilton. She has helped me with everyday questions and been there to let me just chat about my day. I savor every interaction I have with her, from small jokes to talking about one of the library displays. Her attention to detail and asking follow up questions to things I tell her during the day is something that makes every student feel welcome and valued.
Mrs. Krolczyk is an extremely friendly and helpful individual who truly goes above and beyond in her role every single day. If she could be any color, she would be purple because she is calm, creative, and welcoming to everyone around her. She also does an amazing job decorating the library windows, bringing personality and joy to the entire space.
Ms. Krolczyk is always "upbeat" and responsive to endless daily requests from students and staff. Whatever the need, Ms. Krolczyk steps up with a smile and tends to the task efficiently and successfully!
Kathy is absolutely an unsung hero to both students and teachers. She's incredibly helpful when it comes to bringing students to the IMC and graciously helps students find and check out books. She also helps order books and other resources that support us in the classroom. Just recently, she was able to order four additional texts to help students prepare for the AP test! Her organization and professionalism are amazing and she makes the IMC a terrific environment for students. It's amazing to have her run the IMC in a way that makes it such a great resource for students and staff.
She always offers help with printing and copying, especially since printing has been a growing problem that has to be troubleshooted at Hamilton. She is a friendly face to all students!
I think she is an incredibly good fit for the January Unsung Hero! Mrs. Krolczyk is such a kind woman and gives all the Focus kids a lot of grace. She's super understanding and is always willing to help us. Not to mention, she balances that responsibility with being a librarian very well.
Mrs. Krolczyk brings such a light to our IMC. Beyond her job, which she does exceptionally, she is an amazing person. Checking in to focus, she was always open for some banter, and on those long hard days, it made things so much better.
Mrs. Krolczyk is definitely someone who makes a difference in the daily lives of our students. She is often the first friendly face that students see when they enter the library ready to assist with checking-out books, troubleshooting Chromebook issues, or supervising students in AP Focus or from a variety of classes. The Help Desk would not run as smoothly without her attention to detail. Her creativity shines through the library displays and digital slides she creates. Her later schedule allows the library to stay open until 4 p.m., providing an invaluable spot for students to gather after the 2:25 p.m. dismissal. Her dedication ensures the library remains a sanctuary for reading, studying and students connecting with each other. It has been truly a great pleasure to work closely with Mrs. Krolczyk these past seven years!
Hamilton students and staff are so lucky to have a kind soul like Mrs. Krolczyk here! Make sure to pop into the IMC and thank her for all of her hard work ASAP! Thank you Mrs. Krolczyk; we are so grateful for you!
