Safety and Health Specialist Goes Above and Beyond for Schools

The safety and health of our students is always a top priority for National Heritage Academies (NHA), and Paula Carr, safety and health specialist at NHA, works directly on this priority each and every day.

“As NHA’s safety and health specialist, Paula has done a tremendous job supporting NHA’s school re-opening efforts,” said Brian Gard, director of safety and health at NHA. “She is a trusted resource and always goes the extra mile to ensure our schools have the support they need. Whether it’s answering a health question, giving advice on a situation, or tracking down a resource, Paula does not stop until our schools have what they need!”

Carr supports all NHA schools in health compliance, responding to medical questions, and securing health professionals to train staff in student medical care. She is also the first point of contact for 22 NHA schools when it comes to safety needs.

Carr has been with the organization for almost four years, though her role has shifted during the pandemic to meet the changing needs of schools. Health support needs have increased exponentially, and she is now well-versed in topics that she hadn’t previously worked with, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and contact tracing. She also played a critical role in creating the COVID-19 Staff and Student Response Plans.

She has a knack for juggling projects, which has come in extremely handy during this time. She also has the ability to see where people and projects tie together, including knowing who to connect with and how to save time. She enjoys building relationships, which is something she has to continue to do in her role, especially when it comes to connecting with schools on safety and health topics.

“What I have appreciated during this time is the connections formed in working with others with whom I’ve rarely or never worked with, or those I knew only through email,” said Carr.

She is passionate about her role, and she knows she makes a difference here. She even collects safety posters made by students to energize and motivate herself. “I like being part of the solution,” said Carr. “Being on a team that has built a safety culture in our schools is rewarding – especially when I visit schools and see the safety measures put in place.”

Keep up the outstanding work, Paula!