This School Nurse Appreciation Day, we celebrate all of our school nurses for the care, connection, and heart they bring to their campuses!

Nurse Margaret Gant:

At Rolling Hills Elementary, Nurse Margaret Gant knows her students by name...and often, by story.

With a campus that continues to grow each year, so do the needs she sees. From managing chronic conditions to supporting a diverse and evolving student population, no two days look the same. But for Nurse Gant, that’s part of what makes the role so meaningful. She’s been there for some students from the very beginning of their diagnoses, walking alongside them through every step, celebrating their growth as they prepare to move on to the next chapter.

Her experience across multiple areas of healthcare has shaped the way she shows up for kids, not just with clinical skill, but with compassion and intuition. She knows when something isn’t quite right. She knows when a student just needs a moment. And most importantly, she makes sure every child who walks into her office feels seen, heard, and cared for.

Because for Nurse Gant, school nursing is about more than treating symptoms, but it’s also about relationships. It’s about being a steady presence, a safe space, and an advocate for students every single day.

Nurse Maxie Bishop:

Most people slow down after retirement. Nurse Maxie Bishop chose to do the opposite. He could have stayed home, having spent decades in emergency services working on ambulances, in hospitals, and even overseeing EMS at the state level. Instead, he saw a need and stepped into the clinic at Jean McClung Middle School, bringing a lifetime of experience with him.

Now, his days are anything but predictable. He manages chronic conditions, cares for bumps and bruises, and keeps a close eye on students who need a little extra support. Sometimes what walks through his door isn’t just a physical issue, but something deeper. And that’s where his experience matters most. He listens, he notices, and he steps in when it counts.

For Nurse Bishop, the goal is simple: keep kids in school so they can succeed. He checks in on their grades, encourages them to stay focused, and makes sure they know someone is in their corner. Whether it’s offering guidance, connecting them to help, or just being a steady presence, he shows up every day with purpose.

And through it all, it’s the small moments that mean the most. A quick conversation. A student stopping by to say hello. A smile. As he puts it, “The smiles, that’s the most rewarding part.”