Richland One administrative assistant named NAEOP Office Professional of the Year
May 9, 2023
Bridget S. Bookert, the administrative assistant and bookkeeper at Olympia Learning Center, has been named the 2023 Olive T. Ritchie Office Professional of the Year by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP).
The award recognizes one educational office professional in the United States for their contributions to education and the profession through their experience, leadership and dedication. Bookert will receive the award during NAEOP’s annual conference in Omaha, Nebraska in July. She advanced to the national competition after winning the local and state-level awards.
“Words cannot express how I felt when I received the call from our national association notifying me that I had been selected as the Olive T. Ritchie National Office Professional of the Year,” said Bookert. “It means that my love for what I do, my dedication and my commitment reflect my passion for my work environment and our office professionals’ organization.”
Bookert, a graduate of Dreher High School, has over 38 years of clerical and administrative experience. She has worked in Richland One for 25 years and 22 years in her current position.
“We’re excited for Mrs. Bookert. This award just shows the hard work and dedication that she has exhibited not only for Olympia Learning Center, but for Richland One as a whole over the last 25 years,” said Olympia Learning Center Principal Bobbie Hartwell, Jr. “Her hard work, dedication and advocacy for our students do not go unnoticed.”
Bookert earned NAEOP’s highest professional standards certification, Certified Educational Office Employee (CEOE), in 2017. She has served in numerous capacities in the local, state and national chapters of educational office professionals. She planned and organized the 2021 SCAEOP Conference, and she currently serves on the NAEOP Planning Committee and Awards Committee.
