Cathy Link: supportive secretary
Coordinating substitute teachers for classes. Scheduling event calendars for students and teachers. Helping hire people to sell game tickets. These can be difficult for any one person to do, and yet all of these tasks are done by the Cedar Shoals administrative secretary, Cathy Link.
Link has been working at Cedar for almost two decades, but she has not always been in her current position.
“I moved here with my husband in 2004 and became the athletic director part-time for a year, and then I became the principal’s secretary full-time the next year,” Link said.
Link’s job involves multiple roles including taking calls, coordinating employees to sell tickets at sporting events, and helping teachers when needed. These jobs ensure that the school runs smoothly.
“I don’t have a designated time that I leave at, it really depends on what’s happening that day,” Link said. “You learn things over the years, whether that be technology, computers, learning a new task or new assignment. Things change over the years, but you learn to accept it.”
Outside of Cedar, Link enjoys other activities like watching football, tending to her yard and playing with her grandchildren. She finds her job fulfilling because of the people she works with.
“Coming to work keeps me busy as I get older. I’ve been fortunate to have great workers and office staff,” Link said.
Though her job is difficult, her work does not go unappreciated. Last year, Link was voted the Support Person of the Year for Cedar Shoals. Before this, she had been recognized as staff member of the month multiple times and was nominated for awards from the Foundation for Excellence.
Madison Parrish, English department, is one of the many teachers that appreciates Link’s work in the school.
“Cathy Link is really an unsung hero to our school community. As the administrative secretary she is, in many ways, the backbone of our school as she ensures the smooth flow of daily operations. From paperwork, to triaging teacher needs, her work lays the foundation for a productive and welcoming school environment. I believe I can speak for most faculty and staff at CSHS when I say we are so thankful for the work Mrs. Link does,” Parrish said.
Though honored, Link wishes that more could have been done for all the support staff.
“We have a lot of support workers here. It was an honor to be Support Person of the year, but it’s a shame we can’t honor them all. We have a great staff and I appreciate all the work they do here,” Link said.
