PPW of the Year
Jacqueline Khelawan
Jacqueline Khelawan, B.Ed, M.Ed, is a Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) employed by Montgomery County Public Schools. She has worked in education for over 20 years, the past 6 of which as a Pupil Personnel Worker. For the past two years, she has served as the Vice President of the Montgomery County Pupil Personnel Workers’ Association (MCPPWA), and continues to serve on the Labor Management Collaboration Committee and MCPPWA Steering Committee. Jacqueline has twice presented testimony on behalf of PPWs to the Montgomery County Board of Education and has been interviewed regarding the role of the PPW on MCPSTV. She has facilitated and participated in PPW and interagency workgroups dedicated to the development of a countywide attendance protocol, residency investigation procedures, and the establishment of safe and secure home visit guidelines during the COVID-19 . She has facilitated New Educator Orientation sessions for new MCPS educators, and has served as a trainer of PPWs and other MCPS staff members on Residency and Enrollment, Homeless Student Rights, and De-Escalation Strategies. She currently serves as a regional chairperson for Attendance Matters, an attendance intervention initiative designed to prevent and problem-solve the truancy and other attendance issues of the students of Montgomery County.
In her role as a Pupil Personnel Worker, she passionately advocates for students and families by focusing on the identification and removal of the barriers that prevent students from reaching their potential in school. She focuses on the data and root cause analysis of attendance data and strong relationships with students and families in order to improve student attendance and reduce or eliminate truancy by developing specific interventions and supports tailored to meet the needs of students. She acts as a consultant to her schools through positive relationships with staff, orienting them to the most up to date local, state, and federal policies, regulations, and laws. She serves as a liaison for students and families, facilitating connections, communication, and collaboration. She conducts school and community needs assessments and provides appropriate community resource referrals to families in need. These connections, many of which remain in place throughout a student’s time in school, represent effective, long lasting partnerships that enhance student achievement in schools.
Jacqueline graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Delaware. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania before moving to Montgomery County to continue her work as an educator in elementary and middle school. After obtaining her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, she worked as a middle school Resource Counselor. As a Resource Counselor, she led her department in the development of comprehensive guidance programs dedicated to the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying and creating partnerships with parents. She facilitated a session on Attendance at the School-Community United in Partnership (SCUP) Conference and facilitated an MCPS Parent Academy session on Internet Safety.
Jacqueline loves working with children and helping others reach success. She has taught Sunday School at her church and is committed to community service. She has two children of her own and spends most of her time with them. She enjoys being outdoors, exercising, traveling, and helping others reach their fitness goals through personal training.