Celebrating Our HR Team on HR Professional Day

Sep 26 2025

Friday, September 26, is HR Professional Day—a chance to celebrate the people who keep Pickerington Local Schools running behind the scenes. Did you know our HR team is just four people supporting nearly 1,500 staff members? From recruiting top educators to guiding staff through licenses, leaves, and policies, our Human Resources professionals play a vital role in ensuring students and staff thrive every day.

We asked our HR team to share what their work is really like, what they enjoy most, and what people might not know about the world of HR. Here’s what they said:

Why HR?

Beth Richardson: “I love policy and I love working with people. HR gives me a little of both—I get to dive into policies while also hiring and supporting staff as they grow.”
Nichole Walters: “I started in payroll, but quickly fell in love with the people side of HR—the connections, engagement, and helping others along their career path.”
Michelle Snipes: “I enjoy meeting new people, building relationships, and supporting staff when they need it most.”
Michael Kauffield: “HR is about creating the best possible learning environment. Our role is to ensure schools have the right people and resources so educators can focus on students.”

Behind the Scenes

HR is much more than hiring and discipline.

Beth Richardson: “There’s a lot of backend work to make sure people have what they need to stay employed. With nearly 1,500 staff members, that’s a lot for our small team!”
Nichole Walters: “Summer is often our busiest season, with hiring and onboarding in full swing.”
Michelle Snipes: “From licenses and background checks to Board approvals and leaves, there are so many details to manage behind the scenes.”

Supporting Staff and Students

Michael Kauffield: “We operate with a servant-leadership mindset, making sure staff have the tools they need so students can thrive.”
Nichole Walters: “For staff, we’re often the first stop for questions. For students, HR ensures their teachers and support staff are highly qualified and a great fit.”
Michelle Snipes: “We make sure the adults who educate and support students are compliant and cared for—so the focus always stays on learning.”

Challenges and Rewards

HR can be complex, but also deeply rewarding.

Beth Richardson: “We have to balance empathy for staff with upholding policies. That can be challenging.”
Nichole Walters: “The best part is that no two days are ever the same. I love the variety HR presents, and problem-solving.”
Michael Kauffield: “I enjoy matching individuals to positions where they can grow and make a difference for students.”
Michelle Snipes: “Helping people and working with an amazing team brings me joy.”

The Fun Side of HR

If HR had a mascot, here’s what the team picked:

Dora the Explorer (Beth) “Like Dora, HR guides others, carries the right tools, and sometimes has to repeat things more than once!”
A Chameleon (Michael) “HR adapts to every situation, just like a chameleon adjusting to its environment.”
An Octopus (Nichole) “With so many tasks happening at once, some days we could really use eight arms like an octopus to keep up.”
A Honey Bee (Michelle) "HR is the hardworking, collaborative force that keeps the whole hive (PLSD) thriving.”

Thank You

On HR Professional Day, we celebrate our small but mighty HR team—Beth Richardson (Director - Human Resources), Nichole Walters (Administrative Secretary - Classified/Supplemental Staff), Michelle Snipes (Human Resources Administrative Secretary), and Michael Kauffield (Assistant Director of Human Resources). Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and care. Your behind-the-scenes work makes a huge difference for our staff and, by extension, every student in PLSD.