Most people who work with Jackie Roy-Lamiette at Margaret Murphy Centers for Children in Auburn do not know how much she does to keep the school for children with developmental disabilities and autism running.

From coordinating with the Maine Department of Education, answering phones, ensuring staff members are up to date on certifications and collecting complicated student data, the administrative assistant at the Charles Street location mostly works behind the scenes.

That’s the way she likes it.

Even though Roy-Lamiette’s job does not require her to work directly with students, she enjoys interacting with the kids, listening to their jokes, acting silly and helping them grow and learn, she said.

“Whether she searches for a specialty toy … that has been discontinued or finds ‘just the right’ adaptive tool to ensure success, she is always thinking about how to best support our educational and clinical staff as they work with our students,” said Michelle Hathaway, senior director of the school.

Roy-Lamiette said she has a deep love and respect for children and adults with cognitive disabilities and medically complex conditions, having a daughter impacted by both who attended the school.

That enables Roy-Lamiette to connect emotionally with the parents of students, give them advice and help them with resources, which Hathaway called “invaluable.”

“She truly understands the lives and challenges of our parents in ways that our staff will never truly grasp,” she said.

Some of the children at Margaret Murphy work hard to learn skills like walking, holding a spoon or even swallowing. Every goal met or milestone reached is celebrated, and Roy-Lamiette said she enjoys making the kids feel respected and valued.

After 21 years at the school, Roy-Lamiette is looking forward to retiring in January, but she will remember Margaret Murphy as a place that not only makes children with special needs feel like they belong but has done the same for her.

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