Top staffer honor at Liberty goes to Rebecca Nolan

MADISON – In her work at Liberty Middle School, Rebecca Nolan believes in each student’s ability — not their disability. Her co-workers chose Nolan as “Staff Member of the Year” for 2025.

“As a paraprofessional, I approach every day with the mindset that all students are capable of growth, learning and self-advocacy when given the right support and encouragement,” Nolan said.

“The students say that I’m strict, but I try to teach them that rules are in place for a reason,” she said. For Madison City Schools, Nolan has worked solely at Liberty Middle School.

“I am a paraprofessional. I support one student in his daily activities but also help any other student who may need help,” Nolan said. “The kids all know me as ‘Mrs. Becky.’”

“I started my career in Hemet, Calif. in 2005. I’ve always been a paraprofessional in middle and high schools,” she said. “My husband’s job transferred him to Alabama in July 2022, and I started looking for work. I started with MCS in September 2022.”

Nolan has been successful in helping students learn how to advocate for themselves without being scared. “When I first started at Liberty, (these students were sixth-graders) some students would always rely on me fixing the problem,” Nolan said.

“Now that they are eighth-graders and I’ve had three years to work with them, I am able to step back and watch them advocate for themselves,” Nolan said. “They also know that I am always there if they need help!”

Nolan is a native of Michigan. When she was in fourth grade, her family moved to Virginia Beach, Va.

Rebecca and Chris Nolan have been married for 16 years. He works as a weekend Production Manager at Beyond Gravity. “I have two children, Andrew, 34, and Kaitlyn, 31. I also have two grandchildren — Calleigh, 15, and Parker, 11,” Rebecca said.

When the Nolans lived in California, Rebecca and Chris ran Spartan races. “I love to cook. I am always looking for new recipes to try,” she said.