HR Professionals Day Spotlight: The Team Empowering RPS

Our HR team goes beyond handling paperwork—they are the heart of our district’s support system. On Human Resources Professional Day, we celebrate the incredible individuals who make up the HR department at Richfield Public Schools. Their dedication to cultivating a welcoming work environment and providing vital assistance to staff is key to keeping our schools thriving. Thank you for all you do!

We asked a few of our HR team members to share more about their roles and what they enjoy most about their work. Here’s what they had to say:

Michelle Axell, Director of Human Resources 

Michelle is excited to be entering her second year at Richfield Public Schools and feels fortunate to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community. She enjoys collaborating with her team and is passionate about streamlining processes to improve efficiency and service for all staff. “What I love most about Richfield is that every decision made is truly student-centered,” she shared. Michelle looks forward to continuing her work in making a positive impact for both staff and students in the district.

Ellen Bowden, Human Resources Professional

Ellen loves how every day at work brings something new. “Each day is different, and there is always someone I can help out,” she says. Whether it’s assisting new hires, guiding employees through benefits or insurance questions, working with retirees or answering general questions, Ellen’s dedication to helping others shines through in her daily work.

When asked what her favorite part about working at RPS is, she quickly answered, “The people.” Having been with RPS for only seven months, Ellen looks forward to meeting and helping even more staff members. “The staff I’ve crossed paths with have been top-rate, and I’m excited to meet more,” she added.

Pam Olson, Human Resources Professional

Pam enjoys the variety of tasks that come with her role. “There is never a boring day when you work in Human Resources,” she says. For Pam, the work follows the seasons: summer is filled with onboarding new teachers and staff, fall involves state reporting and board reporting, and spring focuses on helping employees prepare for retirement. “I love the variety of tasks that fall under my position,” she says, adding how no two days are ever the same.

What attracted Pam to Richfield was how deeply the district lives out its commitment to equity and diversity. “I have grown so much in the three years I’ve been here, compared to the 20+ years in my previous district. It is truly amazing.”

Having worked at another district for over two decades before joining Richfield, and then spending three years with a private company, Pam is happy to be back in a school setting. “The funny thing is, people always assume I have summers off,” she jokes. “But little do they know, summer is the busiest time of the year for me!”

Noemi Lopez-Del Valle, Human Resources Professional

For Noemi, learning and growing are what make her job so fulfilling. “The opportunities to gain wisdom from my colleagues is what I love,” she said. “It allows me to support, empower, and encourage others in all that they do.” Noemi enjoys the sense of empowerment that RPS provides, explaining that, “No matter the story you hold, you will be empowered to do and be so much more! The people here will always motivate each other to move forward for a greater tomorrow.”

Reflecting on her time with RPS, Noemi shared that although HR wasn’t a field she initially saw herself in, joining the team has been a rewarding experience. “I’ve been with the district for a year now, and the encouragement I’ve received from my colleagues has been incredible.” She credits her teammates, Michelle, Pam and Ellen, with inspiring her to strive for excellence. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from strong leaders,” she added.

A Typical Day

The HR team’s days are filled with a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. In addition to her other responsibilities, Ellen’s desk is also the first point of contact for the district’s main phone line, meaning she often tackles unexpected questions. “At times, it’s like solving a mystery,” she said.

A typical day for Pam involves working closely with payroll and making sure all changes to employee benefits are made before payroll deadlines. Between emails, help desk tickets and phone calls, she stays busy. “We also meet twice a week in what we call a huddle, where we review important deadlines and ensure everyone is on the same page,” Pam explains. “We love working with all of our staff at RPS and hope to only get better with each year!”

Each day in Noemi’s role is different, and she enjoys the variety. “It begins with emails, compiling a list of my attention items, and then hitting the ground running!” She describes her day as full of “side quests,” but by the end, she has accomplished and learned more than the day before. “My goal each day is to be present and honorable, knowing that offering support is the best I can do for each individual.”

Everyone on the HR team shares a common goal: to support the district’s staff and create a positive work environment.

On HR Professionals Day, we celebrate the contributions of our amazing HR team and thank them for the vital work they do for our district.