Angie Lauderbaugh and her colleagues keep their eyes open and instincts sharp when patrolling Bemidji public schools. They’re not looking for troublemakers or bullies, who typically are well known, but instead for the students who often go unseen.

Lauderbaugh is one of the caring professionals within the Bemidji school district and the community who watch for sneakers with too many holes. They notice the child who keeps wearing the same ill-fitting clothes or a light jacket when temperatures fall. They recognize empty eyes that often signal hunger.

Then Lauderbaugh goes to work, helping children for whom just getting to school can be a struggle.

Named Bemidji Teacher of the Year for 2015, Lauderbaugh strives as the district’s homeless liaison to protect the dignity of students and families who are going through troubled times. The 1995 Bemidji State graduate has been in the role since 2008 after previously serving the district as a social worker and the Safe and Drug-Free facilitator.

“The main goal of this program is to support students and families and offer services to help students be successful in school by removing barriers,” she said. Obstacles often include transportation, meals and items that may help students feel more comfortable in school, such as clothing or personal hygiene products.

Lauderbaugh’s work, funded federally and with Title I resources, officially encompasses 280 students, but the estimate of homeless youngsters in the district approaches 350.

“It is difficult to sometimes identify students because many fall under the radar,” she said, noting that some homeless families seek the shadows to avoid the stigma that comes with that label.

But Lauderbaugh understands that “homeless” does not mean “hopeless.” She seeks them out.