Above and Beyond: Paul helps people all over the school. His work Is not simply limited to the classroom. If is sees or hears of a need he is quick to offer assistance. Students respond well to him. He is genuinely caring. Not afraid to work hard. His energy, kindness, and helpfulness is inspiring.
Exceptional Contribution: Paul arrives early and is prompt and dependable with his duties. He notices issues around the school and is quick to solve or report.
Extraordinary Leadership: Paul is someone who would be hard to replace. He has a great attitude with everyone. He looks out for the best interest of the children and tires to make sure they are comfortable and ready to learn. Countless times I have witnessed him console crying students, help get unwilling students out of vehicles before school in the morning and walk them into the building, cleans up various messes, and performs physical tasks. He is just one person but makes such a difference in our school.
Scott Jones, Nominated by a Colleague
Above and Beyond: Mr. Jones goes above and beyond to counsel students and families who have excessive attendance issues. He makes phone calls, home visits, works closely with CIS and school administrators to develop plans to improve attendance. He not only does this for our school but the entire division. He is always positive with a smile on his face and ready to assist our families.
Extraordinary Leadership: Mr. Jones is natural leader. He is always considerate of others’ time and works to accommodate families and their needs. He is very organized and professional at all times. He is very dependable and hardworking. When you need him……..he is there!
Appropriate Situational Awareness: Whenever the need arises, Mr. Jones always makes himself available to assist. There have been several occasions when he is accompanies school personnel on home visits or sat in on meetings when needed.
Kristi Snyder, Nominated by a Colleague
Above and Beyond: Goes above and beyond on a daily basis to help her students. She will exhaust all avenues to see her students be successful. Most recently she had a student that was struggling and didn’t have the confidence to as the teacher for help. Kristi set up a meeting with the teacher and students and worked with the student to be able to express their needs. She attended the meeting to support the student but did not speak for the student. She coached him along the way.
Extraordinary Leadership: Kristi is a fierce advocate for the students at Virginia High School. She will meet with administration, parents and teachers to ensure that her students needs are met. When she sees an injustice, she takes it upon herself to make things right. She leads by example and is always professional with students, parents, teachers, and administration.
Other: Kristi is currently planning an event to celebrate the senior class. She is going to post signs of all of their college military and work force placements on the lawn and then celebrate them with a host of events. She recognized that our students work hard and sometimes feel like their work has gone unnoticed. Especially those students that do the right things every day and fly under the radar. She is also constantly looking for ways to provide mental health support for our students. Virginia High School is luck to have her!
Stacie Vance, Nominated by a Parent
Above and Beyond: Ms. Vance has made such an impact on my child. She has come so far academically. More importantly, she has instilled so much confidence in her that she now believes that she can do anything. Her investment in my daughter, both personally and educationally, has planted a seed we can’t wait to watch grow and flourish.
Kristen Wilson, Nominated by a Colleague
Above and Beyond: Kristen goes far beyond what would be considered the normal teacher role for her students. She calls home daily and communicates with parents, makes sure transportation is available if they missed the bus, ensures that food needs are met and clothing provided. She reaches out to ALL students, not just those in her class. One day before Mrs. Wilson's students arrived she encountered a young lady in the office crying begging to go home. Her hair was partially braided and she was embarrassed and afraid of being made fun of. Kristen swept her into her classroom, pulled out her personal hair products and braided the student’s hair. To some, this gesture wasn't much but to this student; it changed her entire day.
Exceptional Contribution: Kristen dedicates her time far beyond the constraints of a contracted school day. After her school day ends, she is busy planning on how to help not only her students, but their families as well. She volunteers with our XC/TF teams by offering student athletes tutoring and providing study hall to help maintain grades or complete missing assignments. She also teaches in the night program to help students that can't attend school during normal hours.
Extraordinary Leadership: Not only is Mrs. Wilson one of the most selfless people I know, but she is also one of the most influential. Not only does she strive to help her students graduate on time, but she also makes it a point to help them grow into better people. She changes behaviors and LEADS by example. She can be the "toughest" teacher in the building but also the most loving. For many she is a safe place and someone they can trust.
Appropriate Situational Awareness: An alternative education teacher knows that the situation doesn't define the student. When a student is cursing or threatening Mrs. Wilson, she takes the time to listen and understand the situation rather than letting the issues define the student.
Other: Kristen Wilson exhibits superb abilities to reach each of her students on not only an academic level but also on a personal level. It is through her actions that she is able to engage her students to really buy into their own education and capabilities.
