November 2023
BOE/Bus Depot/Millikin: Vanessa Bantum
Vanessa has a long record of being a dedicated, hard worker on behalf of the district, students, and fellow staff members. She is known for giving the people around her the very best. Vanessa has a talent that I will call a human GPS. She has the outstanding ability to drive a school bus, and simultaneously help other drivers navigate the city turn by turn.
Boulevard: Christina Nordlund
Christina is an outstanding school psychologist! She is professional, highly intelligent, filled with true wisdom and understanding, and genuinely warm hearted and caring. She's open and honest to all students and staff and welcomes all who seek her assistance. Her ETRs are detailed, thorough, and extremely well written. The students love her and are always excited to see her. Our staff looks up to Christina as a professional and friend.
Canterbury: Marilyn Doss
Marilyn is our nurse paraprofessional. She is dedicated to making sure our students are healthy and comforted. She is so kind and caring and her care goes above and beyond Band-Aids. If she notices a student who seems down or distressed about something, she is there to discuss things with them and be sure they leave her office feeling more comfortable about their situation. Canterbury is lucky to have her!
Delisle/TVA/IT: Guy Bradshaw
Mr. Bradshaw is a dedicated member of our high school automotive technology program. He plays a crucial part in creating a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere. Mr. Bradshaw's fairness and consistency in assisting the class contribute to the overall success of the program. He takes the time to connect with each student on a personal level, fostering a sense of community within the class. Mr. Bradshaw actively supports students in their academic pursuits, providing guidance and a supportive presence.
Fairfax: The Paraprofessionals of Fairfax
As a group, they are not honored enough for all of the hard work they put in everyday. We have an amazing team.
Cynthia Foster, Lanny Bishop, Alecia Vickers, Dj Battle, Larissa Mckinney, Elliot Hill, Jada James, Keiarra Nelson, Patrice Perry, Ricquel Martin, Destiny Curtis, Aleacer Tripp, Deborah Howse, Kevin Davis, Lauretta Brown, Barbara Heard, Erika Davis, Natalie Harris, Minnie Spoon, Barbara Champion
Gearity: Amanda Blazetic
Blaze is such a dedicated advocate and amazing teacher. She is always willing and able to lend a helping hand to other students who are not part of her caseload. She treats all students like they are her own! Blaze has such patience and compassion for her students who have special needs. She truly has a heart of gold!
Heights High: Samantha Greene
Greene always goes above and beyond for her students and her co-workers to help in any way that she can!
Monticello: Mikia Searcy
Ms. Searcy has gone above & beyond to support Monticello's efforts in partnering with families. She has been a nimble leader in supporting the school's National Network of Partnership Schools. And most recently, she took on helping to re-build the PTA! It is worth noting she does it all with a warm enthusiasm. Thank YOU Mikia!
Noble: Jazmine Monroe
Jazmine is a true gem at Noble! I have been lucky to work with her for several years. She is compassionate about growing our first grade scholars, collaborates and shares her knowledge of the science of reading with our team, creates engaging lessons, and inspires me each day! Jazmine is also our tech coach and has brightened up Noble by leading the Sunshine Committee. Noble is so lucky to have her.
Oxford: Edie Fiala
Mrs. Fiala is an amazing support for our staff, students and families. She helps families to gain access to much needed resources. Mrs. Fiala comes to work each day focused on students' needs. She has worked closely with staff to provide students with the supports they need to access their education. Mrs. Fiala shares resources with staff and comforts students on a daily basis.
Rox El: Debbie Hirsch
Debbie took the most recent unit in Wonders and made terrific connections to her IB unit. Having learned about monuments in ELA, Debbie expanded that reading to research involving the Cultural Gardens of Cleveland. The students then wrote persuasive essays to encourage other people to visit their chosen garden. Families reported that the students were so excited, they actually visited MLK Blvd to explore! Thanks, Mrs. Hirsch, for connecting the learning and engaging the students beyond your four walls!
Rox Mid: Ryan Williams
Ryan is an excellent team leader. He is organized and thorough presenting information to the teachers on our team. He is also a fantastic teacher. His lessons are creative and interesting for students. I often will help students with their math work during our RIA period so I can see first hand that the work is challenging and creative for students.
October 2023
BOE/Bus Depot/Millikin: The Grounds Crew
I would like to nominate the entire Grounds crew staff for their work during the month of October. Aside from keeping all of our facilities' exteriors looking great, they have taken on the remake of the exterior of Delisle, where our new families register their students. Recognizing that first impressions are extremely important, they planted new shrubs and enhanced the flower beds. This team also supports our athletic department by working the football games to keep the area clean. Please recognize:
Kelvin Robinson (Lead Grounds)
Jamar Butler (Equipment Operator)
Torray Reeves
Don Williams
James Moss
William Clark
Boulevard: Jacqueline Young
As Boulevard's librarian, Jackie uses her unique artistic talent to decorate our library to look like a wonderland of books echoing the love of reading! Together with Jackie's dramatic read-aloud time, students are strongly inspired to take out books and read. Our library has never been so quiet before, with students searching for books and reading!
Canterbury: Jessica Valentino-Artman
Jess is always willing to help out any teacher in need. On top of that, she's a fantastic teacher herself. Her kids love coming to her Spanish classes, and in the years that I've been sharing a space with her, I've learned lots of small but effective classroom management techniques just by being a fly on the wall. Jess exemplifies what it is to be a true teacher who cares not just for her kids but for the well-being of her building and the district.
Delisle/TVA/IT: Kristin Campbell
Kristin joined the Options team last year and has become a vital member of the staff. She provides empathic guidance with standards that lead to success. We are very fortunate to have her as a part of the team.
Fairfax: Keiarra Nelson
She is the culture of Fairfax and we would be lost without her. Keiarra is a beloved staff member and does it all.
Gearity: TaRhonda Ward
Ms. Ward promotes an ongoing culture of collaboration and works to create a joyful work environment through her monthly staff recognition boards and social events like "Chip Day" and our school's first Staff Chili Cookoff.
Heights High: Brenda Taylor
Officer Taylor has been dependable, reliable, and efficient in supporting Heights High. She is diligent in her job duties, ensuring the hallways are clear and that visitors always follow our safety protocols. She keeps in good communication with students and staff members. She even helps make sure that students get to class on time!
Monticello: Dr. Jeffrey Johnston
Dr. J truly is the heart of Monti. He shows up every day in every way and leads by example. He always keeps a calm attitude and shows patience, fairness, integrity, and optimism in all of his actions and interactions. Being a principal, especially a middle school principal, is no easy feat, and Jeff does an amazing job!
Noble: Vanessa Hagan
Vanessa joined the Noble this school year and has seamlessly fit into the Noble family. She has engaging lessons, amazing class structure, and demonstrates high and consistent expectations. She strives to meet the needs of each of her students, and works tirelessly to engage even the most challenging situations.
Oxford: Rebecca McCalligan
Rebecca has really become a model of the idea of believing in her students. She has embraced the new core content curricular materials and is excited and encouraging to her students who are practicing with the new programs. She comes prepared with questions and is always seeking outside perspective about how to make her lessons and engagement for her kids better. I love working with her, and her kids love her and all the energy she brings to the classroom.
Rox El: Daniel Hershman-Rossi
Mr. Rossi recently took time in his music class to work on social emotional skills with the kindergarten students. He taught them what to do if you accidentally bump into someone, from both students’ perspectives. I have since heard the students implementing this important skill in the classroom. Skills such as these are vital at the Kindergarten age. I am thankful to Mr. Rossi for helping our students to become not only good students but good people.
Rox Mid: Lia Radke
Lia does an amazing job making AVID run school-wide! From teaching her own elective courses in 7th and 8th grade, to working closely with the 6th grade elective teacher and the entire staff, Lia makes AVID strategies easy to use to benefit all students. Lia is also an active BLT member, a DLT member, and the district RESA coordinator. She also plans all the student council events for RMS and every decision she makes has students first in her mind. We are lucky to have her!
September 2023 BOE/Bus Depot/Millikin: Jamar Butler
Jamar always goes above and beyond to help the district and others. He's also friendly and pleasant when you interact with him. I'm nominating Jamar because I saw him diligently cutting the grass at the BOE after 4:30 p.m. on the Friday before Labor Day. Most people would have prioritized starting the extended weekend, but not Jamar. Jamar, thanks for going above and beyond to make sure the district looks nice!
Boulevard: Joi Curry
Mrs. Curry is the most amazing person I know. She is my go to person with most situations. She is always willing to help and has an amazing relationship with students, staff and families. The students know that she truly cares about them academically as well as personally. Mrs. Curry BELIEVES in us and knows that Boulevard is Number 1!
Canterbury: Darlene Bolden
Ms. Bolden has been one of the most welcoming staff members since beginning teaching at Canterbury. This is my first year at CH-UH so I was in over the summer setting up my room. She has been so encouraging and uplifting. She compliments my classroom, how I have taken on a challenging room, and brightens my day.
Delisle/TVA/IT: Karen LaBoda
Karen is always happy to help no matter how many times I call her. She's also always has an answer to my question, whatever it is, even if it she is just directing me to someone else who can answer my question. I know I can count on her.
Fairfax: Dr. Andrea Walker
Our new principal has come in and made a great change at Fairfax. Andrea Walker is confident, self-assured, intelligent, logical, equitable, and overall a kind and dedicated individual. We are so lucky to have her leading our school to greatness!
Gearity: Sean Sullivan
I am recommending Sean for his dedication to our STEM program. He has dealt with health issues but still gives 100% to make sure our students receive a quality STEM education. He is willing to partner with the Natural History Museum, bring in guest speakers, and implement innovative programming. He also has led our Student Council, giving Gearity students a voice in our school program.
Heights High: Taylor Smith
Taylor has been a vital part of the reason that the high school has gotten off to such a good start this year. He is a wealth of knowledge and always willing to jump in and lead the charge. He is always willing to teach and lend a helping hand whenever he can. I appreciate his willingness to help others around him and go above and beyond to ensure that the job gets done.
Monticello: Leslie Garrett
Ms. Garrett has stepped in to lead one of our 7th grade Individuals & Societies class to start the school year. She has taken this responsibility on while still meeting her district responsibilities as an IB Coordinator. Her efforts have enabled our students to begin the school year in a safe, supportive and respectful learning environment. She has also stepped up to lead our 7th grade team as Team Leader this school year. Her committee to our students is an example to us all!
Noble: Britney Graham
Britney helps to create a culture of warmth and inclusiveness for all members of our Noble Family; staff, students, and families. She is willing to step in and do what ever is needed, whenever it is needed. Britney creates opportunities for students to feel successful and ensures that she treats everyone with respect and dignity. We'd be lost at Noble without her!
Oxford: Toni White
Toni has made a seamless transition into her new role as Assistant Principal at Oxford Elementary School. She has made connections with staff and students. She has quickly become an important member of the Oxford community.
Rox El: Jennifer Musgrave
Besides being a role-model of a Kindergarten teacher with her engaging lessons and focus on student development, she made her new colleague feel welcomed and supported. Jen also is a member of the IB Leadership team, the BLT, and is a co-Union representative of Roxboro. We are so lucky to have her in our building!
Rox Mid: Joshua Luton
Mr. Luton is the glue that binds together the long-time staff in the building and the new faces and leadership that have arrived this year. Mr. Luton has jumped in on everything from day one. He worked all summer to support Ms. Sharpe in ensuring that we had a full staff to open the year. He comes in everyday with a smile, and a heart to love kids and support adults. He works tirelessly to ensure that we are creating a welcoming environment where students can learn unhindered.