Oct. 30, 2023 -- The theme across the CH-UH School District this year is Believe. In that spirit, each month CH-UH is recognizing employees who go above and beyond to inspire one another to "believe" and create a culture of excellence in our district.
For October, CH-UH is honoring 12 people as the “Tiger Team Members of the Month”. Each honoree was nominated by a colleague--and in some instances multiple colleagues--and the nominees were then voted upon by a staff committee.
The honorees will be recognized at the Board of Education regular meeting on Tuesday, November 7.
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)
William Clark
James Moss
Torray Reeves
Don Williams
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!
Read about our previous honorees
here.