Each month, our partner school districts submit glowing reviews of our employees, from which we select four employees of the month. We’re pleased to recognize our honorees from February 2022!
Fatima Skaggs
Russellville School District, AR
Fatima was nominated by Jaime Arnold, Art Specialist at Oakland Heights Elementary School, who wrote: “Mrs. Skaggs served as my long-term sub during maternity leave. She updated me on student progress daily. She took on extra duties during lunch, recess, and afternoon dismissal. Her words about students were always so kind. She and I have kept in touch since my return to work after maternity leave. I recently missed several days of work and Mrs. Skaggs filled in for me again, stating that she missed the students at Oakland Heights! She took initiative each day. If I told her to look for a random object in a random drawer, she could get it, sort items, plan for the next day, etc. I didn’t have to stress about my students while I was out. She even brought cleaning materials from her home and dusted my classroom! It is safe to say, she goes above and beyond. Countless coworkers commented on how hard she works. And not only that, I have never heard her say a negative word about a student or staff member.”
Rachel Abbot
Coeur d’Alene School District, ID
Rachel was nominated twice this month! The Administrative Assistant at Northwest Expedition Academy, Kristen Mysse wrote: “Rachel has been a consistent sub in our building for the month of January, and most of February. She comes in every day not knowing exactly what job she will be handed, and does it with a smile. She’s on time, and even early every day. Her good attitude is contagious and she brings a light into our building. We don’t ever want to lose her! Thank you Rachel for your flexibility, energy, classroom management skills, building student connections and your good sense of humor. You are the best!”
Michelle Olsen, the Office Manager at Northwest Expedition Academy wrote: “Rachel is always punctual, always has a smile on her face even on hard days, and always is willing to take on positions that she did not sign up for. She is very flexible in any role that we assign her, and employees in our school can’t say enough good things about her! We love Rachel!”
Valerie Holmes
Leander ISD, TX
Valerie was nominated three times this month! Her first nomination is from Susie Schlenz, the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Block House Creek Elementary, who wrote: “Valerie came to save the day(s) for us on our campus during the height of this most recent COVID outbreak. Our campus nurse was out for multiple days and I am the backup when we don’t have anyone to sub in the clinic, so you can imagine how much I value this sub position to be filled. She was beyond busy the days she was here and even stayed past the very end of the day when a student needed immediate care. She worked tirelessly all day and took care of our sweet kiddos like they were her own. She handled every single task with the utmost professionalism and knowledge and went above and beyond in every way for our campus. We can never do enough to show our extreme gratitude for all she did for us. She is AMAZING!!!”
Alicia Esposito, the Registered Nurse at Block House Creek Elementary, wrote: “Valerie was able to cover the school clinic for me on very short notice. She was the only sub nurse that responded to my requests for a sub nurse in a timely manner. She came in during a COVID surge at our school and took excellent care of the students at Block House Creek in my absence. Everyone complimented on how well she worked as a team with the other staff members. Valerie kept me in the loop about what was happening in the clinic and ensured a seamless return to work for me. Valerie is a dedicated and caring nurse and she has been an exceptional resource for our District and School. In addition, Nurse Valerie also covered numerous days in the school clinic at the beginning of the current school year when the full time nurse had quit suddenly. She has been a vital asset in maintaining the health and well being of the students at Block House and the Leander School District.”
Vicki Tysor, the Registrar at Block House Creek Elementary, wrote: “Valerie helped us during one of the busiest times possible, the start of the school year! She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. We also had an extremely high count of nurse visits with COVID going on but she handled it with grace and a smile! We LOVE nurse Valerie!!!”
Joy Andersen
Washington County School District, UT
Joy was nominated by the Secretary at Hurricane High School, Kathy Hurst, who wrote: “Joy is so willing to help out whenever she is needed. She frequently covers other classes when we need someone to fill in for a teacher who had called in sick at the last minute and Joy is already subbing here. She went the extra mile and drove from our school to another school (multiple times) for a teacher she was subbing for here who splits time between HHS and Water Canyon HS. She is always so positive and kind to the students but has their utmost respect! We love Joy!!!”