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 August 2022!
Ralph Stoeffler
Putnam County School District, FL
Ralph was nominated by Brandi Prothero, Executive Secretary at Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School, who wrote: “Ralph is always here early and stays after school hours. The kids and staff enjoy his presence. He never minds subbing in any class or going the extra mile helping out our custodians and the front office staff. Every day he is here, he’s always helping with lunch duty, dismissal, and drop-off. He has the best attitude and always has a smile on his face. It’s not every day you find someone like Ralph!”
Ibis Mota
Union Public Schools, OK
Ibis was nominated by Amber Lawson, Grade Level Principal Secretary at Union 6th/7th Grade Center who wrote: “Ibis “Sophia” Mota shows up every day with a smile! She has wonderful classroom management and is building great relationships with our students. She is reliable and professional. Sophia is such a source of joy in our building and we appreciate her so very much!”
Sandra Lawrence
School District of Philadelphia, PA
Sandra was ultimately nominated by Mary Libby, Principal, who received numerous nominations from employees at Chester A. Arthur School who have worked closely with Ms. Lawrence.
Rochelle Shapiro, First Grade Teacher, wrote: “It is my honor to recommend Sandra Lawrence. She began working consistently at Arthur last year and has always done an amazing job! She is a permanent sub at Arthur and has become an integral part of our staff. She has subbed for me and always does a very professional job. In addition, she knows all my students’ names, actually she knows every child in the building. She is a strong communicator as well as a good listener. Ms. Lawrence is adaptable – she has been every teacher in the building. She shows patience and empathy to the students and staff and has been a joy to work with in every role she undertakes. I can’t imagine anyone working as hard or as dedicated as Ms. Lawrence. Actually, I can’t imagine anyone other than Sandra Lawrence receiving this honor.”
Jessica Qualtiere, Autistic Support Teacher, wrote: “I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Lawrence for three school years. Ms. Lawrence quickly became a part of the Arthur family upon arrival. She is flexible and can fill any role in the school. She tirelessly supported our school virtually through COVID. She is an outstanding educator. It can be challenging to find guest teachers for my Autistic Support class, however Ms. Lawrence has gracefully filled in for me from time to time. My students feel comfortable with her and love when she visits. She understands my children and the world of Autism. We’re lucky to have her.”
Gary Kowalewski, 7th and 8th Grade English and Social Studies Teacher, wrote: “I have been teaching with the Philadelphia School District for 8 years, and Ms. Lawrence stands out among substitute educators with how consistent and hardworking she is. She is a staple in the Chester Arthur community and is beloved by every student she works with. When I need to miss work, the first question students ask me is “Can we have Ms. Lawrence as our sub!”. The answer is often yes, and the students know this, because she is always the first to enthusiastically pick up any staff absences. When Ms. Lawrence covers my classroom, I’m always confident that learning is taking place. Students always produce quality work with her, and I often get glowing reports from both the students and her. I never need to worry about one of my absences interrupting learning because of the productivity she facilitates with the students. I see Ms. Lawrence in the hallways almost every day, and she always has a positive thing to say. She contributes so much to this school and community, and I believe she is the perfect candidate for this award.”
Desiree Bowman, Learning Support Teacher, wrote: “It is with total confidence and great pride that I compose this letter in support of Ms. Sandra Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence is an over-comer, a problem-solver, and a dynamic member of our school community at Chester A. Arthur Elementary School. Her enthusiasm, love, and passion for teaching (and her students) have hardly a rival on our staff and we have an incredible faculty. Ms. Lawrence does not work or serve for awards or accolades, but simply to inspire and impact all those she meets each day. She has mastered the elusive art of being firm but fair, having rules yet maintaining relationships, and keenly remembering that though she teaches numerous content/subject areas, she is really teaching “children” whom she freely offers love, acceptance, and grace. While remaining current with the latest instructional strategies and technologies, she can still reach a troubled or struggling student with simple, yet profound, motherly instincts and empathy coupled with complete professionalism. Likewise, she can accelerate and challenge her brightest of students because of professional development experiences and innovations she has pursued and mastered. Ms. Lawrence has a calling on her life, and that is teaching which she exquisitely balances with her most important role as a mother. She teaches her students to strive for excellence, to love reading, and to respect each other; and she teaches all of us (her peers) to give our best for our students, to wear a smile, to have faith, and to remember that storms of life can often produce beautiful rainbows and new growth. Thank you for this opportunity to brag on my friend, colleague, and professional Super Teacher – 2022 Substitute Educator of the Year Awards as voted by her peers.”
Hope Weiner, Kindergarten Teacher, wrote: “I am writing this letter to recommend Sandra Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence is a dedicated building substitute teacher, and she is an integral part of our school and school community. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Lawrence for 3 years. During that time, she has substituted for numerous teachers and other positions within the school. She is caring, kind, and very dedicated. She completes all lesson plans that the teachers leave, she has a wonderful demeanor with the students, and is always a pleasure to be around. It is my belief that she is highly qualified for this award. Her positive attitude and her dedication to our school and our students is observed by everyone that she works with. She is an asset to the Chester A. Arthur community, and one that is deserving of this award.”
Cynthia Ellington
Kingsport City Schools, TN
Cynthia was nominated twice this month! The Principal at Andrew Jackson Elementary School, Kelli Seymour wrote: “Cindy has done an amazing job as always! She has truly gone above and beyond to support us in getting our school year started smoothly. In supporting us, she has worked beyond her typical hours. She worked one Saturday from 8-11am and again from 1-4pm. Then again on Monday, she was here after school from 3-5pm.”
Stephanie Potter, Principal at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School wrote: “Mrs. Ellington has been a breath of fresh air and I can not tell you how much of a relief and reprieve it has been having her here. I don’t think I realized the weight I felt of the last 6 months with a new person(s) in this position until she got here and has just jumped right in and known what and how things needed to be done. In doing so, she has come in on the weekends to help get things organized and do some much needed cleaning out. Cynthia has saved the day on numerous occasions!”