At ESS, our strength lies in our phenomenal team, and we’re proud to recognize those who lead by example. Each month, our partner school districts submit glowing reviews of our employees, from which we select four employees of the month. We believe in celebrating the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our team members who go above and beyond in their roles. We are thrilled to recognize our December Employees of the Month!
Teresa Payne
Union County Public Schools, NC
Teresa Payne was nominated by Sharyn VonCannon, Principal at Unionville Elementary School, who wrote: “I am pleased to nominate Teresa Payne for the prestigious title of ESS Employee of the Month. Ms. Payne is an exceptional substitute who consistently goes above and beyond, significantly impacting students and staff.
Ms. Payne is a true professional who brings a positive, caring attitude to every classroom she enters. She has a natural ability to connect with students, quickly earning their trust and respect. Her compassionate nature creates a warm and welcoming environment that makes students feel comfortable and confident in their learning, even when their regular teacher is absent.
Beyond her strong connections with the students, Ms. Payne also maintains high professionalism. She is always prepared and follows through meticulously with the plans left by the teacher, ensuring that the students’ day runs smoothly and that no valuable time is lost. Her attention to detail and dedication to excellence are traits that truly set her apart.
What truly makes Ms. Payne stand out is her ability to be more than just a substitute. She takes on the coach role, guiding students through challenges with patience and encouragement. She also becomes a friend, offering support and fostering community in the classroom. Students genuinely adore her, and it’s evident that her influence extends far beyond the day-to-day tasks of a substitute teacher.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Payne as one of our main substitutes. Her presence is a gift to our school, and I can think of no one more deserving of the Substitute Teacher of the Month recognition than her. Her positive attitude, caring heart, and unwavering professionalism make her an invaluable asset to our team.”
Roxanne Reid
Hatboro-Horsham School District, PA
Roxanne Reid was nominated by Karen Kanter, Principal at Simmons Elementary School, who wrote: “Roxanne Reid is an exceptional paraprofessional who works with students with autism at Simmons Elementary School. Ms. Reid is a dependable, reliable employee who consistently goes above and beyond to support our students. When our autistic support teacher unexpectedly went out on leave at the end of October, Ms. Reid stepped up to assist the long-term substitute teacher to become familiar with the students, their individual programs, and the classroom routines. Her insights and knowledge of the students allowed the young learners to transition smoothly to a new teacher and helped us maintain consistency in the educational programming.
Ms. Reid understands the developmental needs of our younger students, as well as their specific challenges. She effectively implements positive behavior support plans, keeping data toward the student’s goals. Ms. Reid encourages her students to be successful in the general education classrooms, forming social connections with their peers. She holds high social, academic, and emotional expectations, helping them reach their individual goals in a supportive environment.
Ms. Reid demonstrates professionalism in her interactions with staff, students, and families. Teachers appreciate her kind, steady support, and other support staff value her team-centered approach. New support staff members are mentored and assisted by Ms. Reid as they learn the intensive teaching methods used within the classroom. Families trust her to guide and nurture their children throughout the school day.
We are very fortunate to have Ms. Reid in our school community! We hope ESS will recognize her outstanding contributions through the Employee of the Month program.”
Sarah Klasek
Blount County Schools, TN
Sarah Klasek was nominated four times this month by colleagues from Montvale Elementary School, who all praised her for going above and beyond to help students.
Jamie Reynolds, forth grade ELA teacher, who wrote: “Sarah stepped in during one of the craziest times of the school year (between Thanksgiving and Christmas break). Not only did she step in, but she took over trying to plan lessons to keep kids on track, grading papers to keep grades going in, and overall just keeping order in the classroom when our teammate took leave. I cannot imagine the chaos that would have happened had we not been blessed with her stepping in and stepping up!”
Kim Grubb, Secretary, who wrote: “Sarah is always willing to help out wherever available. She loves our school and loves the students. She is always on time and comes in ready for her day! We love Sarah!”
Kristien Rohrer, Librarian, who wrote: “Mrs. Klasek has stepped in TWICE to fill classroom needs and has done an excellent job in both. She first started in a 5th-grade ELA class and went above and beyond learning the lessons so she could teach the children with fidelity. She is now in 4th-grade math again, going above and beyond to learn the curriculum so the children get the best learning possible. Sara is doing more than a substitute is required, and we all appreciate her so much!”
Lisa Pillsbury, Special Education teacher, who wrote: “Sarah goes above and beyond her duties when subbing at MVES. She picks up as many long-term substitute positions as she can. She helps our children feel secure and loved, all while providing solid instruction. We appreciate her at MVES and feel fortunate to have her.”
Karen Spann-Hicks
Charles City County Public Schools, VA
Karen Spann-Hicks was nominated two times this month by colleagues from Charles City High School, who all praised her for her hard work in ensuring students are provided with challenging and engaging lessons.
Keyvette Peebles, Assistant Principal, who wrote: “Mrs. Spann-Hicks works hard to provide students with daily challenging, engaging, and fun activities. She has set her expectations for classroom performance and behavior early in the school year, and her students understand their role in the overall classroom environment. Beyond academics, Mrs. Spann-Hicks understands middle school students and works toward supporting the whole child. She often works on problem-solving skills, effective communication, and working as a team with her students. Her latest idea of creating a token economy with her students helps to extend not only from the school environment to real-life applications. As a lifelong learner, she shows her students through her actions that it’s never too late to work towards your goals!”
Toni Childress, HR, who wrote: “Ms. Spann-Hicks goes above and beyond to ensure her students receive accurate curricula. She works late to ensure her lesson plans reflect the standards and are individualized for special education students. She asks questions of her peers and administration to ensure she can become the best she can be in the classroom for her students.”