Employees

Congratulations to Our December Employees of the Month!


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 2025 Employees of the Month!

Deontae Weaver
Sumter County School District, FL

Deontae was nominated by Dennise Fravel, Substitute Coordinator at Wildwood Middle High School, who wrote: “Mr. Weaver is always willing to help wherever he is needed.  Today, we had two paraprofessionals in our self-contained ESE class, and the teacher was out for training.  This understandably affected the student’s normal routine, and he stayed longer until the teacher returned and the students were calmed down.  He is also great with our self-contained class!”

Megan Bergthold
Ralls County R-II School District, MO

Megan Bergthold was nominated by Jesica Ross, Secretary at Mark Twain High School, who wrote: “Megan has stepped up in a big way here at Ralls County.  She had subbed through ESS a few years ago, then was in a car accident and broke both an ankle and the opposite foot, and could not continue to substitute.  Well, she came back not too long ago and has jumped in, taking one of our teachers’ paternity leave.  She originally thought she would just be doing most of December, but the baby arrived early, and she was more than willing to come 3 weeks early to fill in for our teacher. It is huge for our classes to have dependability and consistency within the classroom setting, and Megan has delivered.”

Patricia Shepherd
Dayton Public Schools, OH

Patricia Shepherd was nominated by Candace Dunson, Administrative Assistant at Wright Brothers Middle School, who wrote: “Patricia always comes to work on time and is ready to go. She makes sure the correct students are in the class. She teaches the substitute plans that are left in the classroom. If there is any problem, Ms. Shepherd will call the main office and communicate any and everything to the office staff. She especially lets the office staff know when she has appointments or will not be at the school so we can get coverage or plan ahead.

Ms. Shepherd is a true 5-star employee, and we at Wright Brothers Middle School love having her here. We truly do miss her since she has been out and hope that she is well and that when she recovers, she will return to Wright Brothers Middle School.”

Anthony Peterson
Anderson County Schools, TN

Anthony Peterson was nominated by Tracy Easterday, Secretary at Clinton High School, who wrote: “I am pleased to nominate Anthony Peterson for recognition as an exceptional employee. Throughout his time here at Clinton High School, he has consistently demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to student success.

Mr. Peterson is someone we can always count on, often stepping in at the last minute, adapting quickly to schedule changes, and maintaining a positive attitude in every situation. He builds strong rapport with both students and staff, and his calm, respectful presence helps create a productive learning environment, no matter the classroom or content area.
 
One of the qualities that truly sets Mr. Peterson apart is his willingness to go above and beyond. Whether assisting with additional class coverage, supporting teachers during planning periods, or taking initiative to ensure smooth transitions throughout the day, he consistently exceeds expectations. His flexibility and strong work ethic make a noticeable impact on our school community.
 
In addition to his dependability, Mr. Peterson communicates effectively, follows procedures with precision, and maintains excellent classroom management, ensuring instruction continues seamlessly even in the teacher’s absence. His contributions have been invaluable, and he exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and exceptional substitute educator.”


Congratulations to our December Employees of the Month!