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 2021!
Darlene Rumph
Beaufort County Schools, SC
Darlene was nominated by Shanklin Elementary School Office Manager Buffy Martin, who wrote: “Ms. Rumph goes above and beyond the call of duty. She stays after school for meetings, creates her own lesson plans, inputs grades in the system, gives parent/teacher conferences, and buys materials to enhance student learning. She truly has a PASSION for teaching and it shows. At times, I wish she would come out of retirement and become a full-time teacher again. We are so blessed to have Ms. Rumph at Shanklin Elementary!”
Corey Tobias
East Central ISD, TX
Corey was nominated by East Central High School Administrative Assistant Monica Mancillas, who wrote: “Mr. Tobias is a model substitute. Always very professional, polite, friendly, and knowledgeable about our school policies and procedures. He is very flexible and always willing to help out where ever needed. Since Mr. Tobias has been on our campus and has subbed in different classrooms and subjects, word has gotten out what a great substitute he is. In fact, teachers are constantly requesting to have him cover their classes when they need to be absent. I am nominating Mr. Corey Tobias because he is truly an exceptional substitute for East Central High School.“
Katelyn Lagana
Alpine School District, UT
Katelyn was nominated by Vista Heights Middle School Secretary Tayla Blomquist, who wrote: “Our school has been very blessed with great subs this year! I especially wanted to recognize the efforts one sub has put forth to support our teachers and students. Katelyn Lagana has been an incredible resource for our teachers here at Vista Heights Middle School.
I met her as she helped one day with our special needs students. The teachers and aides gave her overwhelmingly positive reviews, so we approached her about covering a maternity leave absence for our AP Geography Teacher. She immediately met with the teacher, Jennifer Jenkins, and began preparing for this accelerated learning class that she would be covering for six weeks, a month later. She was marvelous! She was professional, timely, organized, friendly, helpful, and all-around provided a seamless extension for the teacher in this class with a rigorous curriculum! Parents, students, and teachers were so grateful for the great experience!
As Mrs. Lagana came to my office to return her computer and keys at the end of the six weeks, we had another opportunity to help a teacher in our 9th-grade math department, Darleen Tills, for two weeks at the start of a new semester. I took her to the teacher and introduced them to each other – within minutes they had worked out a plan. Teachers, students, and parents again agreed those two weeks went smoothly and were a good experience for everyone. Students stayed up-to-date with their learning and were ready when the teacher returned from her absence.
I cannot recommend Katelyn Lagana strongly enough to be recognized for her impressive ability to work in such varied environments, curriculum, and students with so much success! Our school is so thankful for her and would love her to be recognized with this award.“
Gerald Hemmis
Millcreek Township School District, PA
Gerald was nominated by ESS District Manager Jamie Thompson, who wrote: “I would like to nominate Gerald Hemmis as he is one of our building-based subs for Grandview Elementary. Gerald works every day the school is open, and every time I contact the principal to ‘borrow’ Gerald, I’m told what an amazing help he is at the school. Whether he is teaching or serving as an aide, Gerald never complains and always shows up at zoom meetings with a positive and helpful attitude. Gerald is a retired business professional who has not only worked every day but will go to any school I ask him to at a moment’s notice. All this in the midst of a pandemic over the age of 65! I hope you will consider Gerald for this award, he absolutely deserves it!”