Four employees were selected for the November 2014 recognition. They were honored at the Nov. 18 school board meeting. Pictured from left to right are:

  • Charity Nunnelley, ELL/Title I program specialist, special services department
  • Pat Conner, swing custodian, Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Daniel Bettis and Chad Waldman, principal and school psychologist, Fir Grove/Vista
  • Carla Feltz, Family-Community Resource Center coordinator, Washington Elementary School

The Excellence Award is given to two to four employees or small teams from October to May each school year. Nominations are open to staff, students, parents and community members. Nominees are selected for recognition by a committee of their peers.

As a Guided Language Acquisition Development trainer, Charity Nunnelley shows elementary teachers confidence-boosting strategies to enhance their instructional practices for English language learners. Many teachers have placed this training among the best professional development of their careers. This year, Charity also has helped to ensure that vendors who provide tutoring in Title I schools are informed, prepared and ready to deliver supplemental education to the selected students. In addition, she is a key coordinator for Kindergarten Jump Start. People who work with Charity call her an “energizer and doer,” a humble advocate, a leader with passion and an annihilator of challenges.

A job performed by custodian Pat Conner is a job done right! His attention to detail is the stuff of legend, says his nominator, and he truly cares about Roosevelt Elementary. He is the natural choice to train new substitute custodians and show them the proper way to care for the school and its stakeholders. Pat also has adjusted his work schedule without complaint to cover his colleagues. Wrote his nominator, “Mr. Conner is a pleasure to work with. His warm, generous personality puts outside groups at ease and lets our staff and students know they are well cared for.”

According to colleagues, Principal Daniel Bettis and school psychologist Chad Waldman have led the Fir Grove/Vista team in transformational work to create a safe and supportive learning environment. The staff developed positive methods of acknowledgement for students, implemented a new data-collection method and evaluated how they teach their students to be effective members of their community. The long-term goal is for students to display positive behavior when they return to their home schools. Progress hasn’t always been easy, but the team is dedicated to making changes. Said their nominator, “I applaud their expedited efforts. They are a fantastic team of educators!”

Carla Feltz always is vigilant of ways to support the needs of the Washington community. Mornings she can be found escorting students to school on the Walking School Bus, which she coordinates. She also teaches Love and Logic classes, organizes the school’s well-attended early literacy nights and brings in speakers who can address the community’s needs. And because of her, struggling families can celebrate the holiday season and experience relief from food insecurity. Said her nominator, “At Washington, we like to believe the school is the center of the community. Carla is the glue that holds the school and community together.”

Congratulations to these employees! They join the more than 250 employees who have received the award since 2007.