The Supporting Cast: Those Who Make a District Tick

They make the buses run on time, prepare and serve the food at lunch time, provide the extra hand in the classroom or ensure the front office operates at maximum efficiency and hospitality.

They are the employees who clean the classrooms, work with some of the most challenged students and set and maintain the stage from which so much teaching is done in classrooms across the district.

These are the School Related Employees of the Year at each working site in the public school district, nominated by their peers to be honored sometime in the next month as the District School Related Employee of the Year, eligible to move to state competition for similar recognition.

Combined they offer more than 150 years of experience, in some cases never leaving the spot at which they arrived at the district, and their wide swath of expertise is a testament to the diversity of people and tasks on which a school district functions.

Patsy Cooley

Cooley, with the district for 23 years, is the payroll supervisor for the district, delivering payrolls, W2’s, retirement information and the like for some 370 employees.

“From the day I met Patsy I knew she was a special person,” wrote Angie Benavides in a letter of recommendation. “She is dedicated and loyal, which is evident in her work.”

Cooley, who will retire soon, works for the district’s financial officer Sissy Worley.

“Patsy is a team player, helping other departments whenever possible,” Worley wrote in her letter. “Not only is she a great employee, but a wonderful friend to all others in our office.”

That is where Cooley is special, Benavides noted, always cooperative and courteous to everyone that calls or comes by Cooley’s office.

“She is always willing to go the extra mile for our employees,” Worley wrote.

This makes Cooley a colleague and more to so many.

“I consider Patsy a valued friend,” Benavides wrote.

Brandi Kemp

Few combine a generosity of spirit and sunshine of an attitude quite like Brandi Kemp, who works with the Bridges Program at Wewahitchka Middle School, dealing often one-on-one with some of the most challenged students in the district.

Kemp demonstrates compassion and understanding, her co-workers note, and inspires others with a winning personality despite the challenges she faces each day.

“She is an inspiration to others who work with her, as she is always smiling no matter what her circumstances may be,” wrote Judith Husband, a behavior specialist in the Bridges Program.

“I feel honored to work with such a high-spirited, caring individual.”

Principal Pam Lister wrote that Kemp’s personality is a perfect fit for her job.

“She smiles when others might cry,” Lister wrote. “She tries again and again when the strongest would have thrown up their hands in frustration. And when her students succeed she celebrates, feeling pride akin to what a parent feels when his or her child accomplishes a difficult task.”

Lister noted that Kemp is not working the typical classroom, that her challenges in teaching students even the most basic tasks is one met by only a small number of teachers in the district. Still, Kemp shines, a reflection of the compassion required to work with special needs children.

“With her unique combination of kindness and perseverance, she assists in educating students who are often extremely challenging to teach,” Lister wrote.

Mary Ann Peak

A two-time winner of District School Related Employee of the Year, Peak, a 12-year employee, is, as described by Wewahitchka Elementary School Principal Lori Price, not just a secretary, but a SECRETary.

When a child acts up and is sent to the office, Price wrote, all that is often needed is a few words from Peak and the child is headed back to class, their secret safe with Peak. When Price makes a boo-boo, and she writes that is more often than Price would like, Peak has her back, fixing things without a word.

When a teacher has a need, Peak is at the ready, Price wrote, to assist without a word to anyone else, always supportive, always with a kind smile.

“Besides being a joy to work with, Mary Ann is a take-charge person, who is able to tackle her job with dedication and a smile,” wrote Jan Traylor, a parent liaison.

Peak makes the office run smoothly, even in the most chaotic of times, Price wrote in part, and is able to remain above the fray with a serene smile and soothing words.

“Ms. Mary Ann does all that and a million other things, many of which are not featured in her official job description,” Price wrote. “But above all else, Ms. Mary Ann is the SECRETary and the secret to our success.”

Tida Lee (Voncile) Daniels

Daniels, who has worked with the district for 26 years, is a secretary in the front office at Wewahitchka High School.

Daniels can also be found at too many extracurricular activities to count, whether taking tickets, working the concession stand or just providing a smiling positive presence.

“She is courteous and professional at all times,” wrote Principal Debbie Baxley. “She has a unique intuitive connection with students sensing the special action, touch or intervention they may need at any given point in time.”

Baxley also noted that while Daniels may not play a role in the classroom, she uses her position at the school as an opportunity to push students to do their best with their schoolwork.

She is a cheerleader for achievement to students and teachers alike.

“She is supportive of the district goals for student growth and achievement, encouraging teachers and students continuously to always do their best and ensuring them they will get through the toughest days,” Baxley said.

One of Daniels’ co-worker suggested that is one thread of the fabric of Daniels, who is a cheerleader for most things Gulf County.

“Ms. Daniels shows great support and a genuine love for our school and county,” wrote Brenda Jordan, the guidance office secretary. “It is an honor to work with such a deserving friend for both myself and the school.”

Janet Lanford

A district employee for 22 years, Lanford has spent the past 15 years as secretary/attendance clerk at Port St. Joe Middle School.

Adaptability and willingness to jump into learning new skills stand out for school Principal Juanise Griffin, who also noted that Lanford carries herself with a quiet efficiency and dignity.

“She can certainly adapt well to any situation that may arise and is always willing and able to learn new skills,” Griffin wrote.

“I have found Mrs. Lanford to be a highly responsible and competent individual who has performed above and beyond the call of her duties in working with our county administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students.”

Teacher Polly Edmiston wrote of Lanford, “She treats us all with respect. Any thing that we ask of her is done with a quiet efficiency.”

Griffin noted that Lanford had served as an aide in the classroom when Griffin taught, as secretary when Griffin was a guidance counselor and moved to another secretarial position when Griffin became principal.

Griffin in turn taught several of Lanford’s children.

The two have developed a bond, a friendship forged by working together for more than two decades and knowing each other’s families well.

“She has always been enthusiastic, cooperative and her integrity is beyond reproach,” Griffin wrote.

Karen Taylor

For the past five years Taylor has served as bookkeeper at Port St. Joe High School.

To say she has a handle on the school’s financials, has the skills to maintain the books in an organized and easy to understand format, would be an understatement wrote one co-worker.

“She is without question the most organized and efficient bookkeeper with whom I have ever been associated,” wrote Carol Faison, the high school office’s secretary. “She is a true team player. Her integrity is above reproach.”

Principal Duane McFarland noted that Taylor is able to properly maintain the school’s books despite the often crazy environment of a high school front office. Her skills with people and passion are striking, McFarland noted.

“In the midst of her often chaotic surroundings she still manages to go the extra mile when handling her duties,” McFarland wrote. “Her interpersonal skills and work ethic are outstanding.”

McFarland describes Taylor has an integral part of high school operations and labels her among the best he’s worked with in his career with the district.

“Karen is absolutely one of the best workers that I have been associated with in my 24 year career,” McFarland wrote. “I do not know what I would do without her expertise and insight that she provides on a daily basis.”

Faison may have summed it up best concerning Taylor in her recommendation letter.

“She is truly the epitome of a loyal, dedicated, energetic and highly competent employee,” Faison wrote.

Debbie Gillespie

Gillespie, the District School Related Employee of the Year in 2003, has spent the past seven years as a bus driver and was nominated both those in the Transportation Department.

Her supervisor, Greg Layfield, has spent just six months as head of the Transportation Department but Gillespie quickly stood out.

“She is constantly striving to insure that the students on her bus get to and front school safely and with no complications,” Layfield wrote. She has an excellent rapport with her students and is no-nonsense about keeping her charges safe. She is always willing to learn and to assist where necessary.

“She is a dependable, capable and loyal employee,” Layfield continued. “Her hard-working attitude amazes me more and more every day.”

Ginger Respress is a fellow bus driver and noted in her letter of recommendation that when cuts were proposed at the Wewahitchka bus barn, Gillespie volunteered to transfer to Port St. Joe in order to save a job in Wewahitchka.

“It did not take long to learn that she is a very compassionate caring person,” Layfield wrote. “Debbie cares about the children she transports on her bus.

“And she will help you in any way she can.”

James Daniels

Daniels has spent 10 years in the maintenance department, using his many skills in plumbing, carpentry and all things mechanical to assist wherever his talents are needed.

“James is a tremendous asset to the Maintenance Department,” wrote head mechanic Bruce Nixon. “He never hesitates to perform any task that is asked of him with a positive attitude.”

That attitude is one that is transformative, an inspiration, Nixon noted. Daniels’ approach to his work was one to envy and emulate.

“One characteristic that separates James from other people is dedication; he is a highly-respected and competent individual,” Nixon wrote. “He is a very special man that has honored us over the past 10 years by being an employee of this school system.”

Layfield is also the supervisor of the Maintenance Department and has worked alongside and supervised Daniels since the latter started with the district.

Layfield noted Daniels’ emphasis on safety, for all.

“Mr. Daniels has an eye for safety and is always concerned for the welfare of the students and teachers in our district as well as the general public,” Layfield wrote. “He is dedicated, dependable, loyal and always carries around a professional and positive attitude.”

Diane Julius

Julius, a 26-year veteran of the district, is the head custodian at Port St. Joe Elementary School and a supervisor in the Custodial Department.

Her fine work, explained Principal Melissa Ramsey, is on full display to any employee or visitor to the school.

“If you walk the halls or enter a classroom, you may witness the pride and dedication taken in maintaining and cleaning our school,” Ramsey wrote.

That pride exudes from Julius.

“She has continuously demonstrated dependability, efficiency and pride in her work,” Ramsey wrote. “She always has a smile on her face and tackles whatever job faces her without complaint.”

As Ramsey summed it up, Julius has a “dirty” job, “but she does it with such grace.”

But ensuring a clean school is just a start for Julius. She demonstrates a caring for the students who walk the halls and is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.

“Diane can often be heard encouraging children at school to follow rules and do their best in class,” wrote Karen Minger, media specialist at the school. “Her devotion to her job is evident toward both children and staff.

“I am pleased to say that she is a team player, an efficient manager and a kind and sincere individual.”