School-Related Employees of the Year Named

They are the ones behind the scenes.

They clean the rooms, answer the phones and keep the buses running.

They take the burden off of busy teachers, help kids broaden their horizons and answer distress calls when computers are on the fritz.

They are this year’s School-Related Employees of the Year, honored by their peers for their excellent service to the Gulf County School district.

Port St. Joe Elementary School

For the last five years, Linda Hill has distinguished herself as a dependable, efficient custodian.

At Port St. Joe Elementary School, Hill is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and safety of classrooms, halls and the lunchroom.

Principal Melissa Ramsey described Hill as a “pleasure to supervise.”

“Mrs. Hill always has a smile on her face and tackles whatever job faces her without complaint,” said Ramsey.

Diane Julius admired the pride with which Hill approaches her daily routine.

Julius applauded her co-worker’s easy-going, cooperative spirit, and credited her with a large part of the school’s success.

“Linda has played a big role in helping Port St. Joe Elementary become the amazing school that it is today by maintaining such a positive attitude while she provides our staff and students with a clean and safe environment in which to learn,” said Julius.

Port St. Joe Middle School

Cindy Rich is a busy teacher’s secret weapon.

As a Port St. Joe Middle School instructional support worker, Rich helps teachers perform a variety of tasks.

She grades papers, supervises reading labs, makes copies and works one-on-one with students.

She is also the school’s resident photographer and yearbook sponsor.

With five years in the school district, Rich was previously selected the middle school’s School-Related Teacher of the Year for 2005-2006.

Principal Juanise Griffin described Rich as a “highly responsible and competent individual” who demonstrates a high moral character.

Teacher Shirley Thompson, who has worked with Rich for three years, described her classroom assistance as “invaluable.”

“Cindy has a good rapport with her fellow workers and more importantly with the students she serves,” said Thompson. “Her ability to connect with students is truly an asset to any classroom.”

Port St. Joe High School

As Gulf County Youth Services Coordinator, Gloria Gant helps students on the road to adulthood.

At the Port St. Joe High School Opportunity Center, Gant teaches career awareness, employability skills and leadership development.

She also takes students on a variety of field trips to enhance their understanding of the world that awaits them outside the classroom, and follows up with all of the center’s graduates.

Gant has been employed with the school district for seven years.

This year, she is also providing services to Wewahitchka High School students.

Teacher Rachel Crews attested to Gant’s excellent rapport with her students.

“I have been witness to countless examples of how the timid or less confident child has been helped to become an outgoing, enthusiastic learner and individual by virtue of the support Mrs. Gant has supplied,” said Crews.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Sara Joe Wooten commended Gant’s honesty, dedication and willingness to adjust her schedule to better serve students.

Wewahitchka Elementary School

Brandie Kemp’s colleagues at Wewahitchka Elementary School admire her can-do attitude.

“Our Ms. Brandi is a true trooper, a real go-getter, a role-up-your-sleeves and dive right in kind of soldier,” said principal Lori Price.

A paraprofessional whose duties include media center aide, tutor and small group instructor, Kemp also serves as an occasional substitute teacher.

“This would be a fright-filled challenge for even the bravest soul, but not for our indomitable Miss Brandie,” said Price. “With a bag-of-tricks to rival even the most veteran of teachers she accepts the challenge with smile firmly in place.”

Kemp has worked at the elementary school for four years, and has aided Media Specialist Donna Fettinger for three.

Fettinger described Kemp as possessing a patient, caring demeanor and pleasant attitude.

“Her positive outlook makes working with her a pleasure,” she said.

Wewahitchka Middle School

Wewahitchka Middle School teacher Misty Wood sums up her friend, Nicki Holley, in two words: “secretary extraordinaire.”

Holley has been employed at the middle school since its inception five years ago, and was a one-woman show in the school’s early years.

“The secretarial job she ended up getting consisted of phones ringing off the hook, anxious parents concerned about their kid’s grades wanting to schedule conferences, many purchase orders…and tons of phone messages and questions from new teachers,” said Wood.

Holley thrived in the high-stress environment, said Wood, and her experience over the last five years has made her one of the school’s greatest assets.

“Nicki has become…the glue that holds everything together,” said Wood.

Holley’s daily tasks include assisting students, parents, teachers and staff with any needs they may have, all data entry, textbook inventory, maintenance orders, scheduling substitutes and parent/teacher conferences, payroll, internal accounts, purchase orders, and much, much more.

Principal Pam Lister said she could not imagine doing her job without Holley by her side.

“She completes tasks before I ask and takes the initiative to make changes to improve the smooth operation of our office,” said Lister.

“She always has the best interest of Wewahitchka Middle School at heart.”

Wewahitchka High School

In his first year at Wewahitchka High School, Adam Murphy has become a valuable member of the school’s custodial staff.

His duties include cleaning classrooms, restrooms and other areas of the school, and ensuring that all facilities are well stocked with supplies.

Principal Larry White credited Murphy with improving the school’s appearance, and applauded the pride he takes in his work.

“Adam is constantly asking teachers and the principal if they are satisfied with the cleaning of their rooms and work spaces. He looks for things to do rather than needing direction from a supervisor. He will go beyond the call of duty in performing general maintenance such as painting and repairing door closures,” said White.

In addition to his duties as custodian, Murphy also serves as athletic manager for the football team and athletic department.

Athletic director Todd Lanter called Murphy “the employee that every employer looks for,” one who comes to work early and stays late, and is loyal to his school and community.

In hiring Murphy, a recent Wewahitchka High School graduate, White said he made one of his best employment recommendations in his “thirty plus years in education.”

District Office

In his 11 years in the district, Marty Riley has worked under a series of grants and shifted job responsibilities numerous times.

He is currently the district’s Instructional Technology Specialist, tasked with maintaining Pinnacle, an online grade book for teachers, and Snapshot, a data analysis software program.

He also provides technical support and staff development for teachers, administrators and district staff.

Port St. Joe Middle School teacher Judy Williams credits Riley with dramatically altering her teaching style.

“I would not be where I am today in the field of technology if it weren’t for his kind and even mannered approach to the teaching of technology,” she said.

Wooten testified to Riley’s willingness to put in the long hours required to assist teachers and stay on the cutting edge of technology.

Riley also maintains the Office of Instructional Services websites and provides technical assistance via a support website.

Williams admired Riley’s pleasant demeanor and willingness to help.

“He treats everyone with such respect and dignity, even ‘older’ teachers like me who can be quite trying at best,” she said.

For his outstanding work in the district, Riley was previously selected as the 2003 Gulf County School-Related Employee of the Year.

Maintenance

Working in the district’s maintenance department, Charles “Woody” Borders performs a variety of chores, both big and small.

And according to Maintenance Foreman, Greg Layfield, he does all of it well.

“In my 22 years with the maintenance department I have had the experience of working with many different people. I would challenge anyone to find a more dependable, hard working and dedicated employee than Woody,” said Layfield.

Borders, who has been employed with the maintenance department for five years, has completed maintenance assignments at all of the county’s schools.

Head Mechanic Bruce Nixon said Borders “goes beyond his job requirement to assure that each school runs as smooth as possible.”

Nixon has been impressed with the concern Borders has shown for students and with the diligence he brings to his job.

“Woody is a tremendous asset to the maintenance department,” he said.

Transportation

With 28 years in the district, Carolyn Peak is the veteran in this year’s group of honorees.

For the last eight years, she has worked in the transportation department, handling payroll, purchase orders and student data records.

She also drives the ESE van, rides the bus with ESE students and gets substitutes for drivers, when necessary.

To her colleagues, Peak is a cheerful, supportive presence, known for her soothing expression, “It’ll be all right.”

Gulf County Adult School teacher Simona Beard described Peak as a “true professional” who performs her duties with unsurpassed efficiency.

“She is a mastermind when faced with the multiple tasks of scheduling and assigning drivers to transport Gulf County students to their respective schools and to extracurricular activities and athletic events,” she said.

Peak’s contributions to the district exceed that of transportation secretary, said Beard.

“At the adult school, she is very popular with students, instilling in them the importance of an education and infusing them with advice and counsel. This she gives without reservation, unselfishly and without condescension.”