November 2015 PEAK Awards

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

THE PEAK AWARD CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM
Nebo School District wants to showcase our Positive Energy and Kind employees. PEAK Awards are nominated by patrons and recognized by the Superintendent Staff and Nebo School Board of Education. The award is administered by the Communications and Community Relations Department. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This initiative is designed to focus on "raising the bar" on providing exceptional customer service, both internally and externally. A key component of this initiative is the development of the PEAK Award. The PEAK (Positive Energy and Kindness) Award is presented monthly to someone in the Nebo School District who "really gets it" when it comes to providing exceptional customer service, which in turn results in positive impacts on everyone including students, parents, co-workers and members of the community.

Who Gets Nominated?
Faculty and staff members are nominated by anyone in the community through the Nebo School District website, www.nebo.edu/PEAK wherein a special Customer Service link is provided. The directions as to how to nominate an employee for the PEAK Awards are clearly spelled out on the site. All nominations must include information on how the individual has provided exceptional customer service, as well as how the employee's actions impacted the nominator's overall perception of Nebo School District Schools. The name and contact information of the nominator must be included.

November 2015 PEAK Award Winners:

Adam Roberts, Custodian, Salem Junior
Nominated by: Maria Ruiz, Christine Beardall, & Anne Cook
“Adam is absolutely the best to work with. He is always pleasant and kind to everyone! Adam keeps our school in pristine condition and kindly meets the DEMANDS of our staff. He never ever complains and does it all with a smile on his face.  Adam has organized the Biggest Loser at our school for the last couple of years. It has helped us all get to know one another better; and at the same time helped us become more healthy and happy. Quite simply he is amazing and staff, students and parents all love him . Our school would not Shine without him,” stated Anne Cook.

Christine said, “Adam is a perfectionist! He has such an eye for detail and works so hard to train his staff to see things as thoroughly as does. He is often asked to clean up some very unpleasant things. He does so with a terrific attitude and jokes that it's ‘job security’. He is pleasant, dedicated, and a great man to work with. I appreciate all he does to care for our beautiful school and keep it looking so great. People often comment on what a nice and immaculate school we have, and they are right!”

Maria said, “Adam exemplifies Positive Energy and Kindness in all that he does. He always has a smile for students, teachers, and staff. Many times, he’ll also have a joke or two. The school is always clean and bright. When there are maintenance or safety issues, he addresses them right away and keeps us informed on the progress. His staff reflects his positive attitude, and do a great job, too. In addition to his regular responsibilities, Adam has coordinated two ‘Biggest Loser’ programs encouraging us with humorous dialogue to lose weight and live healthier. This past year, 21 teachers and staff members lost a total of 188 pounds. He also teaches a wood turning class for the 4H After-School Program. Adam is teaching the students a new skill and building their self-confidence through fun projects like pens, key chains, and Yo-Yos. Adam’s class is so popular that he has added another class and will teach an advanced class next session.”

Sarah Blackhurst, Facilitator, Canyon
Nominated by: Jamie Hamblin & Jessica Root
“Sarah is a prime example of positive energy and kindness. I have never met someone like her. Sarah came to Canyon Elementary two years ago to be our new facilitator. She made a positive impact right away, and we were all impressed with her willingness to help everyone. Her first priority was helping the interns, and we all saw her staying until five o’clock or later to help them get their rooms set up, lessons planned, and become more comfortable with being a teacher. I was so impressed to see her spend so much of her own personal time in helping these girls. Not only was she there late, she had a smile on her face the whole time and an attitude of, ‘We can do this together.’ Her interns love her and know how much she cares about them. 

“I have also been really impressed with how well Sarah has gotten to know each staff member at Canyon Elementary. She is always very positive and willing to help anyone: intern, veteran, or those in-between. Our fourth-grade team has asked her to help us out during our flex time while we are re-teaching/enriching math. She has never acted like we were an imposition and has always helped us out with our students, no matter what we asked of her. Even though Sarah does not have her own classroom full of students, all the kids at Canyon know and love Ms. Blackhurst. She knows them all, and they are excited when they get to be in her flex group.

“One time Sarah was developing an awesome management idea to share with her interns. She was just finishing up making these reward boards in the workroom for her three interns as I walked through and asked what she was making. She showed me and I said, “That’s awesome! I want one.” Not only did she make one for me, she made one for several other teachers, besides the interns.

“Sarah is also willing to help out in areas that are not considered part of her job. There have been multiple times we have walked into the lunchroom to see Ms. Blackhurst with a rag in her hand wiping up tables and helping the custodian in the lunch room. It really speaks to the kind of person she is. Sarah is a great leader and willing to do whatever needs to be done to make our school a better place for both students and staff. Canyon Elementary is a more positive place because she is there. We are extremely lucky to have such a thoughtful, generous facilitator at our school. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Sarah Blackhurst.”

Jessica said, “Sarah cares for the welfare and has a genuine love for each and every person she comes into contact with. She is a selfless educator that goes above and beyond her call of duty to help not only the students, but the teachers as well. She often would drop what she was doing to give a listening ear to those in need, help lighten the load of other teachers, fill her famous candy jar, or enrich the culture of Canyon Elementary. She frequently took time out of her busy schedule to help re-teach, practice, or enrich our students in different concepts. Any person that gets the opportunity to work with this amazing lady should consider themselves lucky, I know I do. Thank you Sarah for all you contribute to those that work with you.”

Barbara Spainhower, Bus Driver, Transportation
Nominated by: Stacie Conrad
“A child on Barbara's bus had a seizure. She was professional in taking care of the situation. While the paramedics attended to the student, she arranged for the other students to ride on another bus. After the student was taken to the hospital, Barbara took the bus back to the compound and drove her own car to Mt. Nebo Junior to check on the students who had witnessed the situation, especially the two girls that were with the student that had the seizure. Barbara then went directly to the hospital to visit with the student and her mother. Barbara has always been a safe and caring bus driver. She has driven my own children for 12 years. She has always taken extra time at the bus stop to make sure the children don't miss the bus. Barbara knows all the children on her bus by name and truly cares about their needs.”

Sarah Sumsion, Teacher, Cherry Creek Elementary
Nominated by: Erin Whiting
“I have great appreciation for Sarah Sumsion, my daughter’s sixth-grade teacher.  I know that teaching school children is very demanding and often under appreciated and greatly oversimplified in the minds of those who do not have this privilege. During this past year, I have been very impressed by the skill and grace that Ms. Sumsion demonstrates in her work as a teacher. 

“When first introduced to Ms. Sumsion during back-to-school night at the beginning of the school year, I was delighted and encouraged. She demonstrated knowledge of the developmental needs of emerging adolescent children as well as attention to preparation for the challenges associated with transitioning to a new school context in seventh grade. Throughout the year, I have appreciated her interest in meeting the individual needs of each student. I have specifically seen and heard of instances when she has encouraged students to push themselves and to take more ownership over their learning. She sees and takes opportunities to support student learning across all the facets of school life. Additionally, I think Ms. Sumsion does a remarkable job of including and communicating with parents, without displacing the responsibilities from the students for their own work and progress. I cannot express enough my appreciation for her professionalism and her caring approach that I have personally experienced as a parent.

“What I appreciate most about Ms. Sumsion are the ordinary, daily parts of school life that may not stand out on their own. I think she approaches the task of daily teaching extraordinarily well, producing an exceptional quality in her teaching overall. Her approach is not limited to engendering conformity but rather creating opportunities for students through developmentally appropriate and high expectations. She is relatable and engaging with her students giving them individual attention, while continually holding them responsible for their learning and growth. She is a true example of a ‘leader’, because she provides a clear path to accomplish a clear vision for her students. 

“We parents are in agreement that Ms. Sumsion is exceptional and it has been a privilege for my family to have her as a teacher. It has been such a gift to me personally to have her as an influence in the life of my daughter. I appreciate the opportunity to recognize the significance of what that Sarah Sumsion brings to Cherry Creek Elementary. She has much to offer any future students who are lucky enough to have her as their teacher.”

Cynthia Porter, Facilitator, Riverview Elementary
Nominated by: Lisa Muirbrook
“Every school needs a Cindy! Cindy is constantly helping someone. She goes above and beyond the scope of her duties each day. Her primary responsibility is to assist and help our interns, but it is not uncommon to find her in any classroom doing a mini-lesson or helping a student. Cindy spends hours each month researching best practices and then sharing her findings with all teachers in collaboration meetings. 

“Cindy's sense of humor is contagious! If there is a joke being played on someone, you can bet Cindy is right in the middle of it! Each morning you can find her in the front office laughing, talking and even singing to students. She has even been known to make up songs to cheer up students. It works!

“As the principal I depend on Cindy's wisdom and ability to see the big picture. She is aware of my needs and assists me in my efforts of being the best I can be. This is Cindy - helping others become their best selves.”

Ashleigh Redman, Librarian, Payson High
Nominated by: Jeri Carter & Brenda Gillie
“Ashleigh started at Payson High mid-year in 2003. The students quickly fell in love with her. She taught Resource English, reading, and Read 180 for nine years. When it was someone's birthday, she had a special hat for them to wear while others sang to them. Ashleigh works with students and parents to make each student successful. She makes learning fun. Ashleigh has been the librarian for the last three years. When a student tells her they like a book, Ashleigh gets online to see if there is a sequel or other books by that author and orders them. She works with staff to give them time in the library and  teaches lessons on how to use the library. When Ashleigh walks into a room, she brings joy.”

Attributions
Lana Hiskey