PEAK Awards March 2016

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.

March 2016 PEAK Award Winners:

Flora Chappell, Counselor, Mapleton Junior
Nominated by: Melissa Heaton, Ann Peay, RaShel Anderson, Jessica Devenish, Jodi Partridge, Hilary Miner, & Danielle Lopez
“Flora is everything we should be--positive, kind, thoughtful, hard working, professional, and focused on helping others succeed. One story is when a student was struggling, and she took time to get to know this girl and discovered that she loved to read. Flora bought the girl her favorite book. When presented with the gift, the girl got teary eyed and said that it was one of the nicest things anyone has done for her. Flora has granola bars for any student who needs breakfast. Students come in regularly. Flora makes new or struggling teachers feel safe and loved. She is a beacon of selfless love.”

“Flora has the talent for finding the good in people--especially when they cannot find it in themselves. Many struggling students have flourished because of her thoughtful concern and counsel. Flora is one of MJHS's angels-- an angel of service, kindness, friendship, compassion, gratitude, support, and happiness. It is a rare gift to work with an angel like Flora Chappell.”

Adam Gull, Title I Coordinator, Park Elementary
Nominated by: Ann Banks, Amy Darrington, Ryan Kay, Charlene Hatch, & Jody Thorne
“Adam is an amazing boss and always goes the extra mile for us! He cares so much for students and always takes the time to listen and help. A fourth grader moved in and didn't know her ABC's. Other schools had given up on her learning to read. I wanted to throw up my hands some days. Adam pulled me aside one day last fall and said, ‘We, at this school, are not going to give up on her!’ Because of Adam, we have NOT given up on her. She passed off her ABC's and is reading on a first-grade level. Her self-confidence is sky high, because for the first time, she can really read and write!”

“My first experience with Adam was as a new teacher. Adam was so helpful and went out of his way to include me in the community. I have watched Adam deal with student behavior issues in a caring and compassionate manner. Adam always considers others needs before his own and finds the good in people and situations.”

Kristeene Zeeman, Secretary, Landmark
Nominated by: Amanda Renzello, Karen Ripple, & Matt Cope
“At Landmark High School, there are any number of faculty and staff members that go way out of their way on a daily basis for their students, parents, and each other. Even in such amazing company, Kristeene Zeeman stands out. She is the most happy person ever. No matter how busy she is, she is always smiling and willing to take on more. Many times when she is clearly very busy, she'll offer to help complete a project without anyone asking her. On a regular basis, we, here at Landmark, benefit from one of her personal talents: an amazing cook. She provides incredible meals for many of our meetings. She willingly gives of herself and time to all: students, staff, or strangers.”

Wendi Nelson, History Teacher, Spanish Fork High
Nominated by: Melissa Hartley
“Wendi is an amazing teacher. Student learning and growth is her number one goal. She continually adjusts and changes her lessons to provide better learning opportunities for students. She never turns down an assignment to help. Wendi has mentored countless student teachers, intern teachers, and first-year teachers. She goes above and beyond to help them have a successful and positive early teaching experience. She is constantly putting in extra time and hours preparing resources and lessons for any teacher in our department, but specifically for new teachers. While many of us work to stay ‘one day ahead’ of our students, Wendi works to stay, ‘one day ahead’ of the teachers. Her generosity has been an invaluable service. Wendi gives good teachers tools that allow them to become great teachers!”

Nicole Draper, Science Teacher, Diamond Fork Junior
Nominated by: Sarah Blackhurst
“Nicole displays Positive Energy and Kindness. She often teaches students in the Special Education Unit, and she does an awesome job giving them classroom experiences outside of their unit. Today was an exceptionally fun day. Nicole brought her two horses and a ton of knowledge to our school. She gave up her prep period to give these students an experience with something they may never have the opportunity to encounter in their lives. The students pet and led the horses around the parking lot. Nicole taught about horse hooves, riding tack, how to care for horses, and ultimately her passion for horses. Nicole provided exceptional service to these special needs students.”

Becky Jorgensen, Teacher, Brookside Elementary
Nominated by: Bridgette Sahlin
“Mrs. Jorgensen is an outstanding passionate teacher with a positive attitude who cares deeply for all of her students and fellow teachers. She is always willing to mentor and take time with new teachers. Becky is quiet, happy, kind, steady and patient. She cares deeply for all her students and stays several hours past contract time to research ways to reach a struggling student and refine her lesson plans. Mrs. Jorgensen makes sure that ALL the needs of her students are met. She created a job in her classroom called ‘The Friend-Shipper.’ The job of the Friend-Shipper is to choose a child they don't normally play with or doesn't seem to have many friends and invite them to participate in an activity. This makes both students feel special, while creating a sense of community in her classroom.”