March 2017 Nebo PEAK Award Winners

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

March 2017 Nebo PEAK Award Winners:

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. 

Lindsay Priday, Music Technician, Salem Elementary
Nominated by: Dave Hansen, Brad Condie, Amanda Houghton

“Lindsay is the best music technician we have had. She has the best management skills with all grade levels. In dealing with kindergarten through sixth grade, she adapts her interactions and lessons to each group. She teaches the core because she understands the core with passion. Not only does Miss Priday teach during planning time, but she teaches early morning orchestra. My students over the years have looked forward to orchestra and loved their involvement, even when it is early in the morning. The entire sixth-grade team supports Miss Priday. She is awesome! She is a very dedicated and caring music teacher – a true credit to the profession!”

Katie Barth, Teacher, Mapleton Elementary
Nominated by: Thresa Holthaus

“Every single time I see Katie, she is bursting with smiles and laughter. She makes everyone around her feel special and welcome. She has a talent for making all types of situations comfortable and enjoyable for all involved. Katie is deeply concerned, willing to watch out for and take care of her co-workers. No one is surprised, when out of the middle of nowhere, we receive an email from Mrs. Barth asking if we can try this idea to boost faculty morale; or another idea, to try something new that will just thrill the students. She is a brightener! Everything gets better because her happiness is absolutely contagious. She is the epitome of thoughtfulness, positive attitude, and happy, bubbly energy. We are so lucky to have her at Mapleton Elementary!

“Knowing Katie Barth and the way she is concerned for her co-workers, her students, and their families has deeply ingrained in me that what we do each day is so much more than a job. We are a family. We are so blessed to be here doing what we get to do each day. Any child, any family, would be lucky to interact with a teacher who is such a positive, concerned, happy influence on students.”

Lindsey Downey, Librarian, Spanish Oaks Elementary
Nominated by: Sherri Peterson, Kali Brown, DeAnn Carter, Angela Lindstrom

“Lindsey is an incredible librarian. She spends hours planning and preparing lessons that are educational as well as motivating for the students. She plans the lessons to correspond with CORE concepts taught in each grade level, bringing in technology and guest speakers to engage students. Her library is darling, and she has the students help her do the decorating. She has students spotlight books they have checked out and loved, so peers can enjoy them as well. Lindsey is the best librarian in the elementary schools for the past 30 years.”

“There is no task too small or trivial. Lindsey is willing to help and share her talents at every turn. She excels at communicating library expectations to all teachers, while helping each to be successful and feel supported. The library is truly her ‘classroom’. Everything she does is to ensure learning is happening for each of our students.”

“Lindsey is doing an awesome job with our students in helping them learn how to use the library and to be excited about going to library. She has the library so organized and decorated so it's inviting. She's also so willing to help with anything that is going on in the school. She's PEAK through and through!”

“Mrs. Downey has transformed our library into a fun, educational, kid-friendly room. She has great ideas on how to teach our students about how the library works. She uses games and art to help reinforce the curriculum so that the students not only learn in their classrooms, but also in the library. She is very friendly and helpful. We love her!”

Shaun Black, Teacher, Spanish Fork High
Nominated by: Namahan Tukuafu

“Two of my sons have taken welding classes with Mr. Black. He is an amazing and caring teacher. He helped a great deal in changing my older son’s life. Mr. Black is challenged him to become better in welding. Mr. Black’s inspiration helped him in so many ways. My son respects and admires him. Mr. Black works hard for all the students and tries to create opportunities for the students to challenge themselves and enjoy their accomplishments. Mr. Black is a great teacher that should be honored for all he does.”

Anita Stewart, Secretary, Special Education
Nominated by: Brent Coffman, Mike Larsen, & J. Lynn Jones

“Anita is a dedicated employee who provides wisdom and is the heart of our Special Education Department. Her smiling face welcomes all who find themselves lost in any way while at the District Office. She makes each and every one feel welcome - always! She personally makes sure each person gets to their location. Anita responds to all requests, emails, and phone calls with a touch of love and concern. Her heart warms all she comes in contact with. We have a number of large and consuming orders that she handles with ease. Her patience and hard work are a wonder to observe. Thank you, Anita, for your strength, kindness, and love. Anita is loved and appreciated by all!”

Shaun Ward, Custodian, Wilson Elementary
Nominated by: Cami Chang

“Not only does Mr. Ward do a great job with this staff keeping our school looking clean and professional, but he is also always happy to do whatever else is needed. He takes care of lunch room management, gets to know the other faculty and staff, and even scrapes the snow of the ladies' cars when it is snowy outside. He always goes above and beyond to make sure our school is a happy place to be.”

Brenda Burgess, Head Sweeper, Goshen Elementary
Nominated by: Debra Hudson, Lynette DeGraffenried, Carwynn Carter

“Brenda Burgess is a PEAK performer every day of the week. This summer our custodian had back problems. Brenda picked up the slack. She worked well with our summer cleaning crew, student sweepers, who followed her lead and made sure the school was clean and ready for the first day of school. 

“When the custodian was unable to return when school started, Brenda worked his hours. During that time, she completed all of his tasks and most of hers – including cleaning all of the bathrooms, the office, and the faculty room daily. Our lawns are green – the building is CLEAN. Teachers, students, and parents are always commenting on how clean our school looks and smells. 

“Brenda is pleasant and has a great sense of humor – Rusty (our manikin) shows up in the most unexpected places! Brenda always has her ‘cleaning music’ on. No matter what the job - picking up trash, wiping fingerprints off of glass, taking care of wasp nests, cleaning up after a sick student, helping kindergartners and first graders open their milk boxes, scrubbing the toilets, wiping down desks, counters and tables, moving teacher’s rooms, delivering supplies, killing spiders, or fixing a leak – she does it willingly and with a smile and a song.

“We love Brenda Burgess! She is a shining example of a daily PEAK Performer!”

“I have known Brenda on a professional and personal level for years. I feel she is one of the hardest working, most caring person you will ever meet. She truly loves and cares about our School and the people in it, whether they be adult or child. She never says no to any task that is asked of her.”

“Brenda goes above and beyond what is expected. She has been willing to step up and fill in and take care of what and when is needed. She is always positive and caring. She is always great with the kids and faculty.”

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.

Attributions
Lana Hiskey