December 2017 Nebo PEAK Award Winners

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. 

Mary Lynn Lewis, Instructional Coach, Maple Ridge, Art City, Mapleton, Summit
Nominated by: Selene Carlson, Suzanne Kimball, Lynne Lowe
“Besides being an exceptional Instructional Coach for the past ten years, Mary Lynn served for the past several years as Nebo's gifted and talented consultant. In this capacity, she worked with countless students, parents, and teachers to help students with exceptional needs be successful in our Nebo schools. She organized and led Nebo's chess club and Nebo's Bright Ideas summer classes. Mary Lynn fulfills these roles quietly and without fanfare and impacted many lives.”

Teresa Beebe, Secretary, Larsen Elementary
Nominated by: Cami Thomas, Karalee Beckstead
“Teresa is an extremely hard worker and dedicated employee. She puts in extra time and does extra tasks just because she knows that things need to be done. Teresa is always willing to lend an extra hand and provides so much support to the entire staff. Only Teresa can pull off sending out emails that end with ‘Your FAVORITE Teresa’, because she is well qualified to fit this description.”

Gwen Spencer, Teacher, Barnett Elementary
Nominated by: Angela Stoddard
“Gwen is a standout employee at Barnett. She is a creative teacher, and we can always depend on her to come up with a fun and original song, chant, or skit for our school assemblies. She is willing to help with anything that is needed at our school. When we have school dress up days, you can count on Gwen to go above and beyond with amazing outfits that the kids and teachers love. 

“Along with being an amazing team teacher, Gwen is also our technology and SIS specialist. Being the technology specialist at the beginning of the year takes a lot of time helping everyone get their technology set up for the new school year. Gwen takes whatever time is needed to help employees and make sure they are trained and ready to start with the technology needed.

“Gwen has a way with kids that make them feel loved, safe and worthwhile. She has a serious side, and the kids know when to get down to business. Gwen helps the kids see that they are a somebody, and that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.

“Gwen goes above and beyond here at Barnett Elementary. She is the most kind and caring teacher and coworker. She loves all of her students and the staff. Gwen is constantly asking others, ‘What do you need help with?’, or ‘What can I do for you?’ We always hear her say, ‘I'm happy to help.’ Those words are wonderful to hear. She truly is happy to help. Her positivity radiates off of her. Everyone wants to be just like Gwen. On multiple occasions, she has bent over backwards to help.”

Nora Estrella, Custodian, Salem Elementary
Nominated by: Jim Welburn, Bob Stutz, Chris Vest, Jaden Hill, Deana Coates, Glen Thorpe, Lee Gillie
“Nora spent countless hours getting our school ready for the new year. When school started she is super responsive to teacher and staff needs with a pleasant demeanor. She is often found fixing or cleaning something even before a request can be made. She is kind to students, staff, and patrons alike. Her last name "Estrella" is very fitting, as she is a True Salem STAR.”

“Nora is always working. She does more than just keep the school clean--and she does do that. She does the little things that might not be noticeable from a distance, but make the whole school look good. She cleans away cobwebs, cleans under bookcases, and checks under sinks just as part of her routine. She edges the lawn and keeps the playground free of paper and trash. She has the night sweepers wipe off every student desk! Every table! You don't have to ask her, she just gets things done. Students come each day to a nice clean room with sparkling sinks and shiny windows.”

“Nora has made our school and the grounds look simply amazing. She and her summer crew worked like crazy and has cleaned the school, attic, crawl spaces, it smells good again, I'm telling you it looks and feels amazing. She is nice, friendly, everyone likes her, especially the students and staff, she has made such a difference in our school.”

“Nora is always on top of everything and is a very hard worker! The school grounds look amazing and all of the classrooms are very clean. Without hesitation, Nora will drop whatever she is doing to come help you, especially if it's an emergency situation. If it's not an emergency, Nora will still be there within a couple of minutes to fix or help with whatever needed with a smile on her face and her friendly personality. Without a doubt, Nora is the true definition of a hero at Salem Elementary!”

“Nora goes above and beyond! She is so helpful and friendly to everyone! Salem Elementary is sparkling clean because of her and her leadership to her entire crew. She treats her sweepers with respect and takes the time to communicate her expectations.”

Todd Jackson, Counselor, Springville Junior
Nominated by: Shauna Shepherd
“Todd takes our nervous little seventh-graders under his big, tender wing and helps them find a friend and success in a new school. Todd will cry with a student who is struggling, find food for a student who is hungry, provide school supplies for a student in need, all on his own. Todd is a pillar in the school as well as in the community. The students and parents know they can trust Todd and turn to him for any kind of assistance. Todd will come through and be there for them.”

Heidi ODell, Bus Driver, Transportation
Nominated by: Frank Daybell
“Heidi drives a special needs bus, and was involved in a minor wreck. By the time district officials arrived, she had made all of the calls to the shop and was extremely calm with everyone involved. She was in constant contact with all of her students calming them down and reassuring them that everything was going to be great. She approached Cliff Jex, the transportation supervisor, and asked him to visit with her students again reassuring them that things were going to be okay. What impressed me most was how Heidi treated the young driver who was involved in the wreck and who was at fault. She was not angry in the slightest, but instead gave the young driver a hug and told her that everything was going to be alright. She explained to her that all of the children were fine.”

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