February 2018 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.
Lindsey Smith, Teacher, Westside Elementary
Nominated by: Peggy Rothaug
“Lindsey is an amazing teacher. She engages the students in all subjects. Most recently she came bursting through the office door, completely out of breath, carrying a very heavy bowling ball she was going to use to teach the students about gravity. Her creative teaching inspires the students to love to learn. She is always adding new ideas to her bank of already fabulous teaching.
“At the first of the school year, a mom of a student who suffers severe depression, burst right into almost uncontrollable tears, knowing that her child would have Miss Smith as his teacher again. The mom said, ‘Miss Smith has done more for my son than any therapist, teacher, or friend has ever been able to do in his life.’
“Never is there a day that when I ask her how her class was she doesn't say, ‘They are wonderful. They really are.’ Her class is always wonderful because she builds the students confidence in themselves. She treats them with a very high degree of respect and receives that respect from them in return.”
Rachel Holt, Teacher, Payson Junior
Nominated by: Maddy Bragg, Lexi Jocelyn, Vanessa Gillie
“Mrs. Holt goes above and beyond the call of duty. Although her increasingly busy home life (she is a mother of two beautiful children!) pulls her home more and more, she fights it and recommits herself to her profession daily. While she is at school, she is 100% at school. She juggles three different courses--Honors English for seventh grade, keyboarding and student council.
“First, in Honors English she is the queen of engaging extra activities. So many teachers feel the pressure of the state core, and feel like it doesn’t allow time for the “fun things”--Mrs. Holt makes time! Her students are always excited and engaged with their content because of her. She isn’t afraid to spend a little time on creative, artistic and fun things because she knows that’s how students will retain their learning. Her students produce impressive projects that really show their learning, and she proudly displays them in the hallways of the school. Her enthusiastic and creative ideas have definitely spread throughout our English Department.
“Keyboarding wasn’t a course that Mrs. Holt ever aspired to teach. There was a need, she was asked, and she filled it! She worked in her first few years on the extra teaching certification, along with the other million things new teachers are asked to do, to be able to teach it, and teach it well. She is always trying new things to motivate and capture her students to become excellent typists, including “Blackout Wednesday” and other silly and motivating days.
“With the student council students, Mrs. Holt expects excellence, and that’s what she gets. Her students always do a great job creating uplifting events and advertising them. They are so professional on the morning announcements and at school assemblies--and you know it's because of Mrs. Holt behind the scenes!
“Mrs. Holt brings so much to her classes and to the school. She is beloved among students, staff and parents. Her positivity uplifts everyone around her, and we are all inspired by her desire to do good. Mrs. Holt exemplifies excellence in teaching.”
Gary Hubbs, Bus Driver, Transportation
Nominated by: Brett Andrus, Darrell Wyatt, Diane Cooper
“Gary is more than just a bus driver, he knows every athlete’s name and cheers them on at all the sporting events. He is always there with a smile, high five, praise, advice when needed, and never ending support for all of our athletes, students, and coaches at Maple Mountain. Gary doesn't just drive a bus, he is a part of the program and a major part of our high school athletes high school experience.”
“Gary is safe, courteous, reliable, fun, patient and has a way of connecting with students and making a positive influence. One student said, ‘Gary goes above and beyond as a bus driver. He isn't just a bus driver, he is the team's biggest fan. Gary has a genuine interest in how everyone on the team is doing and is always there to support us.’ Another student said, ‘Gary is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. He is genuine and truly does care about how you did in your particular sport. He cheers everyone on.’”
“Gary is always doing more than the typical bus driver. Gary learns the kids names on the sports teams and loves watching the competition. He even tweets about Maple Mountain sporting events. The best way to describe him is involved. Gary was the same way while he was assigned to drive for Salem Hills and hasn't skipped a beat the last few years here at Maple Mountain. I am always excited when we ‘get Gary’ for our bus trips. More importantly, the students are excited.”
Jen Gatley, Assistant Secretary, Maple Ridge Elementary
Nominated by: Sara Matis
“Jen is best friends with every person that comes into the office. She helps everywhere and anywhere and does anything needed with kindness and a smile. She is organized and conscientious. Often, we think people coming to the office are personal friends as they share videos and photos with her--only to discover that they are salespeople or new parents to the area. She patiently listens to every story and has a great work ethic. She is here as long as needed each day and notices things that need to be done--quietly taking care of them without drawing attention or complaining! She is amazing with difficult students, and her patience seems endless. Jen is the person that is willing to do anything needed.”
Krystal Taylor, Teacher, Santaquin
Nominated by: Kayli Weeks, Dayna Vernon
“Krystal ALWAYS has a smile and a friendly hello for everyone!! She goes out of her way to help others feel welcome and appreciated. Just being around Krystal for a few minutes is enough to brighten your day. I have had the opportunity to watch her daily interactions with her fourth graders, and they absolutely love being in her class! She has a unique gift of helping each child in her class feel special. Krystal is definitely someone who emanates Positive Energy And Kindness!!”
“Krystal goes above and beyond to help everyone, even those not on her team. She stays late to help plan or give exciting and engaging ways to teach and present information. She takes on more jobs than she should and does them all with 150% effort.”
DeAnn Grover, Teacher, Mt. Loafer Elementary
Nominated by: Sarah Blackhurst, Lisa Pruitt, Jill Hanks
“At Mt. Loafer Elementary, there are a few things that are consistent from year to year and student to student. One of those very special things is Mrs. DeAnn Grover, a first-grade teacher here. Mrs. Grover is one of those people who comes to work and gives it her all. She shows up every day ready to make a difference in the lives of others. She does an amazing job making others feel like she is their biggest cheerleader. You will not find a more hard-working, professional, dedicated teacher, and we feel lucky to get to work with DeAnn every single day!”
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.
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