December 2018 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.

Bart Peery, Principal, Salem Hills High
Nominated by: Brad Graham & Lee Gillie
“Mr. Peery is one of the most caring principals one could meet. I have heard of countless stories of him in the hospital waiting room with parents and physiologists to find a better way to help students. Mr. Peery is well aware of all that is happening at Salem Hills High School. He hardly ever misses an event and always takes photos and posts them on social media. This recognition helps the students feel what they are involved in important events. Every morning Mr. Peery walks the halls of the high school just to say good morning to faculty and staff. He is well aware of what is going on in the classrooms. This small act lets me know that my administrator cares about me and what I do. Mr. Peery has created a culture that each and every teacher can approach him about any concern they have.”

“Bart is changing the world as he changes our school. His vision of making a positive difference in each student’s life is working and growing. Bart is leading the charge against mental illness, anxiety, depression, etc. He is building hope and strength in the hundreds of students who come through our school and he is instilling confidence and strength in these students to be a beacon of hope to others. Bart is a Champion for all students!”

Julie Chidester, Teacher, Rees Elementary
Nominated by: Tiesha Christensen
“Mrs. Chidester is one of the kindest people I know. She started teaching at Rees seven years ago when my oldest was in her first class. My other two children, since then, have been lucky enough to have her as their teacher! She is always so prepared as a teacher and does a fantastic job of informing her students’ parents about what the students are studying and future events. Mrs. Chidester’s weekly newsletters are the best! I know she supports the school’s PTA by serving as a teacher representative numerous times. She always has a smile on her face and will listen to any concern. Mrs. Chidester is very approachable and makes others feel comfortable.”

Julie Green, Technician, Spanish Fork Junior
Nominated by: Blake Mortensen & Joe Anson
“Julie works with the students who are falling behind in class work and is instrumental in helping our students who struggle to pass classes. Julie works closely with the youth support team, counselors, and administration to have every ninth-grade student receive credit. She does all she can to encourage and work with students. Julie is very friendly, as many students come in the morning to talk with her to start of the day well. She cares for students in need and makes sure they have the essentials at home. Julie really puts her heart into her work!”

“Julie takes more than her share of the load when it comes to helping kids succeed. She has a special ability to reach those who don't want to be reached. Julie can help those that don’t want to be helped. Every student she works with knows that she cares about them as students and as human beings.”

Laryssa Mower, Teacher, Springville Junior
Nominated by: Ryan McGuire, Emily Boyle, Corrin Gleave, Marthea Jackson
“Laryssa works tirelessly to be the best teacher she can be. Although she has some difficult classes this year, Ms. Mower stays positive and has been working on refining her classroom management using a mix of resources and her own ideas. While that on its own would be admirable, she still tries new things with assessment and activities in class wanting to make her class enjoyable but also a meaningful learning experience. Laryssa works positively well with students and is a great example at our school.”

Heidi Hatfield, Special Education Technician, Summit Center
Nominated by: Emily Hadlock, Alyssa Abbott, Loni Thorpe, Teresa Veater
“Heidi comes daily to help out in our preschool. She is so good to jump in and help anywhere we need her. She never waits to be told what we need. She just anticipates a need and fills it. Heidi quickly learned all the students’ names and the needs they have. She is so well trained that she can fill in for any of us in the classroom if we need to take care of another issue. Heidi brings a positive attitude and has a calming effect on the students and classroom. We are all so happy when we see her come to our classroom!”

“Heidi has been coming into our classroom to assist another student one on one. She does an amazing job with this student. She is patient and loving with him. She is very knowledgeable on how to best help him and willing to jump in and assist wherever she is needed without complaint!”

Kristen Betts, Nebo School Board, Nebo School District
Nominated by: Nebo School District
“Kristen is an amazing and outstanding school board member. She is very passionate about education and has been fully dedicated to improving the educational experiences and opportunities for the students of Nebo School District. Kristen is an excellent leader. Her example and leadership skills have helped us be a better and more effective school board and have contributed significantly to the progress the district has made. Kristen’s positive attitude and demeanor are contagious and have often made difficult situations and difficult decisions more manageable. She is warm, friendly, kind, and genuinely concerned about those around her. Kristen has a way of making people feel comfortable and valued. She makes friends quickly and easily, everywhere she goes. Kristen Betts is truly a model of Positive Energy and Kindness.”

“I am happy for the opportunity to share my thoughts about Kristen. Kristen has been a great mentor and example for me as I have begun my service on the board. She is interested in not only what I have to say but she is truly interested in the feelings and thoughts of all in the Nebo School District community. I think that is what I most appreciate; she genuinely cares about parents, students, staff and her fellow board members. Kristen is a great example of what a leader should be.”

“Kristen has been an excellent school board member. Her talents have allowed her to represent the board and the district with the UHSAA at a very difficult time when many important decisions affecting student leadership there was very impressive and our students are better for the things that she did. She takes her responsibility as president of the board very seriously. She is an advocate for students, teachers, parents, administration and others. She has allowed the board to have many discussions on sometimes very difficult topics and has helped us come to a consensus. She is a great mediator. We will miss her leadership, her positive personality and her smile that we see every month at the school board meetings.”

“To say that President Betts has had an influence on my life is an understatement! We began our friendship over 23 years ago. We were neighbors and friends first. Our path has taken us through midnight walks as young moms, our three year olds as best friends, PTA and Primary stories, challenges and now our school board stint comes to an end. I have always admired how Kristen is constantly challenging herself, learning and growing. But above all she values her family and her friendships. She has shown by example how anything is possible. Good luck President Betts, our lives are better because of you!”

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