December 2015 PEAK Awards

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.

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.

December 2015 PEAK Award Winners:

Nanette Davis, Counseling Secretary, Mt. Nebo Junior
Nominated by: Melissa Nielson
“Nan is a wonderful example of customer service. She works with all of our new students and parents and explains–with kindness and patience–all the required paperwork to enroll their student. She goes out of her way to help these parents get their children enrolled and is always focused on what is best for kids.

“Nan works extensively with our TA's. She keeps them on track and is a positive influence in their lives. She especially connected with one student whom really struggled with school and did not see the purpose in graduating. She talked to him about future careers and helped him see the pathway of how to get where he wants to be and how important education will be to him. This has made a dramatic impact.

“Nan has a vested interest in helping students and shows kindness and compassion. She is a wonderful asset to the counseling office, Mt. Nebo, and Nebo School District!”

Ryan Kay, Principal, Park Elementary
Nominated by: Adam Gull 
“Ryan Kay has been the Principal for Park Elementary the past three years. In those three years, I have seen Mr. Kay take Park Elementary from an already AWESOME school to AMAZING new levels. In his first year here, Park Elementary was in its second year with the Leader in Me program. The Leader in Me was still new and teachers were navigating through unchartered waters along with all the other demands as a teacher, which are many. Through his leadership, Mr. Kay was able to rally the troops and help Park Elementary reach Lighthouse status, the highest award in the Leader in Me program. Park Elementary is now 1 of 157 Lighthouse schools world-wide!

“If you ask Mr. Kay about the success of the Leader in Me at Park Elementary, he will graciously tell you it is all because of the teachers and students at Park that has made it happen. Although this is true, we couldn’t have done it without the vision and leadership of our principal.

“Establishing a culture of leadership has been vital to our students, parents, faculty, and community. But this is not all that Mr. Kay has done for Park School. He has established a positive environment for students to feel safe and happy here. Parents have said recently how different the school atmosphere feels at Park. That is due to the efforts of Mr. Kay to involve parents in classrooms, school activities, and collaborating with PTA members and the Parent Lighthouse group. As a school, we have recently had amazing success with our Leadership Days and Back to School Nights. 

"There are a lot of moving parts that make things happen here at Park. We have incredible teachers and staff members that work tirelessly. Students are evolving into leaders and reaching untapped potential. Parents are becoming more involved in the classroom, the Leader in Me, and school-wide events. We wouldn’t be where we are without the enthusiasm and love of our Principal, Mr. Kay.”

Sandi Smartt, Teacher, Cherry Creek Elementary
Nominated by: Leanne Johnson, Camilla Koralewski, & Natasha Rogers
“Mrs. Smartt is a wonderful teacher. She is organized, thoughtful, and kind.She made kindergarten a wonderful experience for my child! Mrs. Smartt keeps her class so engaged and orderly. Her students love her and excel in her class. I have seen her work with students with disabilities, she is amazing and inspiring. Mrs. Smartt is fun, positive, and happy while enforcing respect and kindness all around her. Both of my children love school, and I believe it is because of her! Mrs. Smartt is an exceptional teacher who obviously enjoys her job and the students in her classroom.”

Russell Graham, Technology, District
Nominated by: District Office Staff
“If anyone exemplifies the PEAK Award (positive energy and kindness), it is Russ Graham. Russ is positive, kind, and willing to help in any way that he can. He is always willing to help, even when it is something that he has never attempted before. It is known throughout the district that Russ is the ‘go to’ man when it comes to data. His technical skills are amazing and his interpersonal skills are unparalleled. He is, without a doubt, one of the ‘great ones’ in Nebo School District.”

Wendy Pope, Special Education Secretary, Salem Hills High
Nominated by: Brett White
“Wendy is so amazing. She keeps all of our IEP meetings scheduled, submits all pertinent paperwork for ACT, PLAN, and SAGE tests for all of our Special Education and 504 students. She acts as a sub on days when a teacher or sub do not show up. She helps all of our IEP students with their accommodations, lets them sit in her office if they are having a bad day, helps with homework, etc. We would be completely lost without her!!! She is not replaceable!!!”

Benton Locke, Custodian, Springville Junior
Nominated by: Brenda Bales
“Benton does his job every day with a smile on his face. He is pulled in a million different directions and never ever complains. We are so lucky to work with his great positive example.”