September 2018 Nebo PEAK Award Winners

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

September 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.

Tani Giffin, Teacher, Payson High
Nominated by: Melissa Hartley & Ashleigh Redman
“Tani is an excellent teacher. She loves her job, her students, and the challenges that come with teaching teenagers with varying levels of content interest, motivation, and skill level. Recently, Tani was placed in an extraordinary situation that most teachers will never have to face during their career. Tani was in the right place, at the right time and offered assistance to a student in dire need. Without hesitation, Tani jumped into action to provide the help that was needed. She remained level-headed and put the student's needs above her own. Her courageous actions made all of the difference in the world to help the student in need. She demonstrated a teacher’s responsibility and desire to help students in a way that goes above and beyond the daily job requirements and expectations. Tani truly embodied what it means to be a Nebo Hero.” Melissa Hartley

“Tani is always positive and goes the extra mile to help students and other teachers. She is very reflective and constantly tries to refine her teaching practices. She is not afraid to think outside of the box in order to provide each student with the level of education that they need.” Ashleigh Redman

Peggy Rothaug, Secretary, Westside Elementary
Nominated by: Lori Pruitt
“Peggy works in the front office. She greets everyone that comes into the school with a smile and a friendly ‘hello’. She is willing to help out in any way and never lets a person feel like they are not important. Peggy has a soft place in her heart for children and has become a second mom to many. She is supportive of all teachers and is the first one to give a word of encouragement to anyone that is down. Peggy is organized and knowledgeable in so many areas making her the perfect fit for running the school. Peggy is one of the hardest workers I know and shows integrity in everything she does. Peggy is a hero to us all.”

DeAnn Nielsen, Principal, Maple Mountain High
Nominated by: Marissa & Kristen Betts
“One day I was leaving school, I accidentally hit a minivan and tore off the bumper. My mom was at work, and I was nervous about calling my dad (I was driving his truck). My mom immediately called Mrs. Nielsen. She came out to the parking lot to see if I needed help, and my dad came to make sure I was okay. But what really helped me feel better was when Mrs. Nielsen gave me a ‘mom’ hug. The students at MMHS know that Mrs. Nielsen is the kind of principal that watches out and loves us. Mrs. Nielsen is always around. She goes to our games, posts school celebrations on Intsagram, and genuinely talks and listens to us. She always goes above and beyond what is expected of a principal. We love DeAnn.”

Darla Stapel, Teacher, Brookside Elementary
Nominated by: Kim Thompson & Dana Beckert
“Mrs. Stapel exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated, hardworking, and committed teacher. From working tirelessly to showcase each student in a class play, to setting instructional goals for herself as a teacher, she gives her all for her students and their success. Darla creates a classroom environment where students feel loved and valued. Her lessons are creative and engaging with hands on, real-world activities. Darla also spends her time mentoring, training, and encouraging future teachers as she works with student teachers and interns. She feels a great responsibility to provide a meaningful teaching experience for them. Darla is a leader among her peers. She helps her team and other teachers by constructively contributing and collaborating as part of our professional learning community. Mrs. Stapel has had and will continue to have a profound influence on the culture and community at Brookside Elementary.” Dana Beckert

“I volunteered in Darla Stapel's second-grade classroom. My granddaughter was in her class 10 years ago, and I volunteered then. I volunteered twice a week. Darla is so kind and loving with the children. Darla is the kind of teacher I wish all of my grandchildren could have. She explains everything to the children clearly. If they don't understand, she calmly explains it. Her classroom is so organized. The students know what they are suppose to do. There is never any chaos, and Darla never raises her voice. The students have told me how much they love Mrs. Stapel. I hope to volunteer next year. There is such a positive feeling in her classroom, and the students learn so much. I can tell how much work she puts into every lesson. I learn something new every time I go to volunteer. Darla is an amazing person. Even though it has been 10 years since my granddaughter was in her class, my granddaughter remembers Mrs. Stapel as being so kind and nice and learning so much.” Kim Thompson

McKayla Loftin-King, Technician, Spanish Fork Junior
Nominated by: Alesha LeMmon
“McKayla Loftin-King is a support technician at Spanish Fork Junior High School who serves students daily with a tremendously positive attitude and mounds of patience for each person. She really exemplifies the Lobo Way at our school. McKayla is a solid and determined individual who shows a genuinely caring attitude to everyone. She always wears a smile and approaches her duties consistently with positivity. The students know she cares about them. Isn’t that the most important thing we do?”

Dennis Olsen, Teacher, Diamond Fork Junior
Nominated by: Todd Claybaugh, Ellen-Anita Olson, James Clark, Kelly Cole Taylor, Scott Buck, Mandy Young, Rebecca Antares, Susane Anderson, Leslie Parrott, Maria Lewis, Brenda Burr, Rhet Rowley
“Dennis is always lending a helping hand and ready to answer math questions. He is kind to everyone. Yesterday he helped me by putting things in my car. He often holds the door for students and teachers in the morning. Dennis is always in the hall during class breaks and is always willing to help students and teachers.” Ellen-Anita Olson

“Dennis always goes out of his way to make everyone feel special. He has true concern for students and teachers alike. A genuinely kind person!” James Clark

“Dennis certainly is one of the best people I’ve been able to work with! We can’t say enough good about him. He always makes his acts of kindness seem like no big deal.” He’s scraped off my windshield, carried things to my room for me, and let me borrow things from his classroom. He is so genuine and seems happy to help. I have also appreciated his thoughtful cookies and notes from time to time. Dennis is definitely a Diamond Fork Hero of the day, week, month... year.” Kelly Cole Taylor

“Dennis is one of the finest people I've ever met. When his name comes up in class, there is an instant positive response from students - he builds up everyone he's around. I have never found anyone (student, teacher, parent, or administrator) who didn't love Mr. Olsen. He shows the rest of us what's possible. Thank you Dennis.” Scott Buck

“Mr. Olsen truly is one of the kindest and most positive people I know. And I don't think there is a parent, student, teacher, or administrator that doesn't adore him.” Mandy Young

“Mr. Olsen is a great "Hall Buddy" and neighbor. He was one of the first people to make me feel welcome at Diamond Fork Jr. His cookies are a lifesaver!” Rebecca Antares

“Definitely the essence of a gentleman!!” Susane Anderson

“Dennis embodies what true gentlemen should be. He is always thoughtful. But, beware, when I least expect it, he will say something, and I giggle. I love that!”

“Thank you Dennis for all you do for our students and for us at DFJHS. You are AMAZING!” Leslie Parrott

“Dennis brought all my stuff home for me the day I had to do a long run training and run home from work. He is always smiling and owns the best ties in the world!” Maria Lewis

“I love Dennis! He is always positive. Seriously, no matter the topic, lunch detention, math lab, naughty kids, he is positive! He never asks for anything but he wants others to receive. His smile and wit brighten many of my days!” Brenda Burr

“Perhaps the kindest person I’ve ever met, after my mother.” Rhet Rowley

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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Attributions
Lana Hiskey