Educators that serve outside of a classroom were recognized for the important roles they play in Johnston County Public Schools at a special Employee of the Year reception on March 16.
Honorees representing itinerant teachers and related services, media specialists, school counselors and graduation coaches, and school support were recognized after being nominated by their colleagues and administrators in their schools.
“Our greatest asset and resource are our people,” said Dr. Renfrow. “Events like these just show how truly great they are. When you have great people partnered with students great things happen.”
Nominees were accompanied at the reception by principals, spouses, and friends. Members of the Board of Education and JCPS Senior Staff were also present to show their appreciation and support to those nominated.
Physical Therapist Brandy Bjorklund, Occupational Therapist Sherri Creech, Speech Language Therapist Anita Pack, Speech Language Therapist Renee Strickland, and Occupational Therapist were nominated for the Itinerant Teacher/Related Services category.
Chesley Breitenbach from Cleveland Middle, Lauren Brown from Riverwood Elementary, Jessica Druzak from Clayton High, LaWanda Garcia from Archer Lodge Middle, Latissa Hampton from South Johnston High, Amy Hasick from Cleveland Middle, Briana Hines from Cleveland Elementary, Betsy Jenks from Clayton High, Lynne McAbier from Glendale-Kenly Elementary, Katherine Moynihan from McGee’s Crossroads Middle, Brandy Peters from South Johnston High, Suzanne Puckett from Cooper Elementary, Tabitha Ward from South Johnston High, and Melinda Whitley from Clayton High were nominated for the School Counselor/Graduation Coach category.
Nicole Branch from Smithfield-Selma High, R. Michele Byrd from Cooper Elementary, Angela Causby from Archer Lodge Middle, Yvette Davis from West Johnston high, Stephanie Haumont from South Johnston High, Valerie Howell from North Johnston High, Samantha Lam from West Clayton Elementary, Emily Vann from Four Oaks Elementary, and Angela West from Riverwood Elementary were nominated for the Media Specialist category.
Digital Learning Specialist Pam Batchelor, Behavior Specialist Curtis Bradshaw, School Nurse Lisa Denning, School Psychologist Tracy Dotterman, Digital Learning Specialist David Hinrichs, Social Worker Serreda Jenkins, Social Worker Susan Kelly, School Psychologist Dan McGrogan, School Psychologist Jodie Meer, Social Worker Michele Norman, Lead Media Specialist Heather Pennica, Personalized Learning Specialist Jennifer Roberts, and Data Analysis Specialist Katie Wall were nominated for the School Support category.
Sherri Creech, Occupational Therapist, was selected as the Employee of the Year for her field. Yvette Davis, Media Specialist at West Johnston High, was selected as the Employee of the Year for her field. LaWanda Garcia, School Counselor at Archer Lodge Middle, was selected as the Employee of the Year for her field. David Hinrichs, Digital Learning Specialist, was selected as the Employee of the Year for his field.
The winners were selected from a panel of volunteer judges that consisted of Mary Braswell, Terri Sessoms, and Bruce Bunn. Each nominee received a plaque and then four (one from each category) were selected to represent the group as “Employees of the Year.”
