School Board Honors 2022 JCPS Employees Of The Year

The Johnston County Board of Education honored the 2022 Johnston County Public Schools Employees of the Year at their June meeting.

Each year, educators that serve outside of a classroom setting are recognized for the important roles they play in Johnston County Public Schools. Through a nomination and blind judging process Employees of the Year for Johnston County Public Schools were named in the following categories – Auxiliary and Administrative Services, Central Office, Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability, Facilities and Construction, and Media Specialist. 

Recipients for the awards are as follows: 

  • Auxiliary and Administrative Services: Chase Ferrell
  • Central Office: Caitlin Furr
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability: Jill Kreacic, Dixon Road Elementary
  • Facilities and Construction: Billy Norris 
  • Media Specialist: Melissa Waring, Corinth-Holders Elementary

Ferrell, Auxiliary Services and Safety Officer, was nominated for Auxiliary and Administrative Services Employee of the Year by Ben Barbour who said that he has never met someone that is as involved and passionate about his job as Ferrell is. 

Chase Ferrell (left), Auxiliary Services and Safety Officer, was named the 2022 Auxiliary and Administrative Services Employee of the Year. With Ferrell is JCPS Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary and Administrative Services Dr. David Pearce (right).

Barbour stated that he has personally witnessed the relationship that Ferrell has built with the Johnston County emergency services department, police departments, and the sheriff’s office and believes that Johnston County is a better place because of the work that he does. Ferrell truly puts children and staff safety as his number one priority, always has a positive attitude, and can find the good in a bad situation. 

The 2022 Central Office Employee of the Year is Caitlin Furr, Executive Director of Communication. Furr was nominated by Kathryn Farrior who said that Furr works tirelessly to promote JCPS programs and maintain a positive image for the school district. 

Caitlin Furr, Executive Director of Communication, was named the 2022 Central Office Employee of the Year.

Farrior said that Furr confidently, proficiently, and promptly attends to the needs of administration and directors. She also leads school staff in properly relaying information to the public via websites and social media platforms. She is the voice of the district to its most important stakeholders, the parents and students. 

Jill Kreacic, a school counselor at Dixon Road Elementary, was named the 2022 Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Employee of the Year. She was nominated by Laura Costa who stated that Kreacic is like a fairy godmother who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make programs and instruction at Dixon Road happen effortlessly.  

Jill Kreacic (left), a school counselor at Dixon Road Elementary, was named the 2022 Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Employee of the Year. With her is Dixon Road Elementary Principal Amy Creed (right).

Costa said that as a counselor, Kreacic is involved in all areas of the school family.  She coordinates with area businesses and churches to provide Backpack Buddies kits for kids, she distributes supplies as needed, she volunteers to have lunch with students in need of a person to listen, and she organizes the school’s Peer Tutoring group which provides much-needed practice with younger students. 

Kreacic goes far beyond the requirements of her job because she desires to serve the staff and student body. She teaches lessons regularly that are tailored to classroom needs, and readily consults with teachers about what lesson would best work at this time.  

The 2022 Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year is Billy Norris. He was nominated by Matthew Johnson who said Norris knows what it takes to show up to work every day ready to give it his all. 

Billy Norris, a JCPS electrician, was named the 2022 Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year. Photographed (from left) are Facilities and Construction team members Matthew Johnson, Denise Fox, Billy Norris, Shane Johnson, and Brooks Moore.

Johnson said Norris is always determined to take on tasks that no one else wants to accomplish. His resolve to consistently do what is best and do it well characterizes strong character. He personifies the idea that while life may be difficult and not always go our way, it does not have to dictate or negatively affect daily relationships and work ethic. 

Melissa Waring, media specialist at Corinth-Holders Elementary, is the 2022 Media Coordinator of the Year. Nominated by her principal, Mr. Chad McLamb who said that she is the face of the school’s Media Center.  As the head of the dismissal line, Waring knows every parent by name. 

Melissa Waring, a media specialist at Corinth-Holders Elementary, was named the 2022 Media Specialist of the Year. Photographed (from left) are Corinth-Holders Elementary Assistant Principal Michelle Butler, Media Specialist Melissa Waring, Corinth-Holders Elementary Principal Chad McLamb, and JCPS Area Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Patty Whittington.

McLamb remarked that Waring displays empathy daily, as she cares more about others than herself, and would truly do anything to put a smile on anyone’s face. Waring’s passion for her job is what you want working alongside you every day. She constantly seeks ways to bolster our morale and Waring shares her love of reading with anyone that she comes into contact with. 

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