Educators that serve outside of a classroom were recognized for the important roles they play in Johnston County Schools at a special Employee of the Year reception held on March 17.
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.
“It’s a humbling experience to see how many great employees we have. In my mind they’re all winners,” said Johnston County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow. “We had to recognize just four people today, but that’s just the cream of the crop.”
Nominees were accompanied at the reception by principals, spouses, and friends. Members of the Board of Education and JCS Senior Staff were also present to show their appreciation and support to those nominated.
Sarah Barnhart from Smithfield-Selma High, Trudy Brown from Clayton Middle, Amanda Collins from Clayton Middle, Karla Denning from Meadow School, Susan Hager from Benson Elementary, Julie Hopkins from South Smithfield Elementary, Janet Lee from Selma Middle, and Kim Peacock from South Johnston High were nominated for the School Counselor/Graduation Coach category.
Kim Peacock, Graduation Coach at South Johnston High School, was selected as the Employee of the Year for her field.
“I am so excited. I am very honored, but I am also blessed to work with a wonderful team at my school,” said Peacock. “I just want to say thank you to them, because it does take a team to do things, and I share this award with them.”
Vicky Loose who is an Adapted PE Instructor, Renee Strickland who is a Speech Language Therapist, and Darcee Williamson who is an Occupational Therapist were nominated for the Itinerant Teacher/Related Services category.
Vicky Loose was selected as the 2016 Employee of the Year for her field.
When asked about what the award meant to her, Loose quoted singer James Brown saying, “I feel good.”
Daniel Barrett from Smithfield-Selma High, R. Michele Byrd from Cooper Elementary, Angela Causby from Archer Lodge Middle, Jeff Contos from River Dell Elementary, Heidi Harris from South Smithfield Elementary, Stephanie Haumont from South Johnston High, Danny Hinnant from Riverwood Middle, Victoria Mahoney from Powhatan Elementary, Stephanie Rous from Corinth Holders High, Vanessa Watson from West Smithfield Elementary, and Angela West from Riverwood Elementary were nominated for the Media Specialist category.
Victoria Mahoney, Media Specialist at Powhatan Elementary, was selected as the 2016 Employee of the Year for her field.
“Hard work does pay off,” said Mahoney. “I have a great community of parents and staff who really understand what I do. I really appreciate that they notice my hard work.”
Becky Anderson a School Nurse, Dana Blim a Multi-Tiered System of Support Specialist, Charlene Covington a Power Teacher Specialist, Leanne Daughtry a Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Specialist, Melissa Evans a School Nurse, Debbie Gibbs a School Nurse, Serreda Jenkins a Social Worker, Betty Madden a Program Specialist, Randy Parker, a Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Specialist, Endra Pugh a Social Worker, Cindy Schmidt a School Nurse, and Katie Wall a Data Analysis Specialist were nominated for the School Support category.
Endra Pugh was selected as the 2016 Employee of the Year for her field.
“I’m humbled and very blessed to be working in this county for 28 years,” said Pugh. “I tell people that even after working here for 28 years I still love what I do.”
The winners were selected from a panel of volunteer judges that consisted of Luellen Benson, Mary Braswell, 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.”
“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.”
