The work of all school employees is greatly appreciated
Leon County Schools is proud of the dedicated men and women who provide essential services and learning environments for students. Each year, the school district identifies the most remarkable school administrator, classroom teacher, and school-related personnel for recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments over the school year. Our recognition program is a part of a statewide initiative that applauds the outstanding work of these individuals. This is a wonderful tradition that inspires others to follow their examples of service.
As these individuals receive this well-deserved recognition, however, it does not diminish our appreciation of the excellent performance of other administrative, instructional, and support personnel. Each deserves our appreciation and support for the essential services they provide and for the quality they bring to our school district. Their service is even more remarkable during these times with a backdrop of fear and confusion created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our personnel have been quick to adjust and adapt to new ways to educate and otherwise serve our students and families. As the school year continues, I am convinced they will continue to accommodate changing policies, requirements, and practices to meet student needs. In my view, all our personnel have shown commendable leadership, innovation, resilience, and dedication during this unprecedented school year.
Our principals, assistant principals, career center directors and other administrators have demonstrated exemplary leadership in organizing and directing faculty and staff to meet the needs of students and families in a new and constantly changing environment. They have managed the delivery of laptop computers and other devices, coordinated with advisory and community support groups, and increased communication with students, parents, and other service organizations. We thank them for going the extra mile.
Our teachers, counselors, media specialists, and other instructional personnel have demonstrated creativity and innovation and richly deserve our thanks as well. They have modified face-to-face lesson strategies to fit an online environment, juggled and readjusted schedules to provide both in-school and online instruction, rendered mental health and academic counseling, and provided other instructional resources and technical support for students and parents.
Our custodial staff, bus drivers, food service workers and other support personnel deserve our thanks for their unwavering dedication. Their efforts have included taking extraordinary steps to maintain a clean, safe, and sanitized learning environment, instituting plans and strategies to safely transport students to and from school, and ensuring that healthy meals were available to students, both at school and at home.
What is particularly noteworthy is the fact that this leadership, innovation, and dedication was demonstrated by our outstanding employees while their own personal challenges were taking a toll on their energy and spirit. This salient fact makes their performance even more commendable and inspiring. So, as we praise and celebrate the outstanding individuals who have earned the designation of Principal of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Support Personnel of the Year, my hope is that we will also recognize their colleagues who have worked, shoulder-to- shoulder, with them during this extremely stressful school year.
I thank you!
