Fayette County school employees are continuing our commitment to customer service. We call our employees who provide excellent customer service “Freds,” inspired by the book, “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn about a very service-minded postman named Fred. Anyone can be a “Fred,” just by going above the call of duty in serving the public

Last school year, we spotlighted more than 100 “Freds” in Stu’s News. If you spot a Fred, please call, write, send me an email, or fill out one of our on-line submission forms.

Taking time to volunteer

During the hustle of the first day of school I had the opportunity to meet LaFathia Oliver. Ms. Oliver’s afternoon bus routes will bring her to Dixie this year and we are blessed to have her! As if her task of safely transporting students each day was not enough, LaFathia actively sought the opportunity to further impact student success! Last year LaFathia spent time each afternoon to read with struggling students at Athens Elementary. Though her bus route will not take her to this familiar ground, her commitment to student achievement and literacy development drove her to again volunteer to provide this service to a student at her “new” school. LaFathia arrived at Dixie that first afternoon ready to make a difference in the lives of our students. What a FRED!

Submitted by Raine Engle,FRC Coordinator
Dixie Elementary

Long hours help ease way for first day of school

When setting up my computer lab, we ran into a lot of problems. Roger Mullins in Technology came out to help me. He stayed until 8:30 p.m. and was back here around 6 a.m. to make sure that everything was good to go for the first day of school. If that’s not going above and beyond, I don’t know what is.

Submitted by Amy Ford, Teacher
Dixie Elementary

A positive influence

Paul Bond is a true representation of what it means to take pride in yourself and the job that you do everyday. He is the custodian at Ashland Elementary and his work is instantaneously noticed by the visitors of our building. I often hear someone say, “Wow, this is the cleanest school I have ever seen.” Any time ANYTHING is needed; Paul is there to lend a helping hand. We had several teachers change rooms this year at Ashland and he was instrumental in helping that process go as smoothly as it did. When there is an issue that Paul needs to handle, he does it promptly and correctly. I have never heard Paul complain about his job, ever. Our students are able to witness the importance of “doing your best” through Paul. He teaches them about reaching your potential and self respect. It is inspiring to see Paul work and interact with the children. During lunch, he instructs the students how to clean the lunch tables and sweep the floor as they finish eating, so that they too can take pride in their clean school. After the first week of school, the students do their “chores” independently because they have had great direction. This also develops a sense of community and responsibility. He stays positive and the kids love him. He is proof positive that regardless of your position in a school, everyone is an educator and has great influence of the students in that building. He is a great example for the teachers and administration at Ashland by his work ethic and pride he takes in his job. If everyone in the district, all 6,000 of us, had the same pride of our work like Paul has, we would be a world-class district in 2006, not 2020.

Submitted by Ashley Holbrook, Teacher
Ashland Elementary

Setting a higher standard

On a daily basis, Kim Hooks in Data, Research, and Evaluation demonstrates extraordinary customer service as the recipient of many phone calls that come to her when the caller doesn’t know who to call but knows that they need something that may involve data or assessment. Without exception, Kim works tirelessly to make certain that the callers all get exactly what they need and that they get it quickly. This occurs frequently with requests that should go to other persons but Kim ensures that it isn’t who gets the call that matters but that the caller gets what is needed. This occurs most frequently with staff from our schools, but also with parents and business persons from our community. She sets a high standard for anyone who sees the lengths she will go to to take care of anyone in need.

Submitted by George McCormick , Data, Research, and Evaluation
IAKSS

A go-to woman

Sherrie Rose is the model Fred. Although her official title is bookkeeper, Sherrie is the “go-to” woman for our staff and students. From ordering food for faculty meetings to unjamming the copier, Sherrie does it all. Sherrie is always smiling and friendly, no matter what kind of problems she’s had to solve throughout the day. Sherrie Rose is the heart of Bryan Station Traditional Magnet Middle School and the ultimate Fred.

Submitted by Angela Christ, Teacher
Bryan Station Traditional Magnet Middle School

Weekend work is noticed

On Saturday, August 19, my son Marcus’ kindergarten teacher, Alice Cox, called me to let me know how he had done the first week of school and to see if I had any questions. I was impressed that she took the extra time away from her own family on a Saturday to ease the minds of new kindergarten parents! That goes above and beyond and shows what great teachers we have at Dixie!

Submitted by Lana McLimore, Parent
Dixie Elementary

Prep work ensures good beginning to year

Barbara Orona and Vicki Duffy took their last few days of summer break and came over to assemble our Back-to-School student folders with all the information needed for parents to enjoy a smooth year at Breckinridge Elementary and there was a lot! Barbara has done this for us the past three years with her daughters helping also. We depend on all of them each year and they always come through. This year, Ms. Vicki joined her. Clays Mill is very lucky to have these great women on their staff (sure hope they know it). Again our many thanks to them from Breckinridge Elementary and my personal thanks for having them as friends!

Submitted by Yarlette Potts, Bookkeeper
Breckinridge Elementary

Stepping in, stepping up

Jack Hayes was present when I was discussing a problem I was having with getting reimbursed for a professional development I attended this summer and decided that I should not have to deal with the frustration I was experiencing. Even though this was not an issue that he had responsibility for, Mr. Hayes volunteered to find out what the issues were and to solve the problem himself. I applaud Jack Hayes for stepping in to help a teacher in need of assistance. Mr. Hayes went above and beyond to help and I am very grateful.

Submitted by Nureka Duncan, Teacher
Bryan Station High

Lending a helping hand

Michael Price is our new Curriculum Coach at Meadowthorpe Elementary. We are thrilled to have him. Our custodians have been extra busy this summer with our building being painted for the first time in 21 years. Having a summer school program as well made it a tight schedule to strip and wax and heavily clean this building and grounds. After first week bus duty last week, Michael changed into old clothes and brought his own tools and quickly trimmed our hedges and overgrown bushes to make sure our place looked great for our new and returning students and parents. I think he just saw the need as he greets our students each morning in the carpool line and then noticed how very busy everyone was and just jumped in and took care of it. It looks so lovely now and staff and families are most appreciative.

Submitted by Phyllis Ballard, Principal
Meadowthorpe Elementary

Handling change with grace

Amy Ferrell, Sheila McIntosh, Daphne Robinson, Joyce White and Sherrel Lewis have been models to our staff on how to handle a change with grace and flexibility. With our enrollment higher than ever, these teachers were placed on carts. They have no classroom to call their own and have small closet spaces as their offices. Not once have any of them complained or asked “why me?” Each of these teachers is an example of why Jessie Clark is such a special place to work. They showed great character in a very trying situation!

Submitted by Kelly Profitt, Teacher
Jessie Clark Middle

Classroom handouts are helpful

As a first year teacher, I am always looking for handouts. Andrea Scott is not on my “team” and we have not talked a whole lot, but today she came looking for me so that she could give me a heap of very useful items in my classroom. What she gave me was perfectly applicable in my classroom, but her students had outgrown the materials. Instead of tossing them out or leaving it to catch dust, she thought of me and went out of her way to try and help. Her thoughtfulness will really help me out in the future and I look forward to returning the favor.

Submitted by Eric Snyder, Teacher
Arlington Elementary

Showing concern for injured student

My daughter Katie is a junior at Tates Creek High School. On Tuesday evening she broke her nose at cheerleading practice. After coming home from finding out that she needed surgery and dealing with the drama of a 16-year-old needing nose surgery, Mr. Marty Mills actually called to check on her. I am so impressed that a HIGH SCHOOL teacher would take the time to find our home number and do this. This to me is a dedicated teacher. I teach elementary school, and it is almost a given that we would do this, but Mr. Mills has many classes and many students, but he took the time to find our number and check on her. I am very blessed that Katie is at such a wonderful school with such caring teachers.

Submitted by Marybeth Kindred , Teacher
Veterans Park Elementary

Dedication to kids goes beyond a paycheck

Mrs. Barbara Evans has volunteered endless hours doing a job that she was paid to do last year, but that has not been funded for this year. She realized the importance of her job and has been working countless hours to make sure that the job was completed. She is a retired teacher at Picadome that worked endless hours as a teacher. When she retired, she worked as a reading tutor. She basically worked full-time at a part-time job for the past three years. She is dedicated to children and teaching them to learn to read. If anyone at Picadome is a “Fred,” Barbara certainly is.

Submitted by Tammy Johnson, Teacher
Picadome Elementary

Technology guru impresses staff, others

Julie Gaskin is the guru of technology. I was fortunate to have her train me for my first year in the computer lab at Tates Creek Elementary. She has continued to help me even though she is not my Tech. I actually called one of our program companies. They instructed me to talk with a Julie Gaskin. To me this is amazing that we are fortunate enough to have someone in FCPS who has so much knowledge that the companies are referring us to her for questions. I will never be able to thank her enough for all she has done for TCE technology and training me. She is the Ultimate FRED.

Submitted by Marty Miller
Tates Creek Elementary

Compassion during tragedy

I wanted to make you aware of a “Fred” we have in our school. In response to the airline tragedy Sunday, one of our teachers, Ms. Maegan Rooke, made an initiative to collect cards and banners from each class and student in our school yesterday. She personally delivered those to the families at the Campbell House yesterday. Comair’s President, as well as many kids and family members, were touched by this act. It takes a special person to be so concerned for others, in helping to lift their spirits in such trying times.

Submitted by Andrea Downs, PSA
Garden Springs Elementary

Forever grateful

Josh Edwards at Henry Clay High School cares about my son and me as a parent. He calls if there is a problem with my son. He gives my son good advice as if he was his father. He always goes beyond his duties as a counselor. He’s patient and understanding. He has been involved with my son’s personal life just as well. What I see in him is a caring man who has been the best person that has ever been in my son’s life since my son has been in school. I will never forget Mr. Edwards. I wish every school had one like him in their school. I’m an African-American mother and he doesn’t care what color your child is – he’s there for them. I will forever appreciate this man. I don’t know what I would have done without him while my son is at Henry Clay.

Submitted by Charlene Minnifield, Paraeducator
Tates Creek Middle School

Teacher serves as role model

Karen Williams ... what an entity to Southern Elementary, and me. Four years ago, I began as a first year teacher at Southern Elementary. Karen Williams was, fortunately for me, assigned to be my team teacher. She was the most incredible role model that a first year teacher could ever ask for. She was such an inspiration and has kept me motivated throughout my short teaching career. I recently got married and had a beautiful baby boy. I am currently on maternity leave and have a substitute. Karen and “I” (my sub really) are sharing an open classroom of 50 second- and third-graders. Brady was born on July 3rd, and when the beginning of August rolled around and we needed to begin setting up our enormous classroom, I just wasn’t up to that huge task. Miss Williams truly stepped up to the plate! From unpacking boxes to hanging bulletin boards to cleaning cubbies ... she did it ... times two! Karen had her mother travel from Nashville to come share the burden. I would come with Brady and attempt to lend a hand, but she just always had it covered. Karen made our large classroom look wonderful for Open House by cleaning and hanging elaborate educational teacher-made bulletin boards, she developed our parent packet for each of our new families, she set up our computers for use, and the list goes on and on and on. She even cut material and made forty new seat sacks for our students! Once school started, the abundance of help and compassion kept pouring! You can only imagine the stress put upon a substitute on the first day of school. Miss Williams made this day wonderful for each of my students and my substitute. From planning the first week thoroughly (minute by minute) with my substitute, to accepting, checking off, and storing tons of school supplies, to setting up my phone for incoming calls, to preparing the sub to take attendance, to setting up my plan and grade books, to establishing a team for my sub to plan with, to entering all of our students into the system for Earobics (something I still don’t know how to do:)), to greeting each new child (all 50) with a welcoming smile and “good morning” on their very first day of second or third grade, to “Champ-ing” all classroom and school procedures with our students, to teaching the students how to find appropriate books in our classroom libraries, to just being the exceptional team teacher that anyone could ever ask for. Southern Elementary is lucky to have someone like Miss Karen Williams as part of their staff. I feel so blessed to have worked with her these past four years and I look forward to many more. She is the reason why kids love to learn!

Submitted by Erin Kirk, Teacher
Southern Elementary