Fauquier County Public Schools
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2017
Karen Parkinson, Coordinator of Information
Phone (540) 422-7031
[email protected]
10 FCPS CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES HONORED
WITH ANNUAL TREE AWARDS
The Fauquier County School Board honored 10 Fauquier County Public Schools classified
employees with special recognition and a cash award during its meeting May 16 at Liberty High School.
A first- and second-place winner were selected in five categories of Tree Awards, part of the school
division’s “Aspirations” strategic plan. Now in its sixth year, the Tree Awards program recognizes
employees for their outstanding work accomplishments, interaction with others, demonstration of
initiative, training and development activities, and their ability to improve the work process. First place
winners received $500, and second place winners received $250. Winners were honored with the
following comments during the awards ceremony.
Aspen Tree Award for Bus Drivers
The Aspen tree symbolizes determination and overcoming fears and doubts.
First Place: Melanie Corboy, Bus Driver, Transportation Department
Melanie Corboy has been a dedicated school bus driver for FCPS since 2013.
Relatively new to FCPS, she strives to be the best each day – always positive, friendly,
fair, yet firm. She willingly takes on extra assignments and participated with “Stuff the
Bus” at Thanksgiving and the Annual Christmas Parade for the past two years. She
helps to “dig out buses” on snow days while others are enjoying the snow day at
home. She is flexible and willing to learn any assignment in an effort to “make it
work” and is a true asset to the transportation department.
Second Place: Lori Jenkins Bus Driver, Transportation Department
Lori Jenkins has been a dedicated bus driver since 2001. Over the years she
has maintained excellent working relationships with schools, parents and co-workers
and her students. Her students say that she is the best school bus driver ever. She
willingly offers to do extra runs and has a “whatever it takes to do the job” mindset.
She comes to work each day with a positive attitude and provides co-workers and
supervisors with reliable, constructive information as the department continues to
update and improve work processes. She is an excellent representative of the
transportation department.
Maple Tree Award for Custodial Staff, Courier and Area Building Managers
Maple trees represent balance, promise and practicality.
First Place: Jerry Spiker, Custodian, Liberty High School
Jerry Spiker is the definition of a team player. He is always willing to go above
and beyond to make a difference. During the past year the custodial staff was
shorthanded. He singlehandedly took care of the entire outside campus including
mowing, edging, and lining and prepping fields; Jerry’s efforts insured that the
campus always was well-maintained and presentable. Jerry also assisted in the daily
operation of custodial responsibilities on the inside. He has led training for new
custodians including training on machinery. He always has the best interests of others
and the school in mind.
Second Place: Sheila Quinn, Custodian, Bradley Elementary School
Sheila Quinn not only keeps her classroom shiny and clean, but her storage
closet is also tidy and clean. She clearly takes pride in her work. She is always willing
to go the extra mile as was evidenced recently when a student came to her not able
to find his class. She walked the perimeter of the building with him until his class was
found enjoying a lesson outside on hunters and gatherers. She is always positive,
courteous and professional. The students love when she is in the cafeteria, especially
if she gives out Pirate Coins for good behavior.
Oak Tree Award for Instructional Assistants, Library Aides and Bus Aides
The oak is the mightiest of trees and symbolizes strength and courage.
First Place: Laura Chapman, Secretary/Library Aide, Cedar Lee Middle School
Laura Chapman is a tremendous asset to Cedar Lee Middle School. Most of
her day is spent working in the library. She works with students to provide guidance
on research, laminates materials for the staff, and oversees textbook distribution and
collection and the daily checking in and out of books from the library. She has
developed a bulletin board promoting growth mindset and shows students how
different office machines work in the library. On top of this she oversees the
recycling program at Cedar Lee. She attends recycling meetings and works with the
students every Friday to collect and weigh recycling. Through it all she is always calm
and smiling.
Second Place: Jo Leslie Pittman, Instructional Assistant, Warrenton Middle School
Jo Leslie Pittman has embraced the challenges of her job this year at
Warrenton Middle School. She works closely to support the school-wide discipline
program and PBIS. She runs the FAR room – where students report when they are
having difficulties staying on track in class. She works closely with each student
helping them reflect on their choices and ultimately they learn to make better
choices. She has been instrumental in the implementation of the Wampum program,
overseeing the supplies of the wampum store and running it on Fridays in the
cafeteria. She is dedicated to Warrenton Middle School and the ultimate success of
the students.
Pine Tree Award for School Nutritional Staff
The pine tree represents creativity, life, longevity and immortality.
First Place: Brenda Jenkins, Nutrition Employee, Miller Elementary School
Brenda is a school nutrition worker at Miller Elementary School. This year
she demonstrated her desire to learn, grow and support the school nutrition team.
Early in the year she expressed to her new manager that she wanted to learn more.
She quickly went from making salads and running the register to managing the
cafeteria due to an unforeseen situation. She oversaw the day-to-day operation of
the kitchen, managed staff, ordered food, answered employee and parent questions,
and completed the daily paperwork. Through it all, not only did she do it well, she did
it with a positive attitude. She takes initiative, works to look at ways to do something
more efficiently or effectively, learns quickly, and shows that she is extraordinary.
Second Place: LeAnna Roberts, Cafeteria Manager, Walter Elementary School
Leanna Roberts has worked in the cafeteria at Walter for the past 15 years.
She makes it a priority to learn about every student at Walter, particularly if there
are any concerns regarding dietary restrictions or needs. She genuinely cares about
the students, staff and school. Even though she does not have children at the school,
she serves as the PTO president. Once, when she became aware of a financial crisis
that a colleague was experiencing, she organized a food drive. She has also gotten
community support at the holidays to adopt some of the families in need at the
school.
Willow Tree Award for Clerical, Nurses and Support Staff
(including administrative, secretaries, nurses and IT employees)
Willow trees symbolize magic, healing, inner vision and dreams.
First Place: Thelma Gaskins, School Nurse, Taylor Middle School
Thelma is an incredible school health nurse. She has the precise balance
necessary to run a middle school clinic – knowing to be firm, yet friendly, so that
parents and students know she is concerned for each child’s well-being. She is
unflappable in dealing with any situation and has a true knack for keeping parents
calm even when they are facing a medical emergency. She maintains a clean, wellstocked clinic, and her emergency kits are always current and ready to go. Not only
does she support the medical needs of the students but has handled emergencies
involving staff as well.
Second Place: Robin Winkel, Dispatcher, Transportation Department
Robin Winkel is the smile behind dispatch; in fact, she is the smile behind
transportation. She is always smiling. No matter what the storm, she brings calm. In
her position there is constant change. She never lets it frustrate her but rolls with
even the biggest of “punches.” When others might easily get discouraged, Robin
always encourages others; it just is naturally who she is. She is very approachable,
always polite, and genuinely positive. She remembers details about conversations
and follows up with individuals so that the individual knows she truly cares. Robin is
the superstar of transportation. She lifts people with her positivity, her humor, and
her genuine caring nature.