Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School seventh-grader Jordan Billings, his family and BOE members pose at the Oct. 9 Clarke County School District Board of Education meeting. During the meeting, Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications Cyndee Moore commended Billings for the rescue of another child from oncoming traffic at the meeting with formal district recognition.“We acknowledge district level or school building winners in other ways, (like) social media because we have so many great students and teachers,” Moore said. “Then, when something special happens, we like to recognize that (at the meetings).” Photo fair use of the CCSD
During the District Recognitions held at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 9, the CCSD BOE commended two individuals from CCSD schools for noteworthy actions.
Timothy Road Elementary School Behavioral Specialist and After-School Program Coordinator Felicia Barrett and Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School seventh-grader Jordan Billings were recognized at the Oct. 9 Clarke County School District Board of Education meeting for exemplary actions.
At the beginning of each BOE meeting, district recognitions are held in an effort to recognize people who demonstrate dedication and service within the CCSD community. Barrett was recognized as the October CCSD Employee of the Month for her ongoing service to students, which was exemplified when she performed the Heimlich maneuver on a choking student. Billings was commended for the rescue of a child from oncoming traffic.
A presentation showing the district recognitions at the Oct. 9 Clarke County School District Board of Education meeting is shown. BOE District seven representative LaKeisha Gantt has served on the BOE for over five years, and views the District Recognition portion of the meeting as an important part of maintaining district morale. “Everyone wants to be told that they’re seen, and that their work is important, and I think (public recognition is) one way to do that,” Gantt said. PDF courtesy of the CCSD
“Jordan is one of our many thriving students who have been putting into action leadership habits at his school,” CCSD Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications Dr. Cyndee Moore stated during the meeting. “By being responsible, having a positive attitude and doing the right thing when nobody was expecting him to, Jordan has been a leader in demonstrating Leader in Me Habit Number One: Be proactive.”
Timothy Road Elementary School Behavioral Specialist and After-School Program Coordinator Felicia Barrett receives a gift basket for being the Clarke County School District’s October Employee of the Month at the Oct. 9 Board of Education meeting. Barrett was recommended by a parent after performing the Heimlich maneuver to assist a choking child.“Ms. Barrett’s recent actions (demonstrate the) commitment and best qualities any of us could hope for in a CCSD employee. Ms. Barrett turned a scary situation into a truly heroic moment,” stated Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications Cyndee Moore at the meeting. Photo by Lucca Fleenor
For Barrett, the Employee of the Month award extends past her saving of a student, recognizing the culmination of her 11 years of teaching at TRES and work was recognized for positively impacting the students with whom she interacts.
“The impact I want to leave on students (is to) make them feel they can do anything that they put their mind to do, that they are somebody and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way,” Barrett said. “Most of all, (I want to encourage them) to achieve the highest thing in life: always be encouraged and encourage yourself.”
In addition to celebrating positive actions of CCSD individuals, BOE President Dr. Mumbi Anderson views district recognitions as a step in countering negativity regarding the CCSD spread across social media platforms.
“The impact I want to leave on students (is to) make them feel they can do anything that they put their mind to do, that they are somebody and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.”
— Felicia Barrett,
Timothy Road Elementary School Behavioral Specialist and After-School Program Coordinator
“(Recognitions) are the best part of our meetings because we’re listening to the celebrations of all of the different schools (that) otherwise no one in the district would know,” Anderson said. “This (is) an opportunity for (achievements) to be amplified in addition to the problems, so that we can have a comprehensive and honest picture of what is happening in our district.”
