Meghan Repoff
Years in Education/Our District: 16 years with 6 years in Nassau County
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Administrative Data Entry Operator/ Health Aide/ Wellness Coordinator/ Relay for Life Chair/ Junior River Run Coordinator/ Crisis Team Co-Chair/ Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator/ Fair Booth Coordinator/ PTO Treasurer
In their words:
What I love most about my job is making sure each child feels special and loved. There is nothing better than making a child smile!
Danae Higginbotham
Years in Education/Our District: 3
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Receptionist/ Paraprofessional
In their words:
What I love most about my job are the relationships I get to build with all our students! In my position, I get to work with all 700+ students that step foot on our campus. I love that I get to start my day off with them every morning greeting them as they come to school and see their smiling faces when they leave at the end of their day. It truly is special when I get my daily hugs or see the excitement on their face when they can’t wait to tell me they had a “good” day and moved up their clip in class, passed a test, etc.! So much time is put into making sure everyone is safely where they need to be and all the ends and outs throughout the day but to see all those sweet smiles makes each day worth it!
Garah Scaff
Years in Education/Our District: 4 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Morning drop off, small group instruction for 3rd,4th, and 5th grade, Intensive Reading for 3rd and 5th grade, gap lessons for lower quartile students, after-school tutoring Monday thru Thursday and attending workshops on Wednesday.
In their words:
I have the privilege to come to a job that I love everyday! There is not one particular part that I love the most, because I enjoy all aspects of what I do daily. I enjoy working with and building relationships with our students. I enjoy the fellowship and friendships I have with my fellow paraprofessionals and teachers. I could not ask for a better or more supportive administration . I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to work with such a great group of students and staff here at Callahan Intermediate.
Terri Williams
Years in Education/Our District: 8 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Custodian at Callahan Middle School
In their words:
I have worked at Callahan Intermediate and Callahan Middle School. I think the most important thing is to provide a clean and safe environment for the teachers and students. I take pride in my work. I enjoy being helpful to the kids and teachers. I enjoy watching the kids grow during their three years at CMS. I consider the faculty and staff my work family.
Shana Brannon
Years in Education/Our District: 12 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
My duties include upkeep of the staff database, processing reports for payroll and finance, staff surveys and various other responsibilities within the Business Services Department.
In their words:
The part I enjoy most about my job is being able to interact with the different departments. We have undergone a lot of changes with the new staff system Skyward. It has been a challenge to say the least but I’ve enjoyed being able to help everyone get adjusted and feel comfortable with all the new procedures.
Darren Smith
Years in Education/Our District: 3 years as Paraprofessional, 12 years as Substitute Teacher
Grades / Duties You Complete:
3rd - 5th grades Science Lab Facilitator
In their words:
The thing I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to wear many hats. I play Bill Nye the Science Guy at pep rallies, school assemblies, live science shows during our TV productions and with science demonstrations at STEAM family events. I help out at our book fairs running the register and I’m also very active working and volunteering my time with the FBHS music program. I have before school morning duties, lunch duties, walk-n-talk duties and after school tutoring. I’ve played my guitar at school assemblies as a member of the ELH House Band and at some of our school’s music concerts, along with helping setup and monitor our AV and sound systems during events. Since I take the safety of our students seriously, I’m a member of our school’s safety committee. Most importantly, I enjoy taking the time it takes to make sure our science lab is a visually stimulating place to learn in. I enjoy taking time to preview, edit and enhance the lab’s lessons because I want the kids to want to come to the science lab during their activity time and leave with more science knowledge than they came with. My title says paraprofessional, but it is so much more than that.
Linda Akers
Years in Education/Our District: 13 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Assist David Kramer with Construction Services: Advertising; Public Relations with Architects, Contractors and Vendors; Process Vendor Purchase Orders and Invoices; Maintain information within the spreadsheet for construction projects. I also coordinate service calls and warranty work with outside vendors. Research warranty information for maintenance personnel. Process all Direct Purchase Orders for maintenance work done Districtwide. Request, Receive, Record and File Fire/Tornado Drill Reports Districtwide. Maintain Districtwide Relocatable Inventory Records and in-office property numbers and inventory. Finally, I am a District Wellness Team Member and the Facilities Wellness Champion and United Way Chairperson.
In their words:
What I enjoy most about my job is feeling a sense of purpose and that I am helping to make a difference in our District. After the entire process that goes into new construction or renovation is complete; it’s gratifying to take a step back and look at the new school, renovated auditorium or renovated campus and be excited for the students that will benefit from it all!
Vivian Cueto
Years in Education/Our District: I have been in education for 20 years, with 3 years in Nassau County.
Grades / Duties You Complete:
As an ELL Paraprofessional at FBHS, I have many duties. I assist and support students in their different classes by helping them learn how to read and write in English. I also serve as a resource to classroom teachers to help students achieve academically in the classroom.
Communication with parents is very important to me and I serve as a liaison between teachers, administrators, parents, and students.
In their words:
I absolutely love what I do! FBHS is such a positive work place. The administration, faculty and staff are amazing! My students are very dear to me and hold a special place in my heart.
It is a beautiful thing to watch their progress and see them gaining a little more confidence
each day. I am so happy to be a part of their lives! Being able to help my students brings me so much joy.
Nora Bradley
Years in Education/Our District: 31 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
I am Head Custodian and I am responsible for making sure that my co-workers are keeping the school clean and safe.
In their words:
Her administrators say she pours her heart and soul into the impeccable work she does at the school and appreciates the invaluable service she provides. The school, the students, and the community are better because of all Ms. Bradley so selflessly does for everyone around her.
Penny Nighbert
Years in Education/Our District: 14 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Custodian
In their words:
I worked with all ages between kindergarten and 5th. I love all of the people I work around, especially the teachers and the kids
Becky Cribbs
Years in Education/Our District: 14 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Data Entry for 2 1/2 years, Previous Bookkeeper for 10 years
In their words:
I think the most enjoyable part of my job is all the people I get to meet and interact with, from the students to the teachers and parents. Each day we have the opportunity to influence so many lives! One of the other things is getting to see students come through who are children of children who were here previously! Growing up in Hilliard many of the students coming through are either children or grandchildren of people I grew up with. That’s just something special to me!
Jila Fernandez
Years in Education/Our District: 2 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
I work as an ESE paraprofessional. Last year I worked in PK. This year I work in 2 kindergarten classes with small groups and one on one support.
In their words:
I enjoy being around children. I love being involved in their learning process because it is very rewarding to watch them grow every day. It really makes me happy to know that I can make a difference in their life with my knowledge and love.
Brenda Beasley
Years in Education/Our District: 15 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Supervisor’s Secretary of Transportation, Bookkeeper, Aide and Bus Driver
In their words:
It’s really the people that I work with. We have a friends and family atmosphere. We may have differences but when it comes down to it, we all jump in and do whatever it takes to keep everything running on schedule. I feel like I work in an environment that I really can make a difference in the community. Over the years I have gotten to know so many good people all over the county.
Jana Sheffield
Years in Education/Our District: 7 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
I am currently working in the Attendance/ Dean’s Office and as Nurse’s aide at West Nassau High School.
In their words:
What I enjoy most about my job is the need for effective communication and encouragement. I interact with people daily as I monitor student Attendance, act as receptionist for the Dean’s Office, and assist students who come to our Clinic when the Nurse is off campus. These areas are personal and often require a great deal of sensitivity when conversing with students, parents, and teachers. I love our Warriors and am happy to offer a smile and solutions, to any situation that may arise.
Shenandoah Speerin
Years in Education/Our District: 18 years with 3 in Nassau County
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Data Entry, Registration, Records Clerk, Attendance clerk, Master Schedule, Lunch Duty, Front Desk Back up.
In their words:
There are many things I enjoy about my position. Since my job duties overlap in almost every facet of the school, I get to build relationships with our parents and our students which is very rewarding. What I enjoy most is working with my Wildlight Elementary Family! I am so very blessed to work with such amazing individuals who come together to make our school a wonderful place for students to come and learn every single day.
Isabel Hernandez
Years in Education/Our District: In April 2013 I started working for Nassau County School Board as a substitute teacher. In November 2016 I started my full-time position at Yulee Elementary School as a paraprofessional.
Grades / Duties You Complete:
Grades I work with 3rd/4th/5th
I am the volunteer coordinator and paraprofessional at Yulee Elementary School. I organize parent volunteers and Navy volunteers for events at our school. I recruit community businesses and volunteers to donate goods and supplies for events such as field day, teacher appreciation week, honor roll awards, and volunteer events. As a para I work with struggling students in third, fourth and fifth grade during reading and math. I also tutor students after school helping close the gaps between them and their peers. I recognize, collect and display student’s Buzzer Beaters (timed math operations tests) and manage STEAM Lab. I am on the school yearbook, Shrimp Festival, and hospitality committee as well as PTO at Yulee Elementary School. In addition, I work with Safety Patrol to help raise money and chaperone our annual Washington DC trip.
In their words:
I really enjoy my day to day interaction with my students and seeing them grow academically and in life. Working with such great people make it is a joy to be at work every day.
Kellie Sweat
Years in Education/Our District: 17 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
I monitor the sign-in and sign-out of keys for teachers and substitutes as well as check the substitutes in and out on a daily basis. I also ensure that all faculty and staff have reported to work. I schedule substitutes during the work day. I am in charge of processing all buyer’s logs and hotel scheduling for all events for administration, faculty, and staff. I process purchase orders and assist the teachers with their county office purchases. I process payroll and complete payroll reports. To assist the principal, I complete the pre-screenings and recommendations for new employees. In addition, I assist the assistant principal with the return and collection of dual-enrollment books.
In their words:
There are many aspects of my job that I thoroughly enjoy. I like the variety that comes with my position. Although I do many of the same tasks on a daily basis, there is always a new challenge or opportunity. I also enjoy the feeling of purpose that I get from my job. I know that what I do positively impacts our administration, faculty, staff, and students. However, what I most enjoy about my job is my interactions with people. I enjoy assisting the faculty and staff with any needs they may have. I enjoy working with the parents of our students. As secretary/bookkeeper of Yulee high School, I am often one of the first faces people in our community see; therefore, I enjoy making a positive impression on the behalf of our school.
Melvin Albertie
Years in Education/Our District: 9
Grades / Duties You Complete:
School Custodian
In their words:
It is with tremendous pleasure that I write this to recommend Mr. Melvin Albertie for the School Related Employee of the Year. Mr. Melvin, as affectionately called by the faculty/staff and students, is a fixture here and one of the most loved persons on our campus. Mr. Melvin takes a great deal of pride in the job that he does and the teachers all fight for him to be assigned to their rooms. Throughout the day, you will always see Mr. Melvin encouraging the students and giving them a pep talk when they are needed or giving a student a fist bump when they do something great or they are on a team that wins a game. Mr. Melvin is a fixture here because it is HIS school and he has ownership of it. These are His kids and His teachers/staff. When you have an employee that has that degree of ownership, you have someone that is a blessing, someone that takes pride in their work and they do so because they love the place and people! Mr. Melvin is a wonderful role model, big brother and father figure for many of our student that need that extra support and heart. He is an amazing man and makes an impact and difference in all of the lives of the people he touches. We are surely blessed to have Mr. Melvin in our Hornet Family!
Kimberly Overstreet
Years in Education/Our District: 4 years
Grades / Duties You Complete:
I. Yulee Primary Health Aide - Administer Medications, Catheterization Procedure, Administer Inhalers, Glucose Checks, Medicaid Billing, Clinic Reports, Daily Health Room Activity Logs, Pediculosis Checks/Re-Checks, Hearing & Vision Screenings, Monitor Allergies, Monitor Health Care Plans, Provide First Aid, Assist Sick Children, Oversee Clinic Supply Orders, Maintain School Chronic Health List, Maintain Medical Records, Make Contacts Regarding Updated Shot Records/Physicals,Clinic Monitoring/Parent Contact
II. United Way Representative for YPS
In their words:
What I enjoy most about my job is being able to apply three of the most important things to me, into my job. First, caring for the children, helping them to feel better and being able to show them compassion while away from their family. Next, my love for nursing and being able to help make a difference around me. Finally, being on the same schedule and having the flexibility to be available for my own family. I feel very blessed to have been chosen for this position and couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with, as my YPS family!
