Superintendent's Award: Service / Excellence / Equity
Renton School District has amazing staff and students who each day live our Core Values of Service, Excellence, and Equity. The work doesn't go unnoticed by others who appreciate these selfless acts of kindness and professionalism, all in the service of providing exceptional education for every student.
Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Damien Pattenaude has created an opportunity to recognize the great work of teachers and support staff who are committed to the district’s core values through the Superintendent's Award, given every other month during the school year in the categories of Service | Excellence | Equity.
All staff, students, and families are welcomed to nominate deserving staff members using a simple online nomination form.
For the month of October, Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Damien Pattenaude had the privilege to recognize these outstanding staff who live our District's Core Values of Service, Excellence, and Equity.
This month, we were joined by Seattle Seahawks and their corporate sponsors Delta Airlines as we celebrated our staff. The Seahawks are partnering with our district this season to engage with students through a variety of activities, events, and unique experiences to highlight exemplary student achievement, boost morale, amplify school events, and have fun. As a result of this partnership, this month's Superintendent Award winners also received a personalized football and Seahawks jersey, and two roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the U.S. by Delta Airlines.
Service: Connie Jourdan, School Bus Driver
Connie has showed her commitment to service by safely bringing students to school and home again for 24 years.
Students and families across the district have grown up with Connie during her more than two decades of valuable service. She epitomizes the care and commitment of our professional school bus drivers who are the first in our district to greet students each day. Along with her longevity, Connie has an impeccable safe driving record, showing that she takes great care in her work and for the children in her care each day.
Excellence: Creed Nelson, Industrial Technology Teacher, Lindbergh High School
Creed is a dedicated, consummate professional who instills knowledge, skill, and confidence in all of his students. His work to help students understand their strengths and abilities and connect instructional activities to areas of interest have helped students explore a variety of career options for life beyond high school. Creed works to connect local business and industry professionals with his students to further strengthen the importance of classroom instruction with real-world application and opportunity. His work continues to help students envision their future and move forward to become happy, productive members of our community.
Equity: Kristin Parrott, Special Education (ILC) Teacher, Sierra Heights Elementary School
Kristin is a child-centered educator who cares deeply for the children in her care. Her thoughtful, gentle manner helps to calmly guide each student in her classroom to provide them with opportunities and experiences necessary to become capable, self-reliant, self-motivated and life-long-learners. Her compassion, adaptability, and knowledge of best practices of her work are greatly revered and appreciated by parents, families, and colleagues. Kristin's willingness to go above and beyond her daily responsibilities to support staff and students in her school has long endeared her to her school colleagues. Kristin is a model for all.
For the month of October, 2022, I had the privilege to recognize four shining examples of our Core Values of Service, Excellence, and Equity. Beyond epitomizing these three words, they are also caring, humble, and hard working. It is an honor to highlight them as recipients of the Superintendent’s Awards.
SERVICE: Adriana Munoz, Custodian, Campbell Hill Elementary
When an unexpected plumbing problem recently caused a substantial water backup at Campbell Hill Elementary School, custodian Adriana Munoz quickly and skillfully responded. Her work to immediately begin setting up containment equipment barriers, removing water, and contacting the district maintenance office for additional support, was vital to ensuring damage to the school building was minimal and families were less affected by additional days of school closure. Adriana continued to work hard through the day and evening to remove water and ensure the school was cleaned and sanitized for the return of Campbell Hill students and staff. Her work is indicative of the care and professionalism of our school custodial and maintenance staff.
EXCELLENCE: Alyssa Singh, Nurse, Meadow Crest Early Learning Childhood
As a nurse at Meadow Crest Early Learning Center, Alyssa Singh is the first school nurse that many families work with as their student enters the school system. Many students at the preschool have significant health needs. Alyssa’s professionalism, care, and comforting demeanor help parents of a medically fragile or complex student feel comfortable sending their child off to school. One parent said Alyssa always goes above and beyond to support her child’s health needs to ensure he’s ready to attend school, adding, “I am sure Alyssa shows this level of dedication to all students and families at Meadow Crest.”
EQUITY: Audita Brockett, District Interpreter Coordinator
Audita Brockett manages the district’s Spanish hotline and coordinates interpreter services for all district staff and families. She makes herself available to respond to parent concerns, interpret school and district communications, and works to ensure families feel comfortable sending their children to school. During the nearly two years of the pandemic the call volume to her office was vast as families needed translation of the many communications regarding COVID-related restrictions, in-home learning, and assistance with family needs like food and shelter. Audita followed-through with every family who had questions and concerns, and to connect them with the appropriate services. She always conducts her work with a smile and exudes patience and care to remove language barriers for our families.
Dimmitt Middle School 6th-grader Cindy Nguyen finished eating lunch recently and as she headed out to the playground with the other students, she noticed the work that the school custodian and others were doing to clean up after students and get ready for the next group of students. She felt she could spend her time more constructively by assisting in the clean-up rather than out on the playground, so she asked if she could help.
After a couple of days, other students saw Cindy at work and asked if they, too, could spend their time helping tidy up their school. Now, a half dozen students have joined together after their lunch period to sweep up trash and bus and clean tables, as a way, they say, to be helpful, kind, and show their pride in their school.
Cindy’s work and commitment to her school is an example for us all that we can always find ways to better serve others.
