Knox Schools recognizes two “Shining Star” employees

With an award trophy and outdoor sign in hand, Superintendent Walter T. Hulett visited two schools to surprise and recognize unsuspecting employees who have gone above and beyond in their jobs.

IMG 5751The first stop was at Jesse D. Lay Elementary on Friday, January 6, where before a cheering crowd of students, Hulett announced that Randall Jordan was one of 40 Knox County employees nominated for the district’s Shining Star award.

Jordan, a custodian at Lay for the past year, was the first recipient of the award and was recommended by teachers and his principal for work that he has done to improve the facilities at Lay School.

“He does his basic duties very well and then help’s others”, one nomination form read.

Principal Jeff Frost said that Jordan is one of the custodians responsible for constructing tables and installing the basketball goal equipment that is a part of the Lay playground.

IMG 5650Hulett’s second stop was at Central Elementary School on Monday, January 9, where he surprised Tina Sizemore with a Shining Star award.

Sizemore is an instructional assistant at the school, but as her nomination forms pointed out, she is actively involved in many academic and extra-curricular.

“She has taken the role of one-on-one aide, kindergarten aide, RTI tutor, girls basketball coach, First Priority leader, and most recently instructs students with arts and humanities,” was written about Sizemore in one of her nomination letters.

Another employee wrote, “She is constantly on the go and takes initiative to help out in any spare moment she finds.”

Hulett praised both staff members for going above and beyond the call of duty to help others and most importantly help students.

The Shining Star award is presented to two classified employees each month who have exceeded expectations by providing prompt, caring, and professional service to school stakeholders. Parents, students, community members, and co-workers may nominate an employee for the award by visiting any school and completing a nomination form. A nomination committee reviews all submissions and choses two winners each month. Nomination entries for the December-January awards must be received by January 31st.

For more information and a printable nomination form, please visit our Shining Star webpage.