What motivates you?
Definitely being a part of feeding our kids, when even one child comes up to you and expresses how much they love the food it makes it very easy to stay motivated and feel that we are doing something important.

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Of course COVID has us all doing things differently, everything from doing grab and go style meals to the way we serve our hot meals with minimal contact. The foodservice department has always maintained a high standard of proper food handling and sanitation procedures and provides ample training and support for our staff.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
The fact that we prepare and serve hundreds of meals a day at every school in a short amount of time often with minimal staff all while maintaining the highest level of food safety and quality, and at the end of everyday the kitchens are cleaned so well that it would appear as if nothing had ever happened.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
They care about their employees. It’s not just some company who only cares about dividends. The VCSC is a part of the community. They are our friends, family, and neighbors who come together to help each other in times of need.  The outpouring of support when one of our co workers experiences a difficult time is on a scale that most places would never consider and has personally humbled me on multiple occasions.

Be sure to check back on Wednesday as we highlight another teacher for #RedforEd Wednesday! We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.

What motivates you?
Gosh, so many things! How hard my students work motivates me and their enthusiasm motivates me. The willingness of our Educational Assistants to do “whatever it takes” motivates me everyday. The acceptance and encouragement I receive inspires me to continue to give of myself whenever I can. 

How has your job changed due to COVID?
Clear communication and building trusting relationships are vital to our success! When wearing a mask, we have had to be consciously aware that what our students are receiving matches what we are trying to communicate.

What is something that people don’t understand about your job?
I think my coworkers and I are willing to do whatever it takes to make our students successful. One thing the general public might not understand is the amount of collaboration and planning it takes outside of the classroom to ensure our students are successful.

Why do you love VCSC/your school?
Riley Elementary is an amazing school. Our families, staff, principal, PTO, and community really work together to make sure our students have every opportunity to be successful members of their community. I wouldn’t want to be a teacher anywhere else! 

Be sure to check back on #Staffurday–Saturday, that is–as we recognize members of our non-teaching staff. We’ll continue both campaigns through the end of the school year.