Spotlight

Crystal Farmer, attendance secretary at Hopkins County Career and Technology Center, was presented with the Remember Your Why Award at the March 6 Board of Education meeting. She has a huge heart and wants our students to succeed! After hearing that a student did not have a home or caregiver, she took it upon herself to make sure the student’s needs were met. She helped the student find a stable home, food, and clothing. She also helped make sure this student had everything needed in order to take the nursing exams.

She described her “why” as follows: “When I was made aware of the situation, I felt something deep inside telling me I had to speak up and do what I could to help. I have never had that exact feeling before, so it took me by surprise! I am so blessed to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life.”

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Garris Stroud, an 8th grade science teacher at Browning Springs Middle School, was honored with the Remember Your Why Award at the Feb. 21 Board of Education meeting. He helps his students understand science while having fun at the same time! He makes sure every student understands the subject, and helps them if they don’t. His contributions are wide-ranging. The student who nominated him said he also helped with an issue of school safety. He knows Spanish and will speak to a student in Spanish if that is their main language. He makes all of the students feel included!

Stroud said his why is “”to inspire and empower my students to reach their full potential as global citizens.”

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Hopkins County Schools bus driver Dee Yates and bus monitor Brittany Holmes received the Remember Your Why Award during the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 9.

They found some packages in the road while driving an afternoon route one day before Christmas. A community member let us know that these employees took the time that afternoon to take the packages to the Sheriff’s Department. After finding out who the packages should have gone to, those people were contacted to let them know they could get their packages at the Sheriff’s Department. Both of these employees demonstrated great kindness and went out of their way to help others during the Christmas season!

Dee Yates expressed her “why” by saying, “I love kids and I love driving.”

Brittany Holmes said, “I had my CDL and wasn’t using it. I saw the desperate need for bus drivers, and thought I could help the community by taking some of the stress from parents and children in regards to transportation.”

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Katie Riggs, an art teacher at South Hopkins Middle School, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on Monday. She continually looks for activities that generate creative and engaging work from her students. She is patient, supportive and very nurturing to each and every one of her students. She teaches her students how art is part of their day-to-day lives, even when they do not realize it. Most recently, Ms. Riggs applied for and won a grant that covered the expenses of bringing in a professional videographer to help her students plan, develop, edit and create their own multimedia video. (This also included the use of a drone!) She continues to apply for other grants that will provide additional learning opportunities for our students. We are very fortunate to have her as part of the SHMS FAMILY!

Here is how Riggs explained her “why”: “I teach because I want to be an influence and make a difference in the lives of my students. I hope to instill a belief in my students that they can achieve goals and create new things that they didn’t think were possible before. Art is a wonderful outlet to show them that.”

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Scott Moore (not pictured) and Jennifer Curneal were honored with the Remember Your Why Award during the Board of Education meeting on Nov. 21. They are described as life savers for their efforts to help a coworker last month. Curneal, a kindergarten assistant, was eating lunch with a co-worker who choked on an apple piece. She was able to get her up from the table and tried to dislodge the apple. Unable to get it out, she pulled her toward the door so others could hear her calls for help. Mr. Moore ran to help and used the Heimlich maneuver on their coworker. Their quick actions saved a life!

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The Jesse Stuart Elementary School kindergarten team was honored with the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on Oct. 17. Recipients are teachers Kristi Patterson, Jaclyn Howard and Amy Herring and aides Sandra Ball and Cayce Duvall.

This group is a special team that goes above and beyond each day to do what is best for students. They positively impact the lives of others through their tireless efforts teaching kindergarten students. They come to school each day with smiles on their faces, the patience of a saint, and a positive attitude, ready to give their all to the students of JSES. The Kinder Team is committed to growing and improving the lives of students. They are highly respected in our community and are a true asset to Hopkins County Schools where they have worked together as a team for nearly 20 years!

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Michael Powers, a math teacher at James Madison Middle School, was honored with the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 19. He is described as always going above and beyond. He is an excellent math teacher and also drives a school bus in the afternoons. He developed a transportation sheet so his school can easily identify how students get home every day. He also uses his planning period to help students make sure they know their bus routes. One Friday while driving the bus, Mr. Powers said that one of the students was in need. He took extra time to make sure the student felt safe and made it home. The student told his principal how appreciative he was of Mr. Powers “going the extra mile.”

Powers said his “why” is the following: “I want every student that I come in contact with to have a positive role model. My goal is to be a positive influence and make a difference in my students’ lives.”

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