CCISD shows appreciation to Employees of the Year
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
“At the heart of every great organization are the people who make the organization function in a successful way,” said Joe Burns, Superintendent of the Copperas Cove Independent School District.
“Copperas Cove ISD is no exception. Our employees who work directly in the instructional environment, serve meals, provide transportation services, and maintain our facilities are key to achieving our mission of providing exceptional opportunities…which inspires academic success, personal excellence, and responsible citizenship.”
CCISD celebrated and honored several employees taking the chance to give special mention to those who go above and beyond to make CCISD exceptional.
They held their Inaugural Employees of the Year Blue Carpet Dinner sponsored by H-E-B at the Civic Center starting at 6 p.m. Dinner for the event was prepared by the Copperas Cove High School culinary arts students.
Each of the district campuses and facilities nominated representatives for 2023 Paraprofessional of the Year, 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year, 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Auxiliary Employee of the Year.
All nominees received a certificate and a commemorative travel mug from H-E-B.
Winners received a trophy, a check for $250, and a swag bag from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
Earl Parcell, CCISD CFO served as the emcee for the event.
Lorrie Hornaday with Child Nutrition Services was named 2023 Auxiliary Employee of the Year. The other nominees were Aida Rivera from Custodial Services, Kate Austin from Maintenance Department, Gary Edmonds from Transportation Department, and Matt Boyce from Warehouse Services.
“Mrs. Hornaday has been a district employee for 22 years and has continued to push herself to learn more about child nutrition so that she can better serve the students in our district,” said Parcell about Hornaday. “Child Nutrition Director Melissa Bryan said Lorrie sees areas of need and steps in to fill in the gaps without waiting to be asked. She looks for areas where people are struggling and looks to find ways to make the department better.”
Hornaday said that she was really surprised to have won, especially considering how much the other nominees have done for the district as well. She said that she never thought that she would win but added that it was a big honor to receive the award.
“All of us are here to help the kids and to make their experience the best it could be,” said Hornaday. “We just want to make sure that the kids are fed because that’s important. If you’re hungry during the day, you’re not going to learn. You’re going to think about that stomach that is growling. That’s what the child nutrition department does. We make sure that our kids are fed.”
David Brame from Martin Walker Elementary School was named 2023 Paraprofessional of the Year. The other nominees were Kellie Sanchez from Clements/Parsons Elementary School, Jon’nee Riley from Copperas Cove Junior High School, Regina Shingledecker from Crossroads High School, Sissy Matthews from Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary School, Krisol Botello from Hettie Halstead Elementary School, Holly Marcotte from House Creek Elementary School, Wilford Elmore from Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy, Rhonda Fellows from S.C.Lee Junior High School, and Darlene Zoggas from Williams/Ledger Elementary School.
“His success comes from his dedication to students,” said Parcell about Brame. “He sets extremely high expectations and holds students accountable to meeting them. He is able to accomplish this because of the relationships that he builds with his students…He is a role model to our students and teachers because of his patient demeaner, determination, and genuine care for his students. Mr. Brame makes Martin Walker a better place.”
Brame works with special education students, including students who need behavioral support. He said that it’s important to give them the opportunity to model calm behavior. He especially likes getting to be the one who helps students who may have come from rough circumstances. He said that he’s had instances where some of the kids don’t understand basic concepts or information but by the end of the year, they have grown a lot and are able to have interactions.
Paula Ramos from S.C.Lee Junior High School was named 2023 Rookie Teacher of the Year. The other nominees were Alexandra Nixon from Clements/Parsons Elementary School, Leslie Beavers from Copperas Cove High School, Sarissa Moll from Copperas Cove Junior High School, Brandy Oliveras from Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary School, Kacey Chenoweth from Hettie Halstead Elementary School, Kelley Major from House Creek Elementary School, Tiffany Moore from Martin Walker Elementary School, and Jyssica Minus from Williams/Ledger Elementary School
“Her rapport with children is natural and genuine,” said Parcell about Ramos. “Her students blossom as learners while in her class…Mrs. Ramos exudes the qualities of a veteran teacher. Her talents are innate and truly reveal a calling for teaching.”
Caroline Fogwell from Martin Walker Elementary School was named 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year. The other nominees were Kimberly French from Clements/Parsons Elementary School, Astrid Salveson from Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary School, Christina Newberry from Hettie Halstead Elementary School, Christina Jacobs from House Creek Elementary School, Samantha Peck from Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy, and Elida Vazquez from Williams/Ledger Elementary School.
“It isn’t just effective instructions that sets Mrs. Fogwell apart. It’s also her focus on the social-emotional needs of her students for which she differentiates instruction,” said Parcell about Fogwell.
“It’s nice to just be seen and recognized,” said Fogwell who teaches 5th grade. “I think that good teachers make an impact that can last a lifetime.”
She said that being a teacher and working with kids is something that’s always been inside of her. She said it makes her happy and she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else.
Joseph Valencia from Copperas Cove High School was named 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year. The other nominees were Jessica Johnson from Copperas Cove Junior High School, Noo Noo Garner from Crossroads High School, and Sabrina Hughes from S.C.Lee Junior High School.
“He brings real world experience into the classroom,” said Parcell about Valencia. “From using Jenga blocks to teach net force, to having students build cars out of water bottles, Mr. Valencia brings learning to life for students. He is a solutions-oriented teacher always being proactive in finding creative solutions to meet the needs of his team of teachers that he mentors and the students that he teaches.”
Valencia, who teaches 10th grade science, said that it was unexpected and humbling to win the award.
Valencia said that he thinks that it’s important for him as a teacher to be able to be sensitive to others and be able to put others before yourself. He said that every day he works to find new ways to connect with his students.
Valencia and Fogwell will both be moving on to compete in the Region 12 Teacher of the Year contest.