October 28, 2024
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
The success of Rutherford County Schools and its students rests largely on the efforts of employees who work with them each day.
To celebrate the district’s dedicated employees, a new recognition program has been launched for the 2024-2025 school year.
Known as the RCS Strong Outstanding Staff awards, the program aims to honor employees from one of four categories: Transportation, Support Staff, Administration, and Teachers. One employee from each category will be selected each month, based on public nominations.
The first four employees to receive awards were recognized by the Rutherford County Board of Education at its Oct. 25 meeting.
The following employees were recognized:
- Heidi Skinner, Driver for Bus 211, Central Magnet School
- Donna Hall, Eagleville School cafeteria
- Christy Brown, Principal, John Colemon Elementary School
- Stephanie Hannah, Stewarts Creek Elementary School, ESL teacher
The awards are being sponsored by the Sonic Drive-In restaurants in Rutherford County. Chris Spraggins and Alan Scheuers — supervising partners with the local Sonic Drive-ins — presented gift cards to the four employees during the awards recognition.
To nominate an employee, members of the public are invited to complete this online form. Those employees will then be entered into a random drawing to be recognized each month.
Below are some of the comments provided on the nominations forms for the four most recent winners:
HEIDI SKINNER
Heidi is a fantastic partner for our school. She communicates with the school and students, is patient when plans change, and has often gone out of her way to return to school if a student misses the bus. She goes out of her way for everyone that she works with! She is a fantastic school partner!
DONNA HALL
Mrs. Donna goes over and beyond to help everyone. She gives 110 percent at everything she does. She is always helping others and never complains about it. She is a blessing to everyone around her.
CHRISTY BROWN
This school year has been hectic for a lot of our JCE staff with the almost 400 new students from the rezoning. Mrs. Brown has been the best administrator and supports each of her students and staff individually. We are so grateful for what she does to keep John Colemon safe and learning and growing.
The first six weeks are very challenging, especially this year since our enrollment increased. Christy Brown has such a positive attitude and her voice and demeanor are bright and shining. It is tough when you have a melting pot of students, behaviors, and educational needs, but I have never doubted how hard she works to make sure the staff feels equipped and the kids feel safe.
STEPHANIE HANNAH
Mrs. Hannah has been in education for many years. To my knowledge, she has taught kindergarten and first grade. She is teaching ESL now. She works long hours making sure her students have the best chance to learn. All the while raising four kids ranging from first grade through 10th grade. She is amazing!
PHOTO / JAMES EVANS
Front row, from left, Chris Spraggins with Sonic; bus driver Heidi Skinner, teacher Stephanie Hannah, principal Christy Brown, school nutrition employee Donna Hall, and Alan Scheuers with Sonic.
Back row, from left, School Board member Stan Vaught, School Board member Katie Darby, School Board member Tammy Sharp, Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, School Board Chair Claire Maxwell, School Board member Butch Vaughn, School Board Vice Chair Frances Rosales, and School Board member Caleb Tidwell.