March 28, 2025
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
The latest RCS Strong Outstanding Staff award winners have been announced, and we are taking nominations for the next round.
In March, three employees and a bus contractor were recognized by Rutherford County Schools and the Rutherford County School Board for our monthly employee awards.
Known as the Strong Outstanding Staff awards, employees are recognized from four categories: support staff, teachers, administrators, and those involved in transportation, which includes bus contractors, bus drivers, crossing guards, and bus aides.
Nominations are taken on a continuous basis, and anyone can nominate a staff member using this simple form:
The SOS awards recognize employees in one of four categories: support staff, teachers, administrators, and those involved in transportation, which includes bus contractors, bus drivers, crossing guards, and bus aides.
The awards are sponsored by the Sonic Drive-In restaurants in Rutherford County. Alan Scheuers — a supervising partner with the local Sonic Drive-ins — presented gift cards to the four employees in March.
Nominations are taken on a continuous basis, and anyone can nominate a staff member using this simple form: https://forms.office.com/r/5AZk8r9hvV.
Below are some of the comments provided on the nominations forms for the four most recent winners:
Dustin Brannon, assistant principal at Rocky Fork Middle School
“He really cares about the students, and they are his No. 1 priority. He’s super professional and always looking for a solution to resolve any issues to do with students or staff.”
John “Bubba” Timbs, custodian at Central Magnet School
“Bubba has worked in Rutherford County schools for many years as a lead custodian. He is dependable and goes above and beyond to make sure our school operates to its full potential. Bubba is a dedicated member of our school family, and his work often goes unnoticed. He will come to school after hours to help any teacher in need.”
Morgan Darnell, science teacher at Siegel Middle
“Mrs. Darnell is a fantastic science teacher and leader at our school. She works hard in class to help students be successful by organizing material and topics in a fun and engaging manner. She goes above and beyond as a teacher leader. She spends many hours organizing, developing, and creating activities for the good of our entire school. To top it all off, she is an amazing mom of four small children! She deserves to be recognized for her regular work as a teacher and her extra (non-paid) work as a school leader. We appreciate all she does for Siegel Middle School.”
Mary Collier, driver for Bus 56 at Walter Hill Elementary School
“Mrs. Mary is an amazing bus driver. She treats the kids that ride her bus like they are her own.”