Category: Jefferson-Intermediate

“Emily is always pushing for students to have the best education through hands on opportunities. Emily has gone above and beyond to support students at the High School, Jefferson AND Central. Emily is constantly supplying teachers with fun materials to do with their students – which is super helpful for planning! Emily is always SUPER supportive of the after school program as well! She is a great teacher and supporter!”

 

Emily will receive a $25 gift certificate and will be eligible for a drawing for a $100 prize later in May! As always, we want to thank everyone for their nominations!

The Jeffs’ Best Award was created by the Fairbury Public Schools Board of Education to highlight and celebrate the great work of our staff.

On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to congratulate Mrs. Kristi Peterson, Jr.High math teacher, as the April recipient of the Jeffs’ Best Award!

Some of the comments made were:  “In addition to Kristi’s years of service to the district, I can specifically speak the caliber of Kristi’s influence as a teacher in the year I’ve
been here. Kristi and I have had several conversations about student expectations, and she’s given me some great ideas on how to help meeting the specific needs to students in this district. It’s clear she knows the students well and is invested in helping them achieve their potential. Kristi works tirelessly with students before school, after school, and during Hammer Time to ensure students are held accountable and given every opportunity to learn. This is a tedious and tiresome task and she does it with incredible resolve.
In previous schools, I have worked closely with teachers on the verge of retirement so I’m familiar with how some choose to spend their last few years in a district. If you have a conversation with Kristi, witness her interactions with students, or step foot in her
classroom, you would never know Kristi is retiring this year. She is just a dedicated, innovative, and passion filled as teachers in the early years of their careers. I know I don’t have years of experience in this district, but I feel that provides with me a unique perspective.  Fairbury Public Schools is blessed beyond measure to have a teacher like Kristi Peterson and her absence will be felt among students and staff alike. I think it would be fantastic if we could recognize her service.”

“Kristi really does represent what a Jeff truly is. She is compassionate, hard working, and always willing to put students first. Kristi is one of the BEST coaches I have ever been around as her organization, relationships with athletes, and passion for success are truly
second to none. As a teacher, she is always quick to help any student out even if that means giving up some of her own time. Kristi has given countless years coaching, teaching, mentoring others, supporting, and helping our district be the best that it could possible be. I am truly thankful to know Kristi and take every chance I get to absorb all the knowledge I can from her. She is one of the best people I have ever had the privilege to know and one of the best Jeffs around!!!”

Kristi will receive a $25 gift certificate and will be eligible for a drawing for a $100 prize in May! As always, we want to thank everyone for their nominations! The BOE will make a new selection prior to the May meeting.

Anyone in Jeffland is invited to nominate any Fairbury Public Schools Employee by filling out the form below:

http://bit.ly/2DPRwG1

Some of the comments made were:
“I would like to nominate Trina Pettit for employee of the month since she is one of the best transition coordinators I have ever worked with in my teaching career. As transition coordinator, Trina has 50+ students on her caseload that she meets with on a regular basis.  She arranges and transports students to college visits and potential job sites. She also identifies work experiences for students so they can receive work credits in the transition work-study program. She participates in all student’s IEP meetings. In addition to these responsibilities, she is the CHANCE Coordinator.”

 “How she manages both of these positions is unbelievable. She is a very organized employee that never misses a meeting of which there are many. She is detailed and dedicated to the best interests of her students and this results in positive relationships with them. She always has a smile on her face when working with students and co-workers.”

“Students appreciate Trina’s dedication (going the extra mile) to transition services. I had one student tell me that if it wasn’t for Mrs. Pettit bringing him to a welding business tour, he would never have considered this as a possible future employment option. Mrs. Pettit has such a positive impact on her students and others. Please consider her for employee of the month.”

“Mrs. Pettit works tirelessly to serve our most at-risk students, the staff that serves them and to lead the transition efforts of our students in special education.”

“Mrs. Pettit supervises the teachers at both Chance and ASP. She collaborates with them regularly to serve the needs of our students and help them understand special education processes/paperwork. She assists with the transportation of students, supervision of students, plan development for students, and communication with parents. She is even known to serve as a sub teacher or para when things are tight. She develops incredibly strong relationships with parents and students and doesn’t shy away from difficult yet important honest, necessary conversations. Mrs. Pettit also coordinates the transition services for students with disabilities (ages 14ish-21). She arranges college visits for them, communicates with community members to schedule work-based learning, provides transportation, assesses their transition needs and leads that part of the IEP, which is a very specialized area and takes that pressure off our IEP managers. She collaborates with special ed and general ed teachers and administrators primarily in grades 3-12.”  She is also called on to help problem-solve through cases with students who are not yet in special programs but may need some support before they get there. She also serves on the HS MTSS team and district MTSS team. She is a model for how to professionally yet relentlessly advocate for the needs of students, particularly those who are at-risk. She is well respected by colleagues throughout the district. She is an incredible asset to the district. Without her expertise, advocacy and professional voice we would be lost. There is literally no one who I can think of who is more deserving of this inaugural honor than her.”

“Trina is a student-centered educator. She works tirelessly to help her students and make sure that they are doing all that they can to help them graduate. Many students have good relationships with her, and in my opinion, she is an unsung hero for students who do not have many adults to look to at home. She is always caring to all of her students and listens to their needs and tries to help them in many ways. Please reward her for this.  She is very deserving of it. ”