The first thing the Coronado Village Elementary Principal Erica Garza said about Mrs. Topsy Thomas was, “she lights up a room when she walks in it.” She could not have been more spot-on!

Thomas is the February Employee of the Month and she was over the moon about it, giving everyone within reach gigantic hugs and lighting up the room as promised!

She is a relatively new addition to Coronado Village Elementary, joining them as the teacher in the Behavioral Academic Classroom. But, it didn’t take long for her to make an impact at CVE. 

“Rarely do you see an individual faced with such a diverse mix of personalities that makes up a new community, prosper, flow and help it grow in such a short amount of time,” CVE teacher Rachal Ramirez said.

In her new role, Thomas was not shy about jumping into any situation with a smile and an encouraging word. She is knowledgeable and shares those successful strategies with her colleagues. 

According to Ramirez, “there is nothing she won't do if it means success for someone who appears to be struggling.”

Thomas intentionally cultivates positive and productive relationships with her students and co-workers, sharing her effervescent attitude and contagious smile to bring joy to those around her. 

“Students, co-workers, and parents benefit by the good vibes she brings, and the respectful way she sets boundaries for herself, ensuring she and everyone else, get what they need out of every interaction they have with her,” Ramirez said.

Congratulations to Mrs. Thomas and thank you for making every moment brighter at Coronado Village for your students and colleagues alike!

Thank you to Jordan Ford for sponsoring the Judson ISD Employee of the Month.

When Interim Superintendent Dr. Rob Fields awarded the January Employee of the Month to Mr. Russell Baskin, the classroom full of students erupted into applause and cheers.

That’s when you know it was a perfect choice!

Baskin teaches Gateway to Technology at JSTEM Academy, but he does not limit his influence to just what happens in his classroom. He is also the sponsor of the JSTEM FTC Robotics Team.

“Mr. Baskin arrives early, stays late, works weekends and holidays helping his students improve their robotics skills,” said one of his JSTEM colleagues. 

His concern for his students extends beyond what they do at JSTEM. He takes an active role in making sure students know about the many opportunities they have in high school that can prepare them for their futures. He invites students from Judson High School, Judson Early College Academy, and Wagner High School to talk with 8th graders about high school courses and pathway options. He organizes a Pathway Day where teachers wear their letter jackets to encourage discussion and generate excitement among students about their futures.

Baskin is also an incredible team member. According to a colleague, he has a helper attitude. You can find him solving technology challenges all over JSTEM and JMS. He is always willing to volunteer for extra duties around campus. He happily shares solutions, strategies, and innovative ideas with his colleagues.

“When I see Mr. Baskin, I see a person who wants the best for everyone. He truly wants people to succeed,” the colleague said.

Thank you Mr. Baskin for doing the many things that contribute to the success of students and staff at JSTEM and congratulations on being named the JISD January Employee of the Month.

JISD greatly appreciates Jordan Ford for sponsoring the JISD Employee of the Month.

When you think of Rocket Pride, you think of Jay Trees, Judson High School Ag Teacher and the December Employee of the Month. 

You can see Trees at JHS almost every day from 7 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., training Leadership Development teams or helping students build welding and construction projects for Livestock and Ag Mechanic shows. For 19 years, he has made it his mission to build relationships with his students and their parents to create a sense of community within the Judson FFA.

That sense of community continues beyond the walls of JHS. Trees is also the advisor of the Judson FFA Alumni group that meets each month.

“Mr. Trees is an alum who continues to demonstrate Rocket Pride through the FFA Department. His impact and influence are seen throughout Judson High School and our community,” JHS Principal Richard Mendoza said.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Rob Fields presented the award to Trees and echoed those sentiments.

“Thank you for coming back to Judson. Thank you for what you put into the district and thank you for exemplifying Rocket Pride,” Fields said.

Congratulations Mr. Jay Trees and thank you for your commitment to making Judson a great place for students and families. 

Thank you to Jordan Ford for sponsoring the JISD Employee of the Month.

The JISD Jordan Ford Employee of the Month is Tara Taylor. Taylor is the campus secretary at Judson High School and manages her workload without ever letting anyone know how full her plate really is. 

“Never have I worked with an Admin Assistant juggling so much, yet, Ms. Taylor deals with each person as if what they are coming to her with is the only thing on her plate,” said Jennifer Heine, Taylor’s colleague.

No matter what surprises Taylor’s day holds, she manages them all with grace and a sense of calm. She accepts challenges without hesitation and is always ready to find a solution.

It is clear that Taylor is keeping the Rockets on course with her positive attitude, kind spirit and out-of-this-world organizational and communication skills. Congratulations, Tara Taylor, and thank you to Jordan Ford for sponsoring the JISD Employee of the Month!

A gym full of active and smiling students helped Dr. Ball celebrate the October Employee of the Month Coach Gabriel Sanchez! Coach Sanchez is the P.E. teacher at Park Village Elementary but according to his colleagues, teaching P.E. is only one of the contributions he makes to the students and staff of Park Village. 

As a matter of fact, even when he is not scheduled to serve his campus in some capacity, you can still find him making a difference. Whether it’s at an extra lunch duty, an after-school event, or just an extra five minutes he has in his day, he is there for his Bulldog Family. 

“Coach Sanchez truly embodies the type of employee people would want to work with

because he is a team player. He lends a hand because he wants the students and staff to feel supported,” Charles Ford, a fellow teacher at Park Village, said.

When you meet Coach Sanchez, it is apparent that he is not a seeker of attention. He is a true servant to his school and community. 

“He comes in every day with the mind to work hard, support the staff, students, and families of Park Village, and to do so with honor and integrity,” Ford said.

After the cheers, taking the photos and being given Employee of the Month goodies, Coach Sanchez looked at his students and said, “My strength does not come from my muscles, it comes from them.”

That's exactly why Gabriel Sanchez is such an incredible choice for October Employee of the Month. 

Congratulations to Coach Sanchez and thank you to Jordan Ford for helping us celebrate him!

The Hartman Elementary front office was filled with cheers and smiles as Dr. Ball announced Maribel Lerma the September Employee of the Month! Mrs. Lerma is the secretary at Hartman and is the backbone of all Knight-related operations. Her days are filled with tasks - processing purchase orders, arranging substitutes, answering phone calls and questions, helping campus visitors and the list goes on. Yet, she is still the first to volunteer and ask, “What do you need, and how can I help?” 

Her colleagues say that she is a true Hartman Knight and is a reflection of the campus’ core values: Humble, Accountable, Responsible, Trustworthy, Magnanimous, Authentic, and Noble. 

“Mrs. Lerma protects our children, campus, and teachers with all of her heart and is relentless in the pursuit of quality education for all Knights,” Hartman Principal Monica Rodriguez said.

We cannot think of a better reason to award her September Employee of the Month. Congratulations to Mirabel Lerma, and thank you to Jordan Ford for sponsoring this year’s JISD Employee of the Month recognition!