MoCo Schools Honor Support People of the Year
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Montgomery County Schools recently honored two staff members with the annual Support Person of the Year award, and thanked them for their work to make sure that the schools run efficiently.
Each year, the school system honors two classified staff members – one from Montgomery County Elementary School and one from Montgomery County Middle/High School – for their work to help support teachers and students in an effort to create the best learning atmosphere possible. This year, the District honored Montgomery County Elementary School Bookkeeper and Secretary Caroline Woods and Montgomery County Middle School Department of Exceptional Learning Paraprofessional Phyllis Morris with the award.
Caroline Woods
Woods has worked at Montgomery County Elementary School (MCES) for five years, and enjoys assisting students, staff, and parents, as well as planning fun activities for the students and staff.
“I am truly honored & deeply grateful for this recognition,” Woods emphasized. “Thank you to my amazing coworkers – I am so grateful for their support and always being there to help the whole team.”
When asked what inspires her to continue doing her job the best that she can, Woods remarked, “We have an amazing leader, [Montgomery County Elementary School] Mrs. [Candace] Keen, her passion for making a difference is contagious and inspires me to keep striving to make MCES the best!”
She said that this recognition inspires her to continue doing her job the best that she can. “This award encourages me to continue to perform at a high standard. Go Eagles!” Woods concluded.
Phyllis Morris
Morris has worked at Montgomery County Middle School for a decade, and has spent several of these years working with the Department of Exceptional Learning. She said that her favorite part of her job is assisting students and teachers. “I enjoy working one-on-one with students and seeing their faces when they smile and say, ‘I understand.’ It makes my heart smile!” Morris shared.
She stated that receiving the award makes her feel very “blessed and appreciated,” as she thanked all of the Montgomery County Middle School teachers and staff, Department of Exceptional Learning Director Alicia Hartley and staff, and Montgomery County Middle School Department of Exceptional Learning Teacher Amber Reid.
When asked what inspires her to continue to do her job the best that she can, Morris emphasized, “I believe that each one of us can reach one student. I believe that they all have purposes and just helping them along the way is most rewarding. Some plant, some water, but God gives the increase. I try to go in to work every day with that at the forefront of my mind.”
She added, “I love what I do! I feel that this is exactly where I am supposed to be at this time in my life. I am looking forward to many more years to come.”
The Montgomery County Board of Education and Superintendent Ronda Hightower recognized Woods and Morris during the Teacher of the Year celebratory breakfast last month.
LOVING WHAT SHE DOES – Montgomery County Middle/ High School Support Person of the Year Phyllis Morris emphasized that she loves what she does and feels that she is exactly where she is meant to be. L to R: Phyllis Morris, Superintendent Ronda Hightower.
