The Top Banana

  Top Banana: Ervin Brown     Ervin Brown is our next Top Banana.   Ervin has been an invaluable addition to our team, daily helping us in a variety of ways, often on short notice.   Whether it has been managing buses, providing additional support in a classroom, or covering a class for a teacher for an extended period, he has done an outstanding job and with a can-do attitude that is so essential for our campus.   His remarkable versatility, work ethic, and relationship skills have quickly endeared him to the faculty and staff.   On any given day, Ervin is making a critical difference in our meeting student and staff needs—despite the handicap of being a Kentucky Wildcat.     Thank you, Ervin.   We appreciate what you do each day to help us get the job done.    

  Top Banana: Carrie Williams     Carrie Williams is our next Top Banana.   We recently transitioned a student to an adult program, and Carrie played a critical role in her success.   She developed a rapport with her after she arrived on our campus and continually coached her through each school day.   This process demanded model patience and determination from Carrie, who never failed to meet the challenge.   She has become an invaluable member of the Transition team as she demonstrates a tremendous heart for our children and her colleagues.   Her commitment to the success of our program is exceptional.   Thank you, Carrie.   We appreciate the kindness and compassion that you bring to our school each day.    

  Top Banana: Hannah Jensen     Hannah Jensen is our next Top Banana.   If I am feeling fatigued by the demands of the job, I can always visit Hannah’s room and feel rejuvenated by her infectious energy and positivity.   She has been managing our most challenging classroom this year, usually without enough paraprofessionals on hand.   She is rarely absent and never fails to exhibit a remarkable determination to embrace whatever the day presents.   Every day, she makes a critical difference in ensuring that we are meeting the needs of our most fragile and volatile students.   In short, Hannah is a model of grit—a quality that our profession has especially demanded of us during this school year.   Thank you, Hannah.   We are deeply grateful for your invaluable service to your students and colleagues.    

  Top Banana: Eric Bokowski     Eric Bokowski is our next Top Banana.   Recently, Eric volunteered to help me manage one of our most challenging students after school, when we were unable to locate his parent to pick him up.   He had already worked with this student all day, and his parent did not arrive at the campus until after 5:00 PM.   The student was agitated over the delay and kept us busy throughout our wait—yet Eric maintained a positive attitude, remained vigilant, and even kept his sharp, dry sense of humor.   He was not only essential to our getting through this; he was an excellent partner to have.   Thank you, Eric.   I could not have handled this situation without you.

  Top Banana: Ruby Mobley     Ruby Mobley is our next Top Banana.   Patient.   Warm.   Kind.   Compassionate.   Thoughtful.   These are the words that come to mind when I think of Ruby and how she works with some of our most fragile students and supports her colleagues.   Each day, she models the characteristics that are so critical to the work that we do—and I have never heard her complain, which would certainly be understandable, given the demands of her job.   Although we may be tempted to take her for granted because of her quiet determination, we would certainly feel her absence.   Thank you, Ruby.   We appreciate the difference that you make.    

Top Banana: Stephanie Green     Stephanie Green is our first Top Banana.   Although Stephanie is a fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks, she has otherwise distinguished herself as an outstanding member of our team.  We were once again impressed to see her in action on the playground on Monday.  She faced yet another impossible situation and solved it with the same determination that she demonstrates in the woods when hunting deer.  If there is one thing I've learned, it has been not to mess with Stephanie--no matter how much I think I know about the rules of the wilderness (and NASCAR).  She will just wait you out, and then . . . BOOM. Thank you, Stephanie.  You help make this a better place for all of us.