Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) recognized eight employees as Operations Employees of the Year at the May 14 School Board meeting. Each year, LCPS Human Resources and Talent Development (HRTD) seeks to honor and celebrate the dedication and achievements of LCPS employees. Leadership is proud to announce the expansion of the annual awards with new categories in an effort to recognize the contributions of all employees.
In the Operational Awards group, recognition is given to the following:
Bus Attendant of the Year
Bus Driver of the Year
Custodial Employee of the Year
Information Technology Employee of the Year
Maintenance Employee of the Year
Safety and Security Employee of the Year
School Nutrition Services Employee of the Year
Support Staff Employee of the Year.
Nominations were submitted by employees, parents, students or community members. This year, nearly 100 nominations were received for the eight categories. The winners are listed here, along with an excerpt from their nomination.
Bus Attendant of the Year: John Walker, Lowes Island Elementary School
“John's attention to detail is exceptional. He not only asks questions but also remembers important details such as birthdays. Remembering and acknowledging special occasions
in my life demonstrates a level of personal involvement and thoughtfulness that goes beyond what is expected in a professional capacity.”
Bus Driver of the Year: Jennifer O’Dell, Lowes Island Elementary School
“Jennifer's communication skills are truly exceptional. She excels at keeping parents
informed and involved in their children's transportation experience. Whether it's providing updates on bus schedules, addressing concerns, or sharing important information, Jennifer's clear and effective communication leaves no room for uncertainty.”
Custodial Services Employee of the Year: Bladimir Canedo, Riverside High School
“Bladimir is the guy who knows everything and will help your event run smoothly. He and his team rearrange the furniture and put everything back in its place. They take photos beforehand to make sure everything goes back to where it belongs. Our school is always really clean and in good shape. He's a hardworking employee.”
Information Technology Employee of the Year: Erin Jackson, Digital Experience Specialist (DES), Algonkian Elementary School
“Whenever called upon, Mrs. Jackson jumps to the rescue. If she doesn't know the answer immediately, she is on the computer or on the phone, finding the answer as quickly as possible. She fixes everything from student and staff devices to copy machines to phones to radios and assists me in all aspects of testing during the busiest times of the year.”
Maintenance Employee of the Year: Jason Pratt, Mechanic, Central Garage
“He does much more than what is expected of him. He assists bus operations by coordinating bus transfers (when they go to service); he knows and orients bus drivers when they have questions about bus locations or bus operations, and if there's an accident, he arrives at the scene right away to start taking pictures and collect evidence.”
Safety and Security Employee of the Year: Mayra Villafuerte, Lead Safety & Security Officer (SSO), Park View High School
“Mayra gives 100% every minute of every day. From every student she interacts with, to every report she writes, to every student’s life she saves, she”s totally committed to making the biggest impact with the students, staff and school, every minute of every day.”
School Nutrition Services Employee of the Year: Ki Soon Jang, Cafeteria Manager, Belmont Ridge Middle School
“Ki Soon's patience and positive attitude contribute to a welcoming atmosphere in the cafeteria. Even during busy periods, she remains calm and composed, setting an example for her team and leaving a positive impression on students, staff, and visitors. Ki Soon's professionalism is reflected in the admiration she receives from the administration, students, staff, and the broader community. Her dedication and competence are recognized and appreciated by all who interact with her.”
Support Staff Employee of the Year: Marjory Von Ehren, Program Analyst, Department of Teaching and Learning
“She takes initiative to engage in a digital community of job-alike individuals across the country using the same system. Not only does she engage in professional learning offered on our management system but she is often the person responding to others in the network to share knowledge that she has gained throughout the program adoption.”
Published May 15, 2024