FINALISTS NAMED FOR 2017 BPS EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

BREVARD COUNTY, FLA. – The field of nominees for Brevard Public Schools’ school-related employee of the year has been narrowed down to six finalists.

“These individuals represent all of the dedicated support staff members that we have throughout the county who always provide excellent service,” said Superintendent Desmond Blackburn.  “I offer my heartiest congratulations and am proud to serve alongside them.”

Finalists include: Michael Anner, Audubon Elementary; Audrey Lampkin, Quest Elementary; Ruth Lyle, Meadowlane Primary Elementary; Jamie Skinner, Ralph Williams Elementary; Heather Spinneweber, Rockledge High; and Claudia Sprague, Roy Allen Elementary.

Assistant superintendents of leading and learning recently made surprise visits to notify the finalists at their respective schools. These individuals were selected from among the 94 district Employee of the Year nominees submitted by individual schools and departments in recognition of their exceptional skill and dedication in the performance of their jobs.

The 2017 BPS school-related employee of the year will be chosen by a committee composed of education and community leaders in the formal selection process and will be announced during the ceremonies at the ABC Awards Gala on January 25, 2017, hosted by the Brevard Schools Foundation at the King Center in Melbourne. The winner will be Brevard’s representative in the state’s 2017 Florida School Related Employee of the Year.  Additional information on the six finalists follows.

Michael Anner, Audubon Elementary

Michael Anner’s contributions to Audubon Elementary on Merritt Island has gone above and beyond his role as custodian.  In addition to his custodial duties, Anner spends time interacting with students.  He is a constant during lunch periods and most recently was the incentive for students to purchase and read books at the book fair.  Anner posed for a poster and paper pirate clothing was added to his picture as books were purchased.  He’s willing to bring the character to life by dressing as a pirate for the students.  Anner served as the acting head custodian during Audubon’s major summer construction projects.  “Mr. Anner successfully organized and managed the plethora of contractors, engineers, and project managers who visited all while continuing his regular job of cleaning and preparing classrooms for school opening,” said Lisa Paniale, principal.

Audrey Lampkin, Quest Elementary

Audrey Lampkin’s title at Quest Elementary in Viera is school secretary, but her work ethic and skill set put her into many more roles.  In addition to her secretarial duties, she works on the partners in education committee, as a liaison with the PTO, and is always on hand at lunch and in the morning crosswalk.   Lampkin has served the Quest community for more than a dozen years in several positions.  “Ms. Lampkin’s greatest gift is her ability to be flexible and willingness to be a lifelong learner. She is a supportive, hard worker and always there for everyone at Quest,” said Elia Lea, principal.  “There is no end to her helpful attitude and wonderful personality.”

Ruth Lyle, Meadowlane Primary Elementary

For the past 13 years, Ruth Lyle has played a major role at Meadowlane Primary Elementary in West Melbourne, serving as an exceptional education instructional assistant.  Within her position, Lyle assists the exceptional education instructional team in all academic areas and works with students with various disabilities.  Lyle is also very active within the Meadowlane community, cooking for her team, supporting students or families in need, volunteering to work in the hurricane shelter, and greeting students on the bus or in the car loop.  Additionally, she has over 7,000 volunteer hours with BPS.  Lyle has a particular soft spot for international students.  “Our unit has students from all over the world.  I was able to complete 300 hours of English as a second language (ESOL).  My ESOL class helps me work with our non-English speaking students,” Lyle said.  “It is hard enough for special kids to overcome their limitations and coming from another country makes it even harder.”

Jamie Skinner, Williams Elementary

Cafeteria manager, Jamie Skinner, has been at Ralph Williams Elementary in Rockledge, just since last spring.  She has made an immediate impact on the team at that school using her problem-solving skills.  Skinner started a culinary club for students supported by the school’s partners in education.  She lives in the Williams community and is always active in school events.  “Ms. Skinner created customized meals for some of our students who struggle with healthy choices for lunch.  One student has his grilled cheese sandwich cut into squares so that he can build like Minecraft to get him to eat better choices,” said Wesley Herold, assistant principal.  “During Matthew, our school was a shelter for special needs clients. She baked over 500 homemade cookies to keep our sheltered guests comforted during their stay.  Ms. Skinner leads by example and always displays her big heart for all to see.”

Heather Spinneweber, Rockledge High

Heather Spinneweber, the school secretary at Rockledge High, has been on the job for six years and she believes that helping kids matters.  She gets her greatest happiness in her job from working with students in the lowest quartile and offering support to at-risk students. Spinneweber has been called the heart of that school by adults, students, and parents and is the go to person when anyone has a question, an issue, or needs a laugh or shoulder to cry on, according to principal, Victoria Hickey.  “Her humble grace enables her to reach everyone with a level of professionalism that demonstrates her values and a genuine desire to make a difference for everyone around her,” Hickey said.  “She represents the core values that we are all asked to demonstrate every day.”

Claudia Sprague, Roy Allen Elementary

When one enters the bustling front office at Roy Allen Elementary in Melbourne, bookkeeper, Claudia Sprague can always be found in the center of things.  In addition to the financial responsibilities she has, Sprague is on call to help register a new student, give school tours to prospective families, nurse a skinned knee in the clinic, or serve on the car loop or morning crosswalk duty.  Principal Lori Migliore shared many stories of Sprague’s love of students including helping one learn to ride a bike when he thought he couldn’t.  “Mrs. Sprague worked with (another) student who was having trouble fitting in at Roy Allen.  She created a leadership opportunity for him.  She explained to him that when he demonstrated a positive attitude and strong work ethic he could help her in the front office.  She made him a badge that said ‘student leader’ and this boy turned his year around and became a strong leader because of her mentorship,” Migliore said.

BPS Employee of the Year nominees listed by location. Finalists are highlighted.

For more information, please contact Abby Rex, media and content coordinator, at rex.laura@brevardschools.org