Photo album: Spring ISD Employee Excellence Award – December 2017
Spring ISD Police Sgt. Dwendol Bryant hold his certificate during the award ceremony, while Trustees Jana Gonzales, from left, Deborah Jensen, Donald Davis and Winford Adams Jr. look on and applaud.
HOUSTON – Dec. 19, 2017 – For its final Employee Excellence Award of 2017, the Spring ISD Board of Trustees selected Sgt. Dwendol Bryant of the Spring ISD Police Department, who was honored during a short ceremony in the lobby of the Anderson Leadership Center on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
Board of Trustees Vice President Jana Gonzales addressed staff members gathered for the occasion – including several members of the Police Department – while Trustees Winford Adams Jr., Donald Davis and Deborah Jensen were also on hand, together with Superintendent Rodney Watson, to offer their congratulations.
In announcing the winner during the surprise ceremony, Gonzales introduced Bryant as someone who “performs his duties with precision and care, not hesitating to lend a hand whenever it’s needed. For his pride in his work and for his example of good citizenship in tough times, it is my pleasure today to honor Spring ISD Police Sergeant Bryant.”
Bryant was recognized for his dedicated police work, his ongoing commitment to building strong ties with the Spring community, and for his assistance to local residents during and after Hurricane Harvey hit the area in August. When speaking about the award after the ceremony, Bryant emphasized the importance of the Police Department’s day-to-day work and service to the Spring ISD community, noting his excitement for several projects he’s currently involved in, including a new student patrol initiative – currently rolling out at district middle schools – that aims to give students new opportunities to get more involved on their campuses.
“We’re trying to make the students more engaged in their school,” Bryant said. “We’ve got students that don’t play sports, or that don’t do extracurricular activities that might give them a sense of involvement with their campus community. Through this program, we’re hoping they can have some buy-in into the school, too. It’s something we’re trying so we can encourage more engagement with the students in the district. So I’m very proud of that.”
Before joining the district full-time in 2003, Bryant spent one year with the Police Department’s reserve unit, prior to which he worked for several years with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston ISD Police Department.
“Sergeant Bryant just has a great heart, you know, he cares about everybody,” said Lt. Darrell Burns. “I’ve known him for about 20 years, and he hasn’t changed. He’d do anything for anybody at any time. He’s an outstanding individual, and he’s a good sergeant.”
Together with previous Employee Excellence Award recipients, Bryant received a framed certificate and a recognition pin, together with a check for $100 (funded by the Spring ISD Education Foundation from donations made by Superintendent Rodney Watson, through contributions from his speaking fees). He will also join the year’s other monthly winners in being considered for a $1,000 prize to be awarded at the district’s annual Employee Recognition Banquet at the end of the school year.
“I think it’s just a great way for us to recognize all of our employees,” Gonzales said of the recently launched award program, “from custodians to our police department, to staff members working in technology and other support roles. Trustee Justine Durant was the brain behind this idea, and I think it’s a great way to showcase our employees and recognize them for the work they do.”
For Bryant, with the ceremony finished, it was time to head back to work.
“I’m a man of few words,” he said, “but I was shocked by this, to be honest. It’s just what I do every day – I put the uniform on, and do my best to serve others and to lead by example.”