HOUSTON – Aug. 29, 2018 – During the district’s first round of Central Support Staff Meetings of the 2018-19 school year on Wednesday, employees received a back-to-school briefing from Superintendent Dr. Rodney Watson. The superintendent also recognized six Spring ISD employees for their dedication and commitment to the district both through their day-to-day work and through their contributions to special projects and initiatives.

The following employees were recognized during the meetings at the Gordon M. Anderson Leadership Center Boardroom and at the district’s Transportation Center:

• Geralyn Mosely (Purchasing) was recognized for her contributions to the district’s purchasing department. Since taking on her new role as Director of Purchasing, Mosely established the “Purchasing PROS” concept within her team, which encourages team members to be Professional, Respectful, Organized, and Strategic in their approach. Watson praised Mosely for building trust between her team and its customers and for inspiring collaboration and relationship building in the district.
• Josie Rubio (Tax Office) was recognized for her exemplary customer service and dedication over more than a decade spent working in the Spring ISD Tax Office. Rubio was singled out for serving the needs both of the district and of the entire Spring community, including both its English- and Spanish-speaking residents. Her expertise following Hurricane Harvey was a particular support to the many district families needing assistance during that time.
• Cindy Adams (Facility Services, Planning & Construction) was recognized for the dedication and attention to detail she brings to her role as Support Services Coordinator, where, among other responsibilities, she maintains the district’s Access Control System and helps manage and troubleshoot the work order system. In her role, she directly supports campus secretaries, maintenance employees, and principals, and Adams was praised for respecting all staff equally and exemplifying one of Spring ISD’s Core Values, “We Win as a Team.”
• Jennifer Fasano (Child Nutrition) was recognized for her work as Spring ISD’s Nutrition Coordinator, a role she has embraced with relish, daily putting the needs of staff and students first and working patiently to address issues and problems. Fasano was nominated in part for her creativity and hard work spent in producing a new Food Packaging Guide, which allows campus-based Child Nutrition staff to see exactly what a menu item should look like and how it should be prepared and packaged. She was also praised for her commitment to developing menus that are both healthy and student-friendly.
• Officer Marvin Marks (Spring ISD Police Department) was recognized for his work as officer assigned to Roberson Middle School, where, through his dedication to students and staff, he works to ensure a safe learning environment for all. In recounting the details of the nomination, the superintendent noted that Officer Marks brings proven expertise and a professional manner, both of which are valuable assets during his day-to-day interactions with students and parents, as well as when dealing with challenging disciplinary situations.
• Thu Pham (Finance) was recognized for her contributions since joining the district two-and-a-half years ago. In her work as Senior Accountant, the superintendent said, Pham has found opportunities to assist both Finance team members and other groups around the district. She has aided coworkers by sharing her advanced software skills and helping to implement time-saving measures that also increase accuracy. Also noted was Pham’s proactive work with Grant Program Directors and their staff, through which she has given them additional tools and skills to review and monitor their budgets. The superintendent also praised Pham for “her inquisitive mind that is always searching for a better way to accomplish tasks.”

Along with employee recognitions and general back-to-school messages, several other topics were covered at each hour-long meeting. Watson went over the district’s special areas of concentration for the new school year – including improved special education and gifted and talented education, the integration of performing and visual arts into core curriculum areas, the launch of dual-language programs, and strengthened professional development offerings for faculty and staff. Employees were also given a snapshot of current and ongoing bond projects.

Other topics covered included the recently released TEA Accountability Ratings for 2017-18, Spring ISD enrollment trends and their impact on district operations, and a preview of upcoming events, including the stadium groundbreaking event on Sept. 8 – open to employees as well as members of the community – and Spring ISD’s Success Walk on Sept. 15, when district staff will reach out directly to individual area students and their families to encourage them to commit to their education and to staying in school.