HOUSTON – Oct. 17, 2019 – The moment Spring ISD employee Judy Smith walked inside of Bammel Elementary School on Tuesday morning and spotted a crowd of people cheering her on, tears of happiness began.
Smith was surprised to be named winner of the Employee Excellence Award for October 2019 by members of the Spring ISD Board of Trustees. Members of the Board, Building Operations department, and Bammel staff were on hand to celebrate the building operator, as she was recognized for her work in the district, which has spanned 26 years.
“For the last couple of years, we have given out a distinguished award every month to a most outstanding employee of the district,” Board President Rhonda Newhouse told Smith during the ceremony. “In order for that to happen, people sent in recommendations and nice comments. As we read through several comments on what people wrote about Ms. Judy, our hearts just sunk. We said this is the person for this month.”
After being awarded a framed certificate, Smith said she had no idea she’d been selected for the honor.
“I love all of the people who work here, and I love the kids to death,” said Smith. “We all get along really well, and that’s what makes working here really nice. I can’t complain about anything, trust me.”
The biggest surprise came directly after the presentation, where Smith was led across the entire school building to a parade of students lining the hallways cheering her on with posters, horns, and hugs.
“She’s inspiring, a go getter and she’s a part of our team,” said Bammel Principal Dr. Berky Hernandez-Owolabi. “Ms. Judy goes above and beyond and as you can see, it could not have been just a gathering in the hallway. We are Team Bammel and family, and she is the heart of this building.”
In addition to the framed certificate, Smith received a Spring ISD recognition pin and a check for $100. She will also go on to join the other 2019-20 winners at the district’s annual Employee Recognition Banquet in May 2020, where she will be eligible for a chance to win a $1,000 grand prize.
Anyone who is doing an outstanding job as a full-time Spring ISD employee can be nominated for the monthly Employee Excellence award, including teachers, custodians, secretaries, clerks, mechanics, bus drivers, nurses and counselors. The only requirement is that the person has been with the district for at least six months. Nominations can come from an employee, supervisor or a parent.
For more information or to nominate someone for the Spring ISD Board of Trustees Employee Excellence Award, complete the online recognition nomination form at www.springisd.org/employee-recognition.