2024-25 Core Values Award Nominations

I received this email from a teacher today talking about how Megan supported her:  “I want to take a moment of your time to share that the Step By Step Guide for license renewal (that Megan Smith shared via email) was EXTREMELY helpful! I find the OH/ID platform to be confusing and overwhelming so this was a relief to have. Also, I want to add that I have submitted a couple requests to check on contact hours, etc. and Megan has been very timely and helpful.”

• Kevin Rosebrook, Professional Learning Manager, HR/Talent

Principal West puts her heart in every aspect of her work leading Hays-Porter. Part of this is caring so much for her students that she removes every barrier that might distract her students from learning and also helps them feel like their best selves. A prime example is their Hays R Us Store. This is a real store where students can purchase real toys, books and games as well as fun and necessary toiletries. Not only are the things AMAZING, they also teach Financial Literacy. Thank you for showing us what systems level care can look like in a school house.

• Emily Campbell, Senior Director, Curriculum & Instruction

Mrs. Fisher cares a lot for all the students at Roberts Academy not just her class she is a hard worker and always make adults and the students smile. When anyone in our building needs help, she always goes out her way to help. I love that about her.

• Christine Wilson, Teachers Assistant, Roberts Academy

Irene and Tangy do great work for the department and for our schools. They never hesitate to jump in and help. Tangy and Irene work to ensure that all of Curriculum’s contracts for instructional materials are entered into Business Plus accurately and efficiently, and that those materials arrive in schools for students to use. They are always willing to drop off materials to schools, sort through materials that arrive in schools, and communicate with teachers and staff about building needs, all so that kids have the materials they need. They exemplify the core values that make CPS great! They truly are #hereforkids!

• Adam Bessler, Instructional Materials Manager, Curriculum

Tangy and Irene do great work for the department and for our schools. They never hesitate to jump in and help. Tangy and Irene work to ensure that all of Curriculum’s contracts for instructional materials are entered into Business Plus accurately and efficiently, and that those materials arrive in schools for students to use. They are always willing to drop off materials to schools, sort through materials that arrive in schools, and communicate with teachers and staff about building needs, all so that kids have the materials they need. They exemplify the core values that make CPS great! They truly are #hereforkids!

Adam Bessler, Instructional Materials Manager, Curriculum

Casey Fisher had a plan and made a impact on the WHOLE community of Cincinnati Saturday October 12th, 2024. Casey, her team, volunteers, and vendors came together to impact ALL. Many things exists that help some, but not all. Ms. Fisher moved with no hesitation or barriers. She gave to the needs of all people. Young, elderly, families, single, veterans, the disabled, you name it. Everyone received something. There was no need left unnoticed. People were fed, informed, happy, and thankful. I want to get a huge shout out to her. Thank you for having a great idea that would show love and encompass all people. You are a person that can be truly admired for your kind and generous heart. CPS is lucky to have such an asset! If nobody told you yesterday, today, or even tomorrow, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!!!

• Lisa Piening De La Cruz, DSS Technician II, Student Services

Leslie is a proactive problem solver.  She collaborates well to resolve issues- and always promptly and courteously!  She is understanding and dedicated to support CPS employees to ensure they get what they need.  She’s behind the scenes, but goes above and beyond to get the job done!

• Courtney Morabito, Manager of Operations, Student Dining Services

Miss Jaleesa always works hard and is committed to helping every student be successful in the classroom. She has a positive attitude and is a team player and we appreciate all her hard work.

• Becky Joyce, Teacher, PRM 6-9

Ms. Shannon Jackson demonstrates the best customer service I have ever seen when making the bags for our Cincinnati Public Schools. I have witness her making a badge and talking on the phone trying to help someone with a question about badges with a smile and pleasant voice all at the same time. She can sure multitask!!  I was very impressed. She is flawless and I just have to give her a shout out for the wonderful job she does. Making badges can be very stressful at times with all the appointments, walk-ins, uniform request and phone calls, but she does it with a smile and she is very professional at her job. I’m very proud of her. SHOUT OUT TO YOU, MS. SHANNON JACKSON!!!!

• Tonya (Ms T.Byrd)Whitby Byrd, Security Response Team Member, Ed Center

Jamie goes above and beyond to make sure payroll runs smoothly.  Her knowledge of how assignments and how they need to be set up is such an asset to our department.  She does so much work that would normally be a function of the payroll techs to help make our jobs easier.  We can always count on Jamie to get things done and if it can’t be done to communicate what the issues are.  I feel she is a strong leader and a great asset for the treasurers department.

• Sherry Overbey-Carel, Payroll, Treasurer’s Office

Always dependable, knowledgeable, pleasant, engaged, informative, caring, helps everyone

• Marcelle Bell, AP Sr Acct Tech, Treasurer Dept

Beverly is a great assest to our team.  She gives her all with getting students service on metro and yellow bus.  She is very dedicated to getting our metro tickets responded to in Saleforce Ticketing System in a timely manner. She is very passionate about the students and their safety. She collaborates with our Transportation Specialists with getting our yellow bus student’s service. We are very happy to have her apart of our transportation family.

• Pamela Williams, Operations Supervisor, Transportation

Lecardo’s 3rd year in Transporation and he has shown tremedous growth.  He seeks understanding. Our Transporation Specialists have 2 weeks in July to get all the district changes for CPS students and students attending NPC schools routed. His dedication and long hours helped us have a better start up this school year. He is truly passionate and commited to his work at CPS. We are happy to have him as part of our transportation family.

• Pamela Williams, Operations Supervisor. Transportation

Always goes above and beyond to helping students and teachers & has a positive work ethic.

• Veronica Montes, ELL Coordinator, English Language Learning

She’s always at work and willing to help out wherever. She goes above and beyond for the kids.

• Shiauna Clark, Paraprofessional, Carson

Ginny cares about her students learning but, she doesn’t let them slide by on their work. She gives them firm deadlines for work submission and opportunities to get help from her inside and outside of class time if they need a problem or theory explained. Her demeaner is kind and caring. She expects the best and gives her best everyday. How do I know? I’m the Intervention Specialist who helps any students who want help from me as well.

• Sheila Libecap, Intervention Specialist, James N. Gamble Montessori High School

Maria Seitz is a champion for everyone who walks into Roberts Academy. Not only does she make sure her lessons align with what each grade level is learning, she commits to knowing every students name, interests, and how they best succeed. She establishes relationships with students and families from the first day of school, always looking for ways to build trust and be a safe space for all students to be themselves. Maria is a positive, supportive, coworker, helping whenever and wherever she can. With her knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture, she helps ensure all staff are equipped with tools to help students succeed and that all students have a voice. Maria deserves to be celebrated for all the love, patience, and kindness she pours into others.

• Lizzie Phillips, Teacher, Roberts Academy

Mr. Lee, as the students call him, is new to CPS this school year. He has taken on the MORE Program, Student Council, is on the Sands Rudder, and directs traffic in the lot at drop off and pick up. Mr. Lee is always positive, always willing to help out, and always in an upbeat mood. The students, staff, and parents love him!

• Nancy Patterson, Senior Support Specialist, Sands Montessori

Ms. Upshaw is the face of CANS.  She is the first face that parents see when they come into the building.  Ms. Upshaw is the first call a staff member makes when they need a quick solution to a problem.  She knows every student, parent, grandparent, and guardian in our CANS community.  She is always willing to offer an encouraging word to a student, cover a morning duty, or even help out in the cafeteria if that is what she knows is needed.  Whenever new challenges pop up, Ms. Upshaw is always able to take them in stride and make sure that the students have what they need to be successful. 

• James Zoller, Principal, CANS

Mr Colon is a very understanding person, he is a great mentor to the students and he always be there when any student or adult needs him. He is respectful, honest, and always commit to education and always ready to improve. He is a great role model to our students here at Roberts Academy.

• Christine Wilson, Teachers Assistant, Roberts Academy

Ms. Haller organized and executed a penny war to support Down Syndrome Awareness. $1677.61 was raised. Staff and other students walked during the buddy walk.

• Kieli Ferguson, Principal, North Avondale Montessori

Mrs. Solomon-Gray is a dedicated educator and principal that creates an environment for her students and staff all to grow and learn. She cares to the point she is willing to do what ever she can to help each individual grow. She collaborates with students, staff, families, and the community to facilitate the optimal learning environment.

• Andrew Miller, Assistant Principal, Cheviot

Ms. Glover is a understandable person she loves the students at Roberts and always have a positive attitude and she has a good heart.

• Christine, Teachers Assistant, Roberts Academy

Tony and his team have worked tirelessly to get students enrolled as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our department has a lot of unique situations and Tony responds immediately to requests and solves problems right away. He never makes excuses or puts things off. He acts right away and understands that we are here for kids and families. I always know that I can go to him and he will get things done in a way that results in the best outcomes for the students. He makes my job easier and I love working with him.

• Chrissy Reeves, Assistant Director of Student Services, Student Services

Andra lives the I am CPS core values, especially care, collaborate and commit to success. We are so appreciative of her responsiveness and attention to detail when we need help. Here recently, we had some coding errors and she fixed it so quickly, students and teachers didn’t even feel the error! Thank you so much to Andra and the systems she has created. We appreciate you!

• Emily Campbell, Director, Curriculum & Instruction

Mrs. Tapp is the ultimate example of all of CPS’s core values. She cares deeply for both her students and colleagues alike. She collaborates with teachers from around the building in an effort to promote growth for students. She improves by constantly reflecting on her practices and observing other practices to learn from. She commits to success by showing up for her students every day with high expectations.

• Kayla Brunswick, Principal, Oyler

Jessica went above and beyond in organizing the beginning of the year payroll call centers for employees. By making sure the room, phones, sign-up sheets, and tracking system were set up, she demonstrated the “I care” value towards our employees. At the same time, she showed “I care” towards the individuals staffing the call center by providing food and snacks (including items she baked herself) and being available to assist with questions.

• Michael Gustin, Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer’s Office

Over the past several weeks, Zach has shown what the I Am CPS core values is all about. With him being a fairly new employee he has jumped in with both feet and shown how he cares about the work he is doing. With being the beginning of a new school year it can be tedious on what exactly needs to be done to assure our employees get paid. Zach went the extra mile working and collaborating with me to ensure we accurately enter the information in their assignment.

The pressure one feels during the back to school stretch can be overwelhming, but Zach has shown true character on the importance of his job and he wants to make sure things are done correctly. I appreciate having someone that is very proactive and not reactive when it comes to get things corrected. I believe his future is bright here in CPS. Also want to give extra shout out to the CS team that Zach is apart of, they all were very helpful.

• Jamie Harris, Assistant Payroll Supervisor, Treasurer Department

I had a lot of questions about my insurance coverage pertaining to a family member. I am not one for communication via email and prefer to speak via spoken conversation. Stephanie replied to my emails immediately and made sure she was available right away to answer all of my questions via phone conversation. She shared literature that would be helpful for answering my questions. She checked to verify answers, and allowed me to verify, with her any questions I had.

Due to the questions I had, Stephanie was kind, patient, and open minded to my situation. She offered multiple suggestions to help me fulfill anything the insurance couldn’t cover. She was nonjudgmental and extremely helpful. I felt very comfortable talking to Stephanie and I felt heard. A value that is important to me when I am seeking answers to questions.

• Joanna Forsha, Teacher , Woodford Academy