In seventh period on Monday, the leadership team surprised Algebra 1 teacher Kathleen Carroll and revealed she won Teacher of the Year. Shortly after, they also announced Custodial Resident Jaimie Hernandez as the Support Person of the Year.
Each year faculty members nominate their fellow staff members for both Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year. During the week of Aug. 13-15, teachers were then given a narrowed down ballot to vote for the winners.
On the ballot, the anonymous faculty member who nominated Hernandez wrote, “Jaimie is hard-working and takes pride in his campus. He is kind, compassionate, and willing to go above and beyond. He quickly assists teachers in need, even when it requires him to pause his own tasks, without a whisper of complaint. Jaimie is humble and does not seek accolades, he simply has a heart to serve others.”
Hernandez is known among his peers for staying late or arriving early when his staff members need his assistance.
As for Teacher of the Year, “Carroll truly has a heart for students and seeing them reach their academic potential. With creativity, innovation and great talent, Kathleen is able to take a very abstract subject and bring it within grasp of even the most struggling learner. As a teammate, Kathleen is kind, witty, energetic, and makes everyone feel welcome in her department,” an anonymous faculty member who nominated her wrote.
Carroll feels the support she received by other staff members and having former students stop by to congratulate her is an amazing feeling.
“There were amazing teachers on the ballot. I feel very honored,” Carroll said.