The Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education honored two Employees of the Month at the April 8 board meeting.
Maria Rios, secretary at Wyandotte High School; and Becky Bell, 5th grade teacher leader at White Church Elementary School, were honored.
The nominations:
“We nominate Maria Rios, a member of the Wyandotte High School office staff for employee of the month. Maria works in the front office at Wyandotte and she is someone who is always there; ready to help when asked, offering to help before asked; and making whoever she is helping feel like her most important customer. You seldom think about what Maria is responsible for because the work gets done so efficiently and seamlessly. Drop a copy job into the ‘in box’ (onto a pile of several others), it is done just an hour or two later. Need a truancy report for a field trip? Maria will have it done well before you need it. But what really distinguishes Maria is her understanding of the idea of customer service. If you are a parent or a visitor coming into the office, Maria greets you with her smile and a warm ‘How can I help you?’ Building staff and visiting parents often compliment her work and helpfulness.” Sincerely, Jan Stocstill, principal’s secretary and Rich Zak, teacher
“I would like to nominate Becky Bell for employee of the month for White Church Elementary. I have had the privilege of working with Becky Bell for the past 14 years, both as a fellow classroom teacher and as a teacher leader. She is an essential member of our school and does so much for the staff and students at White Church! Becky has been an educator in USD 500 for 20 years, and I have always been impressed with her willingness to stay on top of the newest research and teaching methods, and how she imparts that knowledge to those around her. Becky is very friendly and approachable and goes above and beyond to make sure she is available to the staff, no matter what time of day or night. She is the kind of person who does so much behind the scenes. Becky Bell is one of the most inspiring people in our district and we are proud to nominate her.” Sincerely, Emily Dennis, teacher, and Bruce Haber, principal
– Story and photo from Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools