- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
- January 2022 Together We Rise Award Winners
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We are excited to announce the January CSIU: Together We Rise Nominees!
As announced at 2021 Professional Leadership Day (PLD), the CSIU has implemented a new award program, "CSIU: Together We Rise!" The program recognizes colleagues for their commitment to:
- Rising through innovative work: A person who has demonstrated innovation in the workplace.
- Rising through service to others and self-care: A person who modeled service or self-care or who helped a person or team with service or self-care.
- Rising through equity: A person who embraced equity in the form of learning (self-growth), teaching (providing or organizing professional learning experiences for others), or practicing (ensuring equity for served populations).
January brought in 15 nominations for the awards! Please take a few moments out of your day to read about these valued members of the CSIU family and to congratulate them for making a difference by RISING through innovative work, service to others and self-care, and/or equity!
January Winners
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Ken Erb, Lisa Black, Corie Kline, Barry Fetter, Tony Hauger, Tina Noll, Tom Packer, Scott Wert, Phil West, Owen Keister & Tom Marquette
Team members not in photo: Owen Keister, Tom Marquette
Ken Erb, Facilities Manager and the Facilities Team
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award, Nominated by Dr. John KureljaWhy the Facilities Team was nominated:
Our organization has been in the process of completing eight different construction projects over the last 10 months, culminating in the move of the LPN Career Center from Lewisburg to the Annex Building for the start of classes on Jan. 3. Ken and his team worked very hard to make the construction projects go smoothly and ensure they were completed on time. They have also been extremely flexible and with staff going above and beyond to get everyone settled in their new homes. In the process, we have greatly improved our programs and what we are able to do for students.
I could not be more proud of the work the facilities team has done and want to thank them from the bottom of my heart!
"I am grateful for all their hard work!"
Shane Kelly & Ron Kline
Adult Basic Education Instructor and Adult Education Case Manager
Rising through Equity Award, Nominated by Vicky Kramer
Why Shane and Ron were nominated:As age-eligible young adults come into Adult Education classes, Shane and Ron promote the YES to the Future program and make referrals. There is continuous collaboration with other programs to serve co-enrolled participants and help them achieve success.
They go above and beyond to ensure the needs of the participants are met. By collaborating with other programs, they make certain their participants are in the best possible environment(s) to succeed.
Paula Okkerse
Nutrition Aide/Custodian
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award
Why Paula was nominated:Paula is an essential part of our everyday routine at Watsontown Children's Center (WCC). She prepares meals for PreK Counts, Head Start, and 5 Star at WCC. Paula arrives early every day to prepare breakfast for our students and she does this with a smile. Her service to the staff and students is admired!
"Thank you, Paula, for all you do!"
Paula Dickey
YES to the Future Program Manager
Rising through Equity Award
Why Paula was nominated:Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the presence of mental health concerns has increased within the 16-24 year old Out-of-School Youth population we serve in the YES to the Future program. Paula saw the need to support staff with training related to Mental Health First Aid. She volunteered to become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and will be able to provide this training to support YES staff and others.
Ken Erb
Facilities Manager
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award, Nominated by Jess, Carson and Gage
Why Ken was nominated:Recently, a student experienced a vehicle emergency after leaving a CSIU board meeting. Ken immediately came to his rescue! He assisted (the student and family) with the vehicle emergency and ensured they were able to make it home safely.
"Thank you, Ken!" — Carson and Gage