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Karen Bower, Nancy Jacobs, and Linda Saxton
Early Intervention Team
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award; Nominated by Laura Adams
Why Karen, Nancy, and Linda were nominated:The Early Intervention (EI) team at Watsontown Children's Center goes above and beyond with their students. This year, for Read Across America week, Dr. Kurelja and Kaitlyn Hall were invited to read to the class. The team went all out by making green eggs for a snack and creating fun artwork and to make learning fun for the kids and staff.
Nancy and her team have been making Read Across America week very special for the kids for many years. I wanted to make sure everyone knows how amazing Karen, Nancy and Linda are!
Kate O'Neill
Human Resources: Compensation and Compliance Specialist
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award
Why Kate was nominated:Kate goes above and beyond to help her CSIU colleagues. It's very apparent how much she cares. Her effort is reflected in her organized and thorough work. You will never hear her say 'that's not my job.' She is willing to help everyone and does so with a kind and positive attitude. Kate is continuing to grow in her role and is very valuable to the CSIU. I am thankful to have her as a colleague.
"Kate is extremely kind and helpful to all!"
Soniris Arroyo
CARES Team: Workforce Career Coach
Rising through Equity Award
Why Soniris was nominated:Recently, a Direct Care Worker (DCW) Heroes program English Language Learner participant had a medical emergency that sent her to the hospital. Speaking no English and having no support, she reached out, via phone, to her DCW Career Coach, Soniris, to help translate, as the hospital had no interpreter. Soniris spent several hours on the phone translating until the hospital could put a translator in place. Soniris supported this individual outside her typical role as a DCW Career Coach and went above and beyond to assist during this time, allowing the medical staff to provide the proper treatment and get her English as a Second Language (ESL) support.
Jolene Hyppolite
Early Intervention Teacher
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award
Why Jolene was nominated:Jolene covered for a teacher vacancy when asked. She adjusted her own caseload and schedule, to add more students. This meant that instead of being responsible for one district, she covered three districts.
Corie Kline
Buildings and Grounds Services Assistant
Rising through Service to Others and Self-Care Award; Nominated by Amy Pfleegor
Why Corie was nominated:Corie joined the CSIU in November 2021. Since that time, she has embraced the mission and vision of the organization. She goes above and beyond to help the staff and guests at the central office. She is eager to do a good job and asks questions and makes suggestions to enhance or improve services. She treats all people with dignity and respect and always has a smile on her face while doing so. She has even been seen wrapping a to-go plate for a board member who was running late and didn't have time to finish their meal before a meeting. Corie's customer service skills are beyond measure!
"Service with a smile!" — Amy Pfleegor
Dr. Shileste Overton-Morris
Chief Programs Officer
Rising through Equity Award; Nominated by Dr. John Kurelja
Why Shileste was nominated:Shileste has done an excellent job helping the CSIU, as an organization, move forward in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Her skillful leadership has put the CSIU on the road to improvement in these areas and is proving to be of great importance as we navigate our way out of this pandemic!
