Employee of the Year 2009

The finalists are:

Dolores Culver, Clerk Specialist
Flamingo Elementary School
Dolores Culver, a District employee for 19 years, personifies compassion and altruism in every action as a Clerk Specialist at Flamingo Elementary School. She is responsible for tracking daily student attendance, coordination with the social worker on excessive absenteeism, the STAR security system, single-point entry front desk supervision, ParentLink, Data Processing backup, and substitute coordination. According to Principal Lee Ann Jones, “ Mrs. Culver always demonstrates exceptional skills and dedication to her job.” Her duties require excellent leadership skills, organization and patience, and she completes them everyday with a pleasant disposition. Mrs. Culver implemented the Perfect Attendance Award system, presenting awards to students in every grade for perfect attendance each quarter. She volunteers her time to attend school performances, activities and family nights.

Culver is natural problem solver. She is the first face that parents and students see in the office and is always ready and willing to help no matter the cost. One year, when a family’s specially equipped van was vandalized, she donated $300 to the family so they could continue to transport their special needs child to and from school. Culver frequently makes donations of school supplies, uniforms, clothes and even lunch money from her own pocket to needy families.

Amanda Muir, Micro-Computer Technology Specialist
Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School
During her two years at Nova Blanche Forman Elementary, Amanda Muir has successfully implemented technology into the school and is an invaluable resource for teachers, students and administration. She coordinated the school’s participation in Broward’s Digital Educators (BDE) and the Global Learning Initiative through Digital Education for Students (GLIDES), which brought new laptops and projectors for all classroom teachers as well as training for the entire staff. “She spearheaded writing grants that have gotten our school over $75,000 in new technology and software. Plus, she holds in-house trainings and provides weekly Tech Tips to keep our teachers up-to-date with the latest education technology,” says Intern Principal, Janet Calamaro. While running numerous programs at the school, Muir provides service for all technological issues, works as the Local Area Network (LAN) and CAB Administrator and serves as the Professional Development Plan Facilitator.

Also serving as the Prevention Liaison, Ms. Muir developed a team that is responsible for creating a safe environment for all students. She works closely with the Office of Prevention Programs and Community agencies to successfully implement prevention efforts such as the new Anti-Bullying Policy. Muir also participates in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the School Advisory Council (SAC).

Cheryl Mutnick, Media Clerk
Pioneer Middle School
Cheryl Mutnick, Media Clerk, is a vital member of the Pioneer Middle School staff. Working directly with the Media Specialist, she catalogs and processes new materials, assists students with research and computer applications, gathers resource materials for teachers and maintains the media center database for equipment and materials. Mutnick has a great ability to multi-task and encourages an organized and enjoyable environment for teachers and students in the media center. “Ms. Mutnick treats the teachers and students as valuable customers. She is always gracious with any request that is made and goes well out of her way to support our teachers so they have all the materials needed to teach students,” says Media Specialist, Mary Jane Washa.

Mutnick holds a degree in Elementary Education and enjoys working directly with students. She frequently spends her time assisting students with research and helping them find books that will excite them. She has become proficient in the media database Sunlink that allows her to obtain materials from other schools in the county. Often, you can find her searching the database to find instructional materials for teachers, new books for students, and resources for classroom research. She also supervises and trains media aides, maintains a schedule of classes/activities in the media center, participates in the book fair, and conducts introductions to the media center for the 6th grade classes.

Mutnick has been her school’s School-Related Employee of the year twice before. According to Principal Linda Arnold, “For the past nine years, Ms. Mutnick has shown exemplary work habits. She is flexible and adaptable to whatever needs to be done in the media center. She is extremely personable and always makes sure the media center is a welcoming place for both students and staff.”

John C. Richardson, Security Specialist
Cooper City High School
Over the course of two years, John C. Richardson has become an integral part of Cooper City High School. Originally hired as a campus monitor, his perceptive character and innovative practices in security landed him the position of Security Specialist. As Security Specialist, Richardson controls perimeter and internal campus security operations, maintains school camera/video systems and call-trace equipment, trains, supervises and evaluates campus monitors, while supporting administration and staff by escorting and removing students when necessary. To maintain the safety of all students, he works closely with administration to prevent, address and resolve problematic situations.

Using his 25 years of police and military experience, Richardson frequently defuses volatile situations before they escalate. He resolves all student issues with ease by utilizing his professional investigative skills. While working at Cooper City High, he has exemplified the characteristics of a team player that exercises a respect for all students and staff.

Richardson has effectively restructured various school procedures to accommodate the needs of the staff and faculty. Just this year, he revised the school’s entire safety plan because current construction on campus obstructed evacuation routes. He also implemented a process for inventory and the issuing of faculty keys and the corresponding spreadsheet files and entries. “His initiative has provided us with a comprehensive database for parking decals, keys, golf carts, and our school-wide safety plan,” says Principal Wendy Doll.

Andrea J. Tower, General Clerk II
Indian Ridge Middle School
Andrea Tower is an example of efficiency, capability and consideration as she serves as General Clerk at Indian Ridge Middle School. Tower has worked at Indian Ridge for the past 11 years providing support and resolving issues for staff, students, teachers and parents. She administers student medications, schedules parent – teacher conferences and assists with school bus transportation concerns and schedules. Tower also maintains emergency information cards, orders supplies, collects and submits work to AES and compiles discipline and accidents reports.

Her position requires the utmost professionalism and organization because of the need to communicate with staff, parents and members of the community. Tower goes beyond her duties by volunteering her time to the school. She participates in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the School Advisory Council (SAC), chaperones at school functions, attends school performances and coordinates the school Harvest Drive, Nova Southeastern University Mentor Program and staff appreciation days.

According to Principal Frank Zagari, “For the past six years, Mrs. Tower has been on the ballot as Non-Instructional Employee of the Year for Indian Ridge Middle School. She was one of the top finalists for the District three years ago. Administration, teachers, clerical staff, custodians and paraprofessionals clearly feel that she is an integral part of what makes Indian Ridge Middle School an A+ school year after year.”