Metro Nashville Public Schools Honor Support Employees, Teachers, And Principal Of The Year

From the Metro Nashville Public Schools:

February 16, 2021

The pandemic has shone a spotlight on MNPS educators and students who have shifted from in-person to virtual learning by adapting, innovating, and continuing to move forward academically for the past year.

But that couldn’t happen without all the support employees working behind the scenes at schools and in district offices to serve students and families, help educators, get supplies to the right places on time, and accomplish countless other daily tasks.

“We appreciate everything that you do. It’s just an honor to be with you today. The district needs great servants, great leaders like you in every role,” Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said Friday as MNPS honored four dedicated staff members as Support Employees of the Year for 2020-21 for their stellar work:

• Jeremy Lee, Secretary/Clerk at Nashville School of the Arts, who has been with the district for about 2 ½ years;
• Mary Lymon, Parapro at McKissack Middle School, a three-year MNPS veteran;
• Molly Finney, Transportation Representative, who has worked for the district for 26 years;
• and Mose Farmer, Materials Management Supervisor in the Supply Center, a 14-year MNPS employee.

Last week, teams from across the district, including Dr. Battle, Chief of Human Resources Chris Barnes, and direct supervisors, virtually joined together to celebrate these four exceptional Support Employees of the year.

Principal of the Year & Teachers of the Year

The district also announced that Nashville School of the Arts Principal Dr. Gregory Stewart, one of three previously announced finalists, is MNPS’ Principal of the Year for 2020-21, while three of the nine previously announced Teacher of the Year finalists have been selected as the district’s Teachers of the Year:

• Crystal Hicks, Robert Churchwell Elementary School;
• Shanielle Keesee, East Nashville Magnet Middle School;
• and Janelle Ganske, Hillsboro High School.

“These four leaders all have different roles, but they all share a commitment to knowing every child and connecting with students in profound ways that lead to academic and personal growth,” Dr. Battle said. “Congratulations to Ms. Ganske, Ms. Hicks, Ms. Keesee, and Dr. Stewart on earning these great honors. You represent the very best of education with your tireless dedication and commitment to our students and schools.”

Celebrating Support Employees

Similarly, the winning support employees have a diverse array of jobs but share a passion for service to MNPS students. Here’s what their supervisors had to say about them and their work:

Mose Farmer “is one of the hardest working people that I’ve ever met,” said Josh Adcock, director of central services and inventory. “A job description means nothing to him - he is more than happy and willing to step out of his daily roles and responsibilities to help wherever he can.  He is service-minded - he knows that our job is really about serving students and teachers and he truly cares about MNPS students. This past year, he led our team, as well as helpers from other departments such as Extended Learning and Transportation, to get 71,173 laptops and more than 15,000 hotspots in the hands of students, as well as 7,000 laptops in the hands of teachers. Most of that was accomplished during the months that the warehouse was approaching 90 degrees. Mose is a valuable member of any team that he is on because he is always looking for opportunities to serve others.”

“You really have that focus that the students of the district are the most important thing,” added Ken Stark, executive officer of operations. “It really shows in your work. I wish I could clone you.”

“I’m overwhelmed right now,” Farmer said. “My motto is, the children first, and everything else will work out.”

“Molly Finney is one of our go-to people in Transportation. Her role is coordinator, but this does not adequately describe what she does in this position,” said Tina Bridgeforth, manager of operations routing. “Molly represents the customer service aspect of Transportation and frequently has to research and respond to issues and concerns from parents for their students’ transportation, and during the pandemic addressing meal distribution concerns with bus stops or delivery times. Molly has helped out to drive routes when we were extremely short of drivers over the past year and a half. Molly also drove on field trips for different school or athletic events. Molly is always willing to help and volunteers when she sees a need, such as making copies of routes for drivers and leading training and orientation of new employees.”

“It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had,” Finney said. “I want the best for each of our students, and I strive every day to put myself in the place of every parent.”

Jeremy Lee “always contributes to the district’s culture in positive and meaningful ways; he influences others to act in ways becoming of a district employee. Mr. Lee is consistent and thorough with facets of multitasking and customer service to all stakeholders,” Nashville School of the Arts Principal Dr. Gregory Stewart said. “His positivity with staff and sources of information for the school to stakeholders is effective and expedient. His speed and efficiency is unmatched and further solidifies family information and coordination. Mr. Lee engages with stakeholders in an appropriate, polite, and professional manner and influences others to do the same. Mr. Lee continues to cultivate stakeholder relationships positively, and the administration receives countless accolades from stakeholders supporting his abilities and professional demeanor and assistance.”

Lee said he worked in the corporate world for eight years and was ready to “do something that would make a difference” when he came home to Nashville. NSA gave him that opportunity while appealing to his own artistic bent.

"Feeling the creative energy from these kids has been awesome,” he said.

“Mary Lymon has been a dedicated professional at Moses McKissack for the last 3.5-plus years,” McKissack Principal Thomas O. Chappelle III said. “She has served students primarily as an Exceptional Education Assistant and One to One paraprofessional. She has gone over and beyond in ensuring that every student she encounters has a positive experience. Ms. Lymon has helped mentor young ladies with building self-esteem and self-confidence in our building and works closely with other adults to make sure that our students have tremendous support in and out of school. She is a visible member and resident in the school community she serves. She communicates effectively with the administrative staff to keep us aware of changes in the school climate. Ms. Lymon is an asset to the Moses McKissack School community. She is a parent of a 6th grade student at McKissack, and she supports and advocates for his learning as well as others. We are truly grateful to have Ms. Lymon as an essential educator in our building.”

Lymon said she has spent 24 years with Metro overall, starting at the Department of Parks and Recreation in 1997. She’s the oldest of 13 siblings, and her own son, Adam, was with her for Friday’s virtual celebration.

“I enjoy what I’m doing,” she said. “I love my kids. It's been my pleasure, and the best is yet to come.”

Congratulations to all the Support Employees of the Year and all the Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year winners and finalists, and thank you to all MNPS employees for your dedication to our students, families, and schools!

This press release was produced by the Metro Nashville Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.