An Office Clerk, a Telecommunications Specialist, a Head Custodian, two Instructional Assistants and an Administrative Secretary are finalists for the Brevard Public Schools’ Employee of the Year (EOY) award. Each year, schools and offices have the opportunity to recognize a deserving school related employee by nominating them for district, and hopefully state honors.  Superintendent Dr. Brian T. Binggeli announced the six employees identified by the nominating committee to remain in contention for the title of 2011 Employee of the Year.

The finalists are:

• Terri Harmon, Administrative Secretary in the Office of Elementary Programs
• Gray Boot, PreK Instructional Assistant at Endeavour Elementary
• Michelle Grimes, Instructional Assistant at Atlantis Elementary
• Reachell Hartmann, Master Certified Head Custodian I at Viera High
• Kathy Arvonio, Telecommunications Specialist in the Office of Educational Technology
• Jody Scott, Office Clerk at Eau Gallie High School.   

“It is an honor to announce the names of these six finalists,” said Dr. Brian T. Binggeli, Superintendent. “Only one of these individuals can be awarded the Brevard Employee of the Year title, but they all represent the highest caliber of individuals that any company or district would be honored to have as employees. We are very proud of each of them.”

District-wide, 93 individuals were nominated for EOY by their school or department. A selection committee reviewed the written nominations and chose the six they believed contributed most significantly to improvements at their school sites or within the district. The winner will be announced at the Employee of the Year awards breakfast on December 10 at the Holiday Inn Viera. This event is sponsored by the Brevard Schools Foundation in conjunction with the Community Credit Union and Dean Stewart Photography.

Terri Harmon has been with the district for 12 years, seven of those in the Office of Elementary Programs as an Administrative Secretary.  Lynn Spadaccini, Director of Elementary Programs says, “Ms. Harmon communicates with people in a way that is unassuming and comfortable, and always takes the time to talk and listen to others as she works with parents, teachers, school administrators, and staff from other departments."

An Endeavour Elementary employee for nine years, Gray Boot has been with the school district for over 20 years.  She is currently a PreK Instructional Assistant.  Dr. Betsy Butler, Endeavour Elementary principal, shares “Ms. Boot quietly works with all stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation of the school.  This includes hands-on with the students themselves to the most mundane paperwork; regardless of the task, Gray Boot makes sure the task is done, done correctly, and completed in a timely fashion.”  

Michelle Grimes is an Instructional Assistant at Atlantis Elementary.  She has worked for the district for 14 years, 13 of those at Atlantis.  According to Atlantis Elementary principal, Sherry Tomlinson, “Ms. Grimes creates lesson plans, easily fills the role of teacher, works many hours beyond her work schedule, volunteers for any event that needs her help, and she goes through her day with a smile on her face and a work ethic where every second counts.”  

A district employee for 19 years, Reachel Hartmann has worked at Viera High School for the past three years.  She is currently a Master Certified Head Custodian.  Mark Tormoen, Principal at Viera High expresses, “Besides being a joy to work with, Reachel is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and communicate the benefits to her custodial team members.  She consistently works with her fellow team members to establish new routines and procedures that will improve their work performance.”  

As a Telecommunications Specialist for over five years with the school district, Kathy Arvonio “provides outstanding service in delivering high quality voice systems to the district users,” according to Bob Burns, Networks Operations Manager.  “Kathy continually provides quality customer service, making sure that every district user’s request is treated with respect and the highest level of importance.”   

Jody Scott has been employed by the district for 19 years, all of those at Eau Gallie High School.  She is currently an Office Clerk.  Tom Sawyer, Eau Gallie High School principal, says, “Jody is more than an employee.  She is what we want all our students to be.  Her charity work and work ethic are a shining example to students on what it takes to be a good citizen.”