Loading ...Dearborn Public Schools Presents First-ever Impact! Awards to Recognize Non-teaching Staff
Photo Caption – Impact Award 2015 – The Dearborn Public Schools presented the first-ever Impact awards on May 27 to honor four school district employees who work in roles other than as a classroom teacher. The recipients were recognized for consistently making a positive difference in the lives of students, families and colleagues, enhancing their experiences within the Dearborn Public Schools. From left, award recipients Shawn Donahue, Rola Bazzi-Gates and Zenib Ali. Not pictured: award recipient Jamall Adora. Photo courtesy of Dearborn Education Foundation.
The Dearborn Public Schools presented the first-ever Impact awards on May 27 to honor school district employees who work in roles other than as a classroom teacher and consistently make a positive difference in the lives of students, families and colleagues, enhancing their experiences within the Dearborn Public Schools.
Jamall Adora, Zenib Ali, Rola Bazzi-Gates and Shawn Donahue were chosen by a panel of colleagues, union representatives and administrators to receive the award from among the 77 employees who were nominated by students, district employees and the community.
“Just as the Teacher of Year of the year award celebrates the classroom teachers, we introduced the Impact award to recognize outstanding staff in all other roles,” explained Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston. “The 2015 recipients have made outstanding contributions to helping students or providing excellent customer service in other roles that enhance peoples’ experience with the Dearborn Public Schools.”
Impact award recipient Jamall Adora is a computer technician who works in multiple schools. One nomination said employees know they can count on Mr. Adora to always be friendly, personable and professional. “He takes his responsibility seriously….and makes you feel as if you were on the top of his list.” Another nomination noted, “Thanks to Jamall’s skill and dedication to his job, I am able to create a better educational experience for my students with the use of technology.”
Impact award recipient Zenib Ali is a community liaison at Salina Intermediate School who “has a professional and delightful demeanor at all times” and “goes above and beyond on a daily basis and is always willing to do whatever it takes to assist our school,” according to one nomination. Another noted that Ms. Ali “mentors students who are having social or academic issues and ensures that every parent feels respected and appreciated in addition to volunteering to assist at every school activity and attending training sessions on her own time with the goal of contributing to a positive school culture.”
Impact award recipient Rola Bazzi-Gates is a social worker at Geer Park and Becker Elementary Schools. One nomination noted she has a “professional and optimistic demeanor” and “she shows empathy and professionalism” as she guides students and helps parents be better parents. One colleague said, “Rola is very kind and compassionate (helping students and parents) feel safe and welcome within the educational setting.” One parent described how both of her children developed positive attitudes while working with Ms. Bazzi-Gates, which helped improve their family relationships and academic progress. Another grateful parent concluded her nomination by saying “Ms. Bazzi-Gates has a special way of teaching the right thing to do…she raised us up so we can stand on mountains.”
Impact award recipient Shawn Donahue is a building engineer at Snow Elementary. One Impact nomination noted, “The students love when Mr. Shawn (as he’s affectionately called by the students) comes into the classrooms. They all want to tell him stories and he is so patient and listens to all of them while still attending to his work! His positive attitude, focused work ethic and pride in his work have clearly made an Impact on Snow Elementary.” Another nomination stated, “(Shawn) is always getting involved with school activities in the classrooms, for example, he help our class with a science experiment to show changes in states of matter.
Superintendent Whiston remarked, “Each of the 2015 Impact award recipients has a different job description, but in their daily work, they all have made a positive impact on students and their families. Our district is fortunate to have many dedicated, caring staff members who are making a positive impact in the Dearborn Public Schools.”
The Impact award winners each received $500 and a framed Pewabic Pottery tile award during the annual Green Tie dinner hosted by the Dearborn Education Foundation and generous sponsors.