Renee Deshazier, Professional Driver-49^th Street Depot-Cuyahoga Heights

Yadyra Gonzalez, Professional Driver-49^th Street Depot-Cuyahoga Heights

Nominator: Mellainie Fisher, Transportation Dispatcher

Manager(s): April Hollins-Taylor, Assistant Depot Manager

Mellainie Fisher shared she received radio traffic from Bus Driver Renee DeShazier seeking her assistance with a father and son. The parent and child were standing on the corner waiting for the bus. However, neither spoke English as it was not their first language. Guessing from the some of the words she could make out via the driver's open radio mic, she gathered the father was speaking Spanish. She and Ms. DeShazier were attempting to communicate with the parent to the best of their ability to find out what stop location, time and bus number was assigned to the student. The language barrier was making this very difficult. Overhearing the situation from her bus radio, Bus Driver Yadyra Gonzalez stepped in via the mic on her bus and began to translate what she heard them asking the father over the radio and Ms. DeShazier had the father respond on her radio. Through the translation, it was determined the father was not waiting at the proper location. Mellainie arranged for the child to wait at home and provided a courtesy bus with a Spanish speaking driver to further explain where the actual stop was in case it was needed. Without Ms. DeShazier's patience, and Ms. Gonzalez's mindfulness and willingness to help, the situation would not have turned out so well. Mellainie went on to share – she feels the exemplary team effort in her words “displayed CMSD's dedication to the safety of our students, no matter the creed, culture or life experience; we are here for them, and I appreciate the drivers for what they did on that day and every day.”

Nominator: Erica McClain

Manager(s): Celeste Dobbins, Assistant Depot Manager

Erica McClain shared the following regarding Danny Williams:

Danny Williams is a driver with a difficult route, Campus International school. These routes span across the city of Cleveland. It was a particular day that she shared witnessing HEART in action, when Mr. Williams went the extra mile of not only going to the bus stop, but also went to the child's house to make every effort to ensure that the child was picked up for school. Erica shared – “This is not an isolated incident; Mr. Williams does this on a daily basis and always does exemplary work for our parents and scholars.” The committee agreed that these acts of Communicating with HEART show the understanding that as CMSD Educators, our roles are greater than the tasks associated with our job. Ms. McClain confirmed that in her nomination her closing comment stating, Mr. Williams is “an asset to the transportation department.”

Gerald Parks – Ms. McClain shared that Mr. Parks transports a student at Sunbeam who has mobility issues. While Ms. McClain has assisted dispatch this school year, she took a call from Mr. Parks. He shared a concern for this student’s safety. Due to his efforts the school was made aware of the situation and will be convening a meeting with the SST Team to have the IEP amended to reflect the students need for a wheelchair accommodation in the IEP. Ms. McClain shares – because of Gerald’s due diligence the student and parent will get the help they needed to ensure the child's safety while riding one of our units – and again we agree Mr. Parks has shown us that the role of the CMSD Educator is greater than the tasks associated with his or her job – thank you for Communicating with HEART.

Nominator: Erica McClain

Manager(s): Celeste Dobbins, Assistant Depot Manager

Erica McClain shared the following regarding Gerald Parks:

Gerald Parks – Ms. McClain shared that Mr. Parks transports a student at Sunbeam who has mobility issues. While Ms. McClain has assisted dispatch this school year, she took a call from Mr. Parks. He shared a concern for this student’s safety. Due to his efforts the school was made aware of the situation and will be convening a meeting with the SST Team to have the IEP amended to reflect the students need for a wheelchair accommodation in the IEP. Ms. McClain shares – because of Gerald’s due diligence the student and parent will get the help they needed to ensure the child's safety while riding one of our units – and again we agree Mr. Parks has shown us that the role of the CMSD Educator is greater than the tasks associated with his or her job – thank you for Communicating with HEART.

Nominator: Ally Talbott-Welch, Physical Therapist – Student Services

Manager(s): Terrance Menefee, Principal

Educator Talbott-Welch shared – “There have been many days that I have been blown away by Mr. Camp going above and beyond since the beginning of the 22-23 school year for a student that I work with as well. On the specific day (9/21) that I'm highlighting, we were talking about an important piece of medical equipment. I expressed frustration to Mr. Camp about the complex process of obtaining equipment for a working parent with no personal transportation, including that the student now needed to have an appointment to do x-rays and see the physician before a prescription would be written. I said that I had been calling and texting the parent with that information but that I had not heard back and was worried that it may take months to get an appointment. Mr. Camp offered to call the family and help usher them through scheduling the appointment. I sent him notes about the number to call and what to ask for. He not only followed up and connected with the parent, but he offered to drive them to the appointment. He followed up with me, explaining the steps he had taken, and it was just so above and beyond, that I was very moved. What a difference he is making in his students lives!”

Nominators: Monika Bethea, Paraprofessional / Stephanie Lowery, Teacher Remote

Manager(s): Christopher Wyland, Principal (Remote)

Mr. Dorotics received 2 separate nominations

Monica Bethea shared, “Mr. D is always trying to figure out ways to engage with the parents in our school community. He created a survey to gage what where some of our family’s interest, times, and days that they would like events held, and what supports they may need. He holds weekly meeting to collaborate with staff and our parent ambassador to increases family involvement. He takes the time out of his busy schedule to collaborate with different community organizations to hold fun and educational events for our schools' families. Some of the engagement he worked on to put together is tech night that was offered via online on Wednesday and Saturday. This encompassed showing parents how to navigate the different app offered to them. He has recently partner with the Steelyard Commons to provide our families with a social emotional event which is given them the opportunity to trick or treat and meet the staff of the Cleveland Remote K-8. This is just a snapshot of all that Mr. D does to show HEART. 

Ms. Lowery – confirmed the above and shared, Mr. John Dorotics is a Physical Education Educator at our CMSD Remote (K-8) School and has been very instrumental, going above and beyond, in organizing student/parent involvement "Socktober", "Wednesday (Remote Asynchronous Day) Student Read A-Louds", and varying significant Parent Engagements.

Mr. D – on behalf of the HEART Committee, thank you for embodying the HEART creed – “People may forget what you did or what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Nominator: Tammy Toney, Ombuds Manager / Samantha Walker, Leave of Absence Specialist

Manager(s): Deedra Thompson and John LePelly (Talent)

Samantha shared - There have been a lot of changes to the processing of Public Loan Forgiveness Forms. The requests have been coming in rapidly. Lucitta has been pushing these requests back efficiently and does so with such style and grace. We now have a new system in place, and I have watched her on numerous occasions lead with H.E.A.R.T while helping our employees navigate the system truly exemplifying a H.E.A.R.T Champion.

Tammy Toney – witnessed this firsthand and shared how Lucitta went above and beyond with a customer who was in tears about her loan forgiveness forms. Lucitta not only dropped all she was doing to be of assistance, but she also returned to close the loop with the customer and ensure all was well – her HEART and compassion was on full display during this interaction. 

Nominator: Elaine Aaron, Humanware Specialist / Beverly Watts, Administrative Assistant

Manager(s): Brandon Sheneman, IT

Both nominators agree – James delivers like none other they have experienced when it comes to the service and detail he has brought to 1111 Superior. James is always so polite and caring. He listens to your needs and always ask about your day. He is very personable and takes the time to explain what he is doing and why and will also teach you to do things that can be done without calling IT. He will put in the extra time not only to show you, but to work that it meets and fits the demands of your schedule or often if it means he is here beyond 5 pm to make it happen for you. In doing so he always STARTs with HEART and is always very, very KIND.

Nominator: Carla Curry, School Secretary

The nominator shared – “When thinking of a person that feels no task is too big, Kenzie Hanlon comes to mind for communicating with HEART, as a say Yes support specialist she addresses not only the needs of the children but the whole family. Mrs. Hanlon not only starts her day with a huge heart, she ends it with an even bigger heart. She greets all families with a smile and is very empathetic when listening to their needs! Her works ethics should not go unnoticed. I have never seen someone work so hard during the pandemic. The contributions she made during the time of need was amazing. She took the time to do home visits, fix computer devices, and made sure a food drive was still in place while away from school. All of acts of kindness made it easier to turn family struggles into testimonials. She is definitely a resource that Cleveland families need to be successful and get the tools they need.”

Nominator: Shannon Wong – Instructor CWRU School of Nursing

Manager(s): Elaine Ebose & Patricia Forrai

This Community Partner shared – “As a nursing instructor at Case Western, we have worked with Angie at Marion Sterling for several years. She has continued building rapport and relationships for the past six years between the Marion-Sterling teachers and Case Nursing students. The collaboration has provided a space for our nursing students to connect and learn from CMSD students and staff while they teach health education lessons to the scholars in the building. Angie continues to actively listen to provide a safe and diverse clinic space for multiple nursing students to complete Community Health clinical school.” Angie your effort has truly forged a strong partnership and allowed you to be a true role model and advocate for students – thank you for Communicating with HEART!

Nominator: Shelby Schutt, Principal AJ Rickoff

Manager(s): Melody Patterson, Finance

Principal Schutt shared the following: A.J. Rickoff has been short staffed without a secretary for over a year. Gerald has taken on many of the duties of processing, receiving, and creating purchase orders for A.J. Rickoff. For this scenario in which he is being recognized – Principal Schutt says – “he took time out of his busy schedule to reassure me and walk me through the 22/23 SY budget for A.J. Rickoff.

The Customer Experience department agrees with Principal Schutt - This is just one scenario of Gerald Skillern going above and beyond – he comes through for his schools and his central office colleagues time and time again – unselfishly! The times he has made himself available goes beyond it being a part of his role – Gerald Skillern is a true team player and one who will make it happen for the good of the whole, when often it means pouring out of himself in order to serve over and over again – at the end of the day, he will respond, ensure you have what you need and make sure the job is done!  Thank you, Gerald, for embodying HEART!

Community Partners - Ohio Guidestone & Families First Health Services

Nominator: Ivelisse Negron, Say Yes Support Specialist

On September 6th, James Ford Rhodes campus experienced something no school should ever experience, a shooting of one of Rhodes students who was walking to school. Although the shooting took place off campus, it affected the whole campus. The mental health providers from Ohio Guidestone & Families First Health Services, once notified, jumped into action and were ready to serve all students and staff with the aftermath of the shooting. They did not hesitate and were ready and focus to help those in need. Ms. Negron expressed – “Thank you to the whole Rhodes mental health providers staff (Ohio Guidestone & Families First Health Services) that helped Rhodes campus cope with what happened and still provide their excellent customer service to all they come in contact with.” Our Humanware Team who works closely with these community partners were also in agreement of this nomination and the supports provided.