What do you like most about working at Indian Hills Elementary?
“The staff over here is great. The people are all nice. It's a really nice school. We have done a lot to keep it up, take care of it, and maintain it to make sure it looks nice. I like this school a lot. It makes it better when you’re at a place where everyone gets along. The teamwork and camaraderie is just really good here.“
Do you think you are leaving an impact on the students with your presence here?
“I would like to think so. I hope so. I like seeing all the students and when they see me they all run up saying, ‘Mr. Garrett! Mr. Garrett!’. It’s cool to see them acknowledge me and it makes me feel good. I hope it makes them feel important too… just talking to them, helping them tie their shoes, or open their milk. I hope I make a good impact on the (students). I hope they see the positive person in me and I try to be a good role model for them.”
How did it make you feel to be named the Classified Employee of the Year for Indian Hills last year?
“I thought that was pretty cool! It feels pretty cool to be acknowledged in that way. To, you know, see the people that I work with to see me that way. It was really awesome. I didn’t expect that, so to be thought of for that (recognition) was really cool.”
How did the students react to knowing that you were named an Employee of the Year?
“A lot of them came up to me to tell me, ‘congratulations’ and wanted to give me a hug. They would tell me how awesome I am. They all wrote little notes for me and stuck them on the MPR windows. It was really nice.”
How does your recognition motivate you in this new school year?
“(The recognition) keeps me going. It keeps me doing the same good job, no matter what it is I’m doing. Whether it’s working at night, helping the kids out, working in the day, or getting classrooms all taken care of, I am always going to give my 100 percent in everything that I do. Getting Classified (Employee) of the Year…motivated me to do an even better job and it was great to know that they see that I am here putting my all in. When I am here, I see this as my home and they are all my family, so I want to take care of them the best I can.”
Photo courtesy of Indian Hills Elementary EMCC Jane Reynolds
