Superintendent
Announces 2007 Employee Service Award Winners
May 24, 2007
Dr. Doug Otto presented four Plano ISD employees with his Eighth
Annual Superintendent’s Service Award at the school district’s
service and retirement event held in March.
Among 55 nominees, the four winners were selected
for their dedication,
commitment
and
effort
to
rise above and beyond expectations.
Meet the Winners
Charles “Chuck” Chiamulera
Haggard Middle School
FANS Manager
 "My
proudest accomplishment with Plano ISD has been working with and
getting
to know students from all backgrounds, cultures and personal tragedies. Most
recently was Hurricane Katrina and the difficult circumstances
in which children were thrown into a new environment, a new state
and a new school. While I saw the anxiety and tears in the eyes
trying to adjust to a whole new world from what they once knew,
I couldn't help
but want to ease their fear by becoming someone they could trust.
I have worked every day to make them feel they are special, not
alone and that someone really does care and love them for who they
are and what they can become.
"A memory that is fresh on my mind is when one female student
came through my line every day, not looking up and certainly not
smiling at anyone. One day, I received my first smile and hug from
her. It was at this point, she and I both teared up because we
knew she would make it here at Haggard.
My kids with special needs bring warmth, love and an ever-burning
desire to make the life they have here a daily joy. Nothing says
you make
a difference like a child looking for you just to give you a hug
and a high five every morning before going to class.
"I decorate my cafeteria and wait to see the joy it brings the
students who get to touch, hug and have a picture taken with Tigger,
Frosty, a friendly ghost or just shake hands with "Big Tex" (aka
Mr. Chuck) during "Fair Days at the Cafe."
Serving lunch is my second job here at Haggard. Putting even one
smile on the face of a child is my true passion. Truly making a
difference in someone's life is my driving force. After all, isn't
that why we are really here in Plano ISD?"
Delia "Dee" Garza
Shepard Elementary office Manager
"I take a lot of pride in all of my responsibilities,
so it is difficult to pinpoint a proudest accomplishment. As an
employee
of Plano ISD, I feel my utmost duty is to support my principal
and staff in their efforts to educate our students to higher levels
of success and the fulfillment of learning.
"I have successfully coordinated our United Way campaign for the
last two years, along with the Plano ISD Education Foundation Employee
Campaign. These are two great organizations that help so many
people and contribute to school programs for which I feel
privileged to help
collect money.
"I also volunteer to work with two fourth graders after school
to prepare for TAKS testing. I will be thrilled to see the successful
results of our joint efforts.
"Shepard Elementary, in partnership with Washington Mutual, offers
a school savings plan that I coordinate once a month. It's a wonderful
experience teaching participating students 'high finance' when
they bring in their money to place in their savings accounts.
"All of these experiences make me proud to serve in Plano ISD,
but the joy I receive from watching the seeds of knowledge that
are planted and nurtured in our students each day, and knowing
I had a small part in fostering their growth, are priceless."
Dollie Thomas
Human Resources Specialist
"One of
my proudest moments, to date (I have much living ahead), was
as a crisis aide at Shepton High School, shadowing a young
lady. She had been tested and was a certified genius; however,
she had no life other than study, all day, every day. She was
not very happy, and one day she tried to end her life.
"This action resulted
in a brain injury that made it extremely hard to maintain her
previous level of academics and problems with anorexia and bulimia.
To make a long story short, she and I had a strained relationship
because I had to make sure she ate and that she did not disturb
her classmates. But my goal was to,
whenever possible, make sure she (and her parents) knew she was
valued and had value still.
"After I was hired
as a permanent employee, I had to say goodbye to my charge and
her parents. I often wondered what happened to her, and as God
usually does, he showed me. One day I was in Collin Creek Mall
with my family, and I heard, 'Ms. Thomas! Ms. Thomas!' I turned
and I was immediately embraced. She thanked me for not giving
up on her, and she told me she was fine now. And her father thanked
me also.
"I am a firm believer
that an encouraging word goes a long way, and, who knows, it
may save someone's life.
That lesson in balance
has produced many successes. Another one in particular is the
community based residents activist group my sister and I formed,
The Douglass Community Residents Group. Our purpose is to empower
residents who may feel powerless, thus empowering a community
to be a productive resource to the city and themselves.
"Our first project was
to refurbish houses in the community in need of repair, or tear
down properties that are beyond rehabilitation. To date, we have
two new homes being built, several vacant homes are in our plans
to repair and we've made sure all the residents are current in
their property taxes and that the taxes are fair.
"We are working in conjunction
with Christ United Methodist Church and Habitat for Humanity
to train the residents in the Douglass Community to do minor
and major home repairs. We will eventually partner with the churches
in the Douglass Community to build homes in Douglass and in other
communities in need.
"We do not want to give
handouts, but to change the mind sets of the people to WANT
MORE, feel deserving and to give them the tools to WORK FOR IT.
"I do not take pride
in anything I accomplish for myself but in helping others to
achieve."
Luz Dalia B. Valentin
Sigler Elementary Bilingual Teacher Assistant
Although I have been part of Plano ISD for only 3 1/2 years, I
can tell that I am blessed because I know I am finally where I
belong. The thing that makes me most proud is the ability to use
my knowledge and skills to assist the children. Perhaps one day
the children I have taught will become important citizens in our
society.
"Day after day, I see the fruition of my work when a child understands
and enjoys the work that he is producing. I feel proud of myself
when I see the smile of a child showing me his satisfaction and
integrity in his work. It makes me feel happy and it brightens
my day when a student feels confidence in me and shares his or
her
accomplishments with
me.
"One of my greatest challenges was when I worked with students
that came to the United States who worried about not knowing
a word of English. As an assistant, my role is to assist bilingual
and monolingual teachers in the daily instruction. We work together
to teach our
students to work very hard and to be confident when they move to
the next level.
"I believe that, if we want the 'No Child Left Behind Act' to
work, it is imperative that paraprofessionals, like me, collaborate
with the classroom teacher to ensure that all students receive
a quality education.
Sigler Elementary has served as the step to one of my best accomplishments.
At Sigler, I was part of the team that helped in the revision and
translation of the Saturday School Program curriculum. I was also
given the opportunity to teach a bilingual group of fourth graders.
"Being part of this wonderful program is really an honor for me.
But in addition, I am working in another great program at Sigler
helping the parents in need of learning English as a second language.
Each day that I meet with my adult class, I feel very proud.
"I
can't
wait to see what I will be doing next year. One thing I
can tell you is that, whatever my assignment or mission is this
upcoming year, it will be a challenge that I will accomplish
with great confidence and love."
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