Outstanding November Employees

This month's honorees include a health assistant, a locksmith shop supervisor, an APS clothing bank special projects coordinator, and an athletic trainer.

Albuquerque Public Schools is filled with dedicated professionals who devote their time and talent to helping the district meet the needs of students.

For the sixth year, the district recognizes at least a few of these outstanding employees through the Employee Recognition Program.

All staff members employed for at least six months can be nominated, though we ask that you not nominate yourself.

November’s Honorees

• Wendy Berman
• Fred Frazier
• Erin Chavez
• Kiyun Lynch

The honorees are being featured on APS electronic billboards around town and will have an opportunity to visit with Superintendent Scott Elder or his representative. They also will receive a lasting memento.

Nominate an APS employee!

Learn More About November’s Nominees

Wendy Berman – Health Assistant, Arroyo del Oso Elementary School

Being a health assistant is a difficult job that requires critical thinking and good communication.

Wendy Berman is able to communicate the needs of students with those who need the information. She has developed a relationship with many Arroyo del Oso families. And she is kind and caring to students who have communication deficits, working hard to understand and care for these students when verbal cues are limited.

“She goes above and beyond her job to make sure the students are well taken care of and the parents are communicated with appropriately,” her boss says. “She is a valuable member of the Arroyo del Oso team.”

Fred Frazier – Locksmith Shop Supervisor, Maintenance & Operations

Fred Frazier has worked in the APS Locksmith Shop for 19 years, and as an acting supervisor for the past seven years. He always goes out of his way to ensure that every school in the district gets its door locks and gates fixed or replaced in a timely manner because he knows that the safety of students and teachers is at stake.

“Everybody knows him as friendly ‘Jess,’ and you will never catch him without a smile on his face and willing to help anyone at any time,” says one person who works with him. “He has dedicated his career to being a phenomenal master locksmith here at APS and makes friends wherever he goes.”

Beyond that, he’s an excellent boss, mentor, coworker, friend “and an all-around great person!”

“I think he is an excellent example of a stellar employee who has devoted his life to not only being a good locksmith and helping staff and students at all the schools but also helping his fellow coworkers and friends at work,” said the person who nominated him. “We need this type of community and kindness in the world now more than ever.”

Erin Chavez – Special Projects Coordinator, APS Clothing Bank

She has boundless compassion, and she frequently drops everything to help those in need. Erin Chavez is a special projects coordinator at the APS Clothing Bank, and she always comes through when students or staff are experiencing an emergency.

“She works at the clothing bank and I work at an elementary school that has many, many families and students living in poverty or in homeless shelters,” said the person who nominated Chavez. “I have had to call on her services many times.

“Even though this is the nature of her work, she is always smiling, courteous, generous, and friendly. All of the staff at the clothing bank are wonderful. Always ready and willing to help our community of schools and our students!”

Kiyun Lynch – Athletic Trainer, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School

Athletic trainers are the unsung heroes of athletics. They are responsible for all high school student-athletes, and when something goes wrong during a game, they’re the ones who spring into action.

That’s exactly what happened in August when a varsity football player suffered a serious injury during a game at Milne Stadium. Kiyun Lynch, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School’s athletic trainer, immediately recognized the seriousness of the injury and got to work.

He assessed the player, treated him, and prepared him to be transported to the hospital.

“His athletic training education, years of experience, and calm nature allowed him to help this individual so that his injury didn’t go from bad to worse,” a fellow athletic trainer said.