December's Outstanding Employees

This month's honorees include a school secretary, help desk technician, behavior redirector, and dean of students

Congratulations to December's honorees:

• Linda Archuleta, Secretary at Eugene Field Elementary School  
• Ernest Carson, Help Desk Technician 
• Anna Flores, Behavior Redirector at Whittier Elementary School 
•  Amy Van Dyke, Dean of Students at Hoover Middle School 

The honorees are being featured on the APS electronic billboards around town and will be recognized by the APS Board of Education, receiving a lasting memento of the honor.

Learn More about December's Honorees

Linda Archuleta, Secretary at Eugene Field ES 

Linda is described as friendly and professional. She is willing to help anyone who needs a hand, from colleagues to parents. If a teacher needs her, she's there. When the principal asks her for a favor, she never says no. You can't find a better person than her.  

"I never see her complain. She is just always giving a helping hand," said clerk Myra Chavez. "She always has a smile."

Ernest Carson, Help Desk Technician 

Ernie is always very kind and patient with those who call the APS Help Desk. He seems to know how to solve a problem the minute it's described. Ernie calms down his callers as he fixes problems remotely. Even though he is very busy, he never seems to be in a hurry and patiently offers help. He goes above and beyond with follow-up emails making sure the problem was addressed. 

"I am delighted to hear Ernie's voice when he answers my call to the Help Desk," said technology teacher Colleen Olstad. Ernie makes me feel like I am the only person on the planet with a problem." 

"Ernie spent several hours over two days on the phone and texting with me to help me set up a desktop to work more efficiently as I work remotely from home," added teacher Mary Zukowski.

Anna Flores, Behavior Redirector at Whittier ES 

Anna is a behavior redirector, but she has taken on so much more, especially this school year. In addition to supporting the teachers and the students in the class, she has set up a tech ticket system to individually assist parents with the struggles of online learning. She has spent countless hours troubleshooting and giving one-on-one help to our families so their children can be successful.  She has called parents of students who have poor attendance to see what supports they need so their children can be in class learning.  She has set up and supported materials distributions that help teachers get supplies and learning materials out to the students so they are more engaged and prepared in their lessons. The list goes on and on. 

Anna also fostered and ultimately adopted four children from Whittier. "On top of all that she is doing for the families at Whittier, she is raising four children, supporting them in their online learning each day," said Whittier Dean of Students Becky Kostelecky. "She is an amazing, caring parent that has given four very deserving children a future."

Amy Van Dyke, Dean of Students at Hoover MS

Amy has been described as the glue that holds the school together. She always goes above and beyond for staff and students. Her job title is Dean of Students, but she wears many hats and helps out wherever she can. For example: 

• She helps parents and students with negative and positive behavior.
• She helps teachers with lesson planning.
• She works in the office wherever needed.
• She works closely with the AVID classes to plan lessons, field trips, and events.
• She assists in parent and community nights.
• She helps plan school events such as assemblies and honor roll.

"Amy's passion and dedication to our school and students are key," said teacher JoAnn Isonhood. "Her light-heartedness and positivity really influence the staff and students at Hoover."

How to Nominate an Employee

You can nominate an employee by filling out an online application. The nomination must be completed by someone other than the nominee (i.e., no self-nominations are eligible for consideration).

 Award recipients will be selected monthly by a Peer Praise Task Force.