published: Friday, March 22, 2013

Finalists named for schools award

Staff Report

A team of Lake County School District officials recently visited three employees -- Gina Leake, Rosanne Rodriguez and Doris Weizenecker -- to announce their selection as finalists for the School-Related Employee of the Year.

Employees at each school recently nominated an employee who filled out an application that a panel of judges scored to select the three finalists. To celebrate their selection, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Moxley; Aurelia Cole, chief of administration; Laurie Marshall, executive director of human resources; and Dr. Creed Wheeler, executive director of information technology, surprised the employees at their workplace.

The three finalists are:

-- GINA LEAKE -- A family school liaison from the Title I Department, Leake has nine years of experience in the position. Title I Director Liz Bourdon said Leake is very enthusiastic and creative as she serves as a liaison between school personnel, parents and community agencies to facilitate parent awareness and school involvement. Leake also conducts home visits to provide food, clothing and educational resources.

"She performs her duties above satisfaction and exhibits attention to detail while demonstrating a bright, energetic, and compassionate personality," wrote Rusty Dosh, administrative coordinator for the Title I Department.

-- ROSANNE RODRIGUEZ -- An Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Clerk, Rodriguez has worked for almost five years at East Ridge Middle School. She assists the ESE Department by processing and maintaining specialized ESE records, forms and reports. Rodriguez also provides classroom coverage during meetings and acts as a Spanish interpreter when needed.

"She comes early and stays late," said Charlie McDaniel, principal at East Ridge Middle. "She does everything right the first time. "

-- DORIS WEIZENECKER -- An ESE Clerk, Weizenecker has worked in the position for three years at Tavares Middle School.

"Doris comes to work every day super early and embraces each day with the energy you wish you had yourself every morning," wrote Trella Mott, Principal at Tavares Middle. "Doris embodies true school spirit. She does her job with the greatest of effort and lets no grass grow beneath her feet and keeps busy at all times. "

It is as if Tavares Middle has its own Energizer Bunny."n