By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
When Transportation Director Scott Chapman needs a Barren County Schools bus route covered at the last minute, there’s one person he can always count on — Eastern Elementary’s Willie Bunch.
“Willie has been one of the greatest assets to the department,” Chapman said during the school district’s board of education meeting last week as Bunch was being recognized for his teamwork. “He has been willing to go anywhere that I’ve asked him to go, and he’s never once complained about where he’s going — and I’ve had to change him a couple times of where he was going.
“But he was like: ‘You’ve got it. I’m there. No problem.’”
Chapman said being a substitute bus driver is not easy, “because when I call him and say ‘I need you here,’ he doesn’t know where all the stops are, but he gets it done, and that’s a testament to how serious he takes that job, picking up the kids in this district.”
“He puts in a full day,” Chapman said of Bunch. “Not only does he sub bus drive, he also works at Eastern Elementary.”
Eastern Elementary’s Willie Bunch is recognized for his teamwork during the Barren County Schools Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the district’s central office. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
Eastern Elementary instructional assistant Jane Rock is recognized as the Classified Employee of the Month for skill and knowledge mastery during the Barren County Schools Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the district’s central office. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
Two other staff members were recognized during the board meeting.
Eastern Elementary teacher Melissa Barbour was named the Certified Employee of the Month for her teamwork and Eastern Elementary instructional assistant Jane Rock was recognized as the Classified Employee of the Month for skill and knowledge mastery.
“Jane is the type of person that you can hand a lesson to and know that she is going to ‘rock’ it — no pun intended,” said CheyAnne Fant, who was speaking on behalf of Principal Erika Devore and other Eastern staff members. “She has high expectations for all the students and pushes them to do their absolute best.
“We love the knowledge and initiative of Ms. Jane and the many things she brings to Eastern Elementary.”
Fant said that Rock “truly shows initiative in everything she does.”
“She doesn’t sit by and wait for a need to be filled, she often asks what she can do to help,” Fant said, adding that Rock has been working at Eastern Elementary for 27 years and is the “go-to” person in the district for multi-tiered system of supports, progress monitoring and intervention.
“She not only uses knowledge to help our staff, but she also helps our students each and every day,” Fant said. “If she sees that a student isn’t getting what he or she needs to do to progress, she looks for other resources to help.
“She is a valuable asset to the entire staff and district.”
Barbour has been working at Eastern Elementary for her entire education career, beginning as an instructional assistant in 1999, transitioning to a kindergarten teacher in 2005.
Fant said Barbour exhibits “teamwork in everything that she does.”
“She encourages everyone and is our biggest cheerleader for our students and staff,” Fant said. “She’s not only a reading coach, but she also helps in 21st Century after-school programs, PTO fall festival planning, literacy nights and much more.
“She doesn’t hesitate to pitch in for the good of the school or the students.”
Another coworker said Barbour “genuinely cares for others and consistently thinks of their well-being,” Fant said. “She shows sincere concern for each person that she works with, and for every student who enters the building.”
“As a great mentor, she provides guidance, support, encouragement and she also makes a positive impact on every single person she encounters,” Fant said. “She supports others and fosters a positive environment. Her genuine concern and leadership inspire both her colleagues and her students making her a valuable role model.
“She is the epitome of a team player, in every aspect and is willing to drop whatever she is doing to assist someone in need.”
Eastern Elementary teacher Melissa Barbour is recognized as the Certified Employee of the Month for her teamwork during the Barren County Schools Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the district’s central office. Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
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