Faculty and staff also recognized for years of service
Three Pauls Valley educators were presented with Keys to the City last week for their actions in protecting students and staff at Pauls Valley High School from an armed intruder April 7.
High School Principal Kirk Moore, Assistant Principal Chad Chronister, and teacher and coach Mark Green were honored by the Pauls Valley City Council and Pauls Valley Board of Education, during a May 22 service award presentation for district employees at Pauls Valley Junior High School.
“In moments of crisis, people do not always have time to prepare or plan. They simply act. And on that day, these dedicated employees of the Pauls Valley School System stepped forward without hesitation,” Pauls Valley Mayor Jocelyn Rushing said during the presentation.
“As educators and school employees, they serve incredibly important roles in shaping the future of our community. Every day they provide guidance, support, encouragement and care to the students and families of Pauls Valley,” Rushing said. “On April 7 however, their roles extended beyond the classroom and the school’s walls. They became protectors, leaders and examples of the very best our community has to offer. Heroism is not always found in great speeches or headlines. Sometimes, it’s found in quick decisions, calm leadership and a willingness to put others before yourself. The actions taken that day undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the community’s life. And our community will never forget.”
Superintendent Brett Knight said April 7 is not a day that is going to define the district.
“What defines us is the relationships and our people that existed prior to April 7, and what’s going to happen for many years to come in Pauls Valley.”
Knight also took the opportunity to thank high school faculty and staff who played a critical, but less public, role in responding to the events of April 7.
“When I walked into the gym and we were setting up the reunification point … I saw our teachers and our staff that played an important and critical role in making sure that our kids were safe,” Knight said. “Everyone was playing a part in what was going on, and that’s why a situation that could have been chaotic and crazy – while it still was – it was under control.”
“These guys will be the first to tell you, all the staff did what they needed to do that day,” Knight said, gesturing to Green, Moore and Chronister. “And so, thank you, even to those who haven’t been mentioned. There was some chaos going on, but you handled it well. You were taking care of our kids, and you made sure they got home safe. … Thank you all for what you did to keep our kids safe that day.”
During Friday’s presentation, the district and school board members also took time to honor employees with recognition for their length of service with Pauls Valley Schools.
Employees recognized with years of service pins included Cara Gaddy, Jonathan Wheeler, Irene Amaya, Ricky Jackson, Susan Marchbanks and Charity McCarty for 10 years of service; Sara Rickey and Amy Butler for 15 years of service; Shannon Coates, Erin Elliott and Jill Foster for 20 years of service; Dara Ammons and Karen Taylor for 25 years of service; Christi McCurley, Kim Thompson and Travis Thompson for 30 years of service; and Laura Mantooth for 35 years of service.
Also recognized were retiring employees Julie Carter, Brenda Pyle, Fawn Riddle and Robyn Stapleton.
