School District 191 Names Employees of the Year

Editor’s Note: This is a press release from School District 191.

Five employees of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 have been selected to be the 2012 Employees of the Year. 

They were nominated by coworkers and selected based upon outstanding job performance and attitude as well as the ways their actions have benefited students, colleagues and the school district. 

The Employees of the Year are:

• Tracy Smith, Food Service, in Burnsville;

• Glen Johnson, Custodial, in Savage;

• Judy Berndt, Clerical, Adult Basic Education, Community Education in Burnsville;

• Linda Hoks, Educational Assistant, .

• Denise Engberg, Educational Assistant, in Burnsville.

Editor’s Note: Here is more information from the district's website about each honored employee.

TRACY SMITH
• Tracy Smith demonstrates quality customer service every day as the cook manager at Sky Oaks Elementary School.
• She takes care of students and staff members as if they are her own family. She strives to learn the names of all 600 students and always has a smile for each of them.
• Tracy advocates healthy eating. She gets students shucking fresh sweet corn, sampling sweet potatoes, enjoying oatmeal, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
• Tracy is innovative. By implementing a grab and go concept, she now has 300 students eating breakfast before they begin their learning day.
• Not only does she exhibit a positive attitude day in and out, she is always willing to help teachers, fellow kitchen staff, and most of all, students.
• It's clear that Tracy loves her job and that Sky Oaks School loves her.

GLEN JOHNSON
• Glen Johnson has been a district employee since 1978 and has worked at Eagle Ridge since the day it opened.
• No one knows more about the school building than Glen. No wonder he demonstrates such a feeling of ownership!
• He is there bright and early to prepare the building for each day. First he raises the flag and then sets up for breakfast to ensure students always have a well lit and clean area to enjoy their food and start the day.
• Co-workers can always count on Glen's assistance. His great attitude, work ethic, dependability and willingness to help are much appreciated.
• Glen is very observant. He sees what needs to be done and does it without being told. He has a dry sense of humor that keeps people laughing.

JUDY BERNDT
• Judy Berndt provides a warm welcome to adults who come to learn English at Adult Basic Education in the District's Community Education Department.
• For people new to the United States, to Minnesota and to Burnsville, there is no better person than Judy to make them feel right at home.
• Judy treats everyone with respect and dignity. She is always the voice of encouragement and affirmation. She makes all students feel like they are the most important of all.Judy is a great organizer and multi-tasker. She handles all of the program's state and federal data and leads the assessment team.
• She tests and places students in classes, she updates class rosters, reminds teachers of data deadlines, and assists in countless other ways to keep the department running smoothly.
• And she does it all with great patience, calmness and skill.

DENISE ENGBERG
• Denise Engberg is a super hero at Sioux Trail Elementary School -- both figuratively and literally.
• Denise is upbeat and full of energy. She multitasks every minute of every day and juggles many roles including media and transportation EA. She runs Computer Club and Student Council and assists with schoolwide testing.
• Students come first for Denise and she encourages and supports their learning in every possible way.
• Denise has a flair for special events, student celebrations and community building days. She has even been known to wear a super hero costume for various occasions.
• Denise has demonstrated a long-time commitment to Sioux Trail, both as a parent and an employee. She is a major promoter of the school and connects students to their community in many ways.

LINDA HOKS
• Linda Hoks takes pride in her job as an educational assistant in the special education department at Burnsville High School.
• She is very conscientious about making sure all tasks are not only done, but done well.
• Care, comfort and success are her major goals when supporting students. Her approach is very gentle, kind and soothing and students respond accordingly.
• Linda is also supportive of students outside the school day. She cheers at their adaptive sports events and applauds at their concerts.
• She assists students at commencement every year and attends nearly every graduation party she is invited to. Linda is a team player, who is always ready to jump in and assist other staff members.
• Linda is a champion when it comes to third-party billing with an expertise that is much appreciated by her coworkers.