The Pursuit of Excellence award is presented to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. Congratulations to the following employees who are the recipients of the January 2025 Pursuit of Excellence Award.
Amy Taylor
School Counselor at Oak Hill Middle School
Mrs. Taylor is working in her seventh year for the Baldwin County School District. She currently works as the School Counselor at Oak Hill Middle School.
Mrs. Taylor was nominated by her colleague, Bermisha Smith. Ms. Smith had the following to say, “Our Counselor Lead, Mrs. Amy Taylor has extensive years in School Counseling, she is very dedicated to Oak Hill. Through her years of service, she has trained and mentored many Counseling staff members and guided them into the profession. Mrs. Taylor should be recognized not only for her tenacious spirit and dedication to Oak Hill and the district but also for her skill set, her openness to support and help others, and her leadership capabilities. Mrs. Taylor is loved not only by her grade level but by the whole school due to her dependability and her cool creations. It is an honor to recommend her for everything she does for our district, both seen and unseen. She demonstrates the Counselor Keys faithfully year after year. Way to go, Mrs. Taylor!”
Mrs. Taylor, thank you for being the epitome of excellence!
Amber Meyer
PE Teacher at Midway Hills Primary
Ms. Meyer is working in her eighth year for the Baldwin County School District. She currently works as PE Teacher at Midway Hills Primary.
Ms. Meyer was nominated by her colleague, Crystal Smith. Ms. Smith had the following to say, “Coach Meyer has been working as our PE instructor at MHP for many years. She has made it her personal mission to make physical education fun and accessible for all students, regardless of their athletic ability. She plans exercises and games that are fun, engaging, age-appropriate and promote cooperation and critical thinking. She reaches across the curriculum to include activities that include math, reading, and STEAM standards in PE to ensure students are getting the most well-rounded physical education possible. Coach Meyer absolutely adores the students, and they love her, too. She doesn't need seating charts to know each and every student's name, and she takes the time to build a relationship with each of them, which is a feat considering she teaches every child in our school. She has been an integral part of our school and deserves to be recognized for her dedication and hard work, and I am so proud to call her both my colleague and my friend. ”
Ms. Meyer, thank you for being a shining example of excellence!
Sha’dra Cleveland
Special Education Paraprofessional at Midway Hills Academy
Ms. Cleveland is working in her sixth year with the Baldwin County School District. She currently works as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Midway Hills Academy.
Ms. Cleveland was nominated by her colleague, Mrs. Alexis Hall-Jones. Mrs. Hall-Jones had the following to say, “Shadra Cleveland is a team player, humanitarian, and an integral part of our MHA family. She presents with a solution-oriented growth mindset, a welcoming but energetic demeanor, and a radiant smile that exudes friendly support. The students love her because she consistently motivates them to succeed and reach higher heights. She has done wonders with the young ladies on the MHA Drill Team. She is a parent member of our MHA Governance Team. She is always willing to help and volunteer. She is a team member who works hard to maintain a positive work environment conducive to collaboration and achieving objectives. Noteworthy, she has great initiative. If something needs to be done, she will do it and do it well. It is a blessing to work with someone who is so excited about working in the field of education.”
Ms. Cleveland, thank you for being a model of excellence!
James McMillan
Director of Bands at Baldwin High School
Mr. McMillan is working in his ninth year for the Baldwin County School District. He currently works as Band Director at Baldwin High School.
Mr. McMillan was nominated by his colleague, Robyn Meeks. Ms. Meeks had the following to say, “James goes above and beyond for all of his students when he teaches them music in the classroom. He helps students become responsible and as well as student leaders in the classroom as well as on and off the marching field. He works hard and loves what he does for the band program and to inspire his students. Mr. McMillan has inspired many of his students and formal students to pursue a career in music education after they graduate high school. Mr. McMillan has not only been a colleague but also a great friend to the fine arts department and other staff members. I enjoy working alongside him and seeing his passion for teaching band.”
Mr. McMillan, thank you for being a model of excellence!
About the Pursuit of Excellence Award
The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) Pursuit of Excellence Award is an employee recognition program. This award is presented monthly to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. A maximum of four employees will be chosen monthly and recognized during the regular Baldwin County Board of Education Meeting. Employees may be cited for a single act or long-term excellence. Any Baldwin County School District employee is eligible for nomination if they have not previously received the award. Teams or groups are not eligible for recognition. Nominations may be made by any BCSD employee, student, parent, or community member. Nominations are due by the fourth Tuesday of each month. Click here to access the nomination form.
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