Employee of the Month (June 2005)

(from l. to r.) Sam’s Club representatives Angie McCormick and Ron Evans pose with Lettace Lindsey, who was named GCS Employee of the Month for June 2005.

“An advocate for children.” That’s how co-workers describe Lettace Lindsey, a school nutrition assistant who was named Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month for June 2005. Lindsey serves lunch to students, most of whom she knows by name, at Alderman Elementary.

Affectionately referred to as “Ms. T,” Lindsey was nominated by a co-worker who was impressed by her patience in addressing the needs of students, particularly the school’s autistic students. Students who are diagnosed as autistic often have problems with social interaction and have difficulty with verbal and non-verbal communication.

“Ms. T is so very patient with them and lets them take the time to decide what they will be eating,” said Stella Wright, a teacher assistant in Alderman Elementary’s autistic K-2 class. “She will even fix a tray of two lunches for her children who have trouble communicating, so that they will have a choice.”

Ms. T’s commitment doesn’t end in the lunch room. She also works at Alderman’s after- school program and can even be depended upon to take on tasks that aren’t necessarily in her job description.

“One day we had snow, and it was slippery out where the car riders unload,” explained Wright. “Ms. T got a shovel and was scraping out the ice to make it safe for the children to unload and get into school safely.”

As Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month, Lindsey received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, who has partnered with GCS to execute the employee recognition program. Sam’s Club also presented Ms. T with a gift bag at a ceremony held at Alderman Elementary on May 25. The Guilford County Board of Education will recognize Lindsey at its June 14 meeting.  

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 70,000 students at 116 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens who are college/work ready.

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.