Employee of the Month (July 2006)

Sam’s Club Representative Steve Drewry presents Linda Helle, an office support specialist in GCS’ Athletics department, a $50 gift card. Linda was named Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month for July 2006.

She not only impacts student’s lives, she saves them. Linda Helle has been on a two-year crusade to place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. An office support specialist in GCS’ Athletics department, Helle has written numerous grants. She’s contacted countless businesses and community associations. She has done all this to create awareness and organize donations to purchase this life-saving piece of medical equipment.

This morning, in front of cheering co-workers, Helle was notified that she was selected as the district’s Employee of the Month for July 2006.

“I’m humbled,” Helle said of the Employee of the Month award. “There are so many hard working employees in Guilford County Schools. To be singled out is so humbling.”

Because of Helle’s efforts, 27 schools are now equipped with AEDs. But she’s not finished yet. Indeed, this tireless crusader won’t rest until every school offers an AED to students and staff who might need it.

Recently at Western High School, a student’s life was saved because the school was equipped with AED equipment.

“The incident at Western underscored the importance of having this equipment available in every school,” said Helle.

The Employee of the Month received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program. In addition, Helle will be recognized by the Guilford County Board of Education at its July 11, 2006 meeting.

For more information, or to donate to Guilford County Schools’ AED initiative, contact Linda Helle at 370-8388.

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.