Employee of the Month (June 2006)

Sam’s Club Representative Steve Drewry presents Tracy Smith of Murphey Traditional Academy a $50 gift card. Tracy was named Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month for June 2006.

No problem is too big or small for Tracy Smith. Whether it’s a request from a colleague or a student, the treasurer at Murphey Traditional Academy cheerfully complies with a smile and often finds creative ways to get it done. When a key to an important poster case was lost, Smith asked a family friend to come to the school to open the case and replace the lock. The friend, a locksmith, was there within an hour. When the school had an opportunity to join a Christmas parade, Smith enlisted the help of her husband who filled the bed of his truck with hay and hitched an additional float in the back so that the school’s fourth-grade students could participate. Despite her workload after the school’s dismissal, Smith keeps a watchful eye on students whose parents are late in picking them up. She keeps crayons, markers and paper on hand to keep them occupied as they wait for their parents to arrive. Before departing one day, a student whose parent was delayed ran up to Smith with a hug and said, “I love you. I will see you tomorrow.”  Tracy Smith represents the stability and commitment that employees at Murphey strive to give to their students.

Amid the cheers of 380 children—the entire student body of Murphey Traditional Academy, Tracy Smith was named Guilford County Schools’ Employee of the Month for June 2006. The surprise announcement was made this afternoon in the school’s auditorium this afternoon.

“I’m so humbled,” said Smith. “I love the students, staff and parents here. They make it very easy to do my job.”

The Employee of the Month will receive a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program.

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 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.