Following the end of another successful school year, the School District of Manatee County would like to acknowledge the support employees who make an exceptional contribution to our schools.
They work behind the scenes to ensure that our teachers, administrators and students receive the support they need to succeed.
Trikina Johnson from Oneco Elementary was a recipient of May's Good News Support Heroes recognition.
In March 2023, we launched our Good News Support Heroes campaign.
We asked administrators to nominate support staff who inspire positive teamwork at our schools and worksites.
From March through May, two Good News Support Heroes received a surprise visit and a gift card provided by the Manatee Education Foundation.
Pamela Stone from Braden River Elementary was a recipient of May's Good News Support Heroes recognition.
All nominees received a letter of thanks, a certificate and two free treats provided by our community business partners, Jeremiah’s Ice of Bradenton and Jeremiah’s Ice of Lakewood Ranch.
A certificate of appreciation, letter of thanks and free treat certificates for district transportation staff.
We would also like to thank all of our school bus drivers, bus aides, dispatchers, mechanics and other transportation support staff for going the extra mile year round.
Outside of the regular school year, they work hard to transport students to summer programs across Manatee County.
We hope to expand this recognition program in the future with support from our community business partners.
Congratulations – and THANK YOU to all of our 2023 Good News Support Heroes!
*denotes gift card winner
Debbie Ackaway, Technology Manager at Myakka City Elementary
Linda Applegate, Clerical at Palma Sola Elementary
Myriam Avila, ESOL Aide at Braden River Middle
Carly Baez, Senior School Secretary at Oneco Elementary
Christy Bickel, ESE Teacher Aide at Palma Sola Elementary
Lisa Blakemore, Senior School Secretary/Bookkeeper at Witt Elementary
Richard Brabandt, Head Custodian at Gullett Elementary
Lisa Camuto, Senior School Secretary/Bookkeeper at Harvey Elementary
Jaclyn Carrington, ASD Paraprofessional at Willis Elementary
Alex Coyne, Paraprofessional at Bashaw Elementary*
Michelle Cramer, Paraprofessional at Braden River Elementary
Jocelyn Draper, Cafeteria Manager at Moody Elementary
Susan Faller, Senior School Secretary, Braden River High
Hank Funderburk, School Bus Driver at Matzke Support Center
Jennifer Gallop, Head Custodian at Bayshore Elementary
Raquel Gonzalez, Front Desk Clerk at Blackburn Elementary
Yvonne Graham, Paraprofessional at Palma Sola Elementary
Yolanda Hunter, Paraprofessional at Johnson K-8
James Hysmith, Paraprofessional at Williams Elementary
Kerline Ilfra, School Nurse at Lincoln Memorial Middle*
Angela Jackson, Paraprofessional at Mills Elementary
Jennifer Johnson, Cafeteria Manager at Sea Breeze Elementary
Susie Johnson, ESE Paraprofessional at Braden River Elementary
Trikina Johnson, Registrar at Oneco Elementary*
Jennifer Joseph, Registrar at Haile Middle
Barbara Kemper, School Secretary at Manatee Technical College
Connie Kiser, Bookkeeper/Guidance Clerk at Lee Middle
Caryn Lang, Attendance Clerk at Dr. Mona Jain Middle
Wendy Loge, Executive Secretary at Walter E. Miller Support Center
Sandra Marines, Migrant Advocate at Professional Support Center
Danielle McClellan, Testing Coordinator at Southeast High
Daurice Mescall, Paraprofessional at Daughtrey Elementary
Kris Miller, School Nurse at Willis Elementary
Violet Negron, Attendance Clerk at Lee Middle
Dr. Mitcheal Pearl, Behavior Technician at Professional Support Center
Jayrodd Poole, Behavior Technician at Oneco Elementary
Amy Potts, ESE Aide at Palma Sola Elementary
Amanda Quirino, PreK Paraprofessional at Blackburn Elementary
Jenny Rodriguez, Administrative Secretary at Professional Support Center
Mayra Roblero-Rodriguez, ESOL Paraprofessional at Palmetto Elementary
Magda Rothenberger, ESOL Aide at Tara Elementary*
Estelle Sailles, ESE Paraprofessional at Manatee Elementary
Pamela Stone, ESE/ASD Paraprofessional at Braden River Elementary*
Suzanne Theiss, Senior School Secretary at Southeast High
Tacarra Thomas, HR Specialist at Walter E. Miller Support Center
Elizabeth Trujillo, Custodian at Palma Sola Elementary*
Sally Tyson, Secretary at Palma Sola Elementary
Isabel Arango-Torrejon, ESOL Aide at Lee Middle
Gloria Velez, Head Custodian at Abel Elementary
Jenny Voss, 1:1 ESE Paraprofessional at Palma Sola Elementary
Aaron Weicht, School Support Specialist at Palmetto Elementary
Nicole Wells, School Nurse at Braden River Elementary
Janet Wheeler, Paraprofessional at Abel Elementary
Lauryne Young, Paraprofessional at Miller Elementary
