East Pennyroyal News

TC Achievement Award winners announced for December

Congratulations to the December TC Achievement Award winners! The winners were recognized at the Board Meeting on Monday, Dec. 12. 

Deana Willis, Food Service Manager at Taylor County Middle School, is the recipient of the TC Cares Award. She goes above and beyond to serve students and staff and is well respected by the food service employees she leads. Mrs. Willis was nominated by TCMS Principal Neil Sanders. Beyond breakfast and lunch service, she and her crew frequently go the extra mile to prepare food for events like family nights as well, and always do so with a smile on their faces and a love for the students.“I brag on Mrs. Willis all the time, and I know I echo the praises of a lot of administrators and staff as I walk up here to present her with this award,” Mr. Sanders said. “I love Mrs. Willis and what her team does for our kids here, because I know they’re well taken care of every time they walk through that lunch line.”

Cathy Matney, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher at Taylor County Middle School, also received the TC Cares Award.
“Mrs. Matney does so much for the students in her classroom and in our special education program. She is also our RTI Coordinator, she oversees assessment within the realm of special education, and she directs our ESS program,” Mr. Sanders said. “A lot of what she does goes unnoticed unless you’re familiar with the intricate details of her work, and I think she needs to be publicly recognized so it’s clear how much we value and appreciate her and her passion and love for our kids.”
“It’s been wonderful watching her grow as an educator,” Scott Parks, Director of Special Education at Taylor County Schools, said. “To see the achievements of the students in her classroom makes it clear she is invaluable to our program, so this award is well deserved.”
“When my girls were younger, my youngest daughter had to get out at the elementary school every day by herself, and every time she was crying. This was a long time ago, but Mrs. Matney was there in the drop-off line to take her and hold her and love on her,” School Board Member Deana Hunt said. “She was so sweet in the way she talked to her and worked with her each day, so I’ve always loved her. She has always meant so much to me and my family.” 

Dr. Randy Smoot, local dentist and a major sponsor of the Taylor County Wrestling program’s new facilities, is the recipient of the TC Partnership Award.
“When I took the position as head wrestling coach here, we were practicing in a martial arts gym that was barely large enough to fit half a team, much less both the boys and girls teams, so we desperately needed a place to call home,” Spencer Adams, head wrestling coach at TCHS, said. “Dr. Smoot, among others, stepped up to get that done. He’s hard working, committed, and cares about others, and that’s why we’re proud to have his name up on the wall in our new facilities.” 

Original source can be found here.