EL teacher wins DOVE customer service award
Clinton Public School District
Dr. Tim Martin, Superintendent
(601) 924-7533
Media contact: Sandi Beason, APR
CLINTON — Clinton’s public schools have a diverse student population, including more than 250 children whose first language isn’t English.
These students rely on the English Language Learner program for resources and support in adapting to a new language and culture. One teacher in this program, Michaela Charanza at Clinton Park, works with her colleagues at other schools to highlight EL students in a monthly newsletter, notify parents of upcoming events and tests, and communicate with families on available resources.
“She also recently helped recruit a family who is moving to this area from Ecuador for a job at Continental Tire,” said Public Information Officer Sandi Beason. “The family came to visit and tour our schools, and asked specifically about resources available for their incoming kindergartner who only speaks Spanish.”
“Ms. Charanza met the family at the Clinton Park office and gave a tour of the school — in Spanish — and was able to answer all their questions and make them feel at home.”
Charanza is the recipient of the Clinton Public School District’s Dedication of Our Valued Employees, or DOVE, customer service award for the month of February. She will be recognized at the school board meeting on Tuesday, March 19 at Central Office.
“We work hard to recruit families to our community and we do not take for granted that families coming for jobs at Continental will automatically choose us,” Beason said. “Through Ms. Charanza’s gracious hospitality, one more family chose Clinton and hopefully they will encourage their co-workers to do the same.”
As a DOVE Award winner, Charanza will receive gift cards from Cock-of-the-Walk restaurant, Playtime Entertainment and Chick-fil-A of Clinton.
The DOVE Award is given each month during the school year to an employee who goes above and beyond in showing customer service to students, parents and the community. A five-member DOVE award selection committee chooses each winner from a pool of nominations.
Anyone can nominate a CPSD employee via the online form on www.clintonpublicschools.com. DOVE Award recipients will be formally recognized at school board meetings, on district announcements and in The Clinton Courier.