PBIS has announced November Staff Member of the Month and Student of the Month.

Fellow science teachers Melissa Beaulieu, Amy Hinote, and Samantha Krage nominated AP Environmental Science and Gifted Biology teacher Staci Killingsworth. She was chosen because of how she has stepped up in fellow science teacher’s absence. 

“She made sure the sub had everything they needed,” Krage said. “She is understanding but also strict … students respect her for that.” 

Other staff members nominated were English teachers Whitney Shoemaker and Lela Crowder, social studies teachers Sean Hickey and Taylor Sweeney, special education teachers Juliana Wright, Amy Evert, and Kendra Woods, paraprofessional Lynn Peterson, coaches Chad Walker and Brent Moseley, and Resource Officer Zane Taylor.

Math teacher Emily Sweeney nominated senior Quinn Cognac as Upperclassman of the Month. Cognac was chosen for being a hardworking student and a good person. 

“He always hangs back every class period to help pick up the calculators,” Sweeney said. “I thought that showed that he was responsible and a good kid.”

Other upperclassmen nominees included junior Cody Isbell and senior Ollie Norckauer.

English teacher and journalism advisor Justin Spencer nominated sophomore Layne Johnston as Underclassman of the Month. She was nominated due to being a responsible learner and having a positive impact on her peers. 

“I observed the way she takes notes while reading and the way that she interacts with the text,” Spencer said. “That set a really good example for her peers.”

Other underclassmen nominated were sophomores Khyler Rogers, Cristina Johnson, and Wisdom Potter, and freshman Charley Moore.

Once a month Elise Heaton, the assistant principal in charge of PBIS, sends out a link to the staff so that they can nominate teachers and students on their good mannerism. The PBIS committee, composed of Heaton, a PBIS coach, and other staff, voted on the PBIS staff and students of the month. 

“The PBIS program at Starr’s Mill helps us focus on the three core values that we want all of our students and staff to exhibit on a daily basis: respect, accountability, and responsibility,” assistant principal Elise Heaton. “So with PBIS and focusing on these three things we can celebrate the positive things going on in our building instead of the negative things, which will hopefully encourage others to show those positive values as well.”