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Second grader Willoughby Melton has improved in may areas this school year. He is working hard to complete his schoolwork to the best of his ability. Willoughby has shown a strong commitment as he has grown in his academics and is a model student in many other ways. He listens, completes all his work, and perseveres each day. If you meet him in person, he never meets a stranger. Everyone he meets has to hear about NASCAR and the Titanic. He is an avid historian and will discuss many other topics of history with you, including World War II, natural disasters, and Dolly Parton. He often shares his opinion, but is respectful when doing so. Willoughby is also very creative with is storytelling. He has overcome many obstacles in his life since birth to become the student he is today. Grays Chapel Elementary School is proud to honor Willoughby Melton as our STAR3 Student for April.

Jenee is in her 9th year of teaching, mostly in 5th grade. She lives right here in the Grays Chapel community and started her teaching career as a long-term sub. If you walked into Mrs. Ford's classroom, you would see the Growth Mindset at work. She is highly organized and provides lessons that are engaging and challenging for her students. She loves to differentiate for her students no matter what subject. Mrs. Ford has become a remote teaching master here on our staff. Words that describe Mrs. Ford is that she is enthusiastic, caring, loving, proud, and excited about education everyday! She believes strongly in collaboration with her team and all stakeholders involved. Mrs. Ford strives to have open communication with her team, students, and parents. She has been a very valued addition this year to the Grays Chapel teaching staff. We are proud to call Jenee Ford our Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022!

As our school counselor, Alex Ortowski, serves and supports our students and teachers in many ways with such care and passion. First and most importantly her positive, can do attitude is most recognizable and it draws people to her. She has a very compassionate heart, and wants to help our students grow and achieve to their maximum level in their classroom academics and in their social-emotional development. She communicates and works very effectively with our teachers, staff and parents.

Ms. O provides a collaborative and positive culture here at school among all staff members. She meets with our students through her guidance classes each week, individually, and in small groups to help them work through academic challenges, friendship issues, or other social-emotional issues they are facing. Ms. Ortowski has taken a leadership role this school year by taking over as our Chairperson for our MTSS Team and is already making a positive impact in meeting our student's needs.

Mrs. O shares our "Kudos" staff celebrations each week via email with the great things that are going on at Grays Chapel. We are so thankful for her positivity and problem solving each and every day! Ms. O eagerly embraces other additional roles as our 504 Chairperson and parent liaison in following up and encouraging and offering solutions to remote students/families issues in this Covid environment! She also shares great ideas and creativity with our staff in making teaching and learning more fun and engaging here at GC!!

Ms. Ortowski’s commitment to the students and staff at Grays Chapel is immeasurable. Ms. Ortowski is greatly respected, valued, and appreciated by our staff. We are proud to honor Alex Ortowski as our Distinguished Educator for 2020-2021!

Since coming to Grays Chapel Elementary School last November, Greg Huff, our head custodian, has had a major impact on improving the cleanliness, beauty, and overall aesthetics of our school buildings and campus. Mr. Huff has taken charge as a servant leader as he works hand in hand with our other custodians each day to make sure our hallways, classrooms, and grounds look their best. Mr. Huff is building positive relationships with the custodial staff and has quickly earned the admiration and respect of our full school staff. On his duty each morning, he speaks to each student that walks by and has often impacted their day by his kind words of encouragement or helping hand. Mr. Huff is always in search of ways to improve our school facility and campus. He also notices the little things that have made a huge impact in advancing a positive culture at school. We are so fortunate and pleased to have Mr. Huff with us at Grays Chapel Elementary School! We are proud to celebrate Greg Huff as our Outstanding Employee for 2020-2021!

Mission

Willoughby Melton, 2nd Grade

Jenee Ford

Teacher of the Year

Alex Ortowski

Distinguished Educator

Greg Huff

Outstanding Employee

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