
DeSoto
Independent School District personnel returned to work to kick off the spring
2025 semester for staff development and were greeted with a surprise staff
assembly on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 inside the DeSoto High School auditorium to
recognize outstanding staff members for their hard work and dedication to
upholding district messaging and values.. The district held a special awards
ceremony as a launch to the staff-focused Triple-A
Experience culture and climate initiative centered around the following:
Acceptance – Creating an inclusive environment where all staff
feel valued and respected.
Affirmation – Reinforcing the strengths and successes of staff to
build confidence and motivation and Appreciation – Recognizing and
valuing the efforts and contributions of staff to foster a positive atmosphere.
Aspiration – Encouraging a forward-thinking culture focused on
growth, innovation, and achieving shared goals.
The
event celebrated outstanding staff members for their hard work and dedication
to upholding district values while introducing new focal points in the district’s
organizational culture by bringing together teachers, administrators, and
support staff from across the district fostering camaraderie and
recognition.
“I want to express my deep gratitude
to each of you for your transformative work for our children,” said DeSoto ISD
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Usamah Rodgers wrote in a post-event staff
letter.
“As the super proud
Superintendent, celebrating the individuals who make magic happen throughout
our district daily brings me immense joy. Even if we didn't call your name
during our first ever mid-year award ceremony, I appreciate everything you do
for our school community.”
To
launch the staff Triple-A Experience initiative, departmental leaders issued
awards celebrating highly productive and resourceful staff members with the
“Get Stuff Done” award and collaborative and supportive personnel with a
team-oriented demeanor with the “Service Above Self’ recognition.
Campus
leaders were given the opportunity to recognize staff in areas valuable to
culture, climate and organizational success with the following awards:
Culture
Creator: Personnel
who create collaborative and inclusive spaces in the work setting, increasing
positivity and productivity by bringing others together
Data Dominator (Teacher): Personnel who demonstrated great skill, aptitude and
strategy regarding student data trends and academic performance
MVP Award: Personnel who demonstrate utilitarian value and overall improvement of
work environment, duties and support of others
People
Whisperer:
Personnel who demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills to
encourage buy-in, troubleshoot conflict and encourage collaboration and
solutions to create safe, inclusive and supportive spaces
In her message to staff, Rodgers wrote, “As
we begin the spring semester, let's keep in mind that:
· It
takes the collaborative effort of every person in our district to create the
signature Triple-A experience for our students AND staff.
· The
Central Office is committed to providing excellent service so you can do the
same for students and families.
· By
seeing each other's efforts, fostering respect and love, and nurturing
authentic relationships, we can intentionally move the needle for our students
and achieve our district goals.:
Rodgers
went on to reiterate, “Our collective synergy can propel us forward as we
continue to build on DeSoto ISD's rich legacy with a laser-sharp emphasis on
soaring higher by:
· Maximizing
resources, time, and talent,
· Sharing
the many stories of excellence within our district, and
· Being
judicious and practical in our spending.”
Any shift in focus
could jeopardize our ability to serve the children of DeSoto, and that's a risk
we can't take. We've faced challenges, but as eagles do, we will rise and soar
higher than ever before.”
District Awards
Teaching & Learning:
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Tarsha Lunkin, Director of
Professional Development
Sonja Batiste, District Data
Strategist
Service Above Self Award:
Calvin Green, Director of
College Driven Gear Up
Emmaletta Clark, District
PEIMS Clerk
Communications:
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Jacquinette Murphy
Service Above Self Award:
Yulonda Smith

Human Capital Management:
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Nikki Braggs, Coordinator,
Compensation and Position Control
Service Above Self Award:
Jennifer Martinez, Specialist,
Records Management
Finance:
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Ron Carter, Accounting
Director
Service Above Self Award:
Andrea Hall, Executive Assistant

Student Support Services: Gene Morrow
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Metric Manning, Restorative
Discipline and Positive Behavior Coordinator
Service Above Self Award:
John Nobles, Positive Behavior
Aide

Operations (Plant Services,
Security):
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Ernesto Yrlas, Maintenance
Supervisor
Service Above Self Award:
Olen Riden, Security Officer

Technology:
GSD - Get Stuff Done Award:
Rolando Sustaita, Systems
Engineer
Service Above Self Award:
Everette Ligon, System Support
Specialist

Amber Terrace Early Childhood
Learning Center Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Reginia Dean, Pre-K 4 Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Natasha Neely, Pre-K 3 and 4
Montessori Teacher
MVP Award: Laurel Rome, Lead Custodian
People Whisperer: Christiana Crawford, PreK 4
Instructional Assistant

Woodridge Elementary Campus
Awards:
Culture Creator: Joi Duncan, Art Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Elivia Taylor, 3rd Grade Math
Teacher
MVP Award: Camille Hooper, Admin.
Assistant
People Whisperer: Kamie Horton, Receptionist

Cockrell Hill Elementary
Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Cynthia Garcia,
Administrative Assistant
Data Dominator (Teacher): Maria Isabella Rodriguez, 2nd
Grade Bi-lingual Teacher
MVP Award: LaMonica Jackson, Kindergarten
Teacher
People Whisperer: Cheryl Brookins, Counselor

The Meadows Elementary Campus
Awards:
Culture Creator: Keely Stanley, Art Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Aaron Jackson, 5th Grade Math
Teacher
MVP Award: Danielle Moore, ISS Aide
People Whisperer: Malaika Gillespie, Counselor

Frank D. Moates Elementary
Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Melissa Berrey, 4th Grade
SLAR/ELAR Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Michelle Kelly, 3rd Grade
Self-Contained Teacher
MVP Award: Kevin Lubbe, PE
People Whisperer: Hortencia Benavides,
Administrative Assistant

Ruby Young Talented and Gifted
Academy Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Sherry Thomas, SPED Aide
Data Dominator (Teacher): Shirlene Duncan, Teacher
MVP Award: Jasmine Handsome, AVID Site
Coordinator
People Whisperer: Theresa Whitlock,
Receptionist

Katherine Johnson Technology
Magnet Academy Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Sabrina Mayberry,
Kindergarten Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): LaKesha Jackson, ELAR 6th-8th
Grade Teacher
MVP Award: Diana Koehler, Principal
People Whisperer: Harvey Wilburn, SRO

Curtistene S. McCowan Middle
School Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Twynette Anderson, Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Erick Jemerson, Teacher
MVP Award: Taylor Pleasant, Teacher
People Whisperer: Talton Terry, SPED Teacher
Aide

DeSoto West Middle School
Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Wykennia Heiskell, 6th Grade
Science / Team Lead
Data Dominator (Teacher): Shaun Johnson, 8th Grade
Math/Algebra I / Team Lead
MVP Award: Dominique Mundy, 7th Grade
Employability Skills / Team Lead
People Whisperer: Trina Richard, Inclusion
Teacher / Team Lead
DeSoto High School Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Devonte Daniels, CTE Instructor
Culture Creator: Bettye Williams, Finance Clerk
Data Dominator (Teacher): Patrice Powell, CTE
Instructor
Data Dominator (Teacher): Brian Beck-Smith, Math
Instructor
MVP Award: Nikena Madison, CTE Instructor
MVP Award: Rene Sears, WINGS Instructor
People Whisperer: Attilah Ruffin, SPED Instructor
People Whisperer: Braxton Holeman, SPED Instructor

Collegiate Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Bouthenavy Nolen, Administrative Assistant
Data Dominator (Teacher): Keyondra Fox, Biology Teacher
MVP Award: Britanny Williams, Administrative Assistant
People Whisperer: Claudia Henderson, Attendance Clerk

DAEP Campus Awards:
Culture Creator: Monique Wyatt, Math Teacher
Data Dominator (Teacher): Renetia Coline, Elementary
Teacher
MVP Award: Briana Williams, Counselor
People Whisperer: Lashanda Brown, Security
See Event Photos Here