VCS Employees Honored with Support Staff of the Year Awards

Volusia County Schools and the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools announced the 2024 Support Staff of the Year Awards (SSOY) winners during recent surprise visits to their work sites.

The school-based SSOY recipient is Robin Nestok, School Way Café Manager at Citrus Grove Elementary in DeLand. This year’s non-school-based SSOY recipient is Karen Tubb, office specialist at DeLand Student Transportation Services.

Nestok has worked for the district for 18 years, 13 of which have been at Citrus Grove. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing all facets of cafeteria operations and works closely with her dedicated team to deliver exceptional service to 845 students each day. In nominating her for this award, Principal Jennifer Williams says “Robin is the epitome of being ALL IN! with all stake holders: our students, families, staff and her SWC team! She isn’t just a cafeteria manager supervising from her desk. Robin works alongside her team each and every day. There is no task too big or small for Robin to handle.”

Tubb, who has worked for VCS for 18 years, is the “sunshine that shines brightly in our DeLand office”. In her role as Office Specialist III, she provides clerical support to 60 employees and occasionally steps in as a school bus driver, bus attendant or dispatch. Her supervisors describe adaptability to adjust roles in a fast-paced environment and willingness to help are key characteristics in her success.

“Congratulations to our Support Staff of the Year Award winners,” said FUTURES Foundation Executive Director Shimene Shepard. “FUTURES is honored to work alongside the school district to extend our deep appreciate of support staff and all they do for Volusia County students.”

See the video of the awards at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0T2ZXyZqM4

This year’s other SSOY nominees were:

• Pritpal Nandra, Champion Elementary
• Paula Phelan, DeBary Elementary
• Darcy Yoder, DeLand Middle
• Anna Thompson, Deltona High
• Katie Wicks, Discovery Elementary
• Nicole Maysonet, Forest Lake Elementary
• Donna Riggle, Indian River Elementary
• Lisa Hall, R.J. Longstreet Elementary
• Merry Weaver, Louise S. McInnis Elementary
• Carrie Hagan, Mainland High
• Pete Cochran, Maintenance & Operations
• Nikea Dukes, New Smyrna Beach High
• Lorenzo Myers, Ormond Beach Middle
• Jill Doeing, Pathways Elementary
• Kathy Grainger, Pine Ridge High
• Destinee Zook, Port Orange Elementary
• Ivelisse Melendez, Pride Elementary
• Sharon Love, River Springs Middle
• Tammy Marcum, Seabreeze High
• Lisa Thomas, Sunrise Elementary
• Kristy Bauer, Sweetwater Elementary
• Catherine Wilson, Tomoka Elementary
• Leslie LaRue, Woodward Avenue Elementary         

The Support Staff of the Year Awards are sponsored annually by FUTURES Foundation, and the two award recipients receive a plaque and $250. The SSOY awards were initiated to honor support staff members who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, teamwork, cooperation, and innovation in their jobs. All nominees will be recognized at a fall event.

FUTURES Foundation is a nonprofit, direct support organization founded in 1985 to support Volusia County Schools. Its mission is to engage business and civic leaders to promote and achieveeducational excellence for Volusia County Schools. More info: www.FUTURESVolusia.org

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