Whitfield named BRAVO Employee of the Year

Apr. 18—MOULTRIE — Brandi Whitfield, a paraprofessional at Doerun Elementary School, was named the Colquitt County School District's 2024 BRAVO Employee of the Year.

Whitfield has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for five years and this was her first time being named a BRAVO representative. She has one child, Olive Hendly, and is engaged to her fiance, Jarret Tuning.

She shared, "Receiving the honor of the BRAVO award for Doerun Elementary School has given me the opportunity to reflect and recognize the substantial professional and personal growth I've experienced, thanks to the support of every individual, staff and student, in our school community. Being acknowledged by my peers for the effort I invest is a privilege."

The Balancing Responsibility and Achievement while Valuing Others Employee Recognition Program is in its 20th year. It was created to promote the Colquitt County School District's shared values of excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, peer recognition and school spirit.

Whitfield and the two other finalists, Fabiolo Spradley and Berri Tatum-Williams, were honored at a ceremony on April 15, at Withers Auditorium, along with the rest of the site nominees.

Superintendent Ben Wiggins said at the opening of the ceremony, "At this time, the site BRAVO awardees are being recognized for their outstanding individual performance and to celebrate their commitment and contributions to the Colquitt County School District."

Employees that were eligible for nomination included bus drivers, clerks, custodians, food service workers, instructional providers, maintenance personnel, nurses, paraprofessionals, social workers and technology specialists.

During the ceremony, Colquitt County Board of Education Chairman Hayden Willis presented each of the site nominees with a plaque while Wiggins said a few words about each of them.

Finalist, Fabiola Spradley, is a custodian at Norman Park Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 13 years. This was her second time being named a BRAVO representative. She has two children, Steven and David Spradley.

Spradley shared, "This is the second time I have received this honor, and it means a lot that everyone notices and appreciates all I do for the school. The love that I receive from my coworkers and the children makes the work I do worth it. When the students tell me 'thank you for all you do', that's what means the most!"

Finalist, Berri Tatum-Williams, who is a fifth time nominee for the award, is a registrar at Willie J. Williams Middle School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 25 years. She and her husband Darrell have five children, Georgia Taylor, JoDee Clark, Kaley Crosby, Staci Williams, and the late Jason Tatum.

Tatum shared, "Like a kid on the first day of school, I still get butterflies in my stomach on the way to work. God blessed me with the heart to absolutely love people. I know how important it is to share a smile; that smile can give our students a glimpse of hope, love, safety, or approval. The students, staff, and parents' needs will always come first, and my door, mind, and heart will forever remain open. Willie J. Williams is truly my home away from home!"

Maria Alvarado, who is a fourth time nominee for the award, is a secretary at Colquitt County High School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 17 years. She and her husband, Jose Lee Alvarado, have three children, Jose, Abigail, and Adrian Alvarado.

Akeiba Barge is a paraprofessional at Cox Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for four years. She has one child, Rylan Sumlin.

Lynn Humphries is a paraprofessional at Funston Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for seven years. She and husband Marcus have two children, Taylor Plymel and Katie Stripling.

Melanie Turner is the media specialist at C.A. Gray Junior High School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 19 years. She has three children, Alex, Jaina, and Juliette Turner.

Rosemarie Scott is a paraprofessional at Hamilton Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for eight years. She and husband Neil have one child, Tanner.

Cleveland Payne is a paraprofessional and bus driver at J.M. Odom Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for four years. He is married to Tiffany Carruthers Payne.

Christina Angel is a School Nutrition Assistant at Okapilco Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 20 years. She and her husband, Eusebio, have four children Andres, Sergio, Celene, and Isbela.

Iesha Thompson is a behavioral interventionist and parent liaison at Stringfellow Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for six years.

Rebecca Green is a paraprofessional at Sunset Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for five years. She and her husband, Casey, have five children, Brooke, Tyler, Lilly, Macey, and Carley.

Cindy Glow, who is a third time nominee for the award, is the administrative assistant for the Program for Exceptional Children and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 20 years. She and her husband, Gary, have one child, Cory.

Francis Key Robinson is a bus driver for the Transportation department and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 26 years. She has has two children, Derrick Key and Antonio Corbin, and is married to Johnny Robinson.

Barbara Hanna is the paraprofessional at R.B. Wright Elementary School and has been employed in the Colquitt County School District for 14 years. She and her husband Rusty have three children, Ty Sutz, Marin Hanna Beatty, and Molly Sutz.

Before introducing Whitfield as the 2024 BRAVO Employee of the Year, Wiggins said a few words about her, "She is a joyful person; wearing a smile around campus and speaking to others as she passes. She builds strong relationships with staff and students. Her calm demeanor serves only to increase her effectiveness as an educator. She makes our school and district shine."

She was then presented with a gift basket from local merchants and the Moultrie-Colquitt County Commerce, a Moultrie YMCA one-year membership, an Employee of the Year ring provided by Herff Jones; and a check for $4,500.

Each site nominee received $200 in BRAVO Bucks and the three finalists received an additional $500 in BRAVO Bucks.