TPS names Support Employee of the Year finalists

TULSA, Okla. – Superintendent Deborah Gist and American Federation of Teachers President Nancy Leonard surprised five support professionals to congratulate each for being named a finalist for the Tulsa Public Schools 2021-2022 Support Employee of the Year.

“We are so excited to congratulate these amazing finalists after an unprecedented school year,” said Superintendent Deborah Gist. “Our support professionals embody excellence and go above and beyond every day to make a difference for the children, families, and teams of Tulsa Public Schools. The importance of their work has never been as publicly evident or as critical as it has been this year. We are so grateful for their service to Tulsa Public Schools.”

THE FIVE FINALISTS ARE:

Rita Botello, cafeteria manager at Marshall Elementary School;

Sandra Johnson, principal’s secretary at Walt Whitman Elementary School;

Heather Mackey, paraprofessional at Patrick Henry Elementary School;

Kristi Peterman, paraprofessional at Positive Changes; and

Vertula Rentie, principal’s secretary at Monroe Demonstration Academy.

The Tulsa Public Schools Support Employee of the Year is a non-certified team member who exemplifies excellence.

The district’s 2021-2022 Support Employee of the Year will be announced in spring 2021.

Rita Botello is a cafeteria manager at Marshall Elementary School. She joined Team Tulsa in the child nutrition department more than 20 years ago when her children were in elementary school at Roosevelt Elementary. This is her seventh year as a café manager. Rita says she loves getting to watch her students grow up, and her team is known for bringing joy to the building with their laughter.

Sandra Johnson is the principal’s secretary at Walt Whitman Elementary School. She has served the school community since 1998, starting her career as a teacher’s assistant in the computer lab. Growing up in Tulsa, Sandra attended Walt Whitman Elementary School and later graduated from Mclain High School. Her team says she gives it her all every time she enters the building and describes her as the ultimate team player.

Heather Mackey is a paraprofessional at Patrick Henry Elementary School. Heather has worked in the deaf education programs at Wright Elementary and now Patrick Henry Elementary for the past eight years. Heather lost her hearing at three years old and decided to pursue education to inspire children with hearing impairments to reach for their dreams. Heather graduated from Edison Preparatory High School in 1993.

Kristi Peterman is a paraprofessional at Positive Changes serving the students at Bell, Eugene Field, Macarthur, Peary, Robertson, and Skelly elementary schools for more than 20 years. She has spent the last three years at Positive Changes, a behavioral health treatment program that partners with Tulsa Public Schools to provide educational services to help keep children on track educationally. Kristi is a Tulsa Public School alum and graduated from Will Rogers High School. Her colleagues say she exudes goodness and kindness, has a giving spirit, and is always willing to help others in any way she can.

Vertula Rentie is the principal’s secretary at Monroe Demonstration Academy. Since joining Tulsa Public Schools in 1982, Vertula has worked at Alcott, Mark Twain, and Mckinley elementary schools before joining the team at Monroe Demonstration Academy. Vertula is also a Tulsa Public School alum, and graduated from Mclain High School. Her team describes her as the epitome of excellence and says she holds herself to a high standard which she exemplifies every day.