Roman Also Works with First-Graders in Small Reading Groups

CONGRATULATIONS
Classified Employee of the Year
2011-2012

MARTA ROMAN
Teacher Assistant at GriffithElementary School

Marta Roman, a first-grade assistant at Griffith Elementary, has been named Classified Employee of the Year for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. She learned of the award in a surprise ceremony this morning.

"It was very evident in the selection process that the children feel a real bond with Marta," said Superintendent Don Martin. "It’s important that she makes teaching easier for the first-grade teachers, but what sets her apart is the way students learn from her, too."

First-grade teacher Heather Morgan nominated Roman because of her dedication to students, her professionalism and her positive attitude.

"My teaching has improved the past two years because of Marta," Morgan said. "She takes the burden off of teachers by doing all of the small things in the classroom, allowing us to focus on teaching."

Roman also works with first-graders in small reading groups.

"The sheer joy of watching a child finally ‘get’ something that you are trying to teach them is an amazing feeling," Roman wrote in her application. "I was able to make a measureable difference in helping one very low-level reader reach grade level, a triumph for him and an unforgettable memory for me."

Principal Carolyn Parker said that Roman is an essential part of her staff. "I can delegate almost anything to her and she’ll do it right. We rely on Ms. Roman."

Roman also is known at Griffith for her creative skills in designing bulletin boards and translating for Spanish-speaking parents and students.

The Classified Employee of the Year Award was created last year to honor a classified employee who displays exemplary characteristics while carrying out the duties of his or her job. It was started by the Classified Advisory Committee, which serves as a communication vehicle between classified employees and school administrators. Classified employees are those who are not required to be licensed to do their jobs. It is a diverse group that includes people such as teacher assistants, bus drivers, office assistants and maintenance staff.

The selection committee chose Roman from among four semifinalists after reviewing the nominations and visiting each finalist at his or her workplace. The other semifinalists were Wendy Banks, a teacher assistant at Winston Salem Preparatory Academy; Debbie McNeil, an administrative assistant in central office; and Martin Saner, a computer teacher assistant at Lowrance Middle School.