Above and Beyond the Call: Read Stories of DCPS Unsung Heroes
We're shining a spotlight on DCPS employees who typically avoid attention but deserve our thanks – those unsung heroes who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty.
Below are stories you shared with us. Thank you for your wonderful submissions.
Contribute your own unsung hero story »
Take the opportunity to publicly thank DCPS employees and support staff in one of two ways:
- Complete the form below OR
- Tweet your gratitude on Twitter. (Be sure to include #dcpsheroes in your tweet!)
We will select a few each day to publish here on the DCPS website. [Please refer to our Terms of Use.]
To Syrena Bonds, Langdon Education Campus (Ward 5)
During these stressful economic times, Ms. Bonds routinely sees to it that all children get to attend all class activities. This includes field trips, which many families are not able to afford. She regularly reaches into her own pockets to pay the fees for students who would otherwise be forced to remain at school while their classmates depart on their trip.
Anonymous
To Terry Watson, Brookland Educational Campus at Bunker Hill (Ward 5)
Terry Watson is our school Guidance Counselor and always seems to go above and beyond the call of duty at our school. Our school is home to preschool through eighth grade so you can only imagine how busy Mrs. Watson is.
She is there to assist the older-grade students with their transition out of middle school and onto high school and is also there to help the lower grades with any and all issues and concerns that are brought to her. She is a true child advocate and has also personally meets with children if requested to do so and has a great rapport with them and they easily talk to her.
I have personally witnessed Mrs. Watson solve problems with students in a fair and understanding way that leaves both parties learning something in the end.
Mrs. Watson also coordinates our yearly Career Day, Walk For the Homeless, Thanksgiving food drive, collects gently used clothes for underprivileged families and talks to the parents and students about sensitive issues such as bullying, child abuse and, of course, the importance of good school attendance.
I consider Mrs. Watson to be one of the DCPS unsung heroes for these reasons and more.
Aurelia Williams
To Erick Washington, Powell Elementary (Ward 4)
Mr. Washington has always been an exceptional employee, not only during his tour at F.W. Ballou, but to my understanding he has singlehandedly prepared Powell Elementary for opening this year (although he was excessed [from Ballou] this summer – surprising because he always went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to the growth and development of our students here at Ballou).
I’m certain that he continues to be a great, welcomed addition to his new assignment – always assisting and eager to lend a hand for the school system as well as his personal time. I had four children graduate from F.W. Ballou and I have never seen a custodian push kids the way he has and genuinely care.
My son always used to say how Mr. Washington doesn’t play when it comes to school. Given the chance I’d ask him, “Why do you go out of your way so?” and he simply replied: “They are our future and these are the young men and women that will be having the same life conversations with [my] 9-year-old son – so it’s what I’m supposed to do.” Often asked why he traveled from upper Northwest Washington to Ballou, he would humbly reply, “This is where God needs me at this time.”
I could go on and on but he is definitely missed in our Ballou community and it was visibly evident – when he attended last week’s homecoming events – not only how much the children but how much the staff misses him. With people of this caliber on staff making a different, I continue to have faith in the DC Public School system.
Felicia Gaskins-El
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