Parsons USD 503 is offering a new way for staff to recognize their peers’ extra efforts in the district.
“Vikings: Above & Beyond” was created to allow staff members to nominate other staff members that they see going above and beyond for our district and our students.
The ‘prize’ is the 40oz stainless steel Viking travel tumbler that is laser engraved with the Viking and “It’s Always a GREAT Day to be a Viking!!!".
Nomination forms were recently sent out and the staff member chosen by the committee from those nominations was District Assessment Coordinator Jane Good.
One person nominating Good had this to say: “Jane (in my opinion) is an asset at Parsons High School. She is a (sometimes) unrecognized, yet integral member of the PHS staff. I'm not certain teachers understand how much responsibility she has or how her role serves the entire school in a positive way. She takes care of so many tasks that are not acknowledged. And yet, she is very humble and happy to do so. She is hard working, organized, strategic, and incredibly intelligent. She handles situations with grace and does so many tasks behind the scenes to ensure a smooth day to day operation. I appreciate Jane and all she does for PHS and USD 503 as a whole!
Yet another person had this to say: “Jane displays exemplary professionalism in everything she does for our district and is such a huge help to so many people. She does her research and gives thorough, thoughtful responses. Whenever I have a building assessment question, Jane quickly responds or finds the answer by contacting the state department. Jane also sends timely emails to inform me of upcoming professional development dates, submits the transportation forms for nearly every trip that the instructional coaches take together, and gently reminds me of deadlines that are coming up.
“Jane has created a technology hub for the high school that contains links to many of their resources. She has also created a testing hub for each building in the district which makes submitting all the various documents easy to do. This goes above and beyond what is expected of her as the district testing coordinator. Jane keeps things in order for a multitude of various assessments that students are required to take. Most of this leg work takes place behind the scenes requiring long hours of detail oriented input. Jane is meticulous in getting all those details put together for the benefit of our staff and students. Thank you, Jane, for all you do for our district. It is appreciated.”
This is Good’s 30th year in education. She said she was one of those late bloomers who decided to return to school to finish her degree after her three children were in school full-time.
She started with an elementary education degree (K-9) in 1994. She taught for 11 years in various positions from second to eighth grade before coming to Parsons in 2005.
“In 2005, I came to Parsons High School to teach English 9. I enjoyed teaching the older students, and I loved developing the curriculum to help students be successful in reading and writing,” she said. “When the position to work with teachers and prepare the testing systems for staff and students became available in 2016, I was very appreciative that I was allowed to serve my colleagues and our students in a different capacity.
It has been a privilege to serve Parsons’ teachers! They work very hard every day to help all students become successful.
”My goal for the last eight years as the instructional coach and building test coordinator has been to serve the teachers to help them be the best they can be for our kids.”
Concerning her nomination for this award, Good said, “Thank you so much! I was pleasantly surprised to hear that I was awarded this honor. It was so nice to be recognized for all the things I do that are truly behind the scenes. The saying that ‘It takes a village’ is accurate. I can’t do my job without their help, and I appreciate them, too.”