With a host of qualified candidates to choose from, Pulaski County Public Schools has announced their selections for several end of year awards for the school system.
The announcements were made after each school recognized their Teacher and Employee of the Year, as well as the CTE Department Employee and Teacher of the Year.
The first award was presented to Mr. Carl Yost, 2022 Pulaski County Public Schools Bus Driver of the Year.
Mr. Yost has driven a bus for PCPS for 38 years on record, but also drove a bus before records were kept. He takes great pride in the appearance and cleanliness of his bus, and enjoys his interactions with the students, staff, and faculty.
The second person recognized was the 2022 Pulaski County Public Schools Employee of the Year, Mrs. Amber Lockhart. Mrs. Lockhart was nominated as PCHS Employee of the Year for her countless contributions to the PCHS community. Mrs. Lockhart serves the students of Pulaski County High School as a school nurse. Mrs. Lockhart was instrumental in the development of many of our district-wide COVID plans and served on numerous committees to help protect our students and schools.
While Mrs. Lockhart is known for her willingness and ability to provide medical assistance to our students, she is also known as a creative contributor to many PCHS activities and programs. Mrs. Lockhart thrives when creativity is needed and is always willing to step in to think outside of the box. Mrs. Lockhart, alongside her colleague Mrs. Paulson, made and installed many cougar paws throughout the building that supported our school spirit. Mrs. Lockhart, as accompanied by Mrs. Koelling, also developed a plan to provide each student with a customized t shirt at our 2021 Beachside Formal. Mrs. Lockhart has also been instrumental in the development of programs to support the parents and guardians of our students and their knowledge of vaping dangers.
The final award was presented to the 2022 Pulaski County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, but unlike previous years it was decided that two awards should be presented this year. One was presented for the elementary school level and one for the secondary school level.
The first, for the elementary school level, was Mrs. Becky Moles. Mrs. Moles is a fourth-grade teacher at Pulaski Elementary School and has taught in Pulaski County Public Schools for 21 years. She is always seeking active ways to relate SOL content to her students. She spends many hours before and after school tutoring students. On the weekends, she picks up students to take them to church service.
Mrs. Moles also has one of the most uplifting personalities. She comes into the school each morning singing, and gives encouragement to those who might need a kind word. Her positive attitude towards life and her love for PES students and staff shows on a daily basis. If you ever need anyone to be a part of a committee or need help in any way, she is always there. She is a dedicated teacher who serves as a role model for her students, and encourages her students to be the best every day.
In her spare time, she enjoys hunting and fishing. She also enjoys listening to Praise and Worship music, teaching at her church, and enjoying the gifts each day brings. Her husband is Brady and her son, Ben is a PCHS student.
The second, for the secondary school level, was Mr. John Jewell. Mr. Jewell serves as the math department chair, and often serves as an administrative substitute when needed. Mr. Jewell gladly accepts any additional tasks or responsibility with grace and evident desire to do well. Mr. Jewell currently serves at PCMS as the upcoming Academic Coach after teaching each day at PCHS. He works tirelessly to make sure his students are successful and does so with the utmost enthusiasm.