Six JCPS Employees Win Lighthouse Awards

Dr. Pollio honors employees who are a guiding light for students

They were nominated for being positive forces, and uplifting students and staff alike with their enthusiasm and compassion. Today, six Jefferson County Public Schools employees were rewarded for being bright lights in their schools with a Lighthouse Award from Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. 

Man holding award with two other adults

“These employees go above and beyond to be guiding lights for the students they touch,” Pollio said. “They are the shining examples of what I call a “Lighthouse Leader” - those who encourage, inspire and connect with students, especially on students’ darker days, to help ensure they stay on a path toward success and graduation.”

This is the second year for the Lighthouse Awards. The winners were chosen from employees who were nominated by students or fellow JCPS staff members. Here are the six winners:  

Leanna Carter is a beloved school custodian at Maupin Elementary School. The students look forward to seeing Ms. Carter every day because she showers them with kindness and compliments like “You are beautiful. I love your smile.” Carter has “an invisible caseload of students” that she checks in with every day, asking them how they’re doing and how she can help them. She sets an example for Maupin educators to always be positive and encouraging even on bad days.    

Rob Hammond is a history teacher at Waggener High School who has kept working through his stage four cancer diagnosis. He inspires his co-workers and students by showing up for school as much as he possibly can with a smile on his face. While he demands a lot of his students, he is well-loved and respected. Student Dakota White says “I think Mr. Hammond deserved the world because he is the kindest soul. There’s not one student at Waggener who hasn’t felt his impact.”  

Naresh Keswani is known as Coach K at the Brown School. He’s been a teacher for more than 30 years. He’s always positive and connects with students from kindergarten to seniors, remembering their names, and greeting them as they show up for school. Coach K also makes a point to remember and celebrate the birthdays of students and staff, even sending them handwritten cards or emails. He created a Brown Bear Buddy system for the staff to share gifts and check in with each other during the school year.

Lori Knapke is the director of choirs at Eastern High School. Knapke consistently inspires students and colleagues by carrying out her class motto “Honor your commitments.” She has high expectations for her students beyond music, showing them the way to use music to improve themselves in other academic areas. Students understand that her advice and tough talk is the way she shows them love and support. Knapke is the organizer of talent shows, concerts at retirement facilities and other community events and fundraisers for a scholarship fund.  

Dr. Evita Mozee is the “Energizer Bunny” as the assistant principal at Semple Elementary School. She is usually the second person in the building in the morning and the last to leave in late afternoon, often attending games and events of students after school. Mozee knows the names of virtually every student in the building and surprises students with gifts, out of her own pocket, for their smallest victories. They say “she’s like a mom,” and “I love it that she always stops to speak to me” - engaging students in conversations from the lunchroom to restorative circles.

Sarah Switzer is in her first year as an English-as-second language teacher at Wheeler Elementary School but she has already made a huge impact on the students and staff. Many of her students are new to America and she sends all of them home with welcome packets in their native language. Her compassion and connection to her students has extended beyond school walls - gathering needed day-to-day supplies, clothes or shoes for their families and helping  get them assimilated. Switzer also makes time to talk to and celebrate her co-workers, making them feel loved at Wheeler.