O'Donnell, Dominique receive February MVP Awards

Congratulations to the February recipients of the Most Valuable Patriot (MVP) award, social worker Lauren O'Donnell, and bus driver Jessie Dominique!

Lauren O'Donnell, Social Worker

Lauren O'Donnell is in her 17th year as a social worker at Broadalbin-Perth, where she serves the district's youngest learners in pre-K through grade 2 — a role O'Donnell says is the best job in the district.

O'Donnell's nomination was from the parent of a student with autism who O'Donnell works with. "She helps me understand what everything is about with helping my son progress," the parent wrote. "She takes time out of her day and evening to talk with me and explain things to ease my mind. Every time I get off the phone with her, I feel so much better than before. She is so caring and she listens to every word. I think she deserves all the recognition and I'm so glad we have her."

In response to her nomination, O'Donnell said, "I feel like it's a privilege to get to work with these parents because they teach me a lot with their advocacy and their love for their kids. It's a pretty humbling and special experience to work with these parents because their kids are their world. To be allowed to be part of that is pretty special."

Jessie Dominique, Bus Driver

Jessie Dominique is in her seventh year as a bus driver for Broadalbin-Perth. 

Her nomination came from a high school teacher who recently rode on Jessie's bus for a field trip: "We were told that the trip almost did not happen, but Jesse was able to adjust her schedule to make it possible. Jessie has excellent skills as a driver, particularly on the city streets with a lot of traffic, and she safely navigated our students through all of the stops. She also was able to navigate the bus through each of our stops to provide a drop-off and pick-up at the entrance of each destination that provided the safest possible passage for students. She is a very supportive person who is very professional and is a great team player."

Dominique said she felt very appreciated. “I feel incredibly honored and so loved. I was a nurse for 22 years, and I gave that up to become a bus driver. I truly do love my job."

Each month, two district employees are recognized through Broadalbin-Perth's MVP program. Each winner receives a B-P Yeti mug. Nominations can come from any member of the school community and all nominations should be submitted online. The deadline to nominate a B-P employee for the March MVP award is Mon, March 3.