Jessica Haecker, Amanda Nichols, Peter Day Named Employees of the Month

 

 

LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. Superintendent Peter Livingston presented “Teacher on Assignment” Mrs. Jessica Haecker, Food Services Lead Amanda Nichols and Media Content Creator Peter Day as Employees of the Month at the Thursday, February 8th meeting of the Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s monthly Board of Trustees meeting.

The Middle High School has nominated Mrs. Jessica Haecker as this month’s Lucerne Valley Unified School District’s Certificated Employee of the Month. “Jessica has excelled in her role as a ‘Teacher on Assignment’ at the middle/high school,” Mr. Livingston said, quoting the nomination letter. “As a teacher on assignment, Jessica has contributed in a multitude of ways. She has mentored teachers, headed the school’s English Language programs, helped build the Master Schedule, supported the SAI department, led Professional Development sessions, assisted with student discipline, facilitated parent/teacher conferences, and lent a helping hand in the day-to-day operations of the front office.”

 

Moreover, she is in charge of the district’s CTE programs and is currently negotiating with area districts to obtain an additional $337,000 in career tech education funding for Lucerne Valley High School. In addition, Jessica is the high school Data Coordinator, WASC Coordinator, and is successfully mentoring seven teachers.

 

Her passion for helping teachers has been instrumental to our growing district. Mrs. Haecker believes, “If you cannot find purpose or passion within yourself, as an educator, you cannot expect your students to find purpose or passion either.” 

 

Jessica was also instrumental in launching Lucerne Valley High School’s “Mission: Graduation” program where she has successfully helped dozens of students in the critical credit recovery process. “Her diligence in creating curriculum, tutoring students, and personally following-up with every Senior has made a substantial difference in the LVHS graduation rate.”

The Elementary School nominated Amanda Nichols as the district’s classified employee of the month. Amanda has worked for LVUSD for eight and a half years in various positions ranging from Food Service Worker I, Food Service Worker II, and her current position as Food Service Worker Lead, which she has excelled at since July of 2019.

 

“Her continual promotions are a testament to her exemplary work ethic and dedication to LVUSD,” Mr. Livingston said, quoting her nomination letter. “Amanda is a hard worker and has been known to take last minute requests to accommodate our various activities around campus, including but not limited to, changing to sack lunches when necessary. She also takes the time to create the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes meal twice every November, which is a big hit with students and staff alike.” 

 

But Amanda is more than just a great, dedicated worker, “She truly loves our LVES students. I am pretty sure she knows almost every single student by name. Staff and students at LVES love her and look forward to seeing her smiling face each day.  We are thankful to have Amanda as part of our LVES family. Her incredible work ethic, conscientiousness, and love for our students is just a part of who she is.”

Peter Day, who was surprised with a “special” Employee of the Month award by Mr. Livingston, is a media content creator for the the school district. He writes articles, photographs sports and other events and posts content on the district’s three websites and social media accounts. Additionally — as needed — Day writes press releases for the district.

 

Mr. Livingston credited Day for playing a key role in getting information on the District’s recent letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom out to the news media. The letter, signed by the five members of the Board of Trustees and the superintendent, requested the Governor to clarify his vaccine order/mandate set to take affect on July 1, 2023. A few weeks after the District’s letter and press release were sent out EdSource.org announced that state officials had indicated that the Covid-19 vaccinations would no longer be added to the list of 10 vaccinations children are required to have to attend school in person.

 

During the pandemic, Lucerne Valley USD partnered with Barstow Community Hospital and San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to provide Covid-19 vaccination clinics to staff members and the school community. Later during Thursday’s school board meeting, Board President Jessica Risler said, “We’re not anti-vax. “We’re anti vax mandate. We’re for choice regarding the vaccination.”