2 MFISD employees get special recognition
LEFT: Marble Falls ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway presented bus driver Candi Reeves with the September Spotlight on Excellence award. RIGHT: Ag science teacher and FFA advisor James Conner was presented to the MFISD Board of Trustees on Sept. 19 by CTE coordinator Ashley Bernard to spotlight his achievement in receiving a National FFA Honorary American Degree. Courtesy photos
The Marble Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees recognized two district employees during the Sept. 19 meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gasaway presented bus driver Candi Reeves with the September Spotlight on Excellence award, which honors MFISD employees who have gone above and beyond their job description to love and inspire students. Reeves has spent countless volunteer hours at the elementary campuses reading to students one on one through the Reading Connections Program, even declining opportunities for extra pay to fulfill her commitment.
“I love to read, and I have always loved to read. I want to share that love, that excitement, that passion for learning with children,” Reeves said when accepting the award. “It’s fun to me to see them light up and to see them begin to ‘get it’ and make progress.”
She was nominated by Director of Transportation Gina Solorzano.
“We are honored that you take time out of your day to volunteer in that way and love and inspire our kids in that manner,” Gasaway told Reeves.
Ag science teacher and FFA advisor James Conner was in the spotlight after receiving a National FFA Honorary American Degree from the national organization. The award goes to those who advance agricultural education and the FFA through outstanding personal commitment beyond daily contributions, making a long-term difference in students’ lives and inspiring a new generation of agriculturalists.
Conner is new to MFISD this year but not to teaching. He began his career in 2010 in Balmorhea High School and has worked in the Centerville, Killeen, and Bryan school districts. Prior to teaching, he was a welder and fabricator for construction companies and a lieutenant in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system in Huntsville.
Conner is an active member of several organizations, including the Vocational Agricultural Teachers’ Association of Texas and the Collegiate FFA. He has also served on volunteer fire departments and has picked up several bus driving routes for the MFISD transportation department.
In November, during the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Conner will receive a plaque and medal along with the other recipients of the honorary degree.
CTE coordinator Ashley Bernard presented Conner to the board for recognition.
“We are very excited to have Mr. Conner as part of our team this year,” she said. “His experience and leadership will positively impact our Ag Science and FFA programs for years to come.”