Make a Difference: Nominate a Colleague 2019-02-12The following is the first in a series of three news stories highlighting SNA’s Awards Program. Have you ever thought about nominating your colleagues, friends, peers or supervisors for the 2019 SNA Awards? Just think of the excitement and pride you could be responsible for bringing to your district! In this web story, Debra “Kay” Flint (2018 Employee of the Year) shares what her award has meant to her. Stay tuned to our future web stories featuring inspiring commentary from Jerrilyn Hernandez (2018 Manager of the Year) and Connie Little, SNS (2018 Director of the Year) when they share their own SNA Award experiences. Kay Flint, Goodyear Elementary, Brunswick, Ga. I was excited and proud not only for me but for my manager, Donna Wray, and for my Goodyear team because they are a part of this great award, too. I would like everyone to know that everything is possible—from being a simple culinary employee to a National Employee of the Year. I would definitely encourage others to submit nominations. We all work hard, and we work as a team. When you see someone step up and work harder and help everyone, that person needs to be recognized. Since I won, our Training/Compliance Specialist, Erin Doane, has implemented an Employee of the Month program! It’s a great way for our director and the central office staff to show how much they appreciate us. I couldn’t have asked for a better job than this one. Seeing the children’s faces each morning is why I love my job! Think you just don’t have the time to complete the nomination application? Here’s an idea: Work with your co-workers, split up the application sections, then meet and put your team’s work together. Remember, just being nominated is the beginning of a great way to bring home well-deserved recognition of your program to your school and community. Don’t wait to nominate deserving members of your team for these fantastic awards! Besides the pride brought home to the recipients and to your team, the three national winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to SNA’s 2019 Annual National Conference in St. Louis, Mo., where they will also be honored and bestowed plaques at the annual Red Carpet Awards Ceremony. Submissions are due online by March 1, 2019; however, the deadline is different for a few select states. (Be sure to check out the exceptions.) For a complete list of rules, entry forms and answers to all of your questions, be sure to check out the SNA Member Awards page.