Celebrating the WCASD Way: Honoring The People Who Make a Difference Every Day

In this episode of Talking the WCASD Way, we sit down with WCASD Way Maker Award winners Amanda Hoban, Jason Moore, and Alicia Ritz to celebrate the people who make a lasting difference in our schools every day.

From supporting students and building positive school culture to leading with kindness, dedication, and purpose, these award winners share the experiences and values that inspire their work across the West Chester Area School District.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:03

You're listening to Talking the WCASD Way, the podcast where we share stories, updates, and voices from the Westchester Area School District community. I'm your host, Dr. Kalia Reynolds. Let's get talking. Welcome to Talking the WCASD Way, a podcast where we highlight the stories, partnerships, and priorities shaping our district voices through those who make a difference each and every day. Today's episode is a celebration of people who define what it means to live and lead the Westchester Way. Our Westchester Waymaker Award recognizes individuals across our district who consistently demonstrate excellence, care, leadership, service, and commitment to students and colleagues. These are the people who positively impact school culture, inspire others, and help make WCASD a place where students and staff thrive. Today I'm joined by three of our District Waymaker Award winners. We have Mrs. Amanda Hovind, who is our Waymaker Award winner representing Mary C. House and Graystone Elementary. We also have Mr. Jason Moore representing Hillsdale Elementary, and we also have Mrs. Alicia Race representing Henderson High School. All right, so thank you all for being here. Super excited about our time together. And more importantly, thank you for the difference that you make in our schools and throughout our district community. Super excited to have you here. So with that, let's get talking. We pour ourselves into the work that we do each and every day for students. And we know it's personal, it's deeply personal. Talk with me about what inspires you to bring your best self to work each and every day.

SPEAKER_05 1:44

Well, uh, what inspires me is um in any job I've had throughout my life, I've always wanted to help people in some way, shape, or form, right? Bring a smile to their face when they're just having, you know, the roughest day ever. You know, and when I came to Hillsdale, I was literally just thrown right into the fire, right into the renovations, you know, and teachers were just, you know, high stress, as they should be, because they don't know what's happening. So part of my job there too is to manage their stress levels, you know, and I just felt that was like my major goal. Well, here going out until the renovations are complete, because that also builds trust with them too, knowing that they can rely on me. Yes, you know, so that that's what kind of keeps me, you know, at my best.

SPEAKER_03 2:27

Love that. So talk with us on this side of the table. What um inspires you to bring your best self to work each and every day?

SPEAKER_00 2:34

So for my classes, they are all elective classes, and my students have the choice to be there and to take my class. And I don't take that lightly. And it it means so much that they want to be there. And so I really take that into consideration every day how I can make learning meaningful for them, um, what that looks like on my part. And I had high I had teachers in high school that I will never forget, and they inspired me to become a teacher and really made my day so special. So I think I think it's a big honor and a responsibility to kind of pay that forward and take care of my students. Oh, that's huge. That's huge feeling.

SPEAKER_01 3:14

I think having the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life is so important. It's an honor. Um, it's something that you always want to make everyone feel seen. In my life, I felt that there were so many people that helped create who I am today. And I think giving back into a community and showing up and giving kindness to everyone is really important. Um, I also am a mom in the community, so it's really important too, just to see both sides of that and that we are all in this together on this journey. Um, and I'm just really inspired to be a part of Westchester.

SPEAKER_03 3:52

That's huge. I have to say, our Waymaker is one of the pieces that for our superintendent, Dr. Christopher, it brings them so much joy to be able to highlight the many roles and facets that people serve in our district and what makes them special. And the thing that is awesome about the Waymaker is it's a nomination. So it comes from the building leader, it comes from the school community to say, like, there's someone here that needs a recognition and a point of greatness. So for you to chair, like, this is my why, this is what's important to me, is super important. And it looks a little bit different for each of you, but the themes of filling scene, caring for other, recognizing the opportunities to really make sure that students get to lean into their interests is super important. So I'm going to change gears and talk about the impact. And each of you talked a little bit about this as far as your why, but how do you think your work influences students, colleagues, or the overall school environment?

SPEAKER_05 4:50

Well, I know for me personally, I um like I was saying, you know, we I was building trust. You know what I mean? That was big for me when I first came to Hillsdale to get the trust. Now that filters down to the students in that um when we're like, so for example, the band teaches a TJ. I know you I know you play bass guitar, right? Would you would you mind playing a song with the band at a concert? No way. Let's plug in and do it. You know what I mean? But like that's that's the kind of thing I love about my job. It's not like it's not like I'm just there's a fix, clean, facilitate. I can do things like that.

SPEAKER_04 5:26

Yeah, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_05 5:27

And I love that kind of stuff. You know, we were in the the fifth grade versus teachers basketball game. Of course I was there. Yeah, you know, and the kids just feed off of that, and and it just like it brings everybody closer, you know what I mean? And it just it just keeps everything going. Yeah. You know, I I love, I just love that.

SPEAKER_00 5:43

How can you not feel good? You're up there playing beats, right? Yeah. Hello, hello.

SPEAKER_05 5:49

Come see us.

SPEAKER_00 5:52

That's amazing. So I think um for influencing students, callings, and the overall school environment, I try my best to instill confidence in my students, especially. We deal with a lot of software, a lot of cameras that you have to build. And sometimes the students are they could be intimidated by it. And I think giving them an opportunity to have an area where they are proud of themselves or learn that they can be more confident in themselves, I hope that that can transfer over to another subject. That maybe if they realize that, hey, I can do this, you know, maybe that confidence can go towards another subject that's maybe struggling. And hopefully that just creates a better school environment.

SPEAKER_01 6:43

That's awesome. That's awesome. I think that having the responsibility to show up for everyone every day is something that really like inspires me and makes my job so exciting. I love that I get to help children every day as well as colleagues, having that head teacher role, being a safe space and somewhere that people can come and feel seen and heard is really what I love to do. Um, I think kindness is contagious. So showing people I hear you, I see you, and how can we problem solve is something that I've really tried to instill. And I also think that being a role model for children, you know, how we act together as colleagues and showing them that we're all here for a purpose and to be together is something that I'm really proud of. Uh, when you walk down the hall, sometimes you see that one smile and you're like, this is why I am here today. And you just come no matter what you have going on, you just show up and you're you know who your people are and your support systems, and you just go to sleep every night knowing I did the best I could. So yeah, it's really inspiring to just be a part of their life and their journey, you know, and you really sit back and reflect on that. We're so important. And it's important that they have that platform to feel so loved.

SPEAKER_03 8:04

Awesome. Yeah. The thing that I'm hearing from each of you is like there are things that are uniquely important. There's like a emergence of values that are coming through. Like you're just like, I want to trust keeps coming up and just be able to be there for you to care and to support. For you, it's just like, I want to make sure you have these skills that you can take beyond my classroom. And I mean, the thing I heard from you is I want you to feel seen. I want you to know that I'm here for you. That responsibility was the word that I heard you use. So I think that it goes without saying you are embodying the spirit and the purpose of that award. With that being said, I want to shift a little bit. The Waymaker Awards reflect the culture and the values that we strive to build across our district. In your words, what does the Westchester Way, what does that mean to you?

SPEAKER_02 8:56

Well, I love the dictionary. I love it.

SPEAKER_05 9:04

Um, with my experiences with the district, it's hard work and resilience with a smile. You know, like I said earlier, you can have the a tough day, you're allowed to be sad, mad, upset, all that stuff. But if I can get a smile out of you for those two seconds, I might pass it in the hallway, right? Yeah. I took your mind off of all that just for two seconds. Yeah, right. That's all, that's it. I I'm good with that. I won. You know? And you know, the the parents, and I I mean, I I don't know a good amount of them because I there's just so many, but I walk out of work every day, like, hey, Mr. Moore. And I'm like, oh wow, hi, hi, have a good night. Like, you know, but it's like, it's just really cool to see that, learn that, you know, what I feel is not that big a deal. And it's kind of small, isn't so small. It's a big deal. You know, it's reaching people that I don't even know.

SPEAKER_04 9:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 9:56

So I I I love that about the districts and this job. You know, it's a crazy world out there, but like this little world, yeah, we have control of. We can control the narrative.

SPEAKER_02 10:06

You know what I mean? So that's that's how I choose to that's wisdom right there, for sure. Yeah. Resilience and smile. I get old, I get wise, right?

SPEAKER_03 10:19

What's a Westchester uh weight? What does that mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 10:22

I think it's it's showing up for your students just always with a whole heart, you know, being compassionate, being kind, and then just really making sure it's it's like you said, that they feel safe in their environment and they have an opportunity to thrive and take chances and be supported along the way. I think that's really important so that it does inspire them and they can just really go after goals. I mean, I know we're doing portrait for the graduate, I know a lot of that has to do with preparing them and helping them flourish. But I think that, you know, really, really taking care of the students and getting them as prepared as possible for life after high school and getting up to that point.

SPEAKER_03 11:07

Yeah. Huge. And I heard you, Malicia, just talking about like our mission. You talked about the educate and inspire piece, which portrait of graduate competencies for sure, but our mission, like that's the bedrock of what we do. That's why we exist as an organization. So that's huge.

SPEAKER_01 11:22

Speaking of portrait of graduates, I try to make sure this is in everything we do. Um this is our roadmap right now, and the visual is so important to me. I think being a Westchester way maker aligns with portrait of a graduate. I think that we need to be able to have problem-solving skills, responsibility, empathy, communication. Um, and the visual of the roadmap for me is there are points where sometimes you do stop and you work hard, and those are the moments that build character in the end. Uh, so being a way maker was something that I was super proud of, but I also believe it takes a village.

SPEAKER_04 12:02

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 12:03

And it was a reflection for me to stop and think of who I get to surround myself with every day. And I spend hours with these colleagues that turn into family, and then you know their families, and then you watch your kids grow up. And I think just watching this unfold for K to 12 is the foundation of everything we do, uh, elementary, middle, high, uh, administration, everywhere. And to all be on the same road is so important because then we have our goals and values directly in front of us at all times, and we always come back to it. So it's our groundwork, but it is amazing work, and I'm super excited for all of that. So for me, the laymaker was just looking at the people that I get to be around, the students that inspire me to be my best version of who I am. And also, you know, your colleagues, like my principal, is always motivating and kind and building up the staff. And then you turn to someone, you're like, I need help, and the collaboration is always there. So I truly feel like when you walk down the hall, you can find a cheerleader everywhere you turn. And it's magic, you know, it is what you make it. So I'm really proud of the district in general.

SPEAKER_03 13:22

It's super exciting to see all this unfold. It's it has been a point of pride. I'm so glad you you shared that because in listening to each of you, those competencies were were coming up. Responsibility and problem solving, communication and empathy, all of those things, adaptability, those are the foundational pieces. And we built them together. I think that's the important piece. And the thing that I think is beautiful about the Waymaker is it doesn't matter what what your role is in the district, everyone has a most important part to play. So it's not about title or position, it's how we're showing up for each other. And I think that's the beautiful way that we can say, like, we see you, we celebrate you. So with that, talk with us about recognition, because we know that we can't make sure that everyone has that way maker recognition every day for all of the, we have over a thousand employees in the district. But what message would you want students, staff, family, and our district community members to take away from the Waymaker awards and the importance of recognizing others?

SPEAKER_05 14:27

I think you actually pretty much summed it up for me anyway, where it was um this isn't an award for a specific person in a specific role. It's just for, like you said, who is recognized for who they are, what they do, what they bring, you know what I mean, to the district, to their community. You know, so me on the facilities end, you know, I'm not gonna lie, when I first saw the Waymaker Award, I was like, cool, you know, something for the teachers. That's great. You know, love the teachers, they deserve recognition. And then, you know, oh, we gave something too. Oh, like this is great, right?

unknown 15:01

Yes.

SPEAKER_05 15:02

So it truly is an award for the people. Yeah, you know what I mean? By the people. So I and and it's it's it's a great thing, and I I hope it never goes. Oh, because it stands for so much positivity, and you know, that's we can never have enough of that. So good, so good.

SPEAKER_00 15:17

I think it's so special. It is so special. Um, it's definitely such an honor. And I think you can celebrate so many people around you when you lift each other up and when you when you recognize when you know, maybe someone's having a hard day and you're able to be like, hey, I mean, people that maybe don't get the award, but there's that spirit there that we all are a team, that we can celebrate each other's victories, work through them with their struggles, and really be a community together. That's huge. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 15:50

The message that I think The Wee Maker is is it's for all of us. I think every colleague, staff member, teacher, custodian, every department, um, I try really hard every day to acknowledge someone and say something positive because you know you spread kindness like confetti, right? And the more we do it, the more we see the value in what we do. So when this started, I thought it was so important because when you read about people I don't know that work across the district, it also brings a smile to my face because now I'm so proud to be a part of that team, even though they are in a different department. Like we're all in this together. So I think highlighting everyone's strengths is what makes our weaknesses also stronger because we know we have the support with each other. So being a Waymaker, I think highlights your school and where we come from and who we are, and we're celebrating each other because that's what we do here.

SPEAKER_03 16:48

Yeah, yeah. Well, thank you so much for your time today. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for what you do for our district community each and every day. It's just, it's just goodness. Like that's just the point for for you to be here. And so hopefully you've had that opportunity to feel it. And the other thing I want to say as a close out is how people showed up for each of you. Like there was a whole pet band, your your husband and your parents, and the whole like all of Mary was in that little room. Um, and just for everyone to just come around, be like, hey, like it's it's just it's good to your point. People want to come together and celebrate and say, like, we're cheering for you, which is a big deal. So thank you for that. Appreciate it. It's a pleasure. Thank you for your time. Absolutely, absolutely. It's all goodness. As we wrap up today's conversation, one thing is clear that the strength of our district comes from its people. So until next time, keep listening. Thanks so much for joining me on Talking the WCASD Way. New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a conversation. Until next time.

SPEAKER_04 18:01

Because our district is full of stories.