Portsmouth Public Schools -

Mrs. Gaynor is truly an invaluable asset to Brighton! She manages multiple responsibilities effortlessly, taking on each task with grace and efficiency. Whether it's organizing details or tackling new challenges, Mrs. Gaynor does it all with confidence and skill. Her reliability and ability to work independently make her a standout member of our team. Brighton is lucky to have such a dedicated and versatile professional—she exemplifies what it means to be a trusted and resourceful teammate. Thank you, Mrs. Gaynor, for all that you do!

An innovative and creative educator, Michelle Dion-Bernier, continuously finds exciting ways to engage students in their learning journey. As a compassionate and collaborative colleague, she supports fellow staff members while upholding the highest professional standards. Her positivity and uplifting messages serve as a morale boost for both students and staff, fostering a supportive school environment. Michelle Dion-Bernier goes above and beyond to ensure the success of our school and inspires everyone around her.

Ms. Quiero consistently goes above and beyond in her role, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to our students and school community. One of the most inspiring aspects of her work is her impact on a kindergarten student who had never attended school before. Ms. Quiero built a trusting and nurturing relationship with him. The student now eagerly looks forward to school, often speaking about how much he enjoys his time with Ms. Quiero. His mother expresses how Ms. Quiero's efforts have transformed their experience. Danita Quiero truly shines in her role, embodying the spirit of care and commitment that defines our school community.

Our security guard, Zyiah Quick, is a true shining star here at Olive Branch. We feel safe because he watches inside and out of the building at all times. Mr. Quick always goes above and beyond his job duties and is helpful in all situations. He has a calm demeanor and knows each student's needs. He is a positive male role model for our preschoolers and is a team player. He brings a smile to everyone and it's a pleasure to see his face first thing in the morning. The entire staff appreciates all that Zyiah Quick does for our school.

Jody Huffstickler and her team hand students a breakfast each morning, along with smiles and positive words to begin our learning day. She has built positive relationships with our students and staff and provides encouragement to our entire school by way of the morning announcements. Ms. Huffstickler decorates our cafeteria to make it such a welcoming space. She ensures that every meal is prepared with care. We are fortunate to have someone with such a strong work ethic leading our cafeteria team! She makes a significant difference in the daily lives of everyone who depends on the school meals she provides.

Ms. Deja Mercer exudes pride and has a smile on her face every morning when she comes to work.  She meets each challenge and assigned task consistently with positivity and tenacity. Ms. Mercer has the highest Standards of Learning Scores for Math and Reading in the building. She has a rapport with her parents and she has taught the siblings of several of her students that she has this year. She is a phenomenal teacher and she exemplifies professionalism daily as she interacts with students, her colleagues, and parents of Westhaven Elementary School.

Ms. Thomas's persistence with creating beautiful learning spaces in our PPS school libraries is notable and commendable. She has worked for the better part of 2 years visioning and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders from principals to library media specialists to bring her vision to life. All middle and high schools, along with a handful of elementary schools, now have modern, usable spaces for learning. The excitement for these spaces to open among students and staff has been contagious. Thank you, Ms. Thomas, for your vision, passion, and hard work to enhance our learning environment for students and staff.

Waverly’s exceptional contributions to the reliability and advancement of our network infrastructure over the years have been nothing short of outstanding. In his role, Waverly consistently demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining seamless network communication, which is the backbone of our entire educational division. His work ensures that students and staff can rely on uninterrupted access to essential digital resources. Waverly has been with PPS for over 22 years, during which he has developed a deep knowledge of the systems he manages and has stayed at the forefront of evolving technology trends. His organizational skills and self-motivation make him an exceptional asset to the division. Waverly consistently demonstrates responsibility, efficiency, and a level of professionalism that is rare to find.