Judy Phillips, the Greene County School System's assistant director of schools, received the Greene County Partnership's "Outstanding Service to Students Award" during Tuesday afternoon's annual county school system personnel reception.

Randy Harrell, the Partnership's president, presented the award to the surprised Phillips, noting that he had "the privilege today to present the Outstanding Service to Students Award to a well known and respected educator who has devoted the majority of her life to the students of Greene County."

Harrell noted that Phillips had begun her long career as a teacher.

"She later became a math supervisor, a federal programs coordinator, a Title One (federal programs) supervisor, director of special programs, supervisor of instruction and as an assistant director for Greene County Schools, the position that she presently holds," Harrell said.

"She also serves on the Greene County Partnership's Youth Community Action Team that oversees the Youth Leadership and Youth Council programs."

Harrell also noted that Phillips "is recognized as an educator who cares deeply for her students and colleagues and has enriched the lives of many Greene County citizens through her knowledge and commitment to excellence."

After calling her "an inspiration to all that know her," Harrell announced that Phillips was this year's award winner.

After the reception, Phillips said many others were deserving of the award.

"It makes me feel really good, although we have so many teachers who are so deserving of this [award]," Phillips said. "I just wish they could all have this award."

During a post-reception interview, Phillips said she had begun her career as a teacher at the former Newmansville School.

Phillips noted that she misses working directly with teachers on a daily basis in her current job.

Also during the awards portion of the reception, which was held in the auditorium at Chuckey-Doak High School, retiring teachers and principals were honored for their service. Not all of the honorees could be present.

Those honored were:

* Susan Archer, a Chuckey-Doak High School teacher;

* Karen Brooks, a Chuckey Elementary teacher;

* Violet Carlos, a Doak Elementary teacher;

* Patricia Johnson - Doak;

* Clark Justice, principal of McDonald Elementary;

* Tony Kerns, principal of Doak Elementary;

* Geneva Kilday, a Camp Creek Elementary teacher;

* Geraldine Kirk, a McDonald Elementary teacher;

* Karen McCaslin, a Mosheim teacher;

* Darlene McCleish, a Chuckey teacher;

* Milton Parham, a veteran teacher, coach and central office employee who actually retired last August, and

* Cynthia Waddle, a McDonald Elementary teacher.

Non-Teaching Retirees

The non-teaching (classified) employees who were honored during the ceremony, included:

* Tommy Johnson, a Camp Creek bus driver;

* Susan Pierce, a West Pines teaching assistant;

* Phillip Reaves, Nolachuckey bus driver;

* Leoma Gayle Reynolds, a Mosheim bus driver;

* Audrey Casteel, a Baileyton food service worker; and

* Doris Tate, a West Pines food service worker.

As was the case with the retiring teachers and principals, not all the retiring non-teaching employees were able to attend the reception in their honor.

Also during the annual personnel reception, building-level and system teacher of the year finalists were honored.

In pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade, the building level "teacher of the year" finalists were:

* Michelle Gibson;

* Bridget Lollar;

* Jennifer Whitson;

* Sara Brown;

* Julie Willett (system winner);

* Tallie Gregg;

* Kristi Waddell, and

* Wilda Bowers.

In fifth- through eighth grades, the building-level "teacher of the year" finalists were:

* Virginia Cooter (system winner);

* Amanda Massengill;

* Carolyn Tallman;

* Amy Luttrell;

* Jason Knight;

* Janet Bible;

* Debbie Snowden;

* Ginger Lister;

* Stephanie Thompson, and

* Marty Barkley.

In ninth- through 12th grades, the building-level "teacher of the year finalists" were:

* James Holt;

* Teresa Wright;

* Christopher Gardenhour;

* Noelle Smith, and

* Kimberly Casteel (system winner).

Dr. Joe Parkins, director of Greene County Schools, thanked the retiring employees for their service to Greene County students over the years.

"Thank you for your service to the students of Greene County," Parkins said.

He also told them that they had been "privileged" to work in education. "I know of no other profession that is as rewarding," the director of schools said.

He also recognized and thanked Oliver "Buzz" Thomas, executive director of the Niswonger Foundation, and Linda Irwin, the foundation's director of school programs, for attending the reception.

In addition, Parkins recognized County School Board Chairman Kathy Crawford and board members Kathy Austin and Claude Weems, Jr., who were in attendance.

Crawford later presented awards to retiring teachers and employees.