May 19, 2020 – Congratulations to Julia “Monique” Menefee who was recently announced as the 2019-2020 School- Related Employee of the Year for Duval County Public Schools.
A data entry clerk at Rutledge Pearson Elementary School, Menefee said she was shocked when she learned she had been selected.
“I dropped my phone, and I was crying.” Menefee says. “It was the most astonishing thing and the best birthday present I could ever ask anybody to give.”
Menefee, who has worked for the district for 19 years, jokes that she started off as a tutor and she never left. She also jokes about the various hats she wears as a non-instructional employee.
For example, Menefee’s duties include enrolling students at the elementary school, welcoming visitors to the school, answering questions and providing information, and even provides assistance as a school nurse.
“I say the easiest thing to ask me is what don’t I do at Rutledge Pearson. I’m not the principal and I don’t cook, everything else I have probably touched,” Menefee says.
Menefee says despite the Coronavirus outbreak, parents, teachers, and administrators have continued to congratulate her by stopping by her home or posting to social media. Menefee was among a group of very qualified nominees for this year’s title. The nominees included:
- 1st runner up: Barbara Feimi, ESE Paraprofessional at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center
- 2nd runner up: Derrell Johnson, School Security Guard at Robert E. Lee High School
- 3rd runner up: Diane Jackson, Secretary at Southside Middle School
“It’s so important to recognize these employees and the roles they play in making sure students have the resources they need to be academically successful and feel safe and cared for while in our care,” said Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene.
The annual School-Related Employee of the Year ceremony was scheduled for March 20th, but was cancelled because of the pandemic.
Watch the video to hear from Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene, the winner Julia Menefee, and the Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary principal.
