Congratulations to the CATS Employee of the Year for 2023-2024, Debi Kennedy! Mrs. Kennedy is the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and the Board of Education. In this role, she has proven to be most deserving of this recognition.
Mrs. Kennedy has worked in Valdosta City Schools for virtually her entire career, and that has allowed her to build a lot of credibility among her coworkers. She is punctual, responsible, and dependable. Perhaps her greatest strength is her cheerful, positive attitude. She never seems bothered, and she is always willing to help others.
Mrs. Kennedy uses her skills daily to meet the needs of several departments within the Central Office. Regardless of the amount of notice or information she has, she is able to complete tasks very quickly and accurately. She also remains calm in dealing with difficult situations. She keeps in mind the policies of the organization when making decisions and represents Valdosta City Schools well in a positive and professional manner. She directly coordinates travel, food, and all other arrangements needed by our Board Members, the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Directors and several others. This requires precision in completing reservations and orders accurately and in a timely manner. She not only does her job well, but she also maintains a positive atmosphere in the workplace.
Outside the workplace, Debi is heavily involved in her church. She is often known for how she reaches out and checks on others. As soon as you see Debi, whether in our office or out in the community you will always be greeted first by her million dollar smile! If she has a bad day, you probably will not know about it because she lives to put others before herself. She goes above and beyond to ensure every employee is taken care of when out of work which promotes a sense of community in our Central Office. We are so blessed that she is considered one of the most recognizable faces in Valdosta City Schools. If every school in our district had a “Debi” our system would be in a great place!