Tell Us Why You’re #ProudToBePCSD

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Know a student, teacher, staff member, or community member who deserves recognition? Nominate them for a #ProudtobePCSD Spotlight:

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Across our district, staff members share what makes working at PCSD meaningful. From supportive colleagues to the joy of watching students succeed, these stories speak for themselves. Love where you work. Make a difference every day.

At the Putnam County School District, our greatest strength is our people. From teachers and paraprofessionals to bus drivers, tech specialists, and school nutrition staff—every employee plays a vital role in shaping the future of our students and community.

This page is dedicated to the voices and stories of our amazing team. Scroll through to hear directly from staff about what makes PCSD such a special place to work, learn, and grow. If you love what you see here, you might just belong here too.

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#ProudtobePCSD Spotlight

Today we’re proud to recognize Brooke Carpenter, a teacher at James A. Long Elementary School, for the incredible impact she is making on students.

A proud product of Putnam County and a 2011 honors graduate of Interlachen High School, Brooke has spent more than a decade pouring into the lives of her students — helping them grow not only academically, but also in confidence, character, and a true sense of belonging.

“Brooke Carpenter is more than an educator. She is a mentor, role model, and advocate whose compassion and dedication continue to positively shape the lives of young people across Putnam County.”

Her commitment goes far beyond the classroom. From supporting youth through West Putnam Pop Warner, Girls on the Run, and Girl Scouts, to showing up for her students long after they leave her class. Thank you, Ms. Carpenter, for being someone our students can look up to and for giving Putnam County Schools so many reasons to be proud!

Thankful Thoughts:

Heartfelt reflections from our PCSD family:

I am so grateful for Sheila Williams and her Data Analyst team! They are supportive, patient, and always ready to help me with any task that I need assistance with. Being a part of the PCSD data team over the past 9 years has been such a blessing and I couldn't have acquired the knowledge that I have without Sheila and her team! Thank you for your love and all that you do to support each of the data clerks in the Putnam County School District!

LaTina Hardy  

   Crescent City Jr.–Sr. High School- Data Clerk

I would love to give a shout out to Jonathan Hinke. He is one of the most positive and supportive people in our district! He goes out of his way to help administrators in all areas of our jobs. I am so thankful to have him as a leader!

Leah Lundy  

   Melrose Elementary School Principal

I am so thankful to work CRCCS! We have the most amazing staff, that goes above and beyond each day to make sure that each child's needs are being met! We all work together to make sure that we are providing the best environment for our amazing students to thrive! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing team, CRCCS!!

Brandi Faulkner  

   Children's Reading Center Charter School, Receptionist

I would like to give a shout out to the Assessment and Accountability team. I am the newest member here, they have made me feel welcome and have been there to set me up for success.

Victoria Reed  

   Assessment and Accountability - Data Analyst

I am #ProudtobePCSD because I feel like I work with the best faculty and administrators in the district! My coworkers are very supportive and caring, as are our administrators and they support us and encourage us to be the best that we can be, for ourselves and our students! My students are also amazing and I love the relationships that we are building and the positive changes that I see!

Karma Gibbs  

   EBD Teacher at Mellon Learning Center

Putnam County School District is a wonderful place to work. I started 6 years ago as an Art teacher at Miller Middle School. When Miller closed I was blessed to be involved in the STEM program and have grown and blossomed in this role. The district is very supportive of its teachers and I feel lucky to have a teaching job with this district.

Donna Kruithof  

   Crescent City Jr. – Sr. High School - Computer Science and STEM Teacher

Employee Spotlight: Why We're #ProudToBePCSD

We’re celebrating the incredible PCSD family! From inspiring stories to team shout-outs, we’re proud to showcase what makes us #ProudtobePCSD

Dr. Marcia Parker, a Cambridge and Science Instructor at Crescent City Jr.-Sr. High School, shares her heartfelt appreciation for Mr. Rodney Symonds:

'This is a shout-out to Mr. Rodney Symonds, who has tapped into my instructional expertise, including my role as a National Board Certification Evaluator for Science, my participation in the ACTS Science Fellowship at Pacific Northwest National Labs, and my continuous efforts to bring a research-focused attitude to my students during science fair competitions.

His encouragement and support have been instrumental in my growth as an educator, inspiring me to excel and bring out the best in my students.'

Tonya Whitehurst, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, wants to take a moment to express her heartfelt gratitude to the incredible HR team at PCSD.

"Your incredible dedication and hard work continue to keep things running smoothly, even when I’m swamped and stretched thin. I’m grateful for your support and teamwork that is displayed every single day. Thank you for always stepping up and ensuring everything stays on track — you are all truly appreciated!"

Luz Guerrero, ELA Team Lead and ELA 1 Teacher at Crescent City Jr.-Sr. High School, shares her gratitude for Dr. Kristin Hudson, highlighting her incredible impact as an ELA Coach:

"Dr. Hudson is an amazing coach who inspires me to be a better instructor. She is full of knowledge and resources, and every time I meet with her, I learn something new. I love that she’s always prepared with resources, challenges my thinking, and encourages me when I’m in doubt. I can always count on her kind demeanor and optimistic attitude."

Thank you, Dr. Hudson, for your unwavering dedication to empowering educators and inspiring excellence!

Chuck McGuire: Finding His Calling in Education and Inspiring the Next Generation

"Over two years ago, I started subbing for PCSD, and through that experience, I found my calling in education. After being hired as a paraprofessional at CCJSHS, Tim Adams took a chance on me and entrusted me with the opportunity to work with the school's new Aerospace program.

Since then, I've had the privilege of growing alongside my students and supporting them in the same way that incredible educators like Mike Tomlinson and Leslie Scott once supported me when I was a student here."

Chuck McGuire’s journey from student to educator is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. Thank you for inspiring our students and shaping the future of PCSD!

Mary Wood, Principal of Putnam Virtual School, is proud to highlight Bonnie Putman’s outstanding contributions:

"Bonnie’s unwavering love and enthusiasm for our students shine through in everything she does. As the Facilitator for Putnam Virtual School, she works tirelessly to provide valuable resources, speakers, and events that not only inspire our students but also help them make lasting connections with organizations.

Her dedication is shaping their success now and preparing them for the future."

Bonnie’s commitment to empowering students truly exemplifies the spirit of PCSD. Thank you, Bonnie, for your passion and hard work!

Alice Keith, Administrative Assistant for Support Services and Student Services, wants to shine a light on her colleague, Tracy Piscitello, who is not only our District office front desk receptionist but also the heart of our building. "Tracy does an outstanding job but is so much more than a receptionist. She keeps the lobby festive with seasonal decorations and scents, organizes drives for Feed the Need, hurricane relief, and even coordinates our local blood drive. During the holidays, she becomes our very own “cheermister,” rallying us for door decorating, cookie exchanges, and themed competitions. Tracy has a heart of gold and is an absolute pleasure to work with!" Tracy’s pride in her team, her colleagues, and her district shines through in everything she does. PCSD is truly better together!

Lauraine Flathmann, an ESE Resource Teacher at Browning Pearce, is proud to shout out her colleague Carol Blanks, an incredible second-grade ELA teacher! "Carol goes above and beyond to inspire her students to read by hosting monthly award ceremonies that bring so much joy to the classroom. Her students beam with pride as they earn prizes for reaching new Accelerated Reader levels, from candy bars to exciting mystery bags! Carol’s students cheer each other on as their names are called, making reading feel like a community celebration." Carol’s commitment to creating a fun and supportive learning environment for her students embodies the heart of PCSD. Carol’s pride in her students, her colleagues, and her district shines through in everything she does. PCSD is truly better together!

The CTE Department is incredibly grateful to welcome Will Bergbower to their team this year! "From day one, Will has brought an infectious energy and enthusiasm to every aspect of his work. He’s always willing to step in and lend a hand, whether it’s improving procedures, troubleshooting tech issues, moving furniture, overseeing students in the OJT Program, or reaching out to employers to open new opportunities for our students. His commitment to making things better, paired with his openness to learning, has truly made him our 'go-to guy' for just about everything! Plus, his stories about his daily 'Daddy duties' never fail to brighten our days. Will’s dedication and team spirit have made a lasting impact on our CTE family, and we’re so grateful for everything he does." Will’s pride in his team, his colleagues, and his district shines through in everything he does. PCSD is truly better together!

Sarah Wylie, a dedicated School Counselor at Melrose Elementary, is #ProudtobePCSD because of the strong, supportive connections with her colleagues. Sarah describes her team as more than coworkers—they are a family who inspire her every day. She feels incredibly blessed to work alongside such a wonderful group of people, all committed to creating a nurturing environment for students. Thank you, Sarah, for all you do and for your pride in our PCSD family!

Rose Hilliard, Media Center Tech at Robert H. Jenkins Elementary School, shares her deep appreciation for Mr. Gregg Knapp, a colleague who consistently goes above and beyond. '"I am beyond thankful to nominate Mr. Gregg Knapp as a colleague who makes a huge difference in our workplace. Mr. Knapp is one of the hardest workers I know. He always comes in with a calm and positive attitude, and I can count on him to help with any task. He easily gets along with all our teachers and staff and generously shares his knowledge, empowering us to handle minor technical issues independently. Mr. Knapp is truly indispensable to our school, and we are so thankful he is part of JES.'"

At Moseley Elementary, support and teamwork make every day brighter! 4th Grade Reading and Science Teacher Salina Griffin shares her gratitude for her amazing team. 'I am #proudtobePCSD because of the overwhelming support and inspiration from every single person! I’m especially thankful for my team: Willie Hardy, Katlyn Dekle, and Alicia Williams. We share responsibilities, celebrations, and ideas to make this year the best it can be!' Salina’s pride in her school, her colleagues, and her district shines through in everything she does. PCSD is truly better together!

Cindy Bellamy, Assistant Principal at Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School, has been part of the PCSD family for decades. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “PCSD is family. From Kindergarten at Mellon Elementary with Mrs. Joyce McLeod to returning for a college internship with the same teacher, my path has been filled with people who inspire me. My first year teaching was under the leadership of Mr. Doug Valenti and Mr. Rick Surrency, and now, 29 years later, I’m still here, growing with strong roots and building relationships that matter.”
Cindy’s experience showcases how PCSD isn’t just a workplace—it’s a community that nurtures growth, learning, and lifelong connections.

Moseley Elementary Assistant Principal Aeron McNeill shares a heartfelt reminder about the heart of education: “I am #proudtobepcsd because of our amazing students. Even on challenging days, their enthusiasm and positivity brighten my spirits. While it’s often assumed that students rely on us for support, I believe it is equally important for us to acknowledge how much we rely on them for inspiration and motivation.”
Aeron’s words remind us of the powerful impact that students and educators have on each other’s lives. It’s a relationship built on mutual growth and joy.

Some teammates make every day brighter! Pre-K Teacher Lisa Dickins at Mellon Learning Center gives a heartfelt SHOUT OUT to Paraprofessional Teresa Thompson. Lisa shares, "Teresa always has a positive outlook in every situation. She loves working with the kids, and it’s so clear in how she goes above and beyond to support them and her team. She’s truly a team player!" It’s dedicated staff like Teresa who bring out the best in our students and make PCSD such a special place.

Coming full circle! Laurel Bartley, a Paraprofessional and Instructional Tutor at Melrose Elementary, is grateful to serve in the same school where she was once a student. Laurel shares, "I am proud to be part of PCSD, working at Melrose Elementary, the school I attended as a child. It’s inspiring to give back and help mold the minds of our students today!" Laurel’s journey as a Product of Putnam reflects the power of education to shape futures and build community. We are so lucky to have her with us!

Laura Yeomans, District Literacy Coach, gives a major SHOUT OUT to her colleague Chris Deluca in the Department of Teaching and Learning: “Chris models humble leadership and is one of the best people to work with or for. He keeps a focus on the kids, which is why we're all here!”
We’re grateful for dedicated teammates like Chris who make PCSD stronger!

Bob Clark, Business Education and Computer Science teacher and Jr. High Football and Basketball Coach, shares: “I want to be a mentor who inspires my students to accomplish things they never thought possible through hard work and perseverance.”
Thank you, Bob, for guiding and uplifting our students!