School District Of Lee County Names Teresa Rigdon Named School-Related Employee Of The Year

From The School District of Lee County:

February 11, 2021

The School District of Lee County is excited to announce Teresa Rigdon is the School Related Employee of the Year. Ridgon is the Peer Mediation Counselor at Lehigh Acres Middle School.

The School Related Employee of the year represents the thousands of dedicated staff members that work in Lee County Schools every day. They are the bus drivers, technical support staff, social workers, helping teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, cafeteria staff, custodians and more.

At Lehigh Acres Middle School, Rigdon developed the peer mediation program as part of the school’s restorative practices. She helps students solve conflicts and other issues, first with the student involved and then by selecting a group of peers for mediation sessions. The program is responsible for a significant reduction in the number of student referrals. “She manages contentious and volatile situations with calm and grace and makes our students a priority every single day,” says LAMS Principal Dr. Brian Gibson. “Our students, school and community benefit from her knowledge, skills and talent.”

Rigdon also helps take care of student needs outside the classroom. She is responsible for organizing the nutrition bank at LAMS. She leads a team every week that collects food and fills backpacks for students in need to take home with them every Friday for the weekend. She is also helping to develop an anti-bullying curriculum and a “Think Up” curriculum to motivate young girls to think positively about themselves. “Rigdon is an enthusiastic and compassionate staff member with a sincere interest in the development and advancement of students,” says LAMS Counselor Cassandra Davis. “She is one of my motivators in doing a great job every day as I step into the school building.”

As School Related Employee of the Year, Rigdon wins a prize package valued at $2,229.95.

• South Seas Resort: 3 Day/2 Night Stay Certificate
• Suncoast Credit Union Foundation: $500 VISA Gift Card
• Massage Envy: Massage Gift Pack
• Eager Beaver Car Wash: Full Service Wash Book
• Ruth Messmer Florist: Bouquet
• Dunkin' Donuts: Gift Card
• Snyderman Shoes: Gift Certificate
• Burntwood Tavern: Gift Card
• Fred's Award World: Custom Name Tag

School related employee of the year candidates are nominated by school administrators and/or their colleagues. District and school based staff review the candidates, select and interview finalists, then choose the recipient. The District wishes to congratulate all the nominees for their dedicated work.

This press release was produced by The School District of Lee County. The views expressed are the author's own.