Today’s #StaffSpotlight highlights Community Partner Specialist for Pittsburg, Kansas, and Employee of the Month for May, Lacee Merando! When Lacee was nominated for employee of the month, her nominator said, “Lacee has been an incredible asset to CIS. She has been working around the clock to forge connections with every agency in town and talk about all of the great things CIS does for our students. Whether it is an early morning coffee with a potential community partner or a late-night presentation to highlight our schools, Lacee is always willing to be there. She is passionate about the work we do, and it really shows. Whether it be a student need, a Tier 1 event, or getting our name out in the community, she is the first to jump in and say, “How can I help?”
We asked Christine some questions to get to know her better. Read on to see her answers!
- What are 3 words to describe CIS of Mid-America?
- Fun
- Caring
- Impactful
- What is your favorite thing about working at Communities In Schools of Mid-America?
- My favorite thing is the flexibility provided so that I can be a mom to my kids and the fact that I get to hang out in the community and make connections to help students.
- What advice do you have for kids who are struggling in school?
- Keep trying. We all learn more from our struggles.
- What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
- My kiddos.
- What is your favorite line from a movie?
- “Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten” – Lilo and Stitch.
- Where is your favorite place to be?
- Either at home with my kids and dog or at a pond fishing.
- Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
- Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
Garfield, because who wouldn’t want his life?!
- Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?
- If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
- Work on cars because not many people know how these days.
- If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring?
- My kids
- Cell phone
- Duct Tape
- You’re hosting a dinner party. Who are the 3 people, living or dead, who you would invite?
- My brother Todd because he passed away in December, and I miss him terribly.
- President Harry Truman and Elvis
- The last two are just because I feel like they are really interesting people who I’ve done a lot of research on.